LivingSocial and Groupon Deals Roundup: 8/29/13

There are some awesome deals on LivingSocial and Groupon for families in Eastern Massachusetts right now!   I have hand-picked a bunch that sounded the most fun to me.  Check 'em out...

Ocean Explorium, New Bedford

Where:  Ocean Explorium, New Bedford
How Much:  Admission for 4 - $17
Expires:  120 days after purchase
Notes:  This smallish aquarium is perfect for the toddler and preschool set.   We went last year after getting a LivingSocial deal and Isaac, who had just turned 3, loved it.  It was extremely hands-on and the staff members really worked well with younger kids.  Worth the drive to New Bedford and the price can't be beat!

Where:  Imajine That, Lawrence
How Much:  50% off classes.
Expires:  Jan. 3, 2014
Notes:  Imajine That is a 12,000-square-foot play center offers a science station, a dino-themed climbing structure, child-size grocery store, and more.

Where:  Together in Motion, Arlington
How Much:  $34 for 14 drop-in play visits
Expires:  Jan. 5, 2014
Notes:  For kids 0-6.  I took Isaac there a few times when he was a baby and he loved it.  It was a soft, safe place for him to explore when he was just learning to be mobile.

Where:  Duck Tours, Boston
How Much:  $24
Expires:  November 30, 2013
Note:  If you're in the mood to do something quintessentially Boston before the winter freeze, try the Duck Tours this fall.  Quack!

Where:  Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge
How Much:  $12
Expires:  March 31, 2014
Note:  We love OSV and it's a steal for $12.  It's fun for young or old.  Learn about New England history and enjoy the scenery.  And while you're out that way, hit up the Publick House or Salem Cross Inn for lunch.  Both are kid-friendly and have excellent comfort food on the menu.  I might be biased, though.  We got married at the Salem Cross Inn and had our rehearsal at the Publick House.

Animal Adventures, Bolton

Where:  Animal Adventures, Bolton
How Much:  Two admissions for $12
Expires:  90 days after purchase.
Note:  Isaac and I went to Animal Adventures in the spring and we had a blast.  We saw a fox, a wallaby, tortoises, alligators, and more.  The tour guide was knowledgeable and there were lots of animals to touch!

Where:  Gil Graham's Drumming Preparatory School, Arlington
How Much:  Starts at $12 for one group drumming lesson.
Expires:  180 days after purchase.
Notes:  Group drum classes for children aged 5-12.

Where:  The Kids Place for Fun, Needham
How Much:  $15 for $30 worth of crafts.
Expires:  Oct. 31, 2013
Notes:  Kids can paint pottery, tie-dye, do mosaics, or more.  It's fun for everybody!

Where: Funtagious Fun Center, Tyngsborough
How Much:  Starts at $12 for 2.
Expires:  90 days after purchase.
Notes:  This place sounds cool! Underwater and pirate-themed indoor, black-light mini golf course.  Also skee-ball (my fav!),  air hockey, and more.

Where:  Golf Country, Easton, Middleboro, and Saugus
How Much:  $15 for 4.
Expires:  180 days after purchase.
Notes:  Enjoy mini-golf at any of their locations.

Where:  Monster Mini-Golf, Danvers
How Much:  $18 for four rounds.
Expires: 90 days after purchase.
Notes:  A fun-looking indoor mini-golf course with a monster theme!

Where:  Look What I Made, North Reading
How Much:  $20 for $40
Expires:  Oct. 31, 2013
Notes:  Pottery painting!  Groupon is also valid for adult and children's pottery painting workshops.

Where:  Inside Playground, Watertown
How Much:  Various deals, check out the link above.
Expires:  Jan. 1, 2014
Note:  When the weather is inclement, Isaac and I head over to Inside Playground on occasion for free play.  These Groupons are not for free play, but rather for drop-off babysitting and "Mommy and Me" preschool classes.

Where:  Einstein's Workshop, Burlington
How Much:   $6 for 2 hours of play.
Expires:  Nov. 10, 2013
Note:  This is an indoor playspace with a variety of activities.

Free Events on Labor Day Weekend

Yay for the a long weekend!  It's a shame that summer is almost over but I will be posting about a lot of super fun fall stuff to do over the next few months.  But, first things first.

What's happening this weekend around Boston?  What's free?

• Riverfront Music Festival, Newburyport.  Music all afternoon and food vendors in beautiful Newburyport.  Saturday.
• Bread and Roses Festival, Lawrence.  Music, dance, ethnic food, walking and trolley tours, pony rides, jugglers, hula hoops, face painting and more.  Sunday.
• Pilgrim Hall Museum's Free Admission Day, Plymouth.  It's the Pilgrim Hall Museum's 189th birthday! Celebrate the anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of Pilgrim Hall Museum with FREE admission. Plus...birthday cake!  Sunday.
• Gloucester Schooner Festival, Gloucester.  This free festival includes a parade and fireworks.  Saturday & Sunday.
• Boston Arts Festival, Boston. This waterfront festival includes a variety of artists from Boston, including performing artists. Fireworks on Saturday.   Saturday & Sunday.
• East Greenwich Art Festival, East Greenwich, RI.  Art, a magician, food, entertainment, and more!   Saturday & Sunday.
• Sts. Anargyroi Grecian Festival, Marlborough.  With this festival going on for three days, be sure to head out to Marlborough for one of them! Greek food, performers, face painting, and kids games.   Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
• Labor Day Hike, Framingham.  Visit the Nobscot Scout Reservation in Framingham and enjoy shady trails and history. Monday.

Why join Mass Audubon?

View of the Sandy Neck Lighthouse from Long Pasture in Barnstable

One of the best investments I make year after year is a Mass Audubon membership.  A family membership is only $65 a year and it pays for itself quickly!

The location we frequent the most is Drumlin Farm in Lincoln.   You can easily spend an entire day there.  Not only is there the farm itself, there are also beautiful trails.  They are pretty flat and easy to do, so if you have a small child in tow the trails are pretty manageable.

Additionally, they have lots of educational programs where you can just drop in.  We've attended various programs to learn about ducks, touch animal pelts, and more.  They also have programs that you can sign up for in advance.  Many include working on the farm and cooking.  These require an addition fee, but members often get discounts.

Two other local Mass Audubon locations that I love are Moose Hill in Sharon and Broadmoor in Natick.   Both have nature centers and trails.  There are a few other local Mass Audubon locations that I haven't been to yet but are on my to do list:  Boston Nature Center in Mattapan, Habitat in Belmont, and Blue Hills in Milton.

Most of the other locations are close enough to Boston for a day trip.  There are a few North of Boston with excellent trails - and two of them also have nature centers.

Another reason I love my Mass Audubon membership:  when we go on vacation here in Massachusetts, we can take advantage of our membership while exploring a new area.   Whether it's the Berkshires or Nantucket, there's always a location nearby.  We've been to Felix Neck on Martha's Vineyard, Long Pasture in Barnstable, and my personal favorite:  Wellfleet Bay.   Wellfleet Bay has a really nice nature center, trails with spectacular marsh views, and all sorts of events like educational cruises for kids.  On our hikes, we saw turtles, frogs, crabs, and turkeys!

Our Mass Audubon membership is worth its weight in gold!  Going to one of the locations is one of our go-tos on a free day with nice weather.   It never stops being fun for us!

Kids Eat Free Around Boston

Happy Monday, everybody!

Let's make this week happier by going out to eat one night.  And make it even better by getting a free meal for your kids.  Here's where you can go...

Mondays

British Beer Company - Framingham, Cedarville, Westford
Halfway Cafe - Dedham, Watertown, Marlborough, Canton, Holbrook, Maynard
John Brewer's - Waltham and Malden

Tuesdays

Captain Marden's - Wellesley
Halfway Cafe - Dedham, Watertown, Marlborough, Canton, Holbrook, Maynard
Moe's - Hanover, Shrewsbury, Worcester, Natick, Chelmsford
Pizzeria Regina - Allston
Turner Fisheries - Boston (only 5-7 pm)
Brewer's Coalition - Newtonville
Miller's Ale House - Watertown
Qdoba - Multiple locations in Boston, also Wellesley, Dedham, Medford, Braintree, and more
IHOP - Cambridge, Dedham, Brighton
IKEA- Stoughton.

Wednesdays

Moe's - Waltham
Turner Fisheries - Boston (only 5-7 pm)
Friendly's - Watertown, Waltham (Okay, this actually isn't free.  Kids meals are $1.99, but I thought I'd add it.)

Thursdays

Turner Fisheries - Boston (only 5-7 pm)

Fridays

Turner Fisheries - Boston (only 5-7 pm)

Saturdays

Turner Fisheries - Boston (only 5-7 pm)

Sundays

Samba Steak and Sushi - Framingham, also free cotton candy and magic show between 5 and 8.

Other 

99 Restaurant offers Kids Eat Free the day after a Red Sox win.

Know anymore?  Let me know.

Boston Common - Visit it on the cheap!

Make Way for Ducklings..and Isaac!

The summertime fun in Boston Common ends in a few weeks, so hurry up and visit there if you haven't yet this season!   It's the quintessential  Boston outing, and you can do it while only spending a little bit of cash.

First, take a ride on the Swan Boats!  For only $3 per adult and $1.50 per child (under 2 is free), you can take a delightful 15 minute cruise.  Enjoy the scenery, the ducks, and the willow trees.

Afterwards, head over to the carousel.  It's only $3 a ride, and if your kid is on the younger side you can go with them for free.

Then, put on your bathing suits and head into the Frog Pond - which is FREE!

Don't forget to visit the famous Make Way for Ducklings statues!  (They make a great photo op!)

A family of four can get away with only spending $15 for several hours of fun.

We also love to take the T.  We live in Newton, so we hop on at Woodland and get off at Arlington.

Welcome!

Hello out there! I'm back in action, folks! I’m going to be blogging about fun things to do around Boston without spending too much money. :-) There is much fun to be had for families and kids in New England on the cheap! Welcome and enjoy!