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.

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.  :-)

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.

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.  

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!

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!  

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.