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.

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.

Ten Free Things to Do in Boston

Wading in the Frog Pond is fun AND free!

Discounts are awesome, but obviously free is even better!  There are some really fun things to do within Boston city limits without spending money.

 Here are ten free things to do in Boston.

1.  Take your kids wading in the Frog Pond in the summer - it's totally free.  Pack a picnic, walk around Boston Common, and cool off in the pond.   In the summer, the Swan Boats and carousel are also super cheap.

2.  Climb the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown.  There are 294 steps to get to the top, so make sure you and your kids are up for the hike!   But the view will make it worthwhile.

3.  Visit Castle Island in Southie.  Play in the sand, walk around the fort, have fun at the playground, and enjoy a picnic.  I love to go to Castle Island in the spring and fall to avoid the crowds.

4.  Visit the Observatory at BU.  They offer open nights on most Wednesday evenings year-round, weather permitting.   Starting times are 7:30 pm in the fall and winter, and at 8:30pm during the spring and summer. The program lasts about an hour.  The telescopes are outside, so be sure to dress appropriately.

5.  Check out free events at the Hatch Shell.  There are free concerts including Earthfest, free movies, and of course, the 4th of July fireworks!

6.  Tour the USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat!  Learn about naval history on this free tour.

7.  Visit a free festival.  There are free festivals all throughout the year, but here are a few that stick out in my mind:  North End Feasts which happen all summer long, the Dragon Boat Festival in June, the Chinese New Year Parade, and more.

8.  Explore the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain.  There is no admission, but they do request donations.  They even have Discovery Packs for kids to make the experience most educational!

9.  Take a walk along the Charles River.  There's always lots to see.  End your walk at Artesani Park, where there's a playground and a fun wading/splash pool available in the summer.

10.  Play tourist and explore Faneuil Hall.  There are all kinds of street performers, such as musicians, jugglers, etc.  After that, head over the Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park to enjoy the spray park and playground!  And, while not free, I recommend you head over to the North End for pastries.  :-)

Family Day Trips from Boston

The Nubble Lighthouse in Maine

We love to go on day trips!  Coming from Boston, there are tons of places to explore for the day.   Here are some of our favorite day trip destinations:

Mystic, Connecticut

Less than two hours from Boston, Mystic has a lot to offer.  First, we love the Mystic Aquarium.  I think it's well worth the drive and a better aquarium than the New England Aquarium.  It's not cheap, but worth it to do on occasion.  There's also Mystic Seaport, where you could easily spend all day, wandering the grounds, visiting the different buildings and ships.  If you go to Mystic Seaport on your birthday - it's free!   I love that!

When it's time to grab lunch, check out Kitchen Little.  It's a neat little restaurant right on the water.  Enjoy breakfast fare or their famous Rhode Island-style clam chowder.  If you're in the mood for pizza, there's always Mystic Pizza where you can chow down on pizza while looking at pictures of Julia Roberts on the walls.

Downtown Mystic is fun to stroll along.  It's a quintessential coastal New England Main Street, complete with cute ice cream parlors, gift shops, toy stores, and more.

While you're there, visit nearby Stonington.  There is a lighthouse museum open May through October.  It's $9 for adults, $6 for children, or a family gets in for $25.  It's a neat lighthouse and the museum is interesting.  Your admission will also get you into the Captain Palmer House, also in Stonington.

Pioneer Valley

Head to Western Mass and enjoy all that Pioneer Valley has to offer.  It's only about an hour and 45 minutes from Boston, and there's lots for families to do!

In Amherst, there's the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.   It's only $9 for adults and $6 for kids, or $22.50 for a family of four.  There are great exhibits of children's book artwork, including rotating exhibits, not just Eric Carle.  They also offer hands-on activities and a cool gift shop!

If the weather is nice, check out Look Park!  There is just so much to do at Look Park - you may never want to leave!  There are playgrounds, pedal boats, a train ride, a mini zoo, bumper boats, a train ride, a spray park, and more!  If you want to pack a picnic to bring, swing by Atkins Farm first.  They have a fabulous fruit selection, pre-made foods, and a mouthwatering bakery department.

If you're in the mood to go out to eat, Northampton Brewery is family friendly and has a large selection of food and beer. They also have a really nice outdoor dining area!

Kennebunkport and York, Maine

This area is best visited in the May-October time period, as a lot of things close in the off-season.  But, there are still some things to do no matter what the season.

Whenever we head up that way, the first place we hit up is Federal Jack's for some lunch.  It's a family-friendly brewpub with good food and a nice view!  When the weather is nice, their patio can't be beat.  Federal Jack's is open year-round.  Afterwards, we like to stroll around downtown Kennebunkport and visit the gift shops.

When we're done in Kennebunkport, we head over to York.  The Nubble Light is picturesque no matter what time of year it is!    Make sure to bring your camera for photo ops.

York has a beach and amusement park, York's Wild Kingdom.  I've never been there, but it's centrally located and reasonably priced.

The downtown section of York has a small beach and playground.  There is also an arcade with a vintage feel and small bowling alley called Fun-O-Rama.  There are plenty of shops to browse and when it's time for a sweet treat, there's The Goldenrod which features all sorts of candy and ice cream.   York is a seasonal destination, so you might not find as much open outside of May-October.

Parker's Maple Barn

Just about an hour and fifteen minutes from Boston, up in Mason, NH, Parker's Maple Barn is our favorite day trip destination in late winter/early spring.   If you go in March, maple sugaring season is going on.  You can get a tour of the syrup-making facility, buy syrup and other New England items at the gift shop, and chow down on maple donuts while waiting for your table at the restaurant.

On the weekends in the sugaring season, the wait can be long but put your name in first so you can browse the rest of the grounds.  They have typical breakfast and lunch fare, but the best are their various stuffed french toast with their homemade maple syrup. Remember to bring some home!

I have a few more favorite day trip destinations, so there will probably be a Part 2 to this post at some point.  What are some of your favorites?

Free and Discounted Museum Days

The Boston Children's Museum is only $1 on Friday nights.

There's no shortage of excellent museums in Massachusetts and luckily, even if you're on a budget you can take advantage!  Many museums offer specific days where you can go for a reduced price - or even free!

• Harvard Museum of Natural History is free for Massachusetts residents every Sunday morning (year-round) from 9:00 am to noon.  From September through May, it's also free Wednesdays from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.  Don't forget to bring an ID; they will need to verify residency.
• Boston Children's Museum is $1 on Friday evenings 5pm to 9pm, sponsored by Target.
• Discovery Museums (both) in Acton are free on the first Friday of the month from 4:30-8:30 pm.
• If you're a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch customer, they have a "Museums on Us" program where you can into museums for free on the first weekend of the month.  Some area museums include: the Museum of Fine Arts, MIT Museum, American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Battleship Cove in Fall River, Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, NH, Providence Children's Museum, and the RISD Museum.  Check their website for more.
• MIT Museum is also free on the last Sunday of each month.
• Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton is free on Thursdays, 5-9 PM.
• The Museum of Fine Arts has a bunch of free Open House days: Monday, January 20, 2014 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day); Saturday, February 8, 2014 (Lunar New Year); Monday, May 26, 2014 (Memorial Day); and Monday, October 13, 2014 (Fall Open House).  On Wednesday nights after 4 pm, admission is by voluntary contribution, though the suggested donation is $25.
• Worcester Art Museum is free on the first Saturday of the month from 10-12.
• In the summer, Highland Street offers "Free Fun Fridays."  Their schedule for summer 2014 hasn't come out yet, but you can see last year's schedule to get an idea of where you can visit for free.
• Don't forget to check your library for discounted passes!  Some of the deals are great.  

Know any others?  Leave a comment!