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

We all scream for Ice Cream!

May 19, 2009

In case you hadn't heard, Bostonians eat more ice cream per capita than any other city in America.  Almost synonymous with summer, we seem to be making this journey to the store pretty often.  After all, what better way to end (or begin) a mid-summer day than by topping it off with ice cream?  A few faves are:

My personal favorite is JP Licks.  Locally owned, the ice cream is delectable without being overly rich, the low-fat frozen yogurt hits the spot, and the sundaes, served in a mini plastic red sox, really do rock.  They rotate flavors each month so there's always something new to try.  Best flavors - Ice cream: Mint Oreo and Cake Batter Oreo (TONS of oreo!).  Frozen yogurt: try the Oatmeal Cookie.  YUM.  Insiders Tip: they serve lactose free ice cream!  7 locations!!

Cabot's.  I've never actually been (it's on our list for a weekend outing!) but it's sworn to me that this place has the best ice cream in Newton.  An old-fashioned ice cream parlor and restaurant, Cabot's scoops only homemade stuff.  With creations called "Brownie Banana-Go-Round" and "The Dentist Disaster," there's little more one could ask for from an ice cream shop.  Insiders Tip: these guys make picture cakes from your favorite pictures!  743 Washington St., Newtonville.

Bedford Farms is on every list of favorite ice cream shops.  Serving "homemade style gourmet ice cream" and other frozen treats, this farm began selling ice cream in the 1940s!   With over 60 flavors to choose from including Lo-Fat Coffee Heath Bar and no-sugar added yogurt, there's something for even the pickiest customer (is anyone that picky when it comes to ice cream?)  There are two locations: the Bedford store is strictly window service while the Concord store has some seating. 18 North Road, Bedford and 68 Thoreau Street, Concord.

Just across the river is Christina's Homemade Ice Cream.  Mentioned in every best ice-cream debate, this place offers 40+ regular flavors plus many seasonal flavors like Cinnamon Rice Pudding, Fresh Mint Chocolate Flake, and Kaifer Lime Leaf.  There regular features are no less unique - Adzuki Bean, Ginger Molasses and Milk Chocolate Giandiuja to name a few.  The line-up can extend out the door even in winter.  Scoopers are helpful in helping discern the strange flavors.  1255 Cambridge St., Cambridge.

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.

Top 5 Things to do on a Rainy Day - Boston

by Jill Notkin

May 27, 2008

It's a typical scenario. You wake up in the morning on your day off from work looking forward to spending time with the kids. You stretch, grab your coffee, and look out the window. Expecting to see the sun peeking around the corner, preparing to warm the day for mindless outdoor fun, you find a grey and dismal sky. RAIN! But don't worry! While you didn't count on rain, what  Read more...