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.

5 Best Things About Growing Up in Boston

July 14, 2009

As much as I loved growing up in Montreal, Canada, I couldn't be happier that my kids have the opportunity to grow up in a city such as Boston.  It has the best of everything, and I have grown to love it here.  But the top 5 things about growing up here have to be:

1. The proximity to the beaches. Nothing feels more like a vacation day than a trip to the beach and we don't even have to go very far to have one! To find out what my favorite local beach is, visit here. Not sure what to bring on your beachy vacation day? Read me!

2. The proximity to ski resorts! Equally as important as the sea are the ski hills. A sport that every child should learn, we are so lucky to have many decent ski resorts close by. Check them out.

3. We have really quality museums. The Children's Museum, the Science Museum, the Harvard Museum of Natural History, even a Pirate Museum. There's never a shortage of learning in our city. And if that's not enough, we have a very cool aquarium, and an awesome observatory,

4. We have spray parks coming out the wazoo!! And they're so cool! The Artesani splash park features a number of zero depth fountains from the ground as well as a wading pool with all kinds of waterfall like things. The Soule Recreation Center park in Brookline has tons of spray for little kids and bigger ones while the splash fountain outside the Christian Science Center is always full of kids looking to splash around on a hot day. It does not get any better than this.

5. Finally, Boston is home to so many fun day trips, like Old Sturbridge Village, Davis' Farmland, The Discovery Museums, and Southwick's Wild Animal Zoo. With so many options, no child shall be bored!!

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.    

See the Stars!

May 05, 2009

Saturday, May 2^nd was Astronomy Day.  Did you know that?  Me neither.  While Boston doesn't officially mark the occasion in any way, I thought this would be the perfect time to share what I know about local stargazing.  So here it is:

1. 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. Start the evening at the 7pm Planetarium showing of The Sky Tonight to get in the mood, then head up to the deck around 8:30 for the real thing! To find out what will be observed during the current week's session, call the Observatory Hotline at 617-589-0267. The recording is updated every Friday with new information. Friday evenings, approx. 8:30-10:00 p.m., weather permitting. Stargazing is free, Planetarium after 6pm is $6.50 for adults, $4.50 for kids 3 - 11.

2. Not a night owl? Visit the Charles Hayden Planetarium at the Museum during daylight hours and blast off into outer space under the starry dome! The features showing now are The Sky Tonight and What Happened to Pluto? $9 for adults, $7 for kids 12 and under. 1 Science Park, Boston.

3. The Welcome to the Universe Exhibit. This exhibit introduces the exciting adventure of astronomical discovery through hands-on activities, 3-D models, computer activities, and historic artifacts. Get a feel for the planets' relative sizes and the vast distances between them by touring the Community Solar System, a scale model journey beginning at the 12-foot diameter Sun in this exhibit and ending at a pea-sized Pluto 9.3 miles away. And that's just for starters. For more info, click here. Free with Museum of Science admission. 1 Science Park, Boston.

4. On the third Thursday of every month, the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics opens its doors to the public for an amazing star-filled night. Beginning with a lecture, the crowd then moves to the roof for the main act. The telescopes at the Smithsonian are unlike any you've likely ever seen, and for most visitors, this will be the first time in their life that they will see Saturn's rings or Jupiter's satellites with their own eyes. Ask questions, take your turn looking at the stars, or just enjoy the incredible view from the building's roof. Your kids will never forget stargazing at the Smithsonian. Every third Thursday evening, doors open at 7:30pm, program starts at 8pm. FREE. Phillips Auditorium, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge.

5. The Alden Digital Planetarium, housed by the Ecotarium in Worcester, is the perfect place to introduce them to the world of astronomy. Using images from NASA and the Hubble Space Telescope, get the whole experience of a three-dimensional solar system projected onto a 40-foot dome in surround sound. With four multimedia features to choose from, there's something for everyone. For showtimes and details, visit here. $15 for adults, $13.50 kids 3-18, kids under 3 are free. 222 Harrington Way, Worcester.

Astronomy Day - See the Stars!

May 05, 2009

 Saturday, May 2^nd was Astronomy Day.  Did you know that?  Me neither.  While Boston doesn't officially mark the occasion in any way, I thought this would be the perfect time to share what I know about local stargazing.  So here it is:

1. 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. Start the evening at the 7pm Planetarium showing of The Sky Tonight to get in the mood, then head up to the deck around 8:30 for the real thing! To find out what will be observed during the current week's session, call the Observatory Hotline at 617-589-0267. The recording is updated every Friday with new information. Friday evenings, approx. 8:30-10:00 p.m., weather permitting. Stargazing is free, Planetarium after 6pm is $6.50 for adults, $4.50 for kids 3 - 11.

2. Not a night owl? Visit the Charles Hayden Planetarium at the Museum during daylight hours and blast off into outer space under the starry dome! The features showing now are The Sky Tonight and What Happened to Pluto? $9 for adults, $7 for kids 12 and under. 1 Science Park, Boston.

3. The Welcome to the Universe Exhibit. This exhibit introduces the exciting adventure of astronomical discovery through hands-on activities, 3-D models, computer activities, and historic artifacts. Get a feel for the planets' relative sizes and the vast distances between them by touring the Community Solar System, a scale model journey beginning at the 12-foot diameter Sun in this exhibit and ending at a pea-sized Pluto 9.3 miles away. And that's just for starters. For more info, click here. Free with Museum of Science admission. 1 Science Park, Boston.

4. On the third Thursday of every month, the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics opens its doors to the public for an amazing star-filled night. Beginning with a lecture, the crowd then moves to the roof for the main act. The telescopes at the Smithsonian are unlike any you've likely ever seen, and for most visitors, this will be the first time in their life that they will see Saturn's rings or Jupiter's satellites with their own eyes. Ask questions, take your turn looking at the stars, or just enjoy the incredible view from the building's roof. Your kids will never forget stargazing at the Smithsonian. Every third Thursday evening, doors open at 7:30pm, program starts at 8pm. FREE. Phillips Auditorium, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge.

5. The Alden Digital Planetarium, housed by the Ecotarium in Worcester, is the perfect place to introduce them to the world of astronomy. Using images from NASA and the Hubble Space Telescope, get the whole experience of a three-dimensional solar system projected onto a 40-foot dome in surround sound. With four multimedia features to choose from, there's something for everyone. For showtimes and details, visit here. $15 for adults, $13.50 kids 3-18, kids under 3 are free. 222 Harrington Way, Worcester.

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.

Wild Weekends

by Jill Notkin

January 29, 2009

Ok, so we�??re headed south to Florida on Saturday for TWO WEEKS J J J but that doesn�??t mean I'm not thinking about all you cold families who are looking for ways to spend your weekend. If we were here, maybe we'd partake in one of these fine events: As if you needed an excuse to head to the Boston Children's Museum . But in case you do, join them Saturday for  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...

Starlight, Starbright.

by Jill Notkin

August 27, 2008

Kids love to learn. My toddler talks about the sun, moon and stars incessantly so it's high time to take her on a star-gazing mission. If you want to take your kids on a star-studded outing, here are a few local ideas: 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  Read more...

Oh, Those Summer Nights.

by Jill Notkin

July 16, 2008

Summer Nights at the Museum. Have you been waiting for the perfect time to visit the Harvard Museum of Natural History? Well, skip the bedtime routine because on Thursdays, July 17 and 31st, the museum will open its doors with half- price admission for a summer night of after-hours gallery exploration, along with a special nature documentary screening and discussion with a  Read more...