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

Wild Weekends

July 30, 2009

Baby, it's HOT outside.  Good thing there are so many *cool* events going on this weekend!!  (Get it, cool?  Hot?  J)

It's Shakespeare on the Common time, folks!!  Now in its 14^th year, this year's production is The Comedy of Errors which will undoubtedly be performed expertly by the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company.  Completely free, the performances will draw over 75,000 people and runs for 4 weeks at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common.  July 31^st - August 16^st, Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm, Sundays @ 7pm.  Matinees: Sun. Aug 9^th at 1pm, Wed. Aug 12^th at 12:30pm.

The Magic 106.7 Family Film Festival continues. Take in a flick fit for the fam on the Prudential Center's South Garden - this weekend's feature is Hotel For Dogs.  Fun begins at 6pm and films start at sundown.  Saturday, August 1^st.

A Fête for Fairies.  Meet underneath the shady trees where you will sit and sip fairy tea. Listen to treasured tales of far-away lands and create a tiny fairy for at-home play.  Come early and visit The Enchanted Forest in the Family Discovery Gallery.  At the Wenham Museum, Sunday, August 2, 1:30pm.  Pre-registration: $12 members, $14 non-members.

Family Ecology Cruise Aboard The Yankee Clipper.  Join Teacher-Naturalist Lisa Hutchings and the crew of the Yankee Clipper for an exciting exploration of the lower Merrimack River ecosystem.  They'll conduct hands-on science as you collect water samples, live specimens, and plankton. You'll also look for wading birds, seals, and waterfowl on every trip.  Pre-registration required. The Mass Audubon Society: $20 Adult members, $27 Adult non-members, $16 Children members, $19 Children non-members. To register, call 978-462-9998.  Sunday, August 2^nd, 8:45am - 10:45am, Merrimack River, Newburyport.

Wild Weekends

July 23, 2009

I'm leaving my family for the weekend so I can go party it up learn about what's new and improved in the world of blogging at the BlogHer conference in Chicago.  But they sure do have what to choose from in terms of events happening in Boston...  Best part?  IT's ALL FREE!!

Kids' Summer Concert Series.  Head to fun Faneuil Hall for music, magic and more! Don't miss exclusive sneak-peek performances by the hottest acts from Canobie Lake Park.  Featuring: MystiQue: the spellbinding Las Vegas-style magic show; The Imagination Generation: Puppets, singing and dancing; Soul Man: "Blues Brothers" tribute featuring the classics of the Sixties; and LYriX Country Remix: Canobie's boy band featuring country hits.  Concerts start at 11am, West End in between Historic Faneuil Hall and the Quincy Market Building

Manchester Arts Festival.  Downtown Manchester will be dotted with peaked artisan tents, musicians and free children's activities this weekend, organized by the Cape Ann Museum.  Featuring over 80 artisans as well as well as street musicians and bands playing harbor-side, spend the day enjoying unique, handmade art while the kids paint, play and drip melted ice cream through their fingers. Then spend the evening with your family on the sand while Mother Nature splashes her nightly colors over the water.  Saturday, July 25^th, 9am - 5pm.  Downtown Manchester, Ma. 

Magic 106.7 Family Film Festival.  This weekend kicks off this free family film festival put on by Magic 106.7.  For the next six Saturdays, take in a flick fit for the fam on the Prudential Center's South Garden.  Fun begins at 6pm and films start at sundown.  The schedule is:

Madagascar - 7/25
Hotel For Dogs - 8/1
Curious George - 8/8
Wall-E - 8/15
The Little Mermaid - 8/22
Cars - 8/29

Salem CultureFest 2009.  Hit up picturesque Salem (yes, I know it's not October!) for the 4^th annual CultureFest and expose your family to music from all over the world.  The kids will love pony rides, the moon bounce, balloon making, face painting, and more!  Saturday, July 25^th & Sunday, July 26^th from 11:30am.   Salem Common, Salem, Ma.

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.

The Gift of Giving

by Jill Notkin

December 16, 2008

Ok. So it's 9 days before Christmas and you're so over beating the rush at the mall. How about giving a gift that keeps on giving all year round? Here are a few ideas for gifts that you can't touch or feel, but will provide a lot of fun: The Children's Museum offer memberships for children 10 and under. For one year, your child will have free admission to the museum, as well as free  Read more...

A Thanksgiving Weekend Lineup

by Jill Notkin

November 27, 2008

I know it sounds cheesy, but I happen to be one of those people who wakes up every most mornings and gives thanks for what I have in my life. I have a truly fantastic husband, two healthy and hilarious kids, and a situation that canâ??t be beat. My life is truly panning out to be a dream, and Iâ??m thankful and grateful. Happy Thanksgiving! Visit the zoo FREE the day  Read more...

A Thanksgiving Weekend Lineup

by Jill Notkin

November 27, 2008

I know it sounds cheesy, but I happen to be one of those people who wakes up every most mornings and gives thanks for what I have in my life. I have a truly fantastic husband, two healthy and hilarious kids, and a situation that canâ??t be beat. My life is truly panning out to be a dream, and Iâ??m thankful and grateful. Happy Thanksgiving! Visit the zoo FREE the day  Read more...

Wild Weekends

by Jill Notkin

November 20, 2008

Funny story (if you have young kids) - last weekend we had a new baby party on the schedule at 10am on Sunday. So, at 8am, we got up and started getting ready to get out of the house by 9:30 in order to be in Southie for 10. You know, 2 adults, 2 kids under 3, these things take careful orchestrating! But we did it. At 10am prompt, we rap on our friends' door only to find them in the pj's,  Read more...

Wild Weekends

by Jill Notkin

November 13, 2008

Last weekend we visited the Boston Common, chose produce at the best store in town, Russo's, and hit the Upper Crust for lunch. This weekend we'll attend a birthday party and potentially hit the Children's Museum, since it's been a while since we've been there. Here are a few ideas for your family to do: Tune up your singing voice for a weekly Sing-Along at Stellabella Toys in Inman  Read more...

Wild Weekends

by Jill Notkin

October 02, 2008

How awesome is October? Between the apple orchards being in full pickin' mode, Halloween events ramping up, and the famous Topsfield Fair hitting town (or, hitting Topsfield ), there's just so much to do. Here are a few ideas to make this weekend a great one for your family. Free Family Night at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire starts this Friday, October 3rd! From 5:30 to 8pm,  Read more...

It Takes TWO!

by Jill Notkin

September 23, 2008

Let's face it. There are just some activities that are best enjoyed with a pal. Since we've been making so many new friends at school, we have plenty of buddies to choose from for a day of fun in the city. But what to do? Here are the top 5 fun things to do with a pal in and around town. 1. Take in a Flick! Wait for a rainy day and check out Sesame Street's Abby in  Read more...

Wild Weekends

by Jill Notkin

September 12, 2008

Aaaah. Can you smell fall in the air? I can, and I must say, I love it. The crisp weather, the slight reddening of the bushes, the fun traditional autumn activities. The season lends itself to hundreds of great outings, and here are a few ideas for this weekend: Curious George Day . The Boston Public Library in Copley Square hosts Curious George on Saturday, September 13 th ! A  Read more...

Wild Weekends

by Jill Notkin

August 28, 2008

It's the final August weekend!! While it's hard to believe, September does come with its own set of fun traditions such as apple picking, back-to-school events and hay rides. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's treat our families to one last hurrah. Here's what's happening this long Labor Day weekend in and around Boston : It's the season finale for Free Friday Flicks at  Read more...

Weekend Fun

by Jill Notkin

August 14, 2008

It seems like as summer starts to wind down, events in Boston are ramping up. Read on for the what's what this weekend: Fisherman's Feast Italian Festival . Celebrating its 98 th year this summer, this event officially is a celebration of the devotion of immigrant Sicilian fishermen to the Madonna del Soccorso di Sciacca. Unofficially, it's a lively weekend in Boston 's  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...

Weekend Fun 7/25 & 7/26

by Jill Notkin

July 24, 2008

It seems impossible, but it's the final weekend in July and as sure as the calendar will change, the days will begin to get shorter as well, so let's take advantage! There are many great activities to do with your family this weekend, here are a few: Flicks on the Field presents Shrek . Sponsored by Parents Talk, bring your family, your lawn chairs and a picnic and watch the  Read more...

Movies "Al Fresco"

by Jill Notkin

June 18, 2008

Summertime in the Northeast is special. We don't take the gorgeous weather for granted since we spend many months bundled up in snow gear. So come summer, we want to get out as much as possible. Why not watch movies outside too? Here are some outdoor movie venues: Mendon Twin Drive-In . Open 7 nights rain or shine, this drive-in has been in operation since 1954. But the  Read more...

Chill out! At the movies

by Jill Notkin

June 09, 2008

Summer is hot but there are plenty of ways to stay cool and still have a great time. Chill out! is a new summer series which will feature indoor activities to do when the heat is on. I just stumbled up Regal Cinema's annual summertime Free Family Film Festival . For nine weeks beginning June 24 th , the four participating theaters in Mass. will feature movies at 10AM each  Read more...