Category: Activities for Kids

Activities for children in Newton, Massachusetts.

Meet Rick Riordan and Other Authors!

It’s a Mega-Awesome Author Event!

Sunday, April 6th

4 – 7 pm

Dana Hall School

Waldo Auditorium

45 Dana Road, Wellesley

Mark your calendars for April 6th as Wellesley Books presents best-selling young adult authors Eoin Colfer, Jonathan Stroud, Ridley Pearson, and Rick Riordan in this exclusive Mega-Awesome Adventures author showcase!

Some books by Eoin Colfer:

A few books by Jonathan Stroud:

Here are some books by Ridley Pearson:

Rick Riordan’s books my kids love (well, they love all of them, but here’s 3):

Tickets on sale here. The cost is $20 plus processing fee but includes a book! See you there!!

March 13, 2014
Wellesley Books Kids’ Events!

Kid Events at Wellesley Books

82 Central Street, Wellesley, MA

Angela DiTerlizzi and Brendan Wenzel – SOME BUGS

Wednesday, March 12, 2014 @ 4pm

Presentation, story time, drawing demonstration, & book signing

Hop on down to Wellesley Books for a zippy rhyming exploration of backyard bug behavior in Some Bugs in celebration of Youth Art Month. We are hosting author Angela DiTerlizzi and illustrator Brendan Wenzel for a colorful and encyclopedic look at backyard entomology. With a drawing demonstration, story time, and a take-away message to get outside and explore, this event is perfect for budding artists, naturalists and insect enthusiasts alike.

Scott Magoon – BREATHE

Saturday, March 29, 2014 @ 10am

Story time, art activity, book signing

Youth Art Month continues with Breathe, a new picture book from award-winning author and illustrator Scott Magoon. This simply told story follows a young whale on a journey of discovery as he experiences his first day at sea on his own. He swims, explores, and makes friends in his marine habitat. After a day of independence, this little whale delights in returning home to his mother. Scott will be sharing this reassuring story of adventure, his illustrations, and leading young readers in an art activity.

March 3, 2014
Green Decade’s Environmental Art Contest for Grades 1-5!

Green Decade’s Environmental Art Contest

for Newton Students in grades 1-5!

Theme: “2014 Green Olympics!”

Enter as an individual or teams of 2 students; 2-dimensional posters (12″x18″ max) & videos (3-minute max); recycled collage materials encouraged!

Create a design using any of the following ideas: Recycle/Reuse/Repurpose – Compost – Green Transportation – Energy/Water conservation and protection.

Visit www.greendecade.org for entry form to attach to back of poster

Due: February 28, 2014

Place entry in a school collection box or at:

* The Mayor’s Office at City Hall

* The New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newtonville

* Green Planet Kids, 22 Lincoln St, Newton Highlands

Judging will be by grade level plus an after-school category. Notification will be by March 14.

The awards ceremony will be held on April 1 at Newton City Hall. Green Medalists (1st place) for each grade level will receive an Energy Smart Newton T-shirt with a $10 gift certificate from Green Planet Kids. Each participant will receive a certificate and all participants will be entered into a raffle for a T-shirt and $10 gift certificate from Green Planet Kids.

3rd Grade: Audrey Gagnon, Franklin

February 27, 2014
Letters to a Young Scientist by E. O. Wilson

Letters to a Young Scientist by E. O. Wilson: Adult & Teen Book Discussion

Thursday, February 27

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Discovery Classroom

Participate in a lively book discussion based on Letters to a Young Scientist by Pulitzer Prize winning biologist E. O. Wilson. Using autobiographical anecdotes, Wilson shares his wisdom through the successes, failures, and passion that motivates successful scientists.

Sponsored by The Discovery Museums and the Acton-Boxborough Parent Involvement Project. www.actonpip.org.

Teens and adults welcome.

No fee, but pre-registration required.

Call 978-264-4200 x 20.

Held at The Discovery Museums in Acton.

177 Main St, Acton, MA 01720

To borrow the book email actonpip@gmail.com.

February 26, 2014
Singing Storytime at Newtonville Books This Sat

Join Newtonville Books this Saturday, February 22nd, at 11 am for another Singing Storytime.

10 Langley Road
Newton Centre
Newton, MA 02459

Tuesdays at 11am: Storytime – All ages welcome

Saturdays at 11am: Storytime – All ages welcome

We had fun at the last one and can always use some more voices.

Singing Storytimes happen every other Saturday, so mark your calendar.

February 18, 2014
Circus Oz for February Vacation Week! GIVEAWAY

Circus Oz: From the Ground Up
February 19-23

at Citi Shubert Theatre

This looks fun if you are in town during February school vacation week!

Celebrity Series of Boston will present

Circus Oz: From The Ground Up

February 19-23, 2014

at Citi Shubert Theatre

270 Tremont Street

Boston

The performances will take place on Wednesday, February 19 at 7pm; Thursday, February 20 at 5:30pm; Friday, February 21 at 6:30pm; Saturday, February 22 at 12:30pm and 5:30pm; and Sunday, February 23 at 2:00pm. Sponsored by Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

Tickets start at $30, and are available online at www.celebrityseries.org, by calling CelebrityCharge at (617) 482-6661 Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., by calling Citi Charge 866-348-9738, or at the Citi Wang Theatre Box office, 270 Tremont Street, Boston, MA.

This performance is the Celebrity Series of Boston debut for Circus Oz.

Inspired by a construction site, From The Ground Up is a tight and road-hardened production allowed to play hilariously fast and loose that features acrobats suspended from, and flying through the air around, the show’s centerpiece – a giant swinging steel beam. From old black and white photographs of workers on high steel girders, Circus Oz has created a new production, starting from the ground up. With a ridiculous combination of jugglers, musicians, acrobats, riggers and aerialists, it’s a celebration. Exuberant raw spectacle and danger for the sake of it!

Circus Oz was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1978 and their 35th birthday year marks decades of mounting extraordinary shows and successfully touring both nationally and internationally. As Australia’s National Circus, they have toured from New York to South American rainforests and Madrid to outback Australia. Circus Oz has taken its self-crafted performances of wit, grace and spectacle to 26 countries across five continents, to critical acclaim.

Want to win a 4 pack to Oz Circus?

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

February 14, 2014
Learn Soccer After School at Williams with Be Ahead of the Game

Get out of the cold and come run indoors at Williams Elementary School!

141 Grove Street

Auburndale

Instructor: Be Ahead of the Game LLC

Your child will be introduced to the world’s most popular sport while focusing on having fun, learning through drills, small-sided games, and scrimmages. All games and drills will be age appropriate and are sure to improve skills. We may also take some time to play some other recreational games and sports to let the children unwind, incorporate teamwork, and cooperation.

These clinics will be a great opportunity to have fun, learn and meet new friends in a “no pressure” and non-competitive environment.

Please wear, shin guards, sneakers and comfortable clothing.

Balls will be provided at practice.

Proceeds will benefit the Williams PTO

DATES: 2/11, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, and 3/25 (no clinic during February vacation)
6 weeks

Ages K-2nd Grade 6-7pm (16 slots available)
Ageas 3rd-4th Grade 7-8pm (16 slots available)

Cost: $100

Enroll Online Now! There are still spots available.

February 13, 2014
Karate Movie Camp with Jerry Dwyer at Giroux Brothers Martial Arts

Jerry Dwyer is hosting a movie camp. For those of you who don’t know, Jerry is an aspiring actor/director and already has quite a few successful projects under his belt. If your child has ever wondered what it would be like to make or be in a movie — then this camp will be a huge hit.

This camp offers GB students and friends the unique opportunity to develop Martial Arts skills, while also learning the basics of Acting, stage combat, and fight choreography. At the end of the week all students will receive a copy of the Martial Arts Action Film they got to create and star in!

February 17, 2014 9:00am – February 21, 2014 from 9am to 4pm

Location:

Giroux Brothers Martial Arts

241 Walnut Street
Newtonville, MA 02460

To sign up, go here. For the PDF flyer, please go here.

February 13, 2014
School vacation week at Franklin Park Zoo!

Spend school vacation week at Franklin Park Zoo! Join us for our Habitats/Ecosystems/Biomes, Oh My! program, focusing on different biomes and ecosystems each day. The vacation week program session will run Tuesday, February 18 through Friday, February 21, and include a combination of animal encounters, arts and crafts, behind-the-scenes tours, games and activities.

The program will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. each day at Franklin Park Zoo for children ages 6 through 11. The cost is $200 per member/$250 per non-member. Pre-registration is required. Learn more and sign-up today! (www.zoonewengland.org/camp)

For additional information, call 617-989-3742 or email education@zoonewengland.com.

February 12, 2014
Staycation Idea: Bedtime Stories Pajama & Baseball Party
Bedtime Stories Pajama & Baseball Party

Hotel Commonwealth Hosts 5^th Annual Storytelling & Pajama Party Weekend

During February School Vacation with Appearance by Wally the Green Monster

WHAT: A homerun for February school vacation week, Hotel Commonwealth hosts the fifth annual Bedtime Stories storytelling and pajama party for families in Boston on February 21 and 22. This year’s theme, “Baseball at Bedtime,” celebrates America’s favorite pastime withan appearance by Wally the Green Monster, beloved mascot of the World Series 2013 Champion Boston Red Sox, who will pose for photos with kids. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite pajamas or baseball gear while listening to storytellers and performers from ReadBoston. Hotel Commonwealth will also debut its second children’s book featuring Terry the Bear. Afterwards, kids can enjoy a make-your-own hot chocolate bar with a variety of flavors and toppings.

Families can make a night of it by booking the ‘Hotel for Kids’ overnight package on either Friday, February 21, 2014 or Saturday, February 22, 2014 at a rate of $259*. This one-time-only rate includes a special Saturday or Sunday morning kids’ pancake-making class with Pastry Chef Lauren Kroesser of Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks.

The ‘Hotel for Kids’ package includes:
- Deluxe family accommodations (up to two adults and two children; additional children can be accommodated for $45/child) in a Commonwealth Suite (more than 500-square feet of space, including a separate area with pull-out sofa bed that can be closed off with drapes) or a Fenway Deluxe Room with views of Fenway Park
- Welcome backpack for kids stuffed with slippers from LL Bean, choice of two custom Hotel Commonwealth bedtime storybooks featuring Terry the Bear and a flashlight
- Board game and family-friendly DVD selection
- Homemade cookies and milk upon arrival
- Complimentary valet parking
- Access to the hotel’s Family Concierge to help with planning family-friendly activities around Boston
- Families can extend through the weekend at a special rate of $169/each additional night.
WHERE:  Hotel Commonwealth,  500 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215

WHEN:   Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22, 2014

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

COST:       $259.00 for overnight package (Room rate is not inclusive of room tax and subject to availability.)

$20 suggested donation per family to ReadBoston. (The hotel will match each donation from the nigh.t)

RSVP:          To RSVP to the Bedtime Stories pajama party, call 617-532-5020 or email AllReservations@HotelCommonwealth.com
February 2, 2014