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February 1, 2013

21 Fun Weekend Picks

plush-groundhog.jpgHappy Friday and first day of February everyone! I'm somewhat zombie-ish after a week of very little sleep related to Violet's recent allergy issues (if any of you have kids struggling with dairy allergies, there's a helpful thread going on at the Boston Mamas Facebook page), but she finally seems to be turning a corner and I'm hoping that her rash will dissipate and we'll approach sleep normalcy this weekend! Meanwhile, I hope you have a fantastic weekend and a very happy groundhog day. Here are 21 event picks, lovingly curated for your consideration:

Continue reading "21 Fun Weekend Picks" »

January 10, 2013

Dear Boston Mamas: South Shore Birthday Parties

playdipity.jpgToday's Dear Boston Mamas query comes from a mom on the South Shore via comment. Coincidentally, Boston Mamas contributing writer Priya (who recently relocated to the South Shore) already was working on a post about South Shore indoor activities and shares a roundup of leads in response to the question:

Anyone have any ideas for party places/venues for the South Shore or even the Cape? I swear the South Shore is LAME and all the cool places are North and West :(

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: South Shore Birthday Parties" »

February 28, 2012

12 Winter Birthday Party Ideas

treat-cupcake-bar.jpgToday, Jennifer (also of Hey Girl Momma Go) shares 12 ideas for winter birthday parties (that go beyond the bouncy castle):

I actually don't mind indoor jumpy houses and long inflatable slides. I have even grown to appreciate the "fun" in large singing mice, cheesy pan pizza, and gobs of tickets that propel out of game machines like a crazy paper adrenaline rush. But as a parent who frequents the kid's birthday party circuit, it is refreshing to switch it up. Here are 12 ideas for kid's birthday parties that are great for the winter season (many are great the rest of the year too!).

Continue reading "12 Winter Birthday Party Ideas" »

December 12, 2011

Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove

DOI-treasure-trove.jpgLaurel and I have made a happy tradition of attending Disney on Ice together the last couple of winters, so I haven't yet had the heart to tell her that this month's DOI show, Treasure Trove (10 performances, December 26-29), includes characters from one of her favorite movies -- Tangled. However, while we will miss this run, you need not miss out! I'm a huge fan of experiential gifts (no organizing or clean up needed!) and DOI always proves fun and entertaining for all (especially the figure skating obsessed like myself!). And how cool is this? The kind folks at Feld Entertainment are offering a 4-pack of Disney on Ice tickets to share with one of you awesome readers. Here's how to enter to win:

Continue reading "Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove" »

July 18, 2011

Lil' Folk Farm

lil-folk-farm.JPGFollowing a query on animal education birthday parties, reader Melinda wrote in to share feedback on Lil' Folk Farm in Holliston. Thanks, Melinda!

"Lil' Folk Farm was AMAZING. We arrived to real horseshoes that the kids painted. Once everyone was there, we went downstairs to their barn and the kids ran around with bunnies, goats, chickens and sheep. They were very tame and allowed the kids to pet, feed and brush them. The kids went wild. Then we went outside for pony rides, and finally we had cake and a pinata, all in two hours. It was great and the kids loved it."

December 12, 2010

Dear Boston Mamas: Animal Education Birthday Parties

ecotarium.jpgToday's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Melinda via e-mail:

Hi Boston Mamas! I'm thinking ahead for my boy/girl twins' birthday party in May. They'll be 3, and I'd love to take them and friends to a farm. I've been looking on the internet, and I'm having trouble sorting through the good, bad, and ugly. Drumlin Farms comes up, but it doesn't look like they do much. The place that looks terrific is Lil'Folk Farm in Holliston, but I've never heard of it before (I swear, this is not a plug). Have you heard of it? Do you have suggestions? I'd love a place that will allow the kids to actively engage with animals, better yet if they have someone on hand to do a little teaching/coordination.

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: Animal Education Birthday Parties" »

December 9, 2010

Creativity at Kidstock

kidstock.jpgAs Laurel has come out of her shell in the past year, she has started to express an interest in theatre (recently going so far as to state that she's going to be an actress when she grows up). Subsequently, I've been interested in checking out Kidstock in Winchester. From what I have heard from various sources over the years, Kidstock's summer theatre camps are pretty fantastic. A couple of weeks ago, we had a chance to visit Kidstock for the birthday party of one of Laurel's friends, and I must say, I was impressed.

Continue reading "Creativity at Kidstock" »

November 12, 2010

Boston Awesomeness for Families

boston-harbor-hotel.jpgGoodness. In the complete chaos that was last month, I forgot to share a series of articles I wrote for CBS Boston. The process offered fun fodder for reflection on Boston awesomeness for families and I hope you enjoy and find the articles useful. I share my favorite recommendations for: cool spots to photograph your kids, family friendly restaurants that are truly great for kids and foodie parents alike, awesome art studios for kids, out of the box birthday party ideas, and ideas for indoor and outdoor winter fun (because oh my word can you believe next month is December?).

Continue reading "Boston Awesomeness for Families" »

September 20, 2010

Party On at Verrill Farm

verrill-farm.jpgToday, Lindsey recommends Verrill Farm for your next birthday party:

I've always gotten really excited about my kids' birthday parties. I think it might come from my own August birthday and consequent sense that I never had the parties I dreamed of as a kid. Whatever the reason, I really enjoy planning celebrations for my son and daughter, who are 5 and 7 respectively. We've had a lot of parties already, and far and away our favorite location -- one we've already done twice and plan to do again this October -- is Verrill Farm in Concord.

Continue reading "Party On at Verrill Farm" »

September 16, 2010

Dear Boston Mamas: Ideas for Indoor Fun

mucky-kids.JPGToday's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Amy via the Boston Mamas Facebook community page:

Hi Boston Mamas! I am new to the Boston area and have a 21-month-old little girl. I need things to do with her this fall/winter and weekends/rainy days. Also, I need some ideas for her birthday this fall. I would LOVE some suggestions! (FYI, we've done Boston Children's Museum, Aquarium, etc... we're looking for something a bit more interactive and smaller scale). Also, we live in Watertown so closer to that side of town would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: Ideas for Indoor Fun" »

September 13, 2010

How To Rock A Unicorn Party

unicorn-party.JPGAs I mentioned last week week, Laurel wanted a unicorn party for her sixth birthday. It suits me perfectly that she prefers small gatherings at home; we hosted a super fun unicorn party that was pretty low maintenance while still being utterly unicorn-tastic. Below is the how-to for pulling the party together. And thematically, you could swap elements to tailor the party to your child's interests (e.g., horses, dinosaurs, fairies, etc.). Enjoy!

Continue reading "How To Rock A Unicorn Party" »

June 8, 2010

Birthday at the MFA

museum-of-fine-arts.jpgToday, April recommends the MFA for creative and educational birthday parties:

We love going to birthday parties. Esmé has a great time playing with her friends and we love talking to everyone. When Esmé turned 4, I knew that she would love a party--and that we'd love to give her one--but I've never really considered myself a birthday party person. Even though it sounds easy (kids + pizza + cake + goodie bags), I could see myself getting stressed out hosting a party and trying to keep 20 kids happy--and what good is that? I needed to find a little structure so I didn't have to worry, and everyone would have a good time.

Continue reading "Birthday at the MFA" »

May 19, 2010

Garden(ing) Party

spring-birthday-1.jpgI've long been a proponent of gardening with kids, but that wasn't the only reason I adored the hands on, tchochke-free garden(ing) party my friend Nicola (of teddy bear tea party fame) assembled for her daughter's sixth birthday party. You will totally want to copy this awesome idea.

Continue reading "Garden(ing) Party" »

May 8, 2010

Bonkers For Balloons

balloon-animals.jpgToday, Kate shares a couple of leads for kids who go bonkers for balloons:

We've never been one for big birthday celebrations in my family, and we've kept my daughter's parties similarly low key. For her most recent birthday (her 4th), I wanted to do something special that would neither break the bank nor cause too much fuss, and settled on the idea of hiring a balloon twister. I love balloon animals, and find the people who make them to be artists with nerves of steel, always moments away from having a creation pop in their hands (and in front of their young audiences).

Continue reading "Bonkers For Balloons" »

April 12, 2010

Baja Face Painting

snazaroo-face-paint.jpgI'm not sure what it is with kids and face paint, but when I mentioned to Laurel that there would be a face painter at Down:2:Earth, she immediately was on board about coming with me. Face painting was, in fact, our first stop at the expo and I was impressed with Jill Reed of Baja Face Painting. Friendly yet gentle in approach towards my initially shy girl, Jill queried Laurel on favorite colors then went to work on creating a fantastic full-face monarch butterfly with sparkling accents (to complement the costume Laurel put on in anticipation of said face painting).

Continue reading "Baja Face Painting" »

April 3, 2010

Get Creative at Muckykids


mucky-kids.JPGToday, Kate recommends a great place to get messy with your kids:

"Although I generally enjoy apartment life, I do occasionally regret that we lack an extra room in which my daughter could give free (e.g., messy) reign to her artistic creativity. Given the chance, she loves nothing more than to cover herself in paint and glitter up to the elbows -- with some in her hair for good measure -- and we just don't have a space in which she can easily do that at home. Happily, the newly opened Muckykids Art Studio in the Porter Square neighborhood of Cambridge offers just the solution.

Continue reading "Get Creative at Muckykids" »

March 15, 2010

Aquarium To Go

aquarium-home-party.jpgIn Laurel’s 5+ years of birthday party going, we've seen a variety of home and off-site party ideas, but yesterday we experienced something very cool and different from the typical house or play gym party: a New England Aquarium On-the-Road birthday party.

Continue reading "Aquarium To Go" »

January 22, 2010

Gone Bowling

lanes-and-games.jpgI haven’t been to Lanes & Games since I was in high school, which was, well, a really long time ago. Earlier this week, however, I broke my (inadvertent) non-attendance streak with a group of friends and was reminded of how fun candlepin bowling is. The kids all went berserk over it, and Laurel was a machine out there, mowing down frames well beyond when others had lost interest.

Continue reading "Gone Bowling" »

March 5, 2009

Release Your Little Monkey

monkeyjoes.bmpToday, Kate shares a lead for a local, simian inspired playspace:

"This has been a long winter in New England, and each weekend presents an opportunity - challenge? - to find new ways to keep my toddler daughter happy and occupied while indoors. Recently, a friend passed along a great tip for a different kind of indoor playground: Monkey Joe's in Danvers.

Continue reading "Release Your Little Monkey" »

February 10, 2009

Made by Me

madebyme.jpgToday, Kate shares a local lead for easy and colorful crafting:

“I've never been very good with crafts. Art class in school? I was the one who liked the hard-to-mess-up projects that didn't require much independent creativity. Projects with my daughter? I like to keep it simple and let her show me the way, since my own ideas are so limited. Which is why I was so pleased to discover Made by Me in the Porter Square neighborhood of Cambridge.

Continue reading "Made by Me" »

October 21, 2008

Featured Mama Sharon Chase

sharonchase1.jpgWelcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today’s interview with Sharon Chase, mother of two and professional vocalist and party-throwing princess. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!

Continue reading "Featured Mama Sharon Chase" »

June 26, 2008

IMAJINEthat

imajinethat.jpgToday, Kate reports on an indoor spot for kids to stretch their legs:

“For those of us raising kids in the city, we all know that space – space to play, space to spread out, space just to run – is precious. Playgrounds and parks are great, but are often crowded, and the weather doesn't always cooperate. For those days when you need an alternative, check out IMAJINEthat in Lawrence.

Continue reading "IMAJINEthat" »

May 28, 2008

Room to Rock

bostonrockgym.jpgSome days, no playground structure seems tall enough for my climbing monkey. And once Laurel is old enough, clearly, it’ll be time to hit the Boston Rock Gym in Woburn. Offering novices to experts plenty of room to rock, we dig that this climbing facility offers courses exclusively for women, as well as an impressive dedicated youth program for kids 5 and up. Youth programming includes daily classes, flexible summer camp sessions, climbing teams, and birthday parties for 7-12 year olds. Talk about a perfect way to burn off the cake-induced sugar rush.

Want to win a BRG Family Intro Class*? Here’s how:

Continue reading "Room to Rock" »

July 31, 2007

Smolak Farms

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Looking for a family adventure where you can enjoy creatures and creature comforts (e.g., ice cream)? Here’s a great lead from my mama pal Evadne:

"We recently went strawberry picking at Smolak Farms and the whole family (grandparents included!) had such a blast. The fruit picking experience in and of itself was wonderful, but the farm had so many extras! My 2-year old loved seeing the deer, peacocks, and llamas at the petting zoo, and he expended a ton of energy on the climbing structures (especially the tractor). I was even able to nurse my 4-month-old under one of the umbrella picnic tables, while downing some pizza & ice cream. We definitely plan to visit again and next time we hope to squeeze in a hayride."

Continue reading "Smolak Farms" »

April 18, 2007

Mosaic Magic Week

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Artbeat in Arlington may be small in square footage, but they manage to both house an impressive selection of cool crafty goods (and if you don’t see what you need, ask; they appear to keep large stock such as foam core downstairs or out back), and host a busy studio workspace for classes. Now through April 20th (10am – 6pm) kids and adults can create pattern or chaos using paper ‘tiles’ and sand grout, or glass tiles and marbles during Mosaic Magic Week ($12 and up for materials).

In addition to their workshops and walk-in studio time, Artbeat also offers evening adult creativity classes and art themed birthday party services in their store or at your home.

Artbeat, 212-A Massachusetts Ave., Arlington; Tel: 781-646-2200

April 16, 2007

Kids Place for Fun

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If your kid loves arts and crafts (and you’re in need of a couple hours on your own this week), check out the April Vacation Camp at The Kids Place for Fun in Newton. Now through April 20th the morning session (9:30am – 12:30pm) includes painting, crafts, and games for kids potty trained and up. The afternoon session (4:30 – 6:30pm) offers pottery painting for kids 7 and up. The starting cost for one child is $40 per day (+$3.00 for pizza lunch/dinner per child); click here for pricing details for siblings. Reservations may be made by phone. The Kids Place for Fun also offers birthday party services.

The Kids Place for Fun, 188 Needham Street, Newton; Tel: 617-527-0500

April 15, 2007

Let's Get Growing

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Despite the rain this week, you can keep alight your anticipation of spring growth at The Children’s Museum in Easton. Now through April 22nd the museum’s Let's Get G-R-O-W-I-N-G! program includes nature inspired art and science projects.

The Children’s Museum in Easton offers exhibits and programming geared towards kids from 1-8 years. They also host birthday parties. Admission is $6 per person, or free for members and children under one year.

The Children's Museum in Easton, The Old Fire Station, 9 Sullivan Avenue, North Easton; Tel. 508-230-3789

March 27, 2007

Visions & Voices

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If your child loves books and art, be sure to check out The New Art Center’s current exhibit, The Visions & Voices of Children’s Book Illustrators. Running now through May 20th, this cross-genre, cross-cultural collection features over 100 pieces from 13 contemporary children’s book illustrators, showcasing original illustrations, books, drawings, computer generated images, sketchbooks, and videos. And it’s not all look but no touch; hands on activities are available throughout the gallery, a mini-library allows for relaxing with a story, and kids and adults can create books, collages, and drawings with provided materials. The gallery is open from 9am-5pm on weekdays and 1-5pm on weekends. Admission is free.

In addition to the gallery, the center offers an impressive roster of art classes for kids, teens, and adults (including special programming for April vacation week), weekly story times, and art party hosting services.

The New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newtonville; Tel: 617-964-3424

March 20, 2007

Birthdays Without Pressure

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When I was a kid, birthday parties were just immediate family, due in part to the facts that: 1) there were barely enough chairs for our household of 7 kids, parents, and grandparents; 2) activities like sleepovers, field trip chaperoning, and friend birthday parties were off my parents’ cultural radar; and 3) our home was in a fairly steady state of disrepair and disarray.

And while Laurel’s birthday guest list tends to be long due to the many wonderful friends and family we have in the area, part of me is acutely aware that the reason I become, for example, a lunatic baker around her birthday is pure residual overcompensation. I don’t need my therapist to tell me that.

Continue reading "Birthdays Without Pressure" »

February 2, 2007

Together in Motion

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Just in time for another chilly weekend…a local reader wrote in with high praise for Together in Motion in Arlington. This drop in play space offers Motion & More play sessions geared towards children ages 0-6 (every day of the week!). Admission rates are $7 for kids 1 year and up and $5 for kids under 1 year (infants under 6 months are admitted free when tagging along with a sibling). Group and individual multi-pass discounts also are available.

Together in Motion also soon will offer group exercise classes for women, including parallel sessions where kids can play while mom is working out. Check out their current schedule; birthday party services also are available on weekends.

Together in Motion, One Broadway, Arlington, Tel: 781-643-1377

January 30, 2007

Kids Playground

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If cabin fever is getting to you and your little monkey, a visit to Kids Playground in Woburn will be worth your while. My mama pal Nic was impressed (if not initially a little overwhelmed) with this enormous indoor playground (16,500 square feet to be exact), which includes a 5-level tunnel and tube structure (shown), tree house, multiple theme pretend play village, and rock wall. Climbing structures are particularly suited to pre-schoolers and up, but a toddler area with smaller structures and toys is available.

Admission for walkers up to 18 years is $8.99; each accompanying adult is $3. No outside food or drink is allowed so plan your visit around meals or partake in the snack bar. Kids Playground also offers standard and themed birthday party services.

Kids Playground, 15 Normac Road, Woburn; Tel: 781-935-2300

January 24, 2007

Well-Bear Clinic

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My parents elatedly thought I was destined for a career in medicine when I opened my very own Animal Hospital as a kid. This glimmering hope likely was the only reason I didn’t get in trouble for depleting the household toilet paper supply with my bandaging techniques.

If your babe has a bear in need of repair, save your TP supply by visiting the Well-Bear Clinic tomorrow (Jan. 25) at 10am at The Discovery Museums in Acton. Bears, stuffed animals, dolls, and other well-loved toys are encouraged to visit the clinic for an annual check-up; “bear repairs” by an in-house seamstress will be available. The clinic is free with paid admission (admission is free with membership).

The Discovery Museums include two complementary museums filled with interactive exhibits designed for toddlers and pre-schoolers and school-aged children. Click here for hours; the museum also hosts birthday parties.

The Discovery Museums, 177 Main Street, Acton, Tel: 978-264-4200

January 12, 2007

Kid's Fun Stop

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Hooray for more local indoor play spaces!

Kid's Fun Stop is suitable for children up to 6 years old, and offers drop in play (they have some impressive looking indoor climbing structures!), birthday parties, movement classes, and craft classes. Bring snacks for your babe to enjoy in the snack room, or purchase from the selection available.

Kid’s Fun Stop is open Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm and for birthday parties on the weekends. Click here for rates (starting at $10 for two hours of drop in time); repeat visitor punch cards are available, as well as periodic discounts on admission and birthday party booking.

Kid’s Fun Stop, 1580 VFW Pkwy, West Roxbury, Tel: 617-325-0800

December 14, 2006

Guggies

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As Laurel and I were enjoying an unusually warm day at the park last week, another mom and I expressed – as our preschoolers ran amok around the playground – mutual concern about limited park access during bitterly cold winter days.

Drop-in play spaces are tough to come by so I’m pleased to pass on word from my mama pal Kate about Guggies in Brookline. Kate reports that Guggies is “a comfortable space with lots of toys and mats and little nooks for kids to play in, along with a whole arts/crafts area and various neat tactile displays and puzzles, games, an indoor sandbox, etc. I think it would be great for a birthday party…”

Current drop-in play and art rates are $5/hour (no charge for adults and babies under one year who are accompanying a child/sibling who is paid for); discounted rates are available if you sign on as a member. Guggies also offers 8-week art class sessions ($120) and birthday party services ($250). They are open every day of the week, although they ask that you call to check weekend availability, which is subject to party scheduling.

Guggies, 368 Boylston St. (Rt. 9), Brookline, Tel: 617-731-2388

UPDATE (6/20/07): Sadly, effective immediately, Guggies has closed their doors.

September 22, 2006

On the Farm

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Looking for a wild outdoor adventure before the rain hits this weekend? The Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Drumlin Farm offers a host of activities, among them a fully functioning farmyard, animal exhibits, learning gardens, hayrides, and hiking trails (during the summer, they also offer camp programs). The farm has free parking, family bathrooms, a picnic area, farm stand, and gift shop. They also offer birthday party hosting services during the school year.

Drumlin Farm is open from 9am-5pm March - October; 9am-4pm November - February. The farm is closed Mondays except on federal Monday holidays. Admission: $6 for nonmember adults; $4 for nonmember children (3-12) and seniors.

Drumlin Farm, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln; Tel: 781-259-2200

September 13, 2006

Play Academy

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Isn't it marvelous that play = learning for little ones? If you need a change of scenery from your current toys, space, and recycling bin (location of some of our babe's most fascinating finds), check out the Play Academy in Medford. Highly recommended by a Boston area mama, the Play Academy was founded and developed by a mother of two. Weekly classes (ages 3 months and up) are designed to stimulate cognitive, social and emotional development; you can register for sessions in blocks of 10 ($140), 15 ($195), or 20 ($240) weeks. Play Academy also hosts birthday parties.

Play Academy, 25 Riverside Avenue, Medford; Tel: 1-781-738-PLAY

July 18, 2006

Party On

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Too exhausted to think about having your babe’s next birthday party at home? Full Moon, the perennial top rated family-friendly restaurant in Cambridge, offers birthday party hosting services; choose from one of five themes: wild animals, trucks & engines, dinosaurs, under the sea, princess tea party. Full Moon provides the decorations, balloons, drinks, cake and ice cream, set-up, service, and clean up. Basically, all you need to do is show up.

Party slots are weekdays from 3 - 4:30pm and weekends from 3:15 - 4:45pm (the restaurant is closed during your party); size limit is 10-18 kids (plus parents). Cost is $15 per child, plus 18% gratuity and 5% MA sales tax. You also can pre-order food platters (fruit, cheese and crackers or hummus, pita and olives) for grown ups. Adult cake and drinks charged separately.

Regular service hours include lunch (11:30am - 2:30pm Monday – Friday), dinner (5 - 9pm every day), and brunch (9am – 2:30pm weekends).

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