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.