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

Wild Weekends and a Shout-Out to Mother Nature

June 18, 2009

Dear Mother Nature,

Hope you are doing well.  While I'm typically a big fan of yours, I'm a lover of ALL seasons, lately I'm not enjoying your work.  You see Mom (mind if I call you Mom?), my kids are desperate to don their bathing suits, their shorts and t-shirts, but the continuous rain is impeding their fun!  I realize rain is good for the grass and trees, but couldn't we make it a bit more even, like say, way LESS gloom and way MORE sun?

Anything you could do to help is well appreciated.

Best,

Being Savvy Boston

It's Father's Day Weekend so let the good times roll!  So much going on in Boston and since I asked nicely, I'm certain Mother Nature will turn around all this rain for sunnier skies. ;)

Boston Life is Good Festival & Good Walk for Kids.  The festival is a free, outdoor celebration featuring great live music and a colorful mix of good-time games and activities for all ages.  From seed spitting and Double Dutch to soccer kicks, tug-o'-wars and football flings, the Life is good Festival on the Boston Common is an invitation to free family fun and healthy play. 

Before the fun starts, register for the Good Walk for Kids.  The walk itself is a 3-mile family-friendly route that can't be beat.  You'll start at Boston Common, walk along the new Rose Kennedy Greenway to see it all in bloom, stroll along the Harbor Walk with beautiful ocean views, and return to the Common.  Included are some surprises and fun along the way to keep your stride steady and your smile wide.  Your registration fee and any money you raise will go toward Project Joy, enabling its healing work with our most vulnerable children. For more info on Project Joy, visit http://www.pjkids.org/.  To register, or for more info, visit here.   Saturday, June 20^th, 11am - 5pm.

Chinatown Main Street Festival.  Open to the public, this cultural celebration offers food, cultural vendors and stage performances.  If you haven't exposed your kids to the vibrant life in Chinatown, this is the perfect opportunity!  Sunday, June 21^st, 10AM - 5PM.

Free Community Day at the MFA.  Just in time for Father's Day, the MFA opens its doors - FREE - to visitors.  Actually, in an effort to make the museum more accessible to the community, they are offering free admission once a month.  So take Dad and leave your wallet at home!  Sunday, June 21^st, 10am - 4:45pm.

PMC Newton-Needham Kids Ride.  "The mission of the PMC Newton-Needham Kids Ride is to include young cyclists in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) mission of raising money for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. The program engages youth in philanthropy and teaches them the value of working for the benefit of others. The ride also promotes athletic fitness and physical activity among youth."  There will be free give-a-ways, music with a DJ provided by Siagel Productions, post ride party, silent auction, raffles and refreshments.  All registered riders will receive a PMC T-shirt and water bottle.  Sunday, June 21^st, 8am - 12pm.  Wells Office Park, Newton.

Father's Day Brunch at the Museum of Science.  Enjoy an exquisite Father's Day Brunch at the Museum of Science with breathtaking views of the Charles River and Boston skyline. Created by Wolfgang Puck Catering, the buffet-style brunch includes a wide array of delicious foods including peaches and bourbon French toast, braised short ribs, and white chocolate cannoli.  Brunch is served in the Museum's Skyline Room overlooking the Charles River.  Tickets include admission to the Museum's Exhibit Halls. Member discounts are available, as well as discount parking. Reservations recommended; please call 617-723-2500 or click here.  Fee: Adults: $49; Members: $44; Children 3 - 11: $19.

Review: Dora the Explorer Live!

May 11, 2009

Yesterday, Mother's Day, my family went to see Dora the Explorer: Live! at the Boston Opera House.  A perfect way to spend a family morning, we were not disappointed with the show.

The first thing that struck me about the show was that, unlike other children's theater, there was no ill-timed lip-synching and the performers were actual actors, not just people with mediocre talent who resembled the characters they portrayed.  The actors talked, danced and sang - and all were extremely talented.  Dora's voice was great, though the man who played Dora's cousin Diego was fantastic.  His appearance was short, but just long enough to give my Diego-obsessed 18 month old, a real thrill.

The story was cute - Dora, Boots, and other recognizable friends go on a journey in "Search for the City of Lost Toys" to find Dora's lost teddy bear.  Through problem-solving using numbers, language, and reasoning, and with the help of the audience, Dora is reunited with her lost teddy bear.  Dora leads the audience by using Spanish phrases, which help them forge ahead.  The music was familiar as were the catch-phrases like vamonos! And of course, the catchy Dora theme song.

The show, produced by Broadway Across America was nothing if not pricey.  Our tickets were upwards of $50 per person - that's over $200 for the 85-minute show just for our family!  But again, the quality of the show was apparent making the cost seem more worthwhile.  We skipped the typical $15 snacks and $20 toys in favor of a packed lunch (sorry to the vendors!) that we ate during intermission. 

The show was the perfect length - my 3 year old watched intently for the duration, while my 18 month old started losing interest by the middle of the short second-half.  But truly, it was extremely well-done, and a really fun family day.

For upcoming shows and cities, click here.  Vamonos!    

Wild Weekends ? Mother?s Day Edition

May 07, 2009

Mother's Day 2009 - woohoo!  The weather is looking good, and it's mom's special day.  there's plenty going on in Boston, here are just a few ideas.  Happy Mother's Day!

Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum.  Join lilac enthusiasts from all over New England to celebrate a beloved Boston tradition.  A dazzling array of over 180 kinds of lilacs with delightful fragrances and gorgeous colors plus tours, dancing, art, music, children's activities, and food (picnicking allowed on this special day only).   Sunday, May 10^th with activities from 10am - 4pm.  125 Arborway, Boston.

Mother's Day at Franklin Park & Stone Zoo.  To celebrate Mother's Day, the Zoo is offering free admission to moms on Sunday, May 10. Spend a memorable day with your mom by discovering all of the incredible animals that call the Zoo home. During your visit, be sure to take special note of the animal mothers at the Zoo!  Sunday, May 10^th from 10am - 6pm.  One Franklin Park Road, Boston and 149 Pond Street, Stoneham.

Annual Ducklings Day Parade.  Based on the book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, children and their families will retrace the steps of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their family of eight ducklings.  Led by the Harvard University Marching Band, children relive the adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and are encouraged to dress as one of their favorite characters from the book.   There is a $25 donation per family for tickets that are available in advance at select retailers in Beacon Hill and online here. For more information please click here or call (617) 723-8144.

The Chocolate Bar at Café Fleuri.  If mom has a sweet tooth, take her to Café Fleuri's Chocolate Bar where she can sink her teeth into over 125 chocolaty desserts including chocolate mousses, specialty cakes, made-to-order chocolate crêpes, homemade ice cream, fresh baked cookies, milk chocolate passion fruit tarts, miniature s'more cups, cotton candy, delicate truffles, signature chocolate bread pudding and more (though more might be on the decadent side J).  The Chocolate Bar is available from 11:00am to 3:00pm and costs $40 for adults, $25 for children ages 5 to 12 and free for the young ones under 4.  The Langham Hotel, 250 Franklin Street, Boston.

5 Father's Day Ideas

by Jill Notkin

June 10, 2008

In a city like Boston, there's no shortage of great things to do at any time. Father's day activities around town just add to that list. 1. Father's Day Story Time . Bring dad to this story time celebrating fathers in our families. Activities will include books, crafts and games. Saturday, June 14 from 11am to 12pm, Barnes and Noble, Chestnut Hill Mall. Free. 170  Read more...