The Rose Kennedy Greenway Carousel

I haven't blogged here in a while, but I did recently write a guest blog post about the Rose Kennedy Greenway Carousel.   Isaac loves those butterflies.  :-)

(And don't forget to follow me on Facebook.  I post there all the time!)

5 Things to do this Week!

After an amazing family vacation to the island where my mom grew up in Croatia, I'm back and ready to blog!  Here are 5 free/cheap things to do this week.

1.  Spray parks.  There are going to be a few scorchers this week - Tuesday is supposed to be 88 and Wednesday is supposed to be 90.  So why not hit up a spray park?  Waltham not only has some excellent spray parks, but during the week the Boys and Girls Club is at a few of the locations giving free lunches to kids.

2.  Frog Pond.  Keep cool in Boston by taking a wade in the Frog Pond.  Enjoy the shade in Boston Common, a picnic, a ride on the carousel, and cool off in the Frog Pond.

3.  See a free outdoor movie.  The Sandlot is playing in Newton Highlands after live Irish music.  The Hatch Shell has Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.  Both on Friday.

4.  Visit the MIT Museum or the Franklin Park Zoo for free on Friday, courtesy of Highland Street.  Get there when it opens, though!

5.  Check out tide pools.  Drive on up to Joppa Flats in Newburyport for tide pooling.  $2 per kid.  Afterwards, I suggest visiting Bob Lobster for some fresh seafood!

Free Music and Outdoor Movies in Newton Highlands

Can't make it to the outdoor movies at the Hatch Shell?  Newton Highlands has live music AND movies!  Bring blankets, beach chairs, and pack a picnic.  (Or buy drinks and snacks sold there)   Newton Highlands is right off the green (D) line, for those of you looking for something T-accessible!

 This is a GREAT lineup and includes one of my all-time favorite movies...Mary Poppins!

Here's the schedule from the Hyde Center website:

 June 13 6:00 p.m. Concert: Studio 2 Beatles Tribute Band, (rock)
 Dusk Movie: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

 June 20 6:00 p.m. Concert: In The House, (R&B, Motown, Reggae)
 Dusk Movie: The Nut Job

 June 27 6:00 p.m. Concert: Specific Gravity, (rock)
 Dusk Movie: The Lego Movie

 July 11 6:00 p.m. Concert: Gringo Kings, (Jazz & Salsa)
 Dusk Movie: Frozen

 July 18 6:00 p.m. Concert: Four Guys in Tuxes, (family mix)
 Dusk Movie: Princess Diaries

 July 20 8:00 p.m. New Rep Theater , Shakespeare in the Park
 “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

 July 25 6:00 p.m. Concert: Black Velvet Band (Irish)
 Dusk Movie: The Sandlot

 July 27 8:00 p.m. New Philharmonia Orchestra
 Classical and Popular Music

 August 1 6:00 p.m. Concert: Reminisants (Oldies)
 Dusk Movie: Rear Window

 August 3 8:00 p.m. Red Sox & New York Yankees Telecast

 August 8 6:00 p.m. Concert: Soft Touch Dance Band (Big Band)
 Dusk Movie: Saving Mr. Banks

 August 10 8:00 p.m. Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
 “Much Ado About Nothing”

August 15 6:00 p.m. Concert: Jumpin Juba (rock)
 Dusk Movie: Mary Poppins

 August 22 6:00 p.m. Concert: Heritage House Blues Band (blues)
 Dusk Movie: Despicable Me 2

 September 5 6:00 p.m. Concert: Waiting for Neil
 Dusk Movie: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

*All events take place outside on the Hyde Playground. In case of rain, everything moves inside the community center gym.

Summer Bucket List

Summer officially arrived this weekend and we couldn't be more excited!   Last year I created a summer bucket list and we did almost everything on the list, so I've decided to do it again.

• Salem Willows.  A great place for summer fun!  A historic merry-go-round, mini golf, arcade games, ice cream, right on the water.  Everything is inexpensive and it's a great beachy outing.  
• Look Park.  I'd love to head out to Amherst for a day trip and spend some time at Look Park.  There's playgrounds, paddle boats, mini golf, a little zoo, and spray parks.  I went there once before I had Isaac and I've been wanting to take him since last summer, but we never got a chance.  
• Seacoast Science Center in Rye, NH.  A friend posted some pictures of her family at the Seacoast Science Center and it looked like so much fun that I'm looking forward to taking Isaac!  It's only $7 for adults and $3 for kids.  
• Frog Pond.  We can't get enough of wading in the Frog Pond!  I can't wait to spend an entire day at Boston Common this summer.
• Blueberry picking.  We had a great time strawberry picking at Ward's Berry Farm last week but next month we plan to pick blueberries at Tougas Farm.  
• Camping at the Cape.  The best way to do a Cape trip on a budget during the summer is to CAMP!  Last year we enjoyed Sweetwater Forest in Brewster. 
• York, ME.  We usually try to go to York once a year, but last year the summer just went way too fast!  Fun-O-Rama is always a good time with some bowling and skeeball and ice cream or candy at The Goldenrod is a real treat!  And you can't get much more New England than the picturesque Nubble Light.
• Walden Pond.  GO EARLY!   The parking lot fills up fast on nice days and it's also shaded in the morning.  
• Visit a new Mass Audubon location.  I'd like to visit a location where we've never been before!  
• Picnic and play at Artesani Park in Brighton.  The wading pool is wonderful on a warm day!  
• Boating.  I'm on the lookout for some inexpensive boating options.  Charles River Canoe and Kayak is expensive.  Stay tuned for cheaper alternatives...

What's on your summer bucket list?

5 Fun Weekend Activities

Woohoo!  The first weekend of summer has arrived, bringing with it a GORGEOUS forecast.  Here are some free or inexpensive happenings for the weekend.  Enjoy!

1.  Verrill Farm's Strawberry Festival.  PYO berries, strawberry shortcake, pony rides, music, burgers, hay rides.  Free admission.

2.  Watertown's Greek Festival.  Greek food (including pastries!), games, music, dancing.  Starts tonight and goes through Sunday.

3.  Riverfest on the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers. Kids can explore the riverbanks, ride boats, listen to music, and more.  These activities appear to be FREE!

4.  Free Beach Party in Acton.  Beach admission is waived for this event which includes hula hooping, sand building, and more fun and games.

5.  Play outside until dusk.  Tomorrow is summer solstice, which throughout my childhood meant playing outside until the sun went down.  Even if it's past your kid's bedtime, let them stay up and enjoy a long day full of daylight.   Some of my favorite memories were getting to play outside until 9 on the first day of summer.  This could be made complete with ice cream sandwiches or ice pops.  :-)

Fun at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary

We're always looking for kid-friendly hikes.  (Meaning, mostly flat, not too long, ones that loop around)   I also love to take advantage of our Mass Audubon membership.  So, when my husband said that he wanted to do a Father's Day hike, I suggested Broadmoor in Natick.  We had a truly lovely time.  The weather was great, the trails were totally doable for even my 4 year old's little legs, and we saw some fun critters.

Check out what we saw:

5 Fun Father's Day Activities

Have you thought about what to do for the dad(s) in your life this Sunday?  Here are some fun ideas!

1.  The current Boston forecast for Sunday is 80 degrees, sunny, and dry.  There are so many great Boston-area beaches to choose from!  If freshwater beaches are your thing, head to an inland state park such as Walden Pond and spend the day swimming, boating, and picnicking.  Or get an early start and head to the North Shore or even the Cape.

2.  Visit Stone Zoo or Franklin Park Zoo...dads get in free on Sunday!  What a deal!

3.  Dads also get in free at Old Sturbridge Village!  Enjoy the lovely day in Central Mass.

4.  Treat Dad to some good pub grub at John Brewers (Waltham and Malden) or Brewers Coalition (Newtonville).  Dads eat free there on Sunday.  They have a great kids' meal, too!

5.  Go for a picnic at one of my favorite picnic spots around Boston.

Favorite Places to Picnic

Water play at the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway

We love picnicking!  It's one of our favorite pastimes during the non-winter months.  Here are a few favorite places to picnic around Boston.

1.  Castle Island in Southie.   Lots of picnic tables, a beach, watching the airplanes take off, and a great playground!  If you forgot to pack anything for your picnic, Sullivan's has cheap eats.   You can spend all day at Castle Island.   

2.  Boston Common.  Enjoy the landscaping, the sights, and in the summer you can wade in the Frog Pond for free!  There are lots of nice spots for a picnic, and afterwards you can do the Swan Boats and the carousel, or take a stroll up Newbury Street.

3.  Artesani Park.  There are picnic tables galore at Artesani Park in Brighton.  There's a big parking lot and it's only a 10 minute bus ride from Central Square.  The playgrounds are fun and the wading pool in the summer is really awesome!  

4.  Cochituate State Park in Natick.  Make a day of it!  Rent a paddleboat, go swimming, throw around the ball, and have a picnic.  There are even barbecues.  Last year, the DCR offered nature programming for kids and hopefully will do the same this summer.  Take a peek at last year's schedule for an idea of what they offered.  Bring cash, as there's a $5 parking fee.  (Or buy a season parking pass - we go frequently and it pays for itself!)

5.  Auburndale Cove in Newton.  A trail, ducks to feed, a big mountain of sand, playgrounds, and a picnic area.  The Cove is one of Isaac's favorite playgrounds!  It's nice and wooded and perfect for a picnic.  

6.  Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway.  Head over to the North End for some pizza and pastries and bring them over to the Rose Kennedy Greenway!   There are tables, plenty of places for kids to run, a carousel, and free entertainment!  

What are your favorite places to picnic?

Celebrate Kindness at Boston Children’s Museum on May 31!

KIND Snacks and Sprout, the TV channel, teamed up to launch Operation Kind Kids – a program designed to inspire kindness through everyday thoughtful acts.  On May 31, KIND and Sprout are hosting family-friendly events across the country, including the Boston Children's Museum, to celebrate kindness.

This event is included with paid admission and will feature a variety of activity stations, including:

· Get creative:  Kids will have the chance to express what kindness means to them and share their vision as part of a collage wall.

· A kind act a day: Attendees will take home a calendar to track daily kind acts

· Pay it forward: Nothing brightens someone’s day quite like a flower, which is why kids will be invited to pick a flower and share it with someone in their life.

· Strike a pose: The whole family will have the chance to capture their experience in front of a fun photo backdrop

· Snack better: KIND Healthy Grains bars will be on hand for parents and their little ones to enjoy

Visit www.operationkindkids.com for activities designed to encourage kindness at home and in the community.

5 Things to do over Memorial Day Weekend

The unofficial start of summer - Memorial Day!  Here are some ideas for things to do.

1.  Kids can do the Kids Fun Run associated with Boston's Run to Remember.  On Saturday, the kids fun runs begin at 10:00 AM on top of the Seaport World Trade Center.  Afterwards, visit the Sports and Fitness Expo.  There's bouncy houses, clowns, free samples, storytelling, music, and more.

2.  Do the whole Boston Common thing!  Picnic, Swan Boats, carousel, wander around the gardens...the weather looks great for Sunday and Monday so ENJOY!

3.  Venture to Rhode Island for a PawSox game on Monday.  Monday nights are $1 menu Mondays at McCoy Stadium, so enjoy hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, chips, and Cracker Jack for a buck!  After the game, there will be fireworks!  View their schedule for more info.

4.  Head up to Newburyport for their annual Springfest.  There's kids entertainment, music, crafts, and food in lovely Newburyport!

5.  Lastly, let's not forget the real meaning of Memorial Day.  Honor those that served our country and attend a Memorial Day Parade.  Here's a schedule of local Memorial Day Parades.

SKYBOKX 109's Kids Eat Free and $6 Happy Hour Appetizers!

Dino chicken nuggets at SKYBOKX 109

Earlier this week, we went to SKYBOKX 109 in Natick for dinner and had a great time!

Last year I listed all of the Boston-Area Kids Eat Free restaurants but I didn't realize that SKYBOKX 109 also offered kids eat free.  I had noticed it before when going to Burlington Coat Factory or the Natick Mall, so I'm glad I finally go to go.

The offer Kids Eat Free on Mondays.  They have bunch of fun kids options, from pizza to mac and cheese to dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets, which was Isaac's choice.  Meals come with a drink and either fruit or french fries.

On top of that, SKYBOKX 109 also offers $6 happy hour apps from 4-6!

SKYBOKX was a fun place to visit - it's totally kid-friendly, but has a fun, modern feel.  Isaac already asked when we could go back!

Green Tones Eco-Friendly Wooden Musical Instruments Giveaway - Keen For Green

Green Tones Instruments

When I'm not blogging here, I'm over at Keen For Green, blogging, managing other bloggers, doing social media, etc.  Sometimes I run great giveaways!  Currently, we are giving away Green Tones Eco-Friendly Toy Instruments!

This is a $40 value!!!

Please visit to to enter!

5 Things To Do Mother's Day Weekend

Cookie decorating at L'Aroma is always a good time!

I haven't been blogging much lately, but even when I don't blog, I keep my Boston Families on a Budget Facebook page updated with deals, events, and more, so be sure to follow me there!

Anyway, this weekend is Mother's Day, so HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you moms out there. If you're looking for things to do this weekend, here are a few ideas:

1.  Head over to West Newton Square on Saturday for another Kids Weekend with all sorts of freebies!  The event includes cookie decorating at L'Aroma, pizza at West Newton Pizza, popcorn from West Newton Cinema, sewing at HipStitch, and MORE!   Everything is free - the cookie, the pizza, everything...free!

2.  Another Newton event this weekend is its annual Kids FunFest!  Rides, entertainment, crafts, and more!   The event is on both days, but there are more activities and vendors on Sunday.

3.  Enjoy some charitable dessert with Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer.  Participating restaurants, bakeries, and stores have desserts where proceeds go to Dana Farber.

4.  Go to the zoo!  Moms get in free on Sunday!

5.  Visit the Arnold Arboretum for its famous Lilac Sunday!   The weather looks perfect for it.

PawSox Games

Baseball season is here!  It's officially opening day and the first Red Sox game of the season is on Friday.

My son, Isaac, is only 4 so we haven't sprung for tickets to a Red Sox game yet.  It's pretty costly and I've suspected that he probably wouldn't be interested enough to sit still for the duration of a game.  When he showed interest in seeing a baseball game last summer, I thought of taking him to see one of the minor league teams.  Minor league games are way cheaper, so even if Isaac got bored by the fourth inning, it's not like we paid top dollar to see the Red Sox.  

Many of the games have fun kid-related events, like running the bases after the game, bobblehead giveaways, dogs catching baseballs, and more.  Some also have nut-free days, so if you have a child with a nut allergy, you can rest assured.  

There are 3 minor league teams within reasonable driving distance of Boston:  Pawtucket Red Sox, Lowell Spinners, and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Manchester.  

We decided to go to a PawSox game and we had a blast.  The crowd was enthusiastic, so it felt like being at a major league game.  l Isaac actually didn't get bored until the 7th inning and by the 8th it was time to line up down by the field because kids got to run the bases after the game!  

Here were some of the prices:

Admission:  $8/adults, $5/children for general admission.  Box seats are $12.

Parking:  If you get there early enough, there's free parking.  The other lots charge only a few bucks.

Ice cream in a PawSox helmet:  $4.50

Beer for Mommy and Daddy:  $6

Hot dog:  $3.50

The prices really are quite reasonable.   Also, if you follow the MiLB teams on Facebook, you can find other great deals and promotions.  For instance, if you have 4 people in your party, you can do the "Family Four Pack."  4 general admission tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 bags of chips, and 4 sodas!  A total steal.

If your kids are interested in seeing a baseball game, but you don't want to pay Fenway prices, check out the PawSox.  

5 Things to Do this Weekend

Lambs at Drumlin Farm

Looking for something to do this rainy weekend?  Here are some inexpensive, indoor ideas to keep you entertained and dry.

1.  Go to the Harvard Museum of Natural History on Sunday morning.  Massachusetts residents get in for free from 9AM until noon.

2.  Meet the Easter Bunny at the Natick Mall.   It's the first weekend he's here.  Don't forget your 30% off coupon for a picture package.  It's a really good deal.

3.  Check out Ben Rudnick and Friends at the Needham Library.  Here's an opportunity to see Ben Rudnick for free.  He plays Saturday at 3:15.

4.   Okay, this one is outdoors, but sounds like fun and I've never been able to go.  Grab and umbrella and head to Drumlin Farm for Woolapalooza on Saturday.  Woolapalooza is Drumlin's sheepshearing festival.

5.  Celebrate spring and grab some fro-yo!  Get this Groupon from Fresh Mango near Downtown Crossing.

Easter Bunny Visits

Less than a month until Peter Cottontail comes hoppin' along the bunny trail!  Looking for a place for your kids to meet the Easter Bunny?  Here are some fun options.  I will add more as I find them!

Bunny Bonanzoo at the Stone Zoo.  You can take your own photo with the Easter Bunny for a suggested donation of $5. All proceeds benefit Stone Zoo.  This is in addition to regular zoo admission.  The Bonanzoo also includes crafts, music, and other Easter festivities!  This event is only on April 19.

The Easter Bunny at Roger Williams Park Zoo.   Head down to Providence's awesome zoo.  Get your kids' picture taken with the Easter Bunny and do a craft!  The event runs from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 4 pm. The price is in addition to general Zoo admission - is $10 for children ages 3-12, and $5 for toddlers ages 0-2.  Adults are free.  This event will take place April 12, 13, 18, and 19.

Waltham's Easter Bunny Celebration.  Hop to Waltham on Saturday, April 12, 2014 from 9:30am-12:00pm at the Arthur J. Clark Government Center, 119 School Street. Snap photos with the Easter Bunny, enjoy balloons, do arts and crafts, and meet Patches the Fire Dog!

The Easter Bunny at Natick Mall.  The Easter Bunny will be there for pictures from 3/29/2014 - 4/19/2014.  Here is a 30% off coupon for photos - for  only $29.00 you get four 5”x7” Portraits, four 4”x6” Portraits, eight Wallet Size Portraits AND a Digital Download.  You do have to buy in advance, though.

Easter Events at Patriot Place.  Lots of stuff going on there!  Bass Pro Shops has Easter Egg Hunts on April 12, 13, 19, and 20 from 2-3 PM.  They're also offering an opportunity for FREE photos with the Easter Bunny!  There's also Easter crafts!

Meet the Easter Bunny at the Watertown Mall.  The Easter Bunny will be there on April 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, and 19.

Phillips Candy House 22nd Annual Spring Egg Hunt. An egg hunt, hot chocolate, and photos and a meet and greet with the Easter Bunny himself!

Easter Party at JamTime.  JamTime has locations in Maynard and Natick.  April 18 and 19.  The Easter Bunny, games, sweet treats, and crafts.  Free with the cost of admission!

5 Things to do this Weekend

Mmmm maple donuts at Parker's Maple Barn!

TGIF!  Don't forget - today is the last day to enter the Big Apple Circus tickets giveaway!  

What are you up to this weekend?  Looking for something to do?  Here are some fun, inexpensive ways to enjoy your weekend.

1.  Enjoy maple syrup!  It's the official maple sugaring weekend in Massachusetts and NH.  Lots of sugarhouses are having open houses this weekend, but my family's favorite place to go is Parker's Maple Barn!   Isaac loves watching them make syrup, there's coffee and maple donuts for purchase while you wait for your table, a cute gift shop, but most importantly: yummy food!  Their special stuffed french toast is to die for and the rest of their menu items are pretty darn good, too.  

2.  Make a rainbow mirror at Lakeshore Learning.   They offer crafts every Saturday morning from 11-3 for kids 3 and up.  Locations are in Saugus and Newton.

3.  Celebrate Bach's birthday at the First Lutheran Church of Boston in Back Bay.  Admission to concerts and events are free all day, though they do request a donation.  From FLC:  "Bach's Birthday is a family-friendly event that provides the opportunity for kids to play one of Boston's finest pipe organs."

4.  Enjoy the free Jeff Jam singalong on Saturday at 11 AM at Somerville Community Access TV.  Be a part of the studio audience!  

5.  Go on a family hike on Sunday in Framingham or Waltham.  The weather forecast looks cool and sunny. Visit http://www.outdoorsrx.org/ for more info.  

Tocomail Review & Promo Codes

A recent email I received from Isaac via Tocomail

I recently downloaded Tocomail, an email app for kids on the iPad and iPhone.   Tocomail is based in Waltham, so in addition to offering a unique app for kids, it's great to support a local business.

 It's super cute and Isaac loves it.   Kids can draw, take pictures, type, and send emails!   Plus, it's easy to use.  Isaac is only 4 and he can easily navigate the app.  He loves emailing his grandparents!    It's a much safer alternative than setting your child up with a regular email address because parents create a "safe list" so kids can only send/receive emails to people on that list.  If someone NOT on the safe list emails them, it will go into a quarantine folder where parents can approve/disapprove.

Right now, the app is a little buggy, but it's only been out since February so it wouldn't deter me from recommending.  Another downside is that it's only available for the iPad and iPhone, and while I have an iPad, my other devices are Androids so it would be nice to be able to download it on my phone.  Hopefully in the near future they'll offer it.

There is a free version and a paid version with added features.  The folks at Tocomail gave me TEN promo codes for the paid version (a $29 value!) and if you're interested, I will give them away to the first ten people who email me.  Email krisk4g-giveaway@yahoo.com with the subject line TOCOMAIL and I will send it over!

Download Tocomail at the App Store.

Big Apple Circus Tickets Giveaway!

We are giving away TWO TICKETS to the Big Apple Circus!  These tickets are for the Friday, March 28th 6:30 pm performance of their show, LUMINOCITY!

To enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The winner will be emailed on Saturday, March 22.

About the show:

It's the vivacity! It's the velocity! It's the LUMINOCITY - the All-New Show from the Big Apple Circus! Now in its 36th Season, the Big Apple Circus celebrates the vitality of life at the city epicenter, the Crossroads of the World! Catch all the verve, the high-spirits and racing-pulse thrills of the World's Greatest Circus Artists in one ring under our intimate Big Top, where no seat is more than 50 feet from ringside!

For over 35 years the Big Apple Circus, New York's original one-ring circus, has been delighting audiences of all ages under its Big Top by presenting the finest in live family entertainment featuring world-class circus artistry. Experience the instant connection between audience and artist as your family sits less than 50 feet from the ring. The Big Apple Circus is a not-for-profit performing arts and outreach institution committed to invigorating the communities we serve with the joy and wonder of classical circus. Tax-deductible contributions made by corporations, foundations and individuals enable the Big Apple Circus to bring its special magic to diverse audiences through its outreach programs - Clown Care[SM], Vaudeville Caravan[SM], Circus After School[SM], Circus For All!® and Circus of the Senses® - as well as its critically acclaimed performances.

These tickets are for OPENING WEEKEND, where they will have Circus-to-Go performers out in the Reception Area the hour before each performance entertaining and interacting with patrons one-on-one and a DJ pumping some jams to get every hyped for the show! How cool is that?

And if you don't win, here's a coupon code to get $10 off each ticket.  What a steal!



GOOD LUCK!

5 Fun Things to do this Week

Learn about animals at Playful Paws Playgroups

I'm a little late with posting this, but here are 5 fun things to do this week!  

1.   Hit up a playground during the second half of this week.  It's going to be 50 on Thursday and 45 on Friday, and I don't know about you, but I am desperate for some outside time.

2.  Playful Paws Playgroups at the Stone Zoo or Franklin Park Zoo.  Call ahead to make sure they're not full.  Each class is $8 for members and $10 for non-members and classes are for kids 18 months - 3 years.  We haven't done Playful Paws, but we've done Curious Cubs (for ages 3-4) and Isaac had a lot of fun.  The educators are really knowledgeable and the activities are all age-appropriate.  [The next Curious Cubs groups aren't until April]

3.  Catch a free movie at the Museum of Science on Friday!  Recommended for age 8 and up.

4.  Head to the COOP in Harvard Square on Saturday morning for their story and crafts for ages 7 and under.  There is also juice and refreshments!

5.  Try some Swiss baked goods at swissbakers in Allston or Reading with this Groupon.   The Swiss-style baked goods are different than what you may find at a typical bakery.  Go ahead and indulge this week!

5 St. Paddy's Day Activities

Happy Friday!  St. Patrick's Day is on Monday and there are some fun kid-oriented things to do this to celebrate.

1.  Decorate a St. Patrick's Day cookie at L'Aroma in West Newton.   This local coffee shop is awesome!  Plus, kids get a free Silly Putty.  Who doesn't love that?  Sunday, 3-5 PM.

2.  Visit the Buttonwood Park Zoo with green pancakes - St. Patty-cakes!  Sunday, 9 AM.

3.  Visit Franklin Park Zoo or the Stone Zoo for Saint Patrick's Day to see the animals play with green-colored enrichment toys.  Sunday, 10 AM.

4.  Go to In A Pickle on Saint Patrick's Day in Waltham for free cupcakes and other St. Paddy's Day fun!  Monday, 6:30-3 PM. 

5.  Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at the Boston Children's Museum.  Enjoy the Boston Police Gaelic Pipe and Drum band, make a 4 leaf clover, make green bubbles, and join the parade at 2 PM!  Monday, all day.

Groupon and LivingSocial Roundup

Lots of jumpy places have Groupons right now.

I'm back from my trip!  We enjoyed family time in California, including meeting Snoopy at Knott's Berry Farm!  We were welcomed back with this frigid, snowy air, but hopefully spring will show its face soon.  Meanwhile, here's this week's Groupon and LivingSocial roundup.

• There are TONS of Groupons out right now for bouncy house type places.  I'm getting a little tired of them myself, but Isaac can't get enough and it's a great option for when you need an indoor activity. There are Groupons for Jump in with Us in Marlborough, Jump Around in Framingham, Pump it Up in Peabody, Fore Kicks in Taunton, and Kidsports in Stoughton.
• Fresh Mango frozen yogurt - mmmm!
• Boomer's Playland and Laser Tag down in Carver.  Kids can enjoy mats, slides, tubes, a ball fountain, and more - a great idea for these never-ending polar vortexes...
• Snag a Groupon for the Providence for the New England Family Fun Festival in April!  This event includes dancing, music performances, magicians, storytellers, clowns, contests and games, Lego building, Zumba, and lots more!
• Together in Motion's drop-in play in Arlington.  The Groupon says for ages 0-6, but I think it's better for the younger set, like newly mobile babies and toddlers (probably under 2) who need a safe, soft place to run and climb.  It doesn't expire until August, so it's great for really cold days, April showers, and heat waves!
• Sandwich Works in Newton Centre is super yummy!  This deli has really good sandwiches and breakfast at low prices, so this Groupon is a steal!  The people who work there are really nice, too.  
• Monster Mini Golf in Norwood.  Monster Mini Golf is an indoor, black-lit mini golf course with music and of course, MONSTERS!  There's also a Groupon for its Danvers location.  If you miss the fun of playing mini golf in the summer, this is a great option. Especially with this never-ending winter!   Or think ahead for sunnier days and buy this Groupon for Paradise Mini Golf.

Maple Sugaring Season

We love maple syrup!  And March is maple sugaring season in New England.  There are lots of sugarhouses in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.

Maple Weekend in New Hampshire and Massachusetts is March 22 and 23, with lots of sugarhouses having open houses so you can see what goes on behind the scenes.

Many of the Mass Audubon locations have maple sugaring events, too!  Note that advance registration is required for most of these events.  The following locations offer maple sugaring events:  Ipswich River, Blue Hills, Drumlin Farm, and Moose Hill.

But, my family's favorite place to go is Parker's Maple Barn in Mason, NH, just over an hour from Boston. The wait can be long on the weekends, but you can get tours of where they make the syrup, drink coffee and eat maple donuts, and browse their gift shop.  (The maple donut stand is only open on weekends, so that's my favorite time to go!)  The restaurant is cozy and the food is tasty.  I love their stuffed french toast, which varies depending on when you go.  The pistachio is the best!

Visiting Parker's Maple Barn has been a family tradition for us since before we had Isaac.  It's even more fun now that we bring him there!

Isaac learning about the maple syrup-making process.

Groupon and LivingSocial Roundup!

Together in Motion is a fun for babies and toddlers. 

Good afternoon, everyone!  For future "Groupon Roundup" posts, I will also be including my favorite LivingSocial deals!  This will help me find my readers the best, most awesome deals on the internet.   Here's what deals are going on this week.  Enjoy!

• Four hour introductory sewing class at Newton Sewing Studio.  Learn to "sew like a pro" and create a patchwork pillow and stuffed animal, hand puppet, or pencil case!
  
• Boomer's Playland and Laser Tag down in Carver.  Kids can enjoy mats, slides, tubes, a ball fountain, and more - a great idea for these never-ending polar vortexes...
  
• Truck on down to Providence for the New England Family Fun Festival in April!  This event includes dancing, music performances, magicians, storytellers, clowns, contests and games, Lego building, Zumba, and lots more!
  
• Together in Motion's drop-in play in Arlington.  The Groupon says for ages 0-6, but I think it's better for the younger set, like newly mobile babies and toddlers who need a safe, soft place to run and climb.  It doesn't expire until August, so it's great for really cold days, April showers, and heat waves!
  
• Sandwich Works in Newton Centre is super yummy!  This friendly deli has really good sandwiches and breakfast.
  
• 16 Handles - froyo in Coolidge Corner!  Mmmm, cider doughnut yogurt!
  
• Newburyport Whale Watch.  Available May through October, enjoy New England whale watching!  Kids under 3 are free on weekdays.
  
• Do the tourist thing and check out Cambridge Historical Tours and a Freedom Trail Tour.  Play tourist with your family or buy these for when you have out-of-towners visiting for a fun way to enjoy historical New England together!

• Body Worlds Vital -Faneuil Hall.  The Body Worlds exhibit has 200 authentic human specimens, including individual organs, transparent slices, and whole bodies.  I hear it's really fascinating.
  
• Kids Fun Stop in West Roxbury.  Visit this indoor playground (perfect for ages 6 and under) for half price.  Since this winter seems never-ending, you may as well buy some more indoor play passes...
  
• Drumming lessons in Arlington.  Half price drum lessons for kids aged 5-12.
  
• Monster Mini Golf in Norwood.  Monster Mini Golf is an indoor, black-lit mini golf course with music and of course, MONSTERS!  There's also a Groupon for its Danvers location.  If you miss the fun of playing mini golf in the summer, this is a great option.
  
• Kidsports in Stoughton.  This Groupon is for indoor play passes, with the option to add bowling and plaster painting.  Fun idea if you're down near Stoughton!
  
• Animal Adventures in Bolton.  It's a bit of a drive, but totally worth it if you have a kid who is really into animals.  We've gone twice because my son liked it so much the first time. You get up close and personal with all sorts of animals.
  
• Jump Around in Framingham.  I bought one of these already and might buy another.  I'm kind of burnt out on these jumping places, personally, but these jumping passes have been a great thing during the miserable weather.  Anything that gets us out of the house and gets my son some exercise!  

5 things to do this week & next!

This will be my last "5 Things to do this Week" (and day late - darn!) until the week of March 17, so I'm going to extend it to cover next week as well.    We're leaving for California on Friday and crossing fingers for some springlike weather when we return.  I'll be doing a Groupon roundup tomorrow and that's it for the next few weeks!  However, I will still be posting on my Facebook page if I see anything cool going on, so follow me there if you don't already!

Anyway, here are 5 things to do this week and next week!

1.  Maple Days at Old Sturbridge Village.  Learn about how maple sugaring was done in 19th century New England!  Maple Days are March 1, 2, 8, 9, 15,  and 16.  Kids are FREE all of those weekends!!!  There's also a Groupon running right now.  Bundle up and have fun.

2.  Visit the Butterfly Place in Westford.  They just opened for the season a few weeks ago.

3.  See Ben Rudnick and Friends at Tico in Back Bay on March 8.  The show is free, coffee/tea/juice is free, and there's brunch ($).  Plus, benefits proceed Birthday Wishes.

4.  Check out one of the Kids' Shows at the Coolidge Corner Theater.

5.  Grab a Groupon for the Body Worlds Vital Exhibit in Fanuiel Hall.

ETA bonus stuff:

6.  Stacey Peasley is doing a singalong at Colores Kids in Natick on 2/28 @ 10am!  FREE!

Boston Families on a Budget: Tourism Edition

Boston Common's Frog Pond is awesome!

I'm blogging a lot about weekly activities and deals, but I thought I'd come up with some fun ideas for out-of-town families visiting Boston.  There are tons of fun things to explore in Boston without breaking the bank.

If you stumbled upon this post because you're a planning a visit to Boston, hello!   You will love Boston!

Lodging

I find that it usually makes more economical sense to rent a vacation condo instead of staying at a hotel.  When you break it down, it's usually cheaper per night, and you're not forced to dine out for every single meal.  I find that looking for restaurants 3 times a day can be sort of a headache, especially when traveling with children.

I have used HomeAway.com and had good experiences.  AirBnB.com is another popular site.

Some centrally-located neighborhoods are Back Bay, Copley Square, and the South End.  These areas are great for exploring Boston by foot and by T (our subway) but if you have a car, it might be a little bit of a pain to find parking there.  You can also stay further from Boston and take the T or commuter rail in when you're exploring Boston.  There are lots of cute coastal towns (Rockport, Newburyport) with commuter rail access.

Dining

There are lots of inexpensive and tasty eateries around Boston.  Lots of seafood places especially along the waterfront, great pizza and Italian in the North End, dim sum in Chinatown - you name it!  If you visit Boston's famous Regina Pizzeria, head over to the Allston location on a Tuesday night.  It has a full menu, kids eat free on Tuesdays, and they have someone making balloon animals for the kids.

Museums

Boston has some awesome museums, and even better: many of them offer free and discounted museum days.   Be sure to take advantage!  On top of that, if you visit in the summer, Highland Street offers free museum days all over the area, including some of the local zoos.

Free Stuff to do in Boston

There are lots of free things to do in Boston city limits.    From free North End Festivals to Castle Island, there are so many fun (and historical!) family events and destinations throughout the city that you can enjoy.

Boston Common

 You can't beat Boston Common in the summer - wade in the Frog Pond, spend only a few bucks to get your entire family on a famous Swan Boat Ride, enjoy the carousel, and have a picnic!

Day Trips

Got a car?  Head over to Mystic, CT, Western Mass, Cape Cod, or Maine for a fun day trip within 2 hours of Boston.

Groupons

Last, but not least, be sure to check out my latest Groupon roundups.  I go through Groupons almost every week and find my favorite deals.  Grab a few Groupons before your trip and enjoy using them once you're here!

5 Things to do on February Vacation Week

Snowshoeing at Gore Place was a blast!

Woohoo!  February Vacation Week!  Here are 5 ideas of fun, discounted/cheap/free things to do this week.  ENJOY!

1. Go bowling!  Boston Bowl has a vacation week deal:  Two games, shoe rentals with socks, and 10 game room tokens on the tenpin side from 9am-2pm. It's only $10 per person!  Nice!  Westgate Lanes in Brockton has a Groupon deal right now. There's also Saco's Bowl Haven in Somerville or Needham Bowlaway for some old school candlepin.
2. Go snowshoeing at Gore Place.  We finally did this last week and I loved it!  Can't wait to try it again.
3. Attend the ParkSCIENCE Children's Festival on Thursday.   This free event at Franklin Park will feature the New England Aquarium Tidal Pool, the Plantmobile horticultural lab table, Rosalita’s Puppets, facepainting, LL Bean's Snowshoeing Discovery Course, and tons more!
4. Attend a free performance of Cantata Singers' dress rehearsal of Mendelssohn's Elijah! "With a sold-out concert, our dress rehearsal on Friday, February 21, 1:30pm is free and open to the public. A perfect event to introduce your children to the gift of music! Families also welcome to leave at any time during the dress rehearsal."  For more information about the event, and to reserve tickets, visit their website at: www.cantatasingers.org.
5. Head over to a Boston Public Library branch.   They're closed on Monday, but there's otherwise a lot going on this week.  There's stuff going on for Black History Month in addition to crafts, chess, storytime, Wii Olympics, and lots more!  

This Week's Groupon Roundup

Good morning!  Hope everyone is doing well on this slushy, messy Valentine's Day morning.  Every week, I try to gather my favorite family-friendly Groupons.  Here are this week's picks:

Get up close & personal with reptiles and more at Animal Adventures!

• $15 for $30 at Oakleaf Cakes in Boston.  YUM.  Enjoy cupcakes, cookies, homemade Pop Tarts, and more.
• Circus Oz at the Citi Performing Arts Center.  This animal-free circus includes tumblers, tightrope-walkers, foot-jugglers, magicians, and acrobats.
• Body Worlds Vital -Faneuil Hall.  The Body Worlds exhibit has 200 authentic human specimens, including individual organs, transparent slices, and whole bodies.
• Colonial Lantern Tours.  Save this creepy ghost tour for the older kids!  I did it pre-kid and had a great time.  And then I went to Caffe Vittoria.  ;-)
• Kids Fun Stop in West Roxbury.  Visit this indoor playground (perfect for ages 6 and under) for half price.  Great deal for the wintertime!  This deal is going away soon, so grab it before it's too late.
• Drumming lessons in Arlington.  Half price drum lessons for kids aged 5-12.
• Monster Mini Golf in Norwood.  Monster Mini Golf is an indoor, black-lit mini golf course with music and of course, MONSTERS!  There's also a Groupon for its Danvers location.  Fun thing to do while this lousy weather continues.
• Kidsports in Stoughton.  This Groupon is for indoor play passes, with the option to add bowling and plaster painting.  Sounds super fun!
• Together in Motion in Arlington.  This is ideal for little tots and mobile babies.  Let them get their energy out at this indoor playspace.  We did this a few times when Isaac was crawling and he loved it.
• Animal Adventures in Bolton.  It's a bit of a long drive, but worth it if you have a kid who is really into animals.  We've gone twice because my son liked it so much the first time. You can pet all sorts of interesting animals, from wallabies to alligators.

Tuesday Nights at Regina Pizzeria in Allston

Regina Pizzeria's Kids Eat Free is on Tuesdays!

Last night we went to Regina Pizzeria in Allston for their "Kids Eat Free" night.  We really like their pizza and I'm also a fan of their baked cheese ravioli.  Yum!

To our (pleasant!) surprise, they also had someone making balloon animals there.   She said that they have balloon twisters there every Tuesday night.

It was a fun way to end a frigid Tuesday in February - with warm, yummy Italian food, kids eat free, and fun balloons for Isaac!  (And the kids' meals come with a push pop for dessert!)

Five Things to do this Week!

Happy Monday, everybody!  Here are 5 ideas of free and/or inexpensive things to do this week:

1.  Go snowshoeing at Gore Place!   Enjoy the scenery of Gore Place, rent some snowshoes, and have a good time.  It's also accessible via the 70/70a bus coming from Central Square, so if you're a car-free urban-dweller, this is a great place to enjoy a bit of New England nature in the winter.

2.  Play indoor mini-golf!  Right now there are Groupons for Monster Mini Golf in Norwood and Danvers.  If monsters aren't your thing, head over to Marlborough for indoor mini golf and homemade ice cream at Trombetta's Farm.

3.  Visit Jam Time in Maynard or Natick on Monday (today!) afternoon.  On Mondays from 3-close, admission is only $5 per kid.  What a steal!

4.  Take your child to make a Valentine for another parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle at Plaster Fun Time. This much less expensive alternative to pottery painting is a blast!  There are 9 locations throughout Greater Boston and your child's work of art is ready to bring home that day!

5.  Go sledding!  Here's a list of some favorite Boston-area sledding spots.

Today's Groupon Roundup

Cape Ann Whale Watch is fun for the whole family!

This is another thing I'm going to try to do weekly.  I'm going to scour Groupon for my favorite family-friendly deals!  And if you don't follow Boston Families on a Budget on Facebook, please do!  Sometimes I'll quickly post something there that doesn't always make it to this blog.

• Kids Fun Stop in West Roxbury.  Visit this indoor playground (perfect for ages 6 and under) for half price.  Great deal for the wintertime!
• Drumming lessons in Arlington.  Half price drum lessons for kids aged 5-12.
• Cape Ann Whale Watch.  I did this pre-kid and LOVED it.  The Groupon is only good for adult tickets, so you can buy your kids' tickets separately.  During certain times, kids under 3 are free.  Check the Groupon and read the fine print.
• Monster Mini Golf in Norwood.  Monster Mini Golf is an indoor, black-lit mini golf course with music and of course, MONSTERS!  There's also a Groupon for its Danvers location.
• Mini golf at Golf Country.  Locations in Saugus, Middleton, and Easton.
• Kidsports in Stoughton.  This Groupon is for indoor play passes, with the option to add bowling and plaster painting.
• Together in Motion in Arlington.  Best for tots and mobile babies.  Let them get their energy out at this indoor playspace.
• Animal Adventures in Bolton.  It's a little bit of a hike, but worth it if you have a kid who is really into animals.  We've gone twice because my son liked it so much the first time. You can pet all sorts of interesting animals, from wallabies to alligators.
• Membership to the One World Children's Global Discovery Museum in Cohasset.   This museum is best for kids 1-6.
• Jump Around in Framingham.  I bought one of these already and might buy another.  These jumping passes have been a savior during those "polar vortex" days.
• Dante's Frozen Yogurt.  Enjoy discounted froyo in Allston.
• swissbakers in Allston or Reading.  Enjoy authentic Swiss baked goods.  Hurry up with this one - the Groupon ends at the end of the day!

5 Fun Things to do this Week!

image from mycutegraphics.com

I hear it's going to be a snowy/icy/slushy/yucky week - but wasn't the weekend such a treat?

I'm going to start post weekly ideas of free or inexpensive things to do.  It's a toughie in the winter sometime and some of these indoor activities are a little costly.  (The Armory indoor playspace in Somerville is $15 - what?!)  Here are some reasonably priced ideas.

1.  Go to the Watertown Library on Monday afternoon for Kindergarten Yoga!  Kids aged 4-6 can enjoy a brief introduction to yoga.  Free.

2.  Head over to Henry Bear's Park in Brookline on Friday afternoon for a musical show with children's performer Marcie Joy!  This also includes stories, crafts, and a coupon for Clover Food Lab.  Event starts at 5 PM.  Free.

3.  Go ice skating!  The Charles Hotel in Harvard Square offers ice skating with inexpensive rates and of course there's the Frog Pond.  Get in the spirit of the Winter Olympics!

4.  Check out open gym on Tuesday or Thursday at Exxcel Gymnastics in Newton.  For $8, you child can enjoy trampolines, balance beams, and more.

5.  Pottery Barn Kids has some activities going on this week.  Aside from their weekly Tuesday morning storytime, they also have a Valentine station this week and cookie decorating on Saturday!  Free.