Fun, Family-Friendly Events in the Greater Boston area!

Spring is just around the corner, and I know we all can't wait to be able to let our kids run wild in the playground, go to the Zoo, play in the backyard and have picnics in the park again! There are so many wonderful events, kids play zones, museums and attractions in and around Boston! So, I wanted to put together some great resources for parents, that feature new and interesting ideas in addition to places we all know, such as the New England Aquarium, Children's Museum, The Museum of Fine Arts, The Museum of Science, and the Public Gardens beautiful parks and swan boat rides.


EVENTS CALENDAR Websites:

• Meetup.com - I always suggest to new parents to join your local Meetup.com groups, as they are great way to find events in your area, meet new moms/parents and set up playdates for your kids. I have really enjoyed meeting new friends for me and my daughter in my Meetup groups, and encourage you find one in your town!
• Boston Central - Great, go-to resource for all kinds of kid-friendly events in the Boston area. Very comprehensive.
• Boston.com - The Boston Globe is another good place find things to do for the whole family.
• MomsEvents - Another good place to search for event in your area.
• Eventful.com - A good website to find events that interest you.

My Favorite FAMILY-FRIENDLY ATTRACTIONS:

Franklin Park Zoo

I LOVE going to the Franklin Park Zoo once the weather is nice! It's such a wonderful place to spend the day to spend with your family. My daughter loves seeing all the different animals...and we love it too! There are lots of hands-on attractions like a petting zoo, mini carnival rides and other fun things to see, learn and do. You can bring your own picnic lunch, or buy lunch at one of the concession stands for typical "ball park food" like burgers, hotdogs, chicken fingers and fries. You can even buy a membership if you plan to go a lot with your children this spring/summer.

DeCordova Museum & Sculpture Park

51 Sandy Pond Road, Lincoln, MA

781-259-8355

Saturday, February 18, 2012 - Family Day at the DeCordova

11 am—3 pm

The wonderful thing about the DeCordova is the that is both an indoor museum filled with modern art & kid-friendly exhibits...and an outdoor Sculpture Park! We love going when the weather is nice and walking around to see all of the amazing and beautiful outdoor scuptures. Highly recommended! 

Monkey Joe's Indoor Playground

Monkey Joe's in North Attleboro, MA looks like a great place for kids to run around, play and work out their winter energy! It's for children under 12 only, and there is a separate Toddler Play Area for kids under 3, so you can be sure your little ones are safe in their own age group. You can have your kid's birthday party there, buy a membership, or just do the daily Walk-In ($9 per kid on weekdays and $10 on weekends and parents are always FREE.) There is a concession stand also. They highlight on their website that they are a safe & clean environment that is constantly cleaned and sanitized.


[NOTE: I will post more Fun Ideas & Places to Go as the weather gets nicer!]


STORY TIME for Babies & Kids:

Every week I bring my daughter to different story times around my hometown. These events are not only FREE, but educational...and a great way for your child to meet other kids, explorer reading, singing and being creative, playing musical instruments and having fun in a safe, warm environment. One time an African musician came to do an wonderful hands-on drumming class, while another time a Medeval Jester performed his "unusual" one man show for the audience. Also, I have met many great parents and caregivers...so it's a nice time for adults too! 


Here is a listing of libraries South of Boston...many which have special programs, musical guests, magicians or puppeteers! Be sure to check your local library for times and events in your town or state, as times and dates may have changed. 


Walpole Public Library
(The newly built Walpole Library will be opening on February 28th!)
Baby Book Time - Babies up to 2 1/2 yrs old. Monday mornings at 10:30 am
Preschool Story Time - Children 3-5 yrs. Thursday mornings at 10:30 am.
Music, Movement & Me - Children up to 4 yrs old. Tuesdays at 10:30 am.


Wrentham (Fiske) Public Library 
Baby/Toddler Playgroup - Birth to pre-walkers with Mom, Dad or caregiver meets on Fridays at 9:30. Toddlers (walkers) to age 2 1/2 with Mom, Dad or caregiver meets on Fridays at 10:30. Meet new friends, play with the new toys and gym equipment purchased with funds from the Friends of Fiske!!!  Come join the fun! No registration required just DROP IN. If arriving before 10AM please ring doorbell.




Foxboro (Boyden) Library
(All story times are being held at the Episcopal Church while the library is under renovation.)
Story Time - Tuesdays. Ages 3-5 yrs. 10:00 a.m.
Mother Goose on the Loose Story Time - Tuesdays and Thursdays. Infant - Age 3 11:00 a.m. 
Story Time -Wednesday Group Ages 3-5 1:30 p.m. 


Norfolk Library
Babygarten - Wednesdays at 10:30 am at Lafayette, Pretlow, Downing branches (or 11:00 am at Park Place and Janaf branches). Infant to 24 months. Spend the morning singing and playing with your baby! Babygarten features actions rhymes, movement activities, shared book reading, and playtime. This program is especially for babies and toddlers and their caregivers. No registration is necessary. 
Babygarten - Thursdays at 11:00 am. Check the website for locations.