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!  

This Week's Groupon Roundup

Good morning!  Hope everyone is doing well on this slushy, messy Valentine's Day morning.  Every week, I try to gather my favorite family-friendly Groupons.  Here are this week's picks:

Get up close & personal with reptiles and more at Animal Adventures!

• $15 for $30 at Oakleaf Cakes in Boston.  YUM.  Enjoy cupcakes, cookies, homemade Pop Tarts, and more.
• Circus Oz at the Citi Performing Arts Center.  This animal-free circus includes tumblers, tightrope-walkers, foot-jugglers, magicians, and acrobats.
• Body Worlds Vital -Faneuil Hall.  The Body Worlds exhibit has 200 authentic human specimens, including individual organs, transparent slices, and whole bodies.
• Colonial Lantern Tours.  Save this creepy ghost tour for the older kids!  I did it pre-kid and had a great time.  And then I went to Caffe Vittoria.  ;-)
• Kids Fun Stop in West Roxbury.  Visit this indoor playground (perfect for ages 6 and under) for half price.  Great deal for the wintertime!  This deal is going away soon, so grab it before it's too late.
• 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.  Fun thing to do while this lousy weather continues.
• Kidsports in Stoughton.  This Groupon is for indoor play passes, with the option to add bowling and plaster painting.  Sounds super fun!
• Together in Motion in Arlington.  This is ideal for little tots and mobile babies.  Let them get their energy out at this indoor playspace.  We did this a few times when Isaac was crawling and he loved it.
• Animal Adventures in Bolton.  It's a bit of a long drive, 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.

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!