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 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.

TEN Inexpensive Indoor Ideas to do this Week!

Jump Around is a great place to get some energy out!

Updated on 1/27/14!

It's another cold week ahead of us, so here are ten (inside!) things for you to do this week.  I tried to find some good deals or otherwise inexpensive things to do.  Some of the indoor activities are so expensive - one thing I found was an indoor play area for $15!  That's more expensive than the Children's Museum!

So, here are some cheaper options to keep you warm while getting out of the house.

1.  Grab a Groupon for Jump Around in Framingham.  Seriously.  Do it.  I bought one and we went on Friday when the temperature was only about 12 degrees.   Isaac really needed to get some energy out and this helped!

2.  Or buy a Groupon for Kids Fun Stop in West Roxbury.   The deal is $30 for five drop-in play visits, so it's half off.   Best for kids 6 and under.

3.  Visit the Harvard Museum of Natural History.   Their regular rates are quite affordable, but they also offer times to go for free for Massachusetts residents.  If you get there Sunday morning from 9:00 am to noon or on Wednesday from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, you will get in free.  (Side note:  Free Sunday mornings happen year-round, but free Wednesday mornings are only from September until May)

4.  Spend Friday evening at the Boston Children's Museum.  Courtesy of Target, it's only $1 from 5-9 pm.

5.  Visit the Boston Fire Museum on Saturday morning.  It's only open on Saturdays, but there's no admission - just bring a donation.  It's not a big museum, but it's fun, especially if you have a kid who likes fire trucks!

6.  Stop at Kelly's Roast Beef for Kids' Night. It's every Monday in Saugus from 5-8 pm, every Tuesday in Danvers and Medford from 5-8 pm, and every Wednesday in Natick from 5-8 pm! There's storytelling, face painting, balloons, arts and crafts projects, and ice cream!  It's free to enjoy the activities, but the food is not free of charge.

7.  Skip cooking one night and go to one of the Boston-area kids eat free nights.

8.  Go to a Tuesday morning story time at Pottery Barn Kids.  It's going to be in the teens tomorrow (ugh) so head to an indoor mall with a PB Kids and maybe grab lunch and hit up the play area to kill some time.

9.  Meet Dora the Explorer tomorrow at the Patriot's Place story time inside Showcase Cinema De Lux.    (Showcase Cinema De Lux has these story times every Tuesday with a different character appearance!)

10.  Paint something at Plaster Fun Time.   You can keep this low cost by picking out lower-priced items.  They have magnets for under $4 and regular pieces start at about $9.  If you join their email list, you'll get coupons sent to you.   They have 9 locations.