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

If you do nothing else... Top 5 Spots to Hit Before School Starts

August 04, 2009

Let's face it - August brings to mind end-of-summer thoughts like back-to-school.  But the truth is, we still have 5 solid weeks before filling the school bag and packing a lunch.  And if your life is like mine, then the kids are done with camp and looking to you for entertainment.  Below is my list of things to get to before school starts:

1. The Soule Recreation Center park in Brookline has one of the finest spray parks around. Perfect for little kids as well as bigger ones, the playground features a park for 2-5 year old and another for 5-12 year olds. A serious spot.

2. A Day at the Beach. Go ahead, choose your poison. With so many beaches in Ma., then more in neighboring Me., and Ct., it's not hard to find the perfect day vacation for your family. Some of our faves include Ogunquit Beach in Me., Good Harbor Beach and Crane Beach, both on Boston's North Shore.

3. Stargazing at a local planetarium. With bedtime a smidge later during the summer months, it's the perfect time to trek to one of our fabulous starry spots for some sweet star-gazing.

4. Check out the local BBQ Animals!! I looove visiting farms. Different seasons call for different reasons but summer means animals. We have so many local farms, check ‘em out!!

5. Obviously, summer is not complete without a trip to famous Fenway Park. Enjoy a Fenway Frank, take a tour, and take in some local history (the Grandstand section still houses old wooden seats!). It's worth the trip.

Getting Close to Local Animals

March 24, 2009

 Just because Spring hasn't made an appearance out there doesn't mean we need to hibernate.  We still have a ways to go before we can throw on our suits and hit the local watering holes, but until then, we can find ways to enjoy the fresh air.  A fun way to get outside is to visit the animals living nearby.  Didn't know Ma. (and NH!) was chock full of them?  Here are a few to hit before the season really gets underway:

1. Drumlin Farm. Our family was at this Lincoln farm several weeks ago for their annual maple syrup breakfast. While we were there, we took a walk around the pretty grounds and saw a bunch of animal up close. Woolly sheep, spunky goats, chickens, pigs, cows, mules, and a pony greet you in their rustic animal barns, where the livestock operation takes place. Their farmers do chores in the late afternoon and are happy to answer questions for visitors. They also offer hayrides every 15 minutes. For more info, visit Drumlin Farm, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln.

2. Capron Park Zoo. If you've seen enough of our city's zoos, about 30 miles from Boston is Capron Zoo. A smaller zoo, there's still plenty for young kids to enjoy - African lions, llamas, goats, sloth bears, snow leopards, binturang, snakes, fox, birds, kangaroos, emu and countless other animals make for hours of fun. Check out their new Lemur Island set to open this Spring! 201 County Street, Attleboro.

3. Boston Hill Farm. Who doesn't love taking a drive out to North Andover, home to the famous Philips Academy and the cutest little town North of Boston. Well now you have one more reason to head out there, the animals at Boston Hill Farm! Goats, bunny rabbits, sheep, chickens, and roosters will greet every child, and delicious goodies will entice their parents. Rte 114, North Andover.

4. Charmingfare Farm. Just a hop, skip, and, well, a car-ride from home is this NH farm. With so many activities going on here year-round, if you haven't been, now is the perfect time. Home to many of the traditional agricultural animals you would expect to see on a farm, Charmingfare boasts a large hands-on petting area. Open weekends through April, then daily. 774 High Street, Candia, NH.

5. Wilson Farms. For 125 years, Wilson Farms has been a staple in the community, including the huge timber barn amongst their 33 acres of growing fields, along with the 37,000 square foot greenhouse. In addition, Wilson's animal barn houses Belle the Llama, Patches and Pogo, the La Mancha Goats, Wilbur the Pig, and a whole gaggle of hens, and even a rooster or two. 10 Pleasant Street, Lexington.

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.

A Day on the Slopes

by Jill Notkin

January 14, 2009

Originally hailing from Montreal, skiing is in my blood. As a child, I waved goodbye to my parents each Saturday morning as I boarded the bus with my friends bound for the ski hill, where we'd engage in lessons, lunch and free skiing the whole day long. With dozens of hills just 60 to 80 minutes from the city, we were in luck. While not known for its local ski spots, word has it, Boston has  Read more...

The Children's Museum of NH

by Jill Notkin

November 24, 2008

Now that the weather is getting colder, I think we're all wondering how we're going to pass the looong days of Winter. Sledding, skiing and snow ball fights are all wonderful ideas, but some days you just can't brave the cold. When the city seems a little bit drab, jump in the car and head north to the Children's Museum of NH . Located in Dover about 65 miles from Boston, it seems  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...

Wild Weekends

by Jill Notkin

September 04, 2008

This was a big week for many of us. Back-to-school was a major theme, and now we all need to blow off some steam and have some fun. Fall is the perfect time to hit the town for events and activities, preferably of the outdoor variety. Here's what's up for this weekend: Head North for Peabody's 16 th annual Kid's Day , taking place at Leather City Common. The day promises activities  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 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...

Gone Fishin'

by Jill Notkin

August 22, 2008

Anything to do with water is a way of life for us Bostonians, including fishing. There are so many activities revolving around fish, from whale watching, to boating and well, plain old fishing! Taking little ones fishing can be daunting, so here are a few basic tips: Focus praise on participation rather than catching. Fish for pan fish or catfish - success is more  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

by Jill Notkin

August 08, 2008

It's Friday and while the weatherman isn't forecasting the perfect mix, we have to be prepared for anything. Here are a few great ideas to consider when planning for this weekend. Wild Nights Concert with Bill Staines . The New England Wild Flower Society announces the premiere of their WILD NIGHTS concert series with the legendary folk artist Bill Staines, at the Woodland stage at  Read more...

Lighthouses of New England

by Jill Notkin

August 06, 2008

Have you ever noticed how so often, when you're visiting a coastal town, you catch site of a lighthouse? They're everywhere in New England but if you answered no, you're not alone. Since lighthouses are something typically taken for granted, it's the perfect reason to point them out. Not only that, why not plan a day trip and visit some of our interesting lighthouses? Start the  Read more...

A Boatload of Fun

by Jill Notkin

July 23, 2008

Boston is a wet city. That is, it's tough to get from point a to point b without running into some kind of water, whether it be the Charles River or the Atlantic ocean . Luckily, there are a bunch of ways to enjoy the water without actually getting into it. Boat rides and cruises are a fun and dry way to spend the day. Try one of these ideas: The Liberty Fleet. Take a  Read more...

Amuse Yourself -- Amusement Parks

by Jill Notkin

July 03, 2008

School's out and summer is in. Looking forward to that family vacation? Of course you are. But you have lots of other days to plan for so the kids don't go batty. Why not treat them to a visit to one of Boston 's nearby amusement parks? Below are three of our lesser known, preschooler-friendly fun parks. Salem Willows Park . Now it must be said that Salem Willows is not  Read more...

Weekend Fun -- June 14th & 15th

by Jill Notkin

June 12, 2008

If you're like me, you like to start planning for the weekend early. Here are some activities happening in the area for this Saturday and Sunday: 29 th Annual Cambridge River Festival . Having checked out this event last summer, I can tell you firsthand this is a FUN outing! Set-up along the banks of the Charles River , the free celebration features all kinds of musical,  Read more...

We HEART Suburbs too!

by Jill Notkin

June 05, 2008

While the city of Boston has an aura of excitement about it, there's plenty to be said for the suburbs as well. There are so many fun and family-friendly events to be had just a short drive away. We just had to share! Suburbia fun for this week includes: Flower Fairy Garden Party at Wenham Museum . Little people of Mass. unite for this Flower Fairy Garden  Read more...

How to make the Museum of Science a place your child loves.

by Jill Notkin

June 02, 2008

Boston's Museum of Science is a definite must-see for children and adults of any age. What makes this place so special is that they feature many different exhibits and there's always something appropriate for your child. My family recently visited the museum and The Discovery Center in particular. Designed for children from birth up to age eight, this area offers a bunch of fun, hands-on  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...

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...

5 best ways to enjoy the Boston Common

by Jill Notkin

May 15, 2008

Any true Bostonian knows that the Common is more than just a large open space. It is home to so many activities for adults and children alike. Here are some ways my family likes to enjoy the Common: The Frog Pond. Cool off in the wading & spray pool in the summer and enjoy ice skating during the winter months, a visit to the Frog Pond is a rite of passage for any child.  Read more...

5 best day trips within an hour of Boston

by Jill Notkin

May 14, 2008

While there's PUH-LENTY to do within the city of Boston and its suburbs, there are a bunch of fun possibilities just a little ways away as well! Get ready to add these destinations to your list of places to go. Old Sturbridge Village Take a step into the past at the largest history museum in the northeast. Journey back in time in rural New England and learn about the  Read more...

Top 5 things to do when the fog clears and the sun shines

by Jill Notkin

May 13, 2008

There is nothing like summer in Boston . Adults and kids alike are thrilled to strip away the snow gear and get out the swimsuits, shorts and t-shirts. Here are some fun activities to do when the sun is shining. Crane Beach . Voted Best Beach of Boston' for several years running, Crane Beach in Ipswich is a child's dream come true. With white sand to play with for miles,  Read more...