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

Wild Weekends

May 14, 2009

 The weather report for the weekend doesn't look amazing (Saturday 64 with intermittent clouds, Sunday mostly cloudy and 63) but WHO CARES?  Get out there and have fun anyhow!

Clown Town in Andover.  In the area?  Bring your family to the decade's old annual Clown Town in the Park for a fun-filled day of carnival rides, games, face painting, candy, balloons, and snacks.  Proceeds collected by the Andona Society and are used to help Andover youth learn, grow and achieve.  Friday, May 15^th from 6 - 10pm, and Saturday, May 16^th from 9:30am to 4:30pm.  In The Park, Andover (corner of Bartlet and Chestnut Streets).  For a full schedule of events, www.andonasociety.org/.     

Newton's Memorial Parade.  What better way to celebrate those who served our country with a parade? Coming 1-week early this year, the annual event will begin at 2 pm on Washington Street across from Our Lady's church and ends at Coletti/Magni Park at Bridge and Watertown streets and features the famous Aleppo Shriners, its clowns who are dedicated to delighting kids of all ages, as well a several other marching units.  Sunday, May 17^th.  

Nahant Beach Gathering of Kite Fliers.  Dig out your old kite and come down to Nahant Beach for a fun-filled family afternoon.   The Massachusetts Department of Recreation and Conservation North Region invite you to the Nahant Beach Gathering of Kite Fliers.  Sunday, May 17^th, 3 - 6pm.  The Nahant Beach Reservation "1/2-way" bathhouse, Nahant.

The Carousel is back!!  After a test-run last fall which my family enjoyed, the Boston Common Frog Pond Foundation and Boston Parks and Recreation Department have decided to give it another whirl (J) from April 30^th through the end of June.  Rides are $3 for kids, no charge for accompanying adults.  Check it out on the Frog Pond in the Boston Common.

Wild Weekends

April 16, 2009

It's *almost* here.  It's so close I can taste it, I can feel it, I can smell it.  Yup, Spring.  And as the tree buds begin to come to life, so does the city.  Here's what's up for this weekend in our beautiful town:

The opening of the Swan Boats.  A Boston tradition, the Swan Boats are open for the season this weekend!  Freshly painted and ready to go, no summer is complete without a 15-minute tour of the Boston Garden Lagoon.  Saturday, April 18^th, 10am - 4pm.  For hours and fares, click here.  Boston Common near the Public Garden.

It's Ben Rudnick and Friends!  With the recent release of their new CD, A frog Named Sam, they are showcasing plenty of new tunes at this release party.  With countless awards to their credit, including FOUR Parent's Choice awards, their adventurous high-energy blend of happy, upbeat, acoustic music is guaranteed to make you sing, make you dance and make you happy!  Saturday, April 18^th, 10:30am.  Tickets are $8 kids & seniors, $10 adults.  Regent Theatre, 7 Medford Street, Arlington.  

Dan Zanes.  If you haven't heard of Dan Zanes, you're either hiding under a rock, or you don't have kids.  Not just another smiley-faced, silly-songster who will go the mile to entertain children, Zanes is the real thing, with a Grammy under his belt to prove it.  And you can take in his excellent show this weekend (we are!).  Shows Saturday, April 18^th & Sunday, April 19^th at the Somerville Theatre.  For tickets and showtimes, click here.    

Big Apple Circus.  If you haven't taken your kids to the circus yet, here's your chance to get them under the big top!  Now in its 31^st season, the Big Apple Circus combines fabulous music with the wonder of the circus, and all the fun traditions that go along with it (ie, POPCORN!!).  Now through May 10^th.  For tickets, click here.  City Hall Plaza, Boston.  Insider's Tip: for our first experience at the circus, click here.

Wild Weekends

April 02, 2009

I received an email from a friend/reader this week thanking me for posting about last weekend's Woolapalooza at Drumlin Farm.  I was psyched that readers are taking my advice and hitting the spots I think are worthy.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on my recommendations too.  Email me or simply leave a comment below. 

That said, on to this weekend:

Sprinkle a little culture into the weekend and check out the Family Concert Series by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  Music creates atmosphere, emotions and thoughts. Some music even tells stories or paints pictures. The wonderful thing about music, is that each individual experiences something unique when listening to it. Join the B SO as we 'listen' and explore these ideas. This year's theme is 'Musical Landscapes.' Family Concerts are designed for children ages 5 and up and their families.  Saturday, April 4^th, 10:15am and 12pm.  Tickets are $18 and can be purchased here.     

Circus Smirkus.  A fundraiser to raise money for the non-profit, award-winning, international youth circus, it's also a great way to see the acrobats, high wire act, trapeze and clowns!  Though the 3pm  show is sold-out, you can still get tickets for the 6pm, just click here for deets.  Taking place at the Nicholas Athletic Center, Upper School, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, 80 Gerry's Landing Road, Cambridge.    

Have you heard of this guy?  Well, crawl out from under your rock since Rick Goldin has been entertaining children since 1980 (before some of you moms were even BORN!)!  One of the most popular children's entertainers in New England, Goldin is a delight for preschoolers and will be at the Wenham Museum this weekend.  Join Rick and his puppet friends for a fun-filled "Funny Shoe Songs" family concert to coincide with the museum's new "Soul of the Shoe" exhibit.  Sunday, April 5^th, 1pm (a 2:30pm show may be added).  Tickets $10.00 in advance, $12.00 at the door, $2.00 discount for museum members.

Wild Weekends

by Jill Notkin

January 22, 2009

If you are looking for some snow, we've got some to spare. And, if you're looking to hit the slopes with your kids, this would be the time to get out and do it. Ski resorts both near and far are boasting TONS of the white stuff, but if it's their first time out, make sure to know before you go . Otherwise, here's what's up for this weekend: Jenny the Juggler . Through  Read more...

Date Night: A Different Kind of Circus

by Jill Notkin

October 20, 2008

It feels like we're all circus all the time around here lately, but the circus my husband and I went to last Thursday night was a different kind. It was Cirque du Soleil , the Quebec-based organization that has been putting on exceptional circus shows since 1984 (making me especially partial since I'm originally from Montreal!). I remember going as a teenager to see a Cirque performance,  Read more...

Our First Trip to the Circus

by Jill Notkin

October 15, 2008

Last weekend was special. Special not only because we chose Halloween costumes and had a special "Daddy" day while Mommy attended a conference, but special because it was our first family trip to the Ringing Bros & Barnum and Bailey Circus. I'll admit - it started out shaky. Due to an unfortunate detour in the road, we arrived late so the show had begun by the time we reached the TD  Read more...

Wild Weekends

by Jill Notkin

October 10, 2008

Looking for some fun stuff to do this long weekend? I believe there are still tickets left for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the TD Banknorth Garden. Shows run through Monday, October 13 th so if you're looking for a fun activity, the circus is where it's at. Save 20% with the coupon code "MCC" when you buy tickets at http://www.ringling.com/ . How cool is  Read more...

A Special Offer From the Circus People

by Jill Notkin

October 01, 2008

Calling all Moms and Dads! Remember Monday Oct 13th is Columbus Day and the kids are home! Come Bellobrate with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey at the TD Banknorth Garden and Save $10 per ticket! Visit www.ringling.com, select state, date and time and enter the coupon code: MOM Save 20% with the coupon code: MCC for all Boston  Read more...

A Trip to the Circus

by Jill Notkin

September 22, 2008

It's a rite of passage for every child the experience of the circus. The anticipation followed by the sheer excitement of the lights coming up, the performers riding in on elephants, the colorful clowns, and the acrobats flying through the air. As parents, many of us remember the magic of the circus from our own childhoods, and it is one of the rare memories that we can pass down to  Read more...

September Traditions

by Jill Notkin

September 01, 2008

Welcome to September! While this month definitely marks the end of those long, hot dog days of summer, it also means more fun memory-making events for your family. With back-to-school, it's certainly busy, but never too busy to fit in fun and educational outings! Start the month off right by attending the Red Sox and Apple Pie Concert featuring the Boston Landmarks Orchestra at  Read more...

Wild Weekends

by Jill Notkin

August 21, 2008

The final weeks of August are flying by, so you'd better get in all those outdoor activities before the snowsuits hit the stores!   Here are a few ideas to make this beautiful weekend a memorable one. Peach Festival at Smolak Farms .   It's pick-your-own-peaches time again and Smolak Farm is celebrating!   They will be open for the festival all weekend with a local artisans fair but come  Read more...

Weekend Fun

by Jill Notkin

July 31, 2008

August, how ever did you find us so fast! Ok, so only 5 more weekends before September, let's use them well folks! A few ideas: Circus Smirkus is coming to Revere for two days of Big Top fun! The non-profit, award-winning international youth circus is bringing its troupers aged 10 to 18 from Vermont to entertain your family. Smirkus continues its tradition of  Read more...

Circus Shmirkus!

by Jill Notkin

June 23, 2008

The circus is coming! The circus is coming! Yup it's that time of year again and my family is gearing up to go to the circus in the fall. But first, we are going to learn all the tricks! Read on for places to hit to learn to fly. Simply Circus . How cool is this a circus school in Newton ! With classes for kids from 3 and up, this place is worth a second look.  Read more...