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

Two'fers - Where You Can Squeeze Two Events into One Day

July 21, 2009

We all like a little bang for our buck.  This goes for our precious time as well.  Once you emit the energy it takes to get a couple (or more) of kids out of the house, you want to make it worthwhile, right?  Here are a few ideas for squeezing more than one activity into one outing without running all over town to do so.

1. Spend the morning exploring the Harvard Museum of Natural History in Cambridge, including a dizzying array of hundreds of animals, dinosaurs, whale skeletons, gemstones, minerals and meteorites. Later, hit the spray fountains and big boulders in front of the Harvard Science Center at the corner of Kirkland & Oxford Streets. If it's Tuesday in summer, throw in a visit to the Harvard Farmer's Market and call it a day well-spent.

2. The New England Aquarium is an under-the-sea adventure for all, especially the Great Ocean Tank. Once your wonder wears off, continue with the water theme and check out a Boston Harbor Cruise - there are many to choose from!

3. The Boston Duck Tours are a must-see for visitors and residents alike! Catch it before or after a spin around the Museum of Science, it leaves from just outside!

4. Take a spin on the waters of the Boston Public Garden in a Swan Boat. (That in itself is a two'fer!!) Then shake on over to the Frog Pond & Tadpole Playground for a little spray fountain fun and a swing on the monkey bars.

5. Is it a super hot day? The Boston Public Library in Copley Square is air-conditioned and offers hours of entertainment. Check out their calendar if you are looking for an organized event or just visit the stacks and read together. Once their energy levels hit high again, head outside and throw pennies into the fountain at Copley Square. Wrap it up by and buy a snack from nearby vendors or listen to the free entertainment during summer months.

Wild Weekends

June 25, 2009

This weekend marks the start of our family vacation.  While we are frolicking on the beach, you will be taking advantage of what promises to be PERFECT weather (crosses fingers), and our wonderful local events.

Frog Pond Opening Day Celebration.  Summer isn't summer without a trip to dip in the Frog Pond.  Join the fun at opening day with a special visit from mascot Frog Pond Freddie, entertainment, and arts and crafts activities with Sidewalk Sam.  Children of all ages can enjoy story telling by ReadBoston and music and activities provided by the Mix 98.5 Street Team. Refreshments will be provided by in-kind sponsors H.P. Hood LLC, Cabot Creamery, Nantucket Nectars, Snapple, and Jennifer's Ice Cream who will provide tasty samples and important nutrition information.  Friday, June 26^th, 2-3:30pm.  Boston Common, Boston.

Family Fun Day in Sommerville.  Summer gets kicked off at this annual event, which includes a free BBQ, watermelon eating contest, dunk tank, and family friendly events.  Saturday, June 27^th, noon - 5pm.  Trum Field, Sommerville (for directions, click here). 

The Great American Backyard Campout.  Learn to camp in the safety of the family Children's Museum.  At this event, kids will learn to set up a tent, snuggle in a sleeping bag, make their own trail mix, sing camping songs, and prepare to join America's largest camp out in your own back yard.  Saturday, June 27^th, 11am - 4pm.  Boston Children's Museum.

Whale Watch.  This is the perfect weekend or a whale watch!  Climb aboard the Voyager III for Boston's best whale watch and enjoy the view as their high-speed catamaran whisks you to the whale feeding grounds just 30 miles east of Boston.  Your destination is Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary, a rich feeding ground for whales, dolphins, sea birds and other marine life. This area is home to several kinds of large whales, including humpback whales, finback whales, minke whales, as well as pilot whales and the critically endangered right whales.  For more info and reservations, visit the New England Aquarium's Whale Watch page.    

5 best places to see the fish

March 31, 2009

 My kids loves looking at fish.  In fact, they spot them in the oddest places before I do!   Here a a few fun ideas for places to see the fish in Boston.

1. Le's Restaurant at the Atrium Mall.  Formerly Pho Pasteur, this restaurant, located in the mommy-mecca otherwise known as the Atrium Mall, not only has great food and a really interesting children's menu (think chicken with Vietnamese noodles), it also has a large fish tank.  Filled to the brim with colorful and exotic looking fish, enjoy your meal in peace while your restless child spends time observing the marine life.  300 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill.
2. Boston Tropical Fish & Reptiles.  In a city where you need to search to find pet stores, this fish store is the place to hit not just to see the fish, but to take them home too.  They have fish that are slightly more exclusive than the variety regularly found at other stores, with both fresh and salt water fish and supplies.  243 Monsignor Obrien Hwy, Cambridge.
3. Fish Pond at Fugakyu.  If you can get past the irony of housing a fish pond inside a sushi restaurant, then you're going to love the fish at Fugakyu.  Arguably the best sushi in town, Fugakyu makes that wait for a table seem tolerable with the entertaining and beautiful fish.  There always seems to be some splashing going on in there, those fish are feisty!  1280 Beacon Street, Brookline.
4. Ducklings at the Boston Common.  Ok, so maybe not technically reptiles, but these ducklings cause quite the commotion every time we bring our toddler to see them!  While you're there, you may actually catch a glimpse of some fish swimming in the man-made lagoon (otherwise make up for it with a fun ride on the Swan Boats!) 
5.  The New England Aquarium.  Clearly the most obvious place to see the fish in Boston, the aquarium definitely works its charm on every visit.  I'll never forget the first time my toddler visited this aquarium.  She stood for long minutes at a time on the decks located all around the Great Ocean Tank.  Watch your child take it all in as the jellyfish, sharks, barracudas, sea turtles and others swim by.  1 Central Wharf, Boston.

99 Things you must do with your child before they grow up.

February 24, 2009

1. Boston Children's Museum.  There is nothing like the look on your child's face when they enter that bubble room.  What kid isn't turned on by the site of enormous bubbles? 
2. Frog Pond and Tadpole Playground.  Located in the Boston Common, the Frog Pond is an institution for kids in Boston.  Take a dip in it on a hot summer day or skate on it in the winter.  A few steps away is the playground which features a play structure, a water spray fountain and bronze frog statues.
3. New England Aquarium.  I'll never forget the first time my toddler visited this aquarium.  She stood for long minutes at a time on the decks located all around the Great Ocean Tank.  Watch your child take it all in as the jellyfish, sharks, barracudas, sea turtles and others swim by.
4. Fenway Park Tour.  Baseball is synonymous with Boston and even the youngest children know this.  No child will ever forget his/her first tour of the Green Monster.  Tours leave hourly from the souvenir store.
5. Walden Pond.  A small 102-foot deep pond perfect for wading and swimming, the area also has hiking trails with pond-side nooks for private family picnicking and swimming. 
6. Artesani Playground and Pool.  This watering hole features a number of zero depth fountains from the ground as well as a wading pool with all kinds of waterfall like things.
7. Crystal Lake.  Hidden away in Newton Center, the 33 acre natural lake is the absolute perfect place to pass a hot afternoon.  Parents can chat with friends (everyone is a familiar face here) or relax on the cramped, but cute beach.
8. Good Harbor Beach.  Arguably the most beautiful on the North Shore, the place is crawling with kids.
9. Water Country. New England's largest water park is definitely the spot to hit this summer.  
10. The Butterfly Garden at the Museum of Science. Nestled in a warmed conservatory (wear a t-shirt!), visitors are invited to walk among the winged creatures for a close-up look into their habitat. 
11. Imax Theatre at Jordan's.  Forget about buying furniture, head to Jordan's for an awesome experience in IMAX. 
12. Visit the Totplex.  Located in Canton, this new indoor playspace looks perfect for active kids!
13. Stargazing at the Gilliland Observatory.  If your kids are starry-eyed, take them to the rooftop observatory at the Museum of Science on Friday nights, where they will learn about whatever objects can be observed in the current night sky.  
14. Harvard Museum of Natural History.  The museum features exhibits on all kinds of life - plants, animals, and humankind.
15. The Curious George Goes to Wordsworth.  What kid doesn't love an entire book store named after their favorite monkey?
16. The Franklin Park Zoo.  The 72-acre site located in Boston's Franklin Park is home to hundreds of exotic animal species from around the world.
17. Southwick's Wild Animal Zoo.  This zoo features the largest collection of endangered species like the white rhino and African elephants.
18. Lookout Farm's Petting Zoo.  There are many different things to do at this farm depending on the season, but from April through October, you can count on the petting zoo as a main attraction.
19. Old Sturbridge Village.  Take a step into the past at the largest history museum in the northeast.
20. Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden.  Turns out Dr. Seuss was born in Springfield, Ma. and the town celebrated this by erecting five bronze sculptures of the man surrounded by his most beloved characters.  
21. Davis' Farmland & Water Spray Park.  Known primarily for its animals, kids can pet, cuddle and feed at what is known as North America's largest sanctuary of endangered farm animals.  Also featuring the Imagine-Acres playground and the Adventure Play & Spray, New England's largest, zero-depth water spray ground.   
22. The Discovery Museums.  Comprised of The Children's Discovery Museum and the Science Discovery Museum, this is the perfect destination for kids.  Everywhere you look, there's an invitation to touch, see, feel, and engage with your child in new ways.     
23. King Richard's Faire.  An annual event each fall, the Faire is a recreation of a 16^th century English marketplace where performers entertain, vendors hawk their unique hand-made wares and the Royal Chefs prepare and sell foods authentic to Renaissance times.  Exotic animals and costumed characters complete the experience.
24. First Sunday at The Danforth Museum.  On the first Sunday of each month, families are invited to visit the museum then create art together in the Museum School.  Perfect for kids 5 - 10.
25. Nature Storytime at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.  Enjoy stories and poems designed to engage the next generation of explorers with themes related to the museum's galleries. For children 6 and under.
26. Salem during October.  No place is spookier than Halloween in Salem.  Definitely a must-see!
27.  Apple Picking at the Belkin Family Farm.  Absolutely one of our favorite annual events.
28.  Enjoy a Fenway Frank at the famous park.  Sure, you can do this later in life, but nothing compares to the look on a child's face during his/her first trip to Fenway.
29. Boston Duck Tours.  Board a "duck" and take a great tour through Boston and its history.
30. Visit the Hood Milk Bottle.  Situated just at the entrance to the museum just across the Fort Point Channel, the wooden structure is 78 years old and was built by Hood Dairy.  Today, the bottle is home to an ice cream stand and snack bar.
31. Make Way for Ducklings Statue.  A result of the acclaimed Boston-based children's book by Robert McCloskey in 1941, the bronze statue in the Boston common is a terrific attraction for all children. 
32. The Harvard Book Store.  Visit the Coop on Tuesdays at 11am for story time and Saturdays at 11am for story and craft hour.
33. The USS Constitution Museum.  The mmuseum houses the largest collection of USS Constitution-related objects assembled in one location and so much more.
34. Macy's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.  This is definitely one annual event that could easily become a tradition
35. Skiing at one of New England's Family Friendly Ski Resorts.
36. The New England Pirate Museum.  Take a tour and board a full-length pirate ship and explore an 80 foot cave, see artifacts from sunken ships and pirate's treasures.
37. The Salem Pirate Faire.  A fall tradition for thousands of would-be pirates in New England.
38. A trip to Newbury Street's Sugar Heaven - YUMMY!
39. Salem Willow's Carousel.  This famous Flying-horse Carousel offers a thrilling ride to visitors of Salem Willows Park.  For free!
40. The spray park at the Soule Recreation Center in Brookline. 
41. Boston by Little Feet, a walking tour of Boston's historic Freedom Trail designed for children 6 -12.
42. A trip to Quincy Market in Summer.  On any given day (especially weekends) there are a barrage of acts, from music to comedy and juggling, to magic and balloon twisting. 
43. A meal at Legal Sea Food.  The delicious kid-friendly menu and coloring book with crayons is a stress-free and yummy venture.
44. Regal Cinema's annual summertime Free Family Film Festival. 
45. A trip to New York City.  Visit the Central Park Zoo, the Children's Museum, the huge Toys R Us, or just roam the streets.
46. The Liberty Fleet.  Take a step back in history and board this 125 schooner, modeled after the wind-driven sailboats of the mid-1800s. 
47. Ride on ride the Salem Ferry.  A high-speed catamaran, the ride is 45-minutes and offers guests a beautiful view of the New England coastline.  Disembark in Salem and spend a great day.
48. Visit the Stoneman Playground on the Esplanade for Sundays in the Park each week from early September through early October.  Kids can participate in the Kids Fishing Club, model sailboat racing, pony rides, animal adventures, music and magic.
49. Lunch (or dinner) at the Rainforest Café in the Burlington Mall.  Almost as good as the real thing, your kids will LOVE the realistic looking and moving animals.  The décor will impress you, too.
50. The splash fountain outside the Christian Science Center is always full of kids looking to splash around on a hot day.

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall... 5 Places Where You Can See Your Reflection

by Jill Notkin

January 13, 2009

Giving your children a theme with which they can plan their day is fun and constructive.   Not only does it force them to use their brains, it gives you a destination!   Have them come up with 5 places in Boston where they can see their reflection, then put those places on the "to-go" list.   Trust me, it's not easy!   Here's what I came up with: 1.      In the glass of the giant  Read more...

See the Fish!

by Jill Notkin

August 19, 2008

My toddler loves looking at fish. In fact, she spots them in odd places before I do! 5 best places to see the fish: Le's Restaurant at the Atrium Mall . Formerly Pho Pasteur, this restaurant in the mommy-mecca otherwise known as the Atrium Mall, not only has great food and a really interesting children's menu (think chicken with Vietnamese noodles), it also has a  Read more...

The Littlest Mermaid

by Jill Notkin

August 13, 2008

It's every little girl's fantasy to swim under the sea with their fishtail while their long hair flows from their human head. Mermaids might be fictional creatures, but with the help of this guide, you can help bring your little mermaid's fantasy to life. The Little Mermaid at the Thomas Crane Public Library . Even if it's her umpteenth time seeing this classic Disney movie,  Read more...

Things you must do with your child before they grow up - Boston

by Jill Notkin

May 29, 2008

Boston is known for its rich culture, and kids culture is no exception. Here are a few examples of do-not-miss destinations with your kids before they (sniff) get too big for this stuff: Boston Children's Museum. There is nothing like the look on your child's face when they enter that bubble room or the excitement of singing with Arthur. The water room holds a certain  Read more...