Blog

Fun Stuff For Kids and Families Do During February Break in Boston and Newton

February vacation nears and here’s some activities and camps ideas. There are full week programs for parents who need to work that week, but there are also programs and activities with shorter time frames. Another option: sometimes if the vacation week isn’t full, they will let you do a partial week and prorate the price. What are your kids doing during this break? Please share!

Jackson Homestead and Museum, Newton

21 Tuesday, February 21, 2:00 PM
THE MA 54TH: A BLACK REGIMENT IN THE CIVIL WAR
A Vacation Week Family Program
Did you know that Massachusetts raised one of the first black regiments of the Civil War, led by a man who grew up in Newton? Come learn about their stories, and make a popular civil-war era toy to take home. Cost: $20 per family ($15 for members) includes museum admission, snack, and materials. Prepaid registration is required, limit 25; call 617.796.1450 to register.

23 Thursday, February 23, 2:00 PM
FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM
A Vacation Week Family Program
Learn about slavery in New England and what people did to fight against it. Hear stories of escapes on the Underground Railroad, and then explore our brand new, hands-on exhibit, Confronting Our Legacy: Slavery and Anti-Slavery in the North. Cost: $20 per family ($15 for members) includes museum admission, snack, and materials. Prepaid registration is required, limit 25; call 617.796.1450 to register.

Evolution Sports, Norwood

February 22 and 24th for all day fun including Alien Tag, Trampoline, Manhunt Middle Earth Wrestling, Hoops Sports Yoga, Capture the Crystal Slam Dunking, Dodge Ball, Open Gym and more. It’s a day of non-competitive sports activities for kids. They have so much fun that they don’t realize that they are exercising their bodies. 10-4.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Cogan Family Foundation Vacation Week Adventures

February 20, 2012 – February 24, 2012

Beasts and Beauties
10 am–4 pm (Wed to 8 pm)

Free activities for kids all week!* Discover wild beasts and beauties in art all week long. Enjoy making art, go on a fun tour of the galleries, and see and draw live animals.
ASL interpretation provided Feb 22.

*And did you know that kids get free admission to the Museum every day? Kids 6 and under are always free, and kids 7 to 17 are free during non school hours.

Special Events

Children’s Tours, Sharf Visitor Center
Every 15 minutes from 10:15 am–Noon; ASL Interpretation Wed at 11 am and Noon
Visit the galleries in search of beasts and beauties on this kid-friendly 30-minute tour.
Story Hour, Gallery 274
10:30 am and 1:30 pm; ASL Interpretation Wed at 1:30 pm
Drop in to enjoy stories about princesses, maidens, goddesses, and more. Stay for a story or for the whole hour. Great for toddlers.
Drumlin Farms Presents, Druker Family Pavilion
11 am, 11:45 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:15 pm, and 3 pm; ASL Interpretation Wed at 2:15 pm
Join naturalists from Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary to meet live animals. Learn about our local animals and environment, and before you leave, sketch the animals you’ve encountered. Sessions last 30 minutes. Space is limited to 30 visitors per session. First come, first served; pick up tickets at the door 10 minutes prior to session. Please choose one adult for your group to allow more children to attend.

Art-Making Activities

Ongoing: 10 am–4 pm (until 8 pm on Wed)

Works on Paper, Part I—Drawing, Lower Rotunda
Pick up your drawing materials and explore “Paper Zoo” in Gallery 170to sketch some of your favorite animals. Take your sketch to Part II to create a series of prints!

Works on Paper, Part II—Printmaking, Druker Family Pavilion 159
Visit the studio to turn your animal drawing into prints to take home.

Masks, Shapiro Family Courtyard
Make a cuddly—or scary—mask of your favorite animal to wear around the Museum! Afterward, go see the beautiful masks on Level LG of the Art of the Americas Wing.

Wire Sculpture, Level 3 landing, Art of Americas
Get inspired by Alexander Calder’s wire Cow. Use wire, string, paper, and glue to make your own animal sculpture.

Clay Sculpture, Workshop Studio G85
Visit our menagerie of porcelain animals in Gallery 142. Find birds and other creatures. Then go to the workshop studio and sculpt your favorite beast or beauty in clay to take home!

New Art Center, Newton

February Vacation Week for students in grades K – 5
February 21 to February 24, 2012 (4 days)

Escape with us to the island of Madagascar, off the coast of East Africa! From lemurs, giant baobab trees, and the cultural richness of the Malagasy people, to the amazing biodiversity of its wildlife; this vacation week will give us plenty of inspiration to paint, draw, sculpt and create rich, colorful pieces of art!

Arsenal Center for the Arts, Watertown

February Vacation Workshops
Tuesday – Friday
February 21 ,22, 23, 24

COMICS, CARTOONS & CREATIVE CREATURES
Cultivate the cartoonist within! Create your own characters and watch them come alive using drawing, painting, clay and more.
617-923-0100 x309 | www.arsenalarts.org

Weston Cross Country Skiing, Newton

Weston Ski Track is a cross-country ski and snowshoeing center located on the Leo J. Martin Golf Course and serving the Greater Boston area.

With natural snow, we groom 15km oftrails. Snowmaking on our 2km lighted loop provides consistent snow conditions and reliable night skiing. Drop in for a beginner lesson and then warm up in oursnack bar.

Newton Parks and Recreation

Family Movie Day and Night at the West Newton Cinema February 21 & 22, 2012
Special $6.00 price includes a MOVIE, POPCORN, and SODA. See The Muppets or Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked. Tickets will be sold on the day of the event at the West Newton Cinema at 1296 Washington St. This is a very popular event and tickets may sell out. Ticket sales will begin at 10:00 AM for the Movie Day on Tuesday and Wednesday with movies starting at 11:00 AM. Ticket sales will begin at 4:15 PM for the Movie Night on Tuesday with movies starting at 6:15 PM.

For Children in Grades K-6 at the Newton Centre Hut February 21 – 24, 2012
It’s like summer camp in the winter. Participate in sports, arts and crafts, inside games and more. Each day features a special event including a Movie Day, Sports Party, Dance Party and Portable Planetarium. Sign up by day or for all 4 days. Standard Day 8:30–3:30 PM, extended day 8:15-5:30 PM. $45.00 per day or $160.00 for all 4 days (add $12.50/day for extended day)

For Children in Grades K-3 at Burr Park February 21 – 24, 2012
Enjoy an exciting field trip each day including Cosmic Bowling, Chuck E Cheese, CoCo Key, and Plaster Fun Time. Sports, arts and crafts, and inside games are offered before or after the field trips. Sign up by day or for all 4 days. Standard Day 8:30 AM–3:30 PM $45.00* per day or $175.00 for all 4 days *Thursdays cost is $60.00

For Children in Grades 3-6 at the Lower Falls Community Center February 21 – 24, 2012
Enjoy an exciting field trip each day including Chunky’s Cinema, Glow Golf, Amesbury Sports Park and Chuck E Cheese. Sports, arts and crafts, and inside games are offered before or after the field trips. Sign up by day or for all 4 days. Standard Day 8:30 – 3:30, extended day 8:15 – 5:30. $45.00* per day or $175.00 for all 4 days (add $12.50/day for extended day) *Thursday is $60.00

Thundercat Sports Clinic for Children Ages 7-12 February 21 – 24, 2012
Play a variety of sports including basketball, floor hockey, soccer and more all in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Located at Pelligrini Park. Be sure to bring a snack and lunch. $45.00 per day
Half Day program for ages 5 – 7 9:00 – 12:00noon $120.00 ($130.00 non residents)
Full Day program for ages 7 – 12 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM $162.00 ($170.00 non residents)

Contact Newton Parks and Recreation at 617-796-1500 or visit our website atwww.newtonma.gov/parks for more information. Register online at www.activityreg.com

JCC Kid’s Choice February School Vacation Program

Monday, Feb 20 9:00a to 4:00p

at Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center, Newton, MA

Kids rule at the JCC! During the JCC Kids Choice February school vacation program, February 20-24, children in grades K-6 choose what they want to do each day. The daily choice of electives includes sports, swimming, arts and crafts, dance, drama, cooking, board games and rock wall climbing. Special activities are planned each day.

Newton Girls Soccer

Newton Girls Soccer is pleased to offer for the second year running a 4-day Soccer Skills Clinic series that will be held over February Break at Oak Hill Middle School. The Clinic is open to all NGS players in the U9-U12 age groups.

These sessions will be headed up by Newton Girls Soccer Director of Coaching, Gary Beatty. Based on the actual number of registered players, we will have the appropriate number of Assistant Coaches for each session. Please note that due to the size of the Oak Hill gym, each session will be limited to 20 players. In addition, sessions must have a minimum of 10 registered players to take place (a full refund will be offered if this minimum number is not met).

The focus of these sessions will be on individual technical skill development and small group tactical concepts. Each day, players will work on a variety of different technical elements (skills), game related exercises and small sided futsal scrimmages.

Full program details are as follows:

Dates:             Feb 21/22/23/24, 2012 (Tues-Fri)

Location:         Oak Hill Middle School, Newton – Gymnasium

Times:             U9/10 Girls – 9.00am – 11.30am
U11/12 Girls – 12.30 – 3.00pm

Cost:               $150 Click Here to Register Online

Create A Cook, Newton

We will be offering classes for Teens at 9:30am, 1:30pm and 5:30pm (with few exceptions), and for 7-11/Adult & Child at 9:30 (with few exceptions), 1pm, and 5pm. Click here to see a one page list of the classes on offer. Click here to register.

February 6, 2012
Best Preschools in Newton UPDATED
Preschools, Day Care, Toddler Care in Newton

This list is from Newton’s Wikipedia page. I noticed that it’s not a comprehensive list, so please add in any preschools that you know as a comment and I’ll add the link to the page. We think this is a comprehensive list of all the preschools (Montesorri, Cooperative, Day Care, Home Preschools, etc. ) that we know of. We don’t know what the “best” preschools are; that’s very subjective but I think it starts by looking at a lot of preschools and taking time to really spend time in the classroom. Look for clues like how clean the bathrooms are and how the rooms are decorated. Ask if there are parents from your neighborhood and then track them down for their honest opinion.

Leave a comment to ask a question. Also, please leave comments about your preschool experience. Thanks!

Here are other links on preschools:

How To: Pick a Preschool

Top 10 Starting Kindergarten or Preschool Picture Books

Why Preschool Helps You Get a Job

Preparing for Kindergarten: Activities to do With Your Child

Newton Preschools: A Comprehensive List
- Rosenshine Nursery School, Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington Street, Waban
- Capability:Mom posted her experience here.
- Presbyterian Church Nursery School 75 Vernon Street
- Temple Beth Avodah Nursery School, 45 Puddingstone Lane
- Beth-El Pre-School, 561 Ward St.
- Burr Cooperative Nursery School, 64 Hancock St., Auburndale
- The Teddy Bear Club Preschool, 1466 Commonwealth Ave, West Newton. French bilingual program, meaning half of the instruction (including all literacy) is taught in English. Accepting toddlers starting at 22 months
- Bernice B. Godine JCC Early Learning Center, Leventhal-Sidman JCC, 333 Nahanton St.
- The Children’s Cooperative Nursery School, 848 Beacon St.
- Temple Shalom Nursery School, 175 Temple St. (Many of my non-Jewish Mom friends send their kids here. Great proximity to Peirce Elementary School and just a great place for kids).
- Walnut Park Montessori School, 47 Walnut Park (All my Mom Friends who went here were happy)
- Auburndale Community Nursery School, 230 Central St.
- Rockwell Nursery School at Lasell College, 70 Studio Road (Full day preschool used to teach Lasell students about Early Childhood Education.)
- The Barn at Lasell College, 1844 Commonwealth Ave, Auburndale (daycare)
- Newton Community Service Center, 492 Waltham Street
- Parkside Preschool, 474 Centre Street, Newton Corner (I have one Mom Friend whose two kids went here. She was very happy with it).
- The Preschool Experience, 1091 Centre Street (I’ve always heard great things about this preschool but don’t actually know anyone who went there)
- Upper Falls Nursery School, 45 Pettee St, Newton Upper Falls
- Bilingual Beginnings at Pine Village Preschool 1326 Washington Street, West Newton (Spanish Immersion)
- West Newton Children’s Center Washington St, West Newton (gives a lot of flexibility in term of what hours you want)
- Little Red Wagon Playschool 50 Winchester Street, Newton Highlands
- Second Church Nursery School, 60 Highland Street, West Newton Hills
- Bowen Cooperative Nursery School, 96 Otis Street, Newtonville (Two of my kids went here. The teachers are fantastic but the coop format is not for everyone. Also, very short days.)
- Brookline Infant Toddler Center (BITC), 1900 Commonwealth Ave, Auburndale (My two oldest went here. It’s great if you need infant child care and full day coverage.) My neighbor Kathleen says, “Our sons went to Brookline Infant Toddler Center (BITC) at the corner of Auburn street and Commonwealth ave. It has been a number of years but we loved it. “
- Plowshares, 457 Walnut Street, Newtonville. At Newton North High School, Franklin Elementary School, and Lincoln-Elliot Elementary School.
- Newton School for Children, 25 Lenglen Rd # 2
- Golden Days Children’s Center, 66 Needham Street
- Happy Child Day Care and Preschool, 1191 Chestnut Street
- JAMS Preschool, 1671 Beacon Street, Waban (will take very young preschoolers and everyone I know who went there loves it)
- Longfellow Preschool, 777 Dedham Street, at Mount Ida College
- Suzuki Preschool, 1860 Washington St, Newton
- Camp Echo Bridge Preschool, 124 Vernon Street, Newton
- Hills and Falls Cooperative, 258 Concord Street, Newton Lower Falls (My summer camp director teaches here and she’s wonderful)
- Echo Falls Preschool, 545 Grove Street, Newton Lower Falls
- Newton Child Care, 225 Nevada, West Newton
- Barbara’s Day Care, 404 Homer Street
- Meeting House Child Care, 848 Beacon Street
- Newton Montessori, 80 Crescent Avenue (I’ve also heard good things about this school)
- Children’s Corner at Newton Wellesley Hospital, 2014 Washington St, Waban (A Mom Friend was very happy here. They have 12 hour coverage also because they provide child care for medical staff but you don’t need to work there to go here)
- Newton Creative Start, 573-B Washington Street, Watertown
- Newton School for Children, 25 Lenglen Road, Newton Corner
- Victorian Montesorri, 3 Curtis St , Newton Highlands
- Newton Early Childhood Program, 100 Walnut Street, Newtonville
- Panda Cub Academy (Mandarin Chinese immersion preschool), 1200 Boylston Street, Brookline/Chestnut Hill
- Weekday Nursery School, 54 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands
- Jewish Creative Preschool, 349 Dedham Street, Newton, MA 02459
- Saplings Preschool, 0 Carlton Rd, Waban, MA 02468
Preschools Specifically for Toddlers in Newton

These two three schools are for 2 year olds who are typically too young for most preschools where you must be 2.6 years old in September.

Toddler Loving Care

66 Walnut Street

West Newton

My neighbor says, “When your little one gets a little older keep “Toddler Loving Care” on your list. It is a fantastic preschool. It is the multicolored Victorian building near the Ed Center on Walnut Street. Our youngest Sammy went there.” (Ann)

Jams in Waban

1671 Beacon St

Newton, Ma 02168

My mom friends were very happy at Jams. They typically used JAMS for a pre-preschool before moving them to the preschool where their older siblings were.

Green Peas Toddler Care in Newton Centre

My mom friend Katherine raved about Green Peas. It’s a half day 1, 2 or 3 mornings a week. She described it as “very sweet” and especially liked the tiny yogurt and other healthy items for snack. Her kids did a year here before preschool and she highly recommended it to me.

Saplings Preschool in Waban

We are a nurturing play and theme based program geared towards the 2 year old and offer an enriching curriculum in a beautiful indoor/outdoor space in Waban.

p.s. Other Guides to Newton:

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Birthday Party Locations and Ideas for Kids in Newton and Boston

Best Martial Arts Schools for Kids and Adult in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of After School Supplemental Math Classes in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Dance Studios in Newton

Best Gymnastics for Toddlers and Kids in Newton Area

Best Caretaker and Child Music Classes in Newton

Best Tutors, Music Teachers etc in Newton
February 4, 2012
A Fairly Comprehensive List of Birthday Party Locations in and around Newton UPDATED
Birthday party planning need not be daunting. Here are lots of ideas for your child’s birthday! Did I miss any? Please let me know and I’ll add to the list!

p.s. More ideas here from Boston Central.

10. Private Baby Animal Petting Zoo. Barn Babies. This particular petting zoo was pretty amazing. We hired them twice for birthday parties (2 of my kids), and they visited my preschool twice. What is amazing about them is that they have enough baby animals — bunnies, kittens, puppies, goat, chicks, ducklings, pig — so that every child can hold a swaddled baby animal for as long as they like. When they want to switch animals, another one gets placed into their arms. The kittens, puppies, and bunnies are eventually adopted but I hate to ask what happens to the chicks, ducklings, goat and pig. The baby goat has a Depends diaper on and a child can walk it around on a leash. They can do parties indoors or out. They don’t advertise but you’d be wise to book early as they get booked up fast. They are based on the Cape.

9. Trampoline. Launch Trampoline Park in Watertown. This is a new franchise that came our way last year and has become hugely popular. Headcount on each gigantic trampoline is closely monitored.

8. Trapeze. My oldest went to this party and had a blast even though she says she is scared of heights. My middle child is booking this for her next birthday. I hope I don’t have to do it!

7. Go Diego Go! home party. I did an elaborate Diego themed home party that took me 6 weeks to plan. I wrote it up and submitted to a Birthday Party site but now I can’t locate it. I printed out coloring sheets from Diego website and stapled it into on side of a blue file folder as a “Field Journal.” I also made a drawing of a keyboard and stapled that on the other side. I got Beenie Babies that matched the footprints and made a scavenger hunt out of that by putting footprints all over the house and backyard. The kids decorated paper towel rolls to make Spy Glasses. They used their Spy Glasses for the scavenger hunt. I hired Barn Babies as entertainment. The final stop was an extra basket of Beenie Babies for trading in case the Beenie Baby you found was not the one you wanted. The kids were only three.

6. Cookie decorating. Cookies by Design. This was the first time we had done this and my middle daughter chose this for her last birthday but it can easily be done at home. The kids had premixed sugar cookie dough to roll out and cut cookies. This was actually the most popular station. They also got colored bags of icing and decorated a plate of baked cookies. Finally, they decorated an apron using fabric markers.

5. Laser tag. This was a popular birthday party that is now a little passé though kids always seem to have fun playing laser tag. We just discovered the Mother Lode of Laser Tag locations, called Laser Quest, that has multiple floors of Laser Tag mazes. It’s in West Roxbury but it’s worth the drive!

4. Jewelry party. Home and at bead store (our two local bead stores are out of business). I did this party at home using stretchy string from the bead store. Each little girl and their mother strung a necklace and a bracelet. I think I tried this party for preschoolers which was a tad too young. I needed other activities like coloring sheets and games because the kids were either really fast at making the crafts or easily bored. My oldest went to a bead store for a birthday party at 5th grade and all the girls made beautiful necklaces. Some did not finish in the time allotted due to intricate designs.

3. Pseudo sky diving. My Mom Friend Julie’s son did this as a Middle Schooler. She said that all the boys LOVED it. The pseudo sky diving using some kind of gigantic fan to create a wind tunnel capable of suspending a person in the air to simulate sky diving. That’s my kind of sky diving: the safe kind.

2. Aquarium. On or off site. Both parties have been hits. We had a party at the Aquarium one year for my oldest when she was in preschool that, unfortunately, coincided with a gigantic snowstorm. Nevertheless, most of the guests made it to the Aquarium for the party. They do a great job letting kids touch sea creatures and it’s also educational! Our aquarium takes the show on the road and will travel to your birthday site. We went to a party that hired them and was also fabulous!

1. Cooking. Create A Cook. We have a cooking school for kids in town, but this can easily be done at home. The parties usually have a food theme with each child making about three items that they can bring home to share. I love that my child is learning to cook. Themes can be anything from breakfast, Thai, Japanese and Italian. And it’s not just for girls. Boys, as it turns out, love the hands on “making stuff” aspect.

Here are more party ideas that we’ve attended or hosted. I hope it helps you plan the perfect party for your child!

Bowling, karate (Giroux Brothers Martial Arts, Esposito’s, Masters of Karate), gymnastics (My Gym, Energy Fitness and Gymnastics, Exxcel) , Museum of Natural History, paint pottery/plaster, video game/Chuckie E Cheese, sewing, knitting, paint ball, swimming (make sure to have plenty of lifeguards!), sleepover, ice skating, snow tubing, ice cream party at parlour (Coney Island, Lizzies, Cabots), Mad Scientist, magician, Puppet theater, movie, mini golf, old fashioned games at home (pass the shoe, scavenger piñata, etc), soccer games, rock climbing (also at BU), dress up (renting a dress up trunk), water slide/bouncy house, water park, farm, sports at YMCA, TOMB, art/ceramics at art school, dance at dance studio (All That Jazz), dance party at home, hip hop dance party, sewing party, Game Truck. There’s a second sewing studio in Newton. Boxing birthday parties at Nonantum Boxing Club. Escape the Room in Boston for an interactive game party where the group has to solve puzzles to escape the room. Boda Borg is a fun puzzle solving multi-room gaming party too.

We just tried an archery birthday party at Bay State Archery and it was really fun. It’s in Norwood. Jump On In has been really popular with kids ages 6 through 9. My boxing gym will do birthday parties. Any kind of sports games party at your location/local park or at YMCA. Jump’n’Slide Center just opened in Wells Avenue; they have activities including arcade castle, huge inflatables, Laser Maze, Cannonball Shooting range, Lego room, make crafts:
- Make a working, punched tin lantern and punched tin art
- Weave friendship bracelets and bookmarks
- Craft a journal or diary
at Durant-Kenrick House & Grounds of Historic Newton.

p.s. Other Guides to Newton:

Best Preschools in Newton

Best Martial Arts Schools for Kids and Adult in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of After School Supplemental Math Classes in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Dance Studios in Newton

Best Gymnastics for Toddlers and Kids in Newton Area

Best Caretaker and Child Music Classes in Newton

Best Tutors, Music Teachers etc in Newton
February 4, 2012
Best Martial Arts Schools in Newton for Kids and Adults

My kids have been taking Karate for several years with Giroux Brothers Martial Arts and one thing that really impresses me about this studio is the older students who are unfailingly polite, accomplished and kind to small children. The style is called Chun Kuk Do which is the style of Chuck Norris. I also studied kickboxing with Steve Giroux. We think he’s great and really wonderful teacher for kids.

There are two other Karate studios that my kids’ friends’ moms also rave about: Espositos and Master’s of Karate. I went to a birthday party for little boys at Master’s of Karate and I thought the Sensei there was wonderful with children. I am taking Kickboxing at Espositos with Rich with my two girls and it’s both a really intense but fun workout and training session in self-defense. Rich runs the children’s program and is also great with kids.

There is also Oom Yung Doe which teaches 8 martial arts to kids and adults: Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, Samurai, Bagwa Chung, Jiu Jitsu, Tai Chi Chung, Ship Pal Gae, and Kung Fu.

For more on How Karate Helps Kids Succeed, check out the right hand column of Giroux Brothers Martials Arts’ new blog. Confidence, self-control, self-discipline, setting and accomplishing goals, are some of the by products of karate that children benefit from.

How to Find a Martial Art for Your Child

Karate Kids: The Benefits of Martial Arts

Here’s a short primer on some of the common styles of martial arts from Better Homes and Gardens:

“choosing a style

One of the great allures of martial arts is the huge variety of styles. Here’s a brief explanation of some of the most popular ones:

Aikido is a gentler self-defense style that emphasizes mental acuity, good breathing, relaxation techniques, and timing. In essence it focuses on finding the body’s spiritual center, as well its physical center of gravity. Techniques include throws and joint locks.

Judo teaches the principle of using your opponent’s strength against him, rather than relying solely on your own. It’s highly physical with foot, leg, and hand strikes as well as throwing and falling.

Karate is a broad term that covers hundreds of styles that employ highly rehearsed strikes and blows using both your hands and your feet.

Kickboxing is a strenuous, high-contact sport that requires more protective gear than other disciplines. It emphasizes muscle flexibility and control, particularly in the legs and feet. Kickboxing can be slow-paced or fast and is growing in popularity.

Tae Kwon Do combines the art of hand and foot fighting. Two techniques kids love to learn in this discipline are breaking boards and sparring with opponents”

I studied a little Aikido and Tai Kwon Do. Aikido is so precise in technique that to be an effective weapon for self defense, you have to be pretty advanced. It’s better for adults. Tae Kwon Do has more kicks in the the repertoire and is not as effective for street fighting though it IS an Olympic sport. Kickboxing doesn’t have the belt structure, so it’s great for kids who don’t want to memorize forms and work their way up a belt system.

Karate is the catch up to pretty much describe any martial art, particularly for kids.Some have weapons and some don’t, so be sure to ask. I find that kids like learning how to handle weapons like a Bo Staff or swords but they must work their way fairly high up though the belt system before being allowed to touch one. I think that’s a great incentive to motivate children to progress. I know my daughter was excited to finally learn the Bo Staff at Giroux Brothers which indicated she was about half way to her junior black belt.

Here are more places to study martial arts:

J. H. Kim Tae Kwon Do – he has multiple studios throughout Boston.

Calvin Chin Martial Arts Academy – I saw them perform at a Chinatown event and they were impressive!

Gracie Barra Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – I’ve only seen adults here.

Oom Yung Doe – This is new to Newton and seems to more adult oriented.

Clark’s Self Defense – Walk in to inquire. I called several times when researching a karate studio and no one ever returned my call.

Nonantum Boxing Club – My Dad Friend who is a Golden Gloves champion recommended a trainer to me. He’s very happy here.

p.s. Other Guides to Newton:

Best Preschools in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Birthday Party Locations and Ideas for Kids in Newton and Boston

A Fairly Comprehensive List of After School Supplemental Math Classes in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Dance Studios in Newton

Best Gymnastics for Toddlers and Kids in Newton Area

Best Caretaker and Child Music Classes in Newton

Best Tutors, Music Teachers etc in Newton

February 4, 2012
Nutrition Solutions with Health Coach Stacy Schwartz

Do you have questions about nutrition but don’t know who to ask?

Come to our 4 week nutrition solutions workshop where you will get all of your questions answered.

In this workshop you’ll learn:

. How to incorporate delicious greens into your diet.
. Tips to eat foods you enjoy and not deprive yourself.
. To understand how your lifestyle affects your cravings.
. Steps to make easy healthy meals for you and your family.

February 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th from 7:30-8:30pm

Nutritional Health Coach Stacy Schwartz will lead the seminars.

Contact: Allison Benitez at 617-458-9758 for more information and to register. You won’t want to miss this!

February 3, 2012
Free Event: Simplicity Parenting at Mason-Rice, Feb. 6th, 7-9pm

Do you ever find yourself scheduling play dates 3 weeks in advance because your child has no free time? Do you think you might have too many toys in the house? Are there too many gifts coming into your home around the holidays or when it is your child’s birthday? Are you and your children over-scheduled and overwhelmed?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, please join us on Monday, February 6th at Mason-Rice from 7-9:00 pm to learn about “SIMPLICITY PARENTING” which can help kids and parents feel calmer, happier and more secure. Consultant and author Kim John Payne will speak about how to simplify your child’s toys and books, clothes, meals, bedtime and schedule, as well as how to filter out distractions from the adult world so you can feel more connected to your children and family. This is a free event hosted by the Mason-Rice, Angier and Zervas Elementary School PTO’s.

To view any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.

February 2, 2012

Classes at Waban Library: Yoga for Adults, Music and Dance for Kids!

Morning Adult Yoga Classes

Tuesday and/or Thursday mornings from 8:50 am-10 am for 10 Tuesdays/Thursdays.Cost will be $150 for a 10-week session. Sign up for both, Tuesday and Thursday classes, you will receive a 10% discount. ($270 for both Tues/Thurs). Drop ins are welcome at $18 per class. Classes go for 10 Tues/Thurs starting January 3/5 – March 20/22

To sign up email us at wabanlibrary@gmail.com or check out the website for more details, www.wabanlibrarycenter.org

Jazz, Hip Hop and Creative Dance

$96

Ages 4 to 6 yrs.
Eight Fridays, 1:15pm-2pm

Dancers will learn the basic elements of Jazz Dance and Hip Hop set to today’s popular music. Taught by Grace Noyes, the class will include stretching exercises, progressions across the floor and sequences of age appropriate choreography that will build week to week. This fun, lively 45 minute class is offered to students who danced with us last season as well as new students. $96 Class dates:1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23

Music Making

Six Fridays (EVERY OTHER WEEK)

9:30-10:15 am

Ages 15 mos. to 3yrs.

Linda Emmanuel

Kids will discover their inner musicians! Fun instruments and props will help us explore concepts like fast/slow, loud/soft and start/stop. Taught by Linda Emmanuel, who has a Master’s in Dalcroze Eurhythmics from the Longy School, a B.M. in Vocal Performance from New England Conservatory. $72 Class Dates: 1/20, 2/3, 2/17, 3/3, 3/17, 3/31.

February 1, 2012

Newton Library Employee Arraigned on Child Porn Charges (Link Roundup)

image Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe

When it rains, it pours, apparently. “One week after a Newton elementary school teacher was arrested on child pornography charges, a Newton Free Library staffer has been arraigned on similar charges in Newton District Court.” from Newton Patch

“For the second time in two weeks, residents of Newton, which touts its reputation as one of the safest cities in America, were staggered by the accusation that a trusted public employee was involved in child pornography.

Authorities announced yesterday that they had arrested Peter Buchanan, a 10-year city employee who had worked most recently in the Newton Public Library’s audio visual section.

State Police accuse Buchanan, 47, of downloading and sharing child pornography. He pleaded not guilty in Newton District Court to three counts of possession of child pornography and two counts of distribution of material depicting a child in a sexual act.” from Boston.com

Newton Library Employee Arraigned on Child Porn Charges (Newton Patch)

Father of Newton child porn suspect says his son needs help (Boston.com)

Second child porn arrest made in Newton (Boston.com)

Newton library pedophile faces child porn charges (Wicked Local Newton)

Newton Library Employee Arrested On Child Porn Charges (WBUR)

Library Worker Arrested On Child Porn Charges (The Boston Channel News)

Newton Library Employee Charged with Child Pornography (Boston Criminal Lawyers Blog)

January 31, 2012
$5k College Scholarships from Hood for New England Athletes (Girls and Boys) Who Volunteer

The Hood Sportsmanship Scholarship presented by Hood Milk is open to seniors enrolled in a high school in one of the six New England states. Seniors must be attending a two- or four-year accredited college or university in the fall of 2012 and meet the following criteria:

* Minimum of a 3.0 GPA
* Participated in a varsity sport in high school
* Volunteered in his/her community
* Displayed a high degree of sportsmanship while participating in sports in high school

“The Hood Sportsmanship Scholarship program was established to recognize exceptional high school seniors in New England,” said Lynne Bohan, spokesperson for Hood. “We have been overwhelmed by the quality of submissions from students over the past two years, and look forward to celebrating 18 more students who serve as role models in their classes, communities and on their respective sports teams.”

Students can enter for a chance to win the Hood Sportsmanship Scholarship online at Hood.com now through February 1st, 2012. Students will be asked to complete the application form and write a short essay explaining how they display sportsmanship and integrity on and off the field. Voting will be open to the public beginning on February 15th and will run through March 15th online at Hood.com to determine the 10 finalists from each state who will be interviewed by a panel of judges. The final 18 winners — 3 from each state — will be notified in May and be invited to attend an awards banquet.

Three high school seniors in each of the six New England states — Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,Rhode Island and Vermont — will be awarded a $5,000 college scholarship for a total of $90,000.

For more information, and rules and regulations, please visit Hood.com.

January 31, 2012

Spring Fling: An Evening for Library Lovers Benefiting Newton Free Library, March 31, 6:30 pm

Mindy Kaling will not be able to make the Spring Fling due to a scheduling conflict.

Mindy Kaling, author and actress on

“The Office,” will be one of our honored authors this year.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

More Honored Authors:

Mix & mingle with hosts Tom Ashbrook and Bill Novak,
distinguished authors, friends, and library lovers —
while savoring delicious food from Bakers’ Best, bidding on the
silent auction, and listening to live music.

Tickets go fast, so make your reservation
online today at

www.newtonfreelibrary.net

Leah Hager Cohen

Leah Hager Cohen’s The Grief of Others is a 2011 New York TimesNotable Book of the Year. Losing a newborn is terrible enough, but when the baby comes wrapped in a shroud of secrets, insufferable grief often tears family members apart. The Ryries are just such a family.

Edith Pearlman

Binocular Vision: New & Selected Stories is a feast for fiction aficionados. The 2011 recipient of the PEN/Malamud Award, Ms. Pearlman gives new meaning to the word “storyteller” in these 21 short stories, which include themes of young love, old love, thwarted love, and loved denied — and span settings from Jerusalem and South America to New England locations.

Tim Riley

Tim Riley is NPR’s music critic and biographer of John Lennon in Lennon: The Man, the Myth, the Music – the Definitive Life. Mr. Riley’s well-researched account of Lennon proves that there is still room for one more biography of this legendary figure.

Lou Ureneck

In Cabin: Two Brothers, a Dream, and Five Acres in Maine, memoir writer Lou Ureneck turns his disappointments that come from middle-age job loss, the death of his mother, a health scare, and a divorce into a moving meditation on brotherhood and a return to a simpler, more meaningful way of life.

For more information about the event and authors, please visit website .

Sponsorship opportunities are available.

(Call Rosemary at 617-796-1407)

January 30, 2012

Blog

February Vacation Week for students in grades K – 5 February 21 to February 24, 2012 (4 days)

Preschools, Day Care, Toddler Care in Newton

Newton Preschools: A Comprehensive List

Preschools Specifically for Toddlers in Newton

February Vacation Week for students in grades K – 5
February 21 to February 24, 2012 (4 days)