Celebrate Kindness at Boston Children’s Museum on May 31!

KIND Snacks and Sprout, the TV channel, teamed up to launch Operation Kind Kids – a program designed to inspire kindness through everyday thoughtful acts.  On May 31, KIND and Sprout are hosting family-friendly events across the country, including the Boston Children's Museum, to celebrate kindness.

This event is included with paid admission and will feature a variety of activity stations, including:

· Get creative:  Kids will have the chance to express what kindness means to them and share their vision as part of a collage wall.

· A kind act a day: Attendees will take home a calendar to track daily kind acts

· Pay it forward: Nothing brightens someone’s day quite like a flower, which is why kids will be invited to pick a flower and share it with someone in their life.

· Strike a pose: The whole family will have the chance to capture their experience in front of a fun photo backdrop

· Snack better: KIND Healthy Grains bars will be on hand for parents and their little ones to enjoy

Visit www.operationkindkids.com for activities designed to encourage kindness at home and in the community.

5 Things to do over Memorial Day Weekend

The unofficial start of summer - Memorial Day!  Here are some ideas for things to do.

1.  Kids can do the Kids Fun Run associated with Boston's Run to Remember.  On Saturday, the kids fun runs begin at 10:00 AM on top of the Seaport World Trade Center.  Afterwards, visit the Sports and Fitness Expo.  There's bouncy houses, clowns, free samples, storytelling, music, and more.

2.  Do the whole Boston Common thing!  Picnic, Swan Boats, carousel, wander around the gardens...the weather looks great for Sunday and Monday so ENJOY!

3.  Venture to Rhode Island for a PawSox game on Monday.  Monday nights are $1 menu Mondays at McCoy Stadium, so enjoy hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, chips, and Cracker Jack for a buck!  After the game, there will be fireworks!  View their schedule for more info.

4.  Head up to Newburyport for their annual Springfest.  There's kids entertainment, music, crafts, and food in lovely Newburyport!

5.  Lastly, let's not forget the real meaning of Memorial Day.  Honor those that served our country and attend a Memorial Day Parade.  Here's a schedule of local Memorial Day Parades.

SKYBOKX 109's Kids Eat Free and $6 Happy Hour Appetizers!

Dino chicken nuggets at SKYBOKX 109

Earlier this week, we went to SKYBOKX 109 in Natick for dinner and had a great time!

Last year I listed all of the Boston-Area Kids Eat Free restaurants but I didn't realize that SKYBOKX 109 also offered kids eat free.  I had noticed it before when going to Burlington Coat Factory or the Natick Mall, so I'm glad I finally go to go.

The offer Kids Eat Free on Mondays.  They have bunch of fun kids options, from pizza to mac and cheese to dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets, which was Isaac's choice.  Meals come with a drink and either fruit or french fries.

On top of that, SKYBOKX 109 also offers $6 happy hour apps from 4-6!

SKYBOKX was a fun place to visit - it's totally kid-friendly, but has a fun, modern feel.  Isaac already asked when we could go back!

Green Tones Eco-Friendly Wooden Musical Instruments Giveaway - Keen For Green

Green Tones Instruments

When I'm not blogging here, I'm over at Keen For Green, blogging, managing other bloggers, doing social media, etc.  Sometimes I run great giveaways!  Currently, we are giving away Green Tones Eco-Friendly Toy Instruments!

This is a $40 value!!!

Please visit to to enter!

5 Things To Do Mother's Day Weekend

Cookie decorating at L'Aroma is always a good time!

I haven't been blogging much lately, but even when I don't blog, I keep my Boston Families on a Budget Facebook page updated with deals, events, and more, so be sure to follow me there!

Anyway, this weekend is Mother's Day, so HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you moms out there. If you're looking for things to do this weekend, here are a few ideas:

1.  Head over to West Newton Square on Saturday for another Kids Weekend with all sorts of freebies!  The event includes cookie decorating at L'Aroma, pizza at West Newton Pizza, popcorn from West Newton Cinema, sewing at HipStitch, and MORE!   Everything is free - the cookie, the pizza, everything...free!

2.  Another Newton event this weekend is its annual Kids FunFest!  Rides, entertainment, crafts, and more!   The event is on both days, but there are more activities and vendors on Sunday.

3.  Enjoy some charitable dessert with Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer.  Participating restaurants, bakeries, and stores have desserts where proceeds go to Dana Farber.

4.  Go to the zoo!  Moms get in free on Sunday!

5.  Visit the Arnold Arboretum for its famous Lilac Sunday!   The weather looks perfect for it.

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.