Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Boston, MA

The streets in France will be alive with celebration tomorrow, as Bastille Day is commemorated.  Here in Boston, we'll be celebrating too, perhaps not on every street corner as in France, but our celebration will take place in French restaurants where Boston Francophiles will share their famous food with the rest of us.  If you have the evening free, check out these spots for the French festivities. 

There are definitely certain places in the city of Boston, where if you closed your eyes and used a touch of imagination, you could be in Paris.  The architecture of Boston can be compared to that of the city of lights, especially along Commonwealth Avenue in the Back Bay, which was designed after the Champs Elysee and is graced with beautiful statues of Boston's famous heroes.  A walk on the wide grassy mall which divides the street into two directions is an education into the history of our town.  On a quiet summer day, teach your kids a little about Boston's past, starting with the statue of Patrick Andrew Collins, former mayor of Boston.  Continue on and visit John Glover, Revolutionary War soldier.  Just down the street, spend some time at The Boston Women's Memorial,  with statues of Abigail Adams, Lucy Stone, and Phillis Wheatley. 

Though Bostonians don't often use French as a first language, it is certainly taught in many schools.  Beginning in preschool, kids can immerse in the language, which is useful in many countries throughout the world.  French for Kids is a small independent preschool which also offers French as an extra-curricular program for kids 4 through elementary school.  Located in Lexington, the founders' mission is to help families who desire to educate their children in a bilingual setting.  Arc-En-Ciel is another preschool that offers a bilingual education to kids beginning as young as 2-months!  Having personally spoken with the director when researching daycare for my daughter, I learned first-hand that Arc-En-Ciel is an exceptional program for young kids.  Located in South Brookline. 

Adults and children can experience French culture at the Boston French Library, a non-profit organization which aims to provide a French cultural experience right here in Boston.  The  second largest private French Library in the US, they offer summer camp and classes for kids 6 months and up, along with a weekly story time.  This is truly a hidden gem.  53 Marlborough St., Boston.