5 Things to do this Week!

After an amazing family vacation to the island where my mom grew up in Croatia, I'm back and ready to blog!  Here are 5 free/cheap things to do this week.

1.  Spray parks.  There are going to be a few scorchers this week - Tuesday is supposed to be 88 and Wednesday is supposed to be 90.  So why not hit up a spray park?  Waltham not only has some excellent spray parks, but during the week the Boys and Girls Club is at a few of the locations giving free lunches to kids.

2.  Frog Pond.  Keep cool in Boston by taking a wade in the Frog Pond.  Enjoy the shade in Boston Common, a picnic, a ride on the carousel, and cool off in the Frog Pond.

3.  See a free outdoor movie.  The Sandlot is playing in Newton Highlands after live Irish music.  The Hatch Shell has Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.  Both on Friday.

4.  Visit the MIT Museum or the Franklin Park Zoo for free on Friday, courtesy of Highland Street.  Get there when it opens, though!

5.  Check out tide pools.  Drive on up to Joppa Flats in Newburyport for tide pooling.  $2 per kid.  Afterwards, I suggest visiting Bob Lobster for some fresh seafood!

Free Music and Outdoor Movies in Newton Highlands

Can't make it to the outdoor movies at the Hatch Shell?  Newton Highlands has live music AND movies!  Bring blankets, beach chairs, and pack a picnic.  (Or buy drinks and snacks sold there)   Newton Highlands is right off the green (D) line, for those of you looking for something T-accessible!

 This is a GREAT lineup and includes one of my all-time favorite movies...Mary Poppins!

Here's the schedule from the Hyde Center website:

 June 13 6:00 p.m. Concert: Studio 2 Beatles Tribute Band, (rock)
 Dusk Movie: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

 June 20 6:00 p.m. Concert: In The House, (R&B, Motown, Reggae)
 Dusk Movie: The Nut Job

 June 27 6:00 p.m. Concert: Specific Gravity, (rock)
 Dusk Movie: The Lego Movie

 July 11 6:00 p.m. Concert: Gringo Kings, (Jazz & Salsa)
 Dusk Movie: Frozen

 July 18 6:00 p.m. Concert: Four Guys in Tuxes, (family mix)
 Dusk Movie: Princess Diaries

 July 20 8:00 p.m. New Rep Theater , Shakespeare in the Park
 “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

 July 25 6:00 p.m. Concert: Black Velvet Band (Irish)
 Dusk Movie: The Sandlot

 July 27 8:00 p.m. New Philharmonia Orchestra
 Classical and Popular Music

 August 1 6:00 p.m. Concert: Reminisants (Oldies)
 Dusk Movie: Rear Window

 August 3 8:00 p.m. Red Sox & New York Yankees Telecast

 August 8 6:00 p.m. Concert: Soft Touch Dance Band (Big Band)
 Dusk Movie: Saving Mr. Banks

 August 10 8:00 p.m. Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
 “Much Ado About Nothing”

August 15 6:00 p.m. Concert: Jumpin Juba (rock)
 Dusk Movie: Mary Poppins

 August 22 6:00 p.m. Concert: Heritage House Blues Band (blues)
 Dusk Movie: Despicable Me 2

 September 5 6:00 p.m. Concert: Waiting for Neil
 Dusk Movie: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

*All events take place outside on the Hyde Playground. In case of rain, everything moves inside the community center gym.