I Love Newton

Category: Activities for Kids

Activities for children in Newton, Massachusetts.

  • The Discovery Museums: New Exhibit on Wind and Air

    The Discovery Museums: New Exhibit on Wind and Air

    The Discovery Museums have opened a new exhibit, AirPlay, inside the Children’s Discovery Museum. The new interactive exhibit allows young children to explore the properties of the natural world around them by playing with moving air, feeling the invisible forces of wind, and using air currents to make objects behave in fun and surprising ways.

    The exhibit consists of several components that move air and allow children to engage with it through hands-on interactions. At Twisty Tubes, visitors release balls and fabric into large clear tubes that pull the items through coiled channels and along straight pathways.

    Discovery Museums air and wind exhibit

    At the Air Table visitors use air flow tubes to move objects, such as ping pong balls or small sailboats, across the surface or around obstacles. A Shimmery Wall displays small reflective pieces that move freely when air is blown at or across them, highlighting different airflow patterns. In the mirrored Windy Corner visitors feel and see the results of the wind blowing on them as their clothing, hair, capes, or streamers flutter and fly.

    Discovery Museums Acton Wind and Air

    AirPlay was developed by The Discovery Museums’ educators in consultation with museum colleagues and exhibit professionals in the Exhibit Lab collaborative funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services. Part of this process involved visitors testing prototypes of these exhibits as they were being developed and making changes to improve design elements and to encourage family learning opportunities.

    A series of programs related to air will take place on Tuesdays in July and August.  “AirPlay Tuesdays” programs are scheduled from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and feature activities such as kite building, sail cars, stomp rockets, and more. See discoverymuseums.org for a detailed program schedule of activities

    The new AirPlay exhibit and program series are sponsored by MEFA’s U.Fund and Fidelity Investments.

    Discovery Museums Acton

  • Summer Soccer Camp Spots Still Open

    Summer Soccer Camp Spots Still Open

    1) There are lots of options for summer soccer with Be Ahead of the Game!

    • Intro soccer for ages 3-7
    • Junior Elite soccer for ages 6-9
    • Thunder Academy for ages 8-14

    And many summer camp options as well.

    Please visit www.beaheadofthegame.com for more details and to register.

     

    Garden City Soccer Camp 2013

    2) Garden City Soccer Camp also has a few spots open. It combines swimming and soccer at Newton North High School.

    • Youth soccer camp, now in its 14th year, to be held at the fields at Newton North High School
    • Camp runs from 9 am to 3 pm during the weeks of July 8th-12th and July 15th-19th
    • Designed for boys and girls ages 7-14
    • Opportunity to learn from some of the top coaches in the city
    • Directed by Brian Rooney – former Girls’ Varsity coach at Newton North and Boys’ Varsity coach at Newton North and Newton South
    • Counseling staff includes current and former players from Newton North and Newton South boys’ and girls’ soccer programs
    • Daily technical training (dribbling, passing, shooting, receiving, heading, etc.)
    • Daily tactical training (1v1 offense and defense, 2v1 offense and defense, etc.)
    • Individual and group skills competitions each day
    • Competitive scrimmages or tournaments each day
    • Prizes and awards given away daily
    • Swimming at the Newton North Pool offered daily
    • Cost per week is $275

    For more information, contact Brian Rooney at brian_rooney@newton.k12.ma.us or 617-559-6238.


    Garden City Summer Soccer Camp Newton MA ILoveNewton I Love Newton

  • Do The Hokey Pokey with Marcie!

    Do The Hokey Pokey with Marcie!

    People worldwide love to hokey pokey!!!  In 2012 a group in Canada set the new Guinness World Record with 2,351 dancers doing the hokey pokey for five minutes non stop. It’s no wonder that Christine Russell at the Atlantic asks if the Hokey Pokey could win a Nobel Prize?

    hokey-pokeyCome do the hokey pokey live with Marcie at one of her upcoming FREE public events!

    June 26: Life Alive, Cambridge, MA
    July 15, 19, & 29, 2013: Charlestown Boys & Girls Club, MA
    Aug. 17: West End Children’s Festival, Boston, MA
    Aug. 23: Henry Bear’s Park, Brookline, MA

    Marcie is available for parties and playgroups! More info HERE!

  • Football and Cheerleading in Newton

    Football and Cheerleading in Newton

    Did you know Newton offers youth football and cheer leading programs for grades 2 – 8?
    This all inclusive grade based program is open for registration now. 
    And please, join us on Friday, June 21st at 6:00pm at the West Suburban YMCA at 276 Church Street in Newton for a free KICK, PUNT, PASS, CHEER Competition!
    Prizes will be awarded!
    We encourage all who are interested to come.
    On Site registration will be available!
     
    Newton youth Football, newton youth cheer, Newton Mustangs
  • Where’s Waldo Hunt in Wellesley

    Where’s Waldo Hunt in Wellesley

    Back by popular demand is the Where’s Waldo? Scavenger Hunt at Wellesley Booksmith!

    Celebrate Waldo in Wellesley from July 1st – July 31st!

    Where’s Waldo? In Wellesley of course. The famous children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting twenty-five different local businesses throughout our community this July. Those who spot him can win prizes, including stickers, book coupons and more. Waldo figures are will be popping up in public areas of local establishments. Support local business and the Shop Local movement with this great summer vacation activity!

    Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a “Find Waldo Local in Wellesley!” passport with the names of all the participating sites at Wellesley Books, then get their passport stamped or signed for each Waldo they spot. The first 100 Waldo seekers to get their passports marked at ten or more sites can bring their passports back to Wellesley Books to collect prizes; twenty or more will entitle diligent seekers to entry in a grand prize drawing on July 31, with the top prize being a 6-volume deluxe set of Waldo books! There is no charge to participate and the hunt last throughout the entire month of July.

    Where's Waldo in Wellesley

    FIND WALDO in WELLESLEY

    1) Pick up your “Find Waldo Local in Wellesley” passport at Wellesley Books starting on July 1st.

    2) Waldo is hiding in all these local businesses this July. Go find him!

    3) When you spot him, collect a stamp or signature for that business on your passport.

    4) When you have 10 different stamps or signatures, bring your passport to WELLESLEY BOOKS to claim a Waldo sticker and coupon (for first 100 Waldo spotters).

    5) If you collect 20 of the possible 25 stamps or signatures, turn in your passport at WELLESLEY BOOKS to get a Waldo sticker, coupon, and be entered in a drawing for a 6-book deluxe set of the Waldo books and other great prizes.

    6) Plan to attend a Waldo grand celebration and prize drawing at 4:00 PM on July 31 at Wellesley Books.

     

    PARTICIPATING MERCHANTS

    Wellesley Books82 Central Street Lyn Evans Potpourri Designs8 Church Street
    Abigail’s Children’s Boutique93 Central Street Magic Beans200 Linden Street
    Bolocco
    109 Central Street    		 Old School Pizza552 Washington Street
    Footstock Shoes33 Central Street Paper and Presents87 Central Street
    Faber’s Rug Company
    9 Central Street    		 Pine Straw466 Washington Street
    Gettigear91 Central Street Posies77 Central Street
    Gretta Cole95 Central Street Truly Yogurt35 Grove Street
    Gustare Oils & Vinegars90 Central Street Upper Crust Pizzeria99 Central Street
    J.P. Licks63 Central Street Wasik’s: The Cheese Shop61 Central Street
    Kenzie Kids200 Linden Street Wellesley Bank (Central St. Branch)40 Central Street
    Kidville34 Central Street Wellesley Toy Shop57 Central Street
    Little Bits Toys304 Washington Street White Mountain Creamery552 Washington Street
    London Harness45 Central Street  

    Illustration © 1987-2102 by Martin Handford

  • Dads Free on Father’s Day at Belkin Farm

    Dads Free on Father’s Day at Belkin Farm

    Belkin Family Lookout Farm hosts a Father’s Day weekend celebration this Saturday, June 15th and Sunday, June 16th, from 10:00 – 5:00.

    Take the family for an excursion on the Farm’s famous train, ride through the orchards of fruit trees, visit the Children’s Play Area, take a turn on the moon bounce, visit the farm animals, and navigate your way through the burlap maze.

    PLUS there’ll be face painting and caterpillar rides!  The Busy Bee Learning Center will also be open.  And you can stop for refreshments at the Snack Shack.

    Belkin Family Lookout Farm, Natick MA

    WHEN:                 Saturday, June 15th and Sunday, June 16th  Open from 10:00 – 5:00.

    WHERE:               Belkin Family Lookout Farm, 89 Pleasant Street South, South Natick, MA 01760

    ADMISSION:      $8.00 per adult / children under 2 years old are always free

      Dads get in free during Father’s Day Weekend, with one paid admission

  • FC Barcelona Soccer Camp for Kids in Concord

    FC Barcelona Soccer Camp for Kids in Concord

    My husband first found an ad for FC Barcelona Soccer Camp for kids in a free parenting magazine. We were overjoyed. It’s no secret that we are HUGE Barça fans. We went to Barcelona a year ago but weren’t able to catch a game. So … we went to Washington DC to watch them play Manchester United. Unfortunately, Lionel Messi wasn’t playing in that game. So … we went to New Jersey to watch Messi play for Argentina against who cares. (Ok, it was actually against Brazil).
    At first, my husband was skeptical. Perhaps it was a scam. It could not be the real coaches. Could the website be a fake? We thought to ask the two college soccer coaches. Is this for real? Barcelona had never had a camp in Boston before! My husband did some digging and found it satisfactory. Our 5th grade middle child, PickyKidPix, was gung ho to sign up. We pulled the trigger.
    A week ago, I received a press release from the camp. Yay! It feels legit now! Here are the details: The FC Barcelona camp offers boys and girls, ages 8-16, the unique and exciting opportunity to experience specialized soccer training through an official partnership with the world’s most successful soccer team, FC Barcelona, and their expert coaches.  Participants have access to FC Barcelona’s training methods at world-class facilities at the Middlesex School in Concord.The camp runs from July 15-19, from 9:30a.m.-3:30p.m. and will help players reach their full potential and achieve their goals – whether that’s earning a college scholarship, making their school, travel or club team, or simply perfecting their soccer schools.  Training is led by official coaches from FC Barcelona Soccer School and consists of two training sessions and a scrimmage daily. Two of the participants will be selected at the camp to go to Barcelona to participate in the FC Barcelona Camp in Spain.

    We will see you there!


  • Pooch-A-Palooza in Canton, June 22-23

    Pooch-A-Palooza in Canton, June 22-23

    On June 22-23 over 10,000 attendees and many of their dogs are expected to head to Prowse Farm in Canton, MA for a two-day outdoor family-friendly festival encompassing nearly all things canine.  Pooch-A-Palooza will feature live bands, a beer garden, cuisine from local food trucks, an interactive kids’ zone, a dog pavilion with agility performances and a large vendor marketplace featuring one-of a kind goods and services appealing to dog and non-dog owners alike.

     

    The festival is designed to appeal without man’s best friend as well.  Throughout the weekend, there will be well known local bands on the main stage from The Motel Kings, The Groove Junkies, Joshua Tree, The Josh Logan Trio, Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish, as well as family favorites Steve Songs and Vanessa Trien.    The full schedule of musical performances is available at www.Pooch-A-Palooza.com.

    The festival will also offer performances by The Marvelous Mutts, a thrilling dog sport entertainment  group that showcases some of the world’s finest canine athletes.

     

    Target will be on-site at the festival with a pet-centric pavilion, featuring a host of activities for pets and their owners, including:

    • Ask a Pro –Local, trusted pet experts will be available to answer questions and give advice to pet owners about types of breeds, pet ownership, and much more.
    • DIY Stations – Ever wanted matching pet tags?  Pet owners can create custom pet tags for themselves and their furry friends.
    • Photo Op –Festival attendees and their best friends will be able to take a family portrait and immediately receive a printed photo take-away, as well as a digital copy of their photo.
    • Doggie Bag –What’s a festival without some treats?  Each pet owner will receive a treat bag with Target samples and coupons.

     

    A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Canine Companions for Independence , a non-profit organizations that provides highly-trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, free of charge.

     

    Advance tickets for Pooch-A-Palooza are on sale now.  Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $8 for children, and $12 for seniors.  Dogs are admitted free of charge but must be leashed.  Ticket prices day of the festival will be $20 for adults, $10 for children, and $15 for seniors.  Children 2 and under are free. To purchase advance tickets, visit www.Pooch-A-Palooza.com/tickets.


    poochapalooza

     

  • Read a Book, Win a Bike!

    Read a Book, Win a Bike!

    Dependable Cleaners is pleased to announce its annual Read to Ride program will begin on Monday, May 13. The program is designed to encourage student to keep up with their reading during the summer months. Students from ages 6-15 will have the chance to win a bike or an exciting prize for every book they read. Since the program’s inception in 1999, more than 61,000 books have been read.

    read to ride program,

    “We created the Read to Ride program 15 years ago to make sure children continue to read outside of school throughout the summer months, said Christa Hagearty, president of Dependable Cleaners. “The program could not be possible without our partners – Country Ski & Sport, Farina’s Bike Shop and The Patriot Ledger – as well as local schools, organizations, libraries and stores. I also want to thank the parents who have instilled the importance of reading to their children during the summer months.”

    Participation in Read to Ride is easy

    For every book a child reads, they fill out an entry form and submit it at any of the 16 Dependable Cleaner locations or with Dependable Cleaners’ Home Delivery Drivers. Entry forms are available at all Dependable Cleaners locations, delivery routes, Country Ski & Sport locations, Farina’s Bike Store in Watertown, local libraries, bookstores and online at DependableCleaners.com/Read-Ride.

    • Children between the ages of 6 and 15 can participate in Read to Ride by reading books and filling out entry forms for each book they read.
    • Completed entry forms can be dropped off at any of our 16 locations or with your Home Delivery Driver.
    • Entry forms can be picked up at any Dependable Cleaners, Farina’s Bicycle Center, Country Ski and Sport, local libraries and sports clubs, with your Home Delivery Driver, or click here to download one now.
    • Participants receive one entry form for each book they read, the more books your child reads the more chances they have to win!
    • Each entry form will be entered into a Drawing to win a brand new bike. Drawings will take place every Monday beginning June 3th until Aug 12, 2013 (except July 1st).

    For a full list of contest rules click here.

    Prizes for Read a Book! Win a Bike!

    One grand prize winner will be drawn each Monday beginning June 3 until August 12, 2013 (except for July 1).

    The grand prize winners will receive a new bike and helmet. Two additional winners will receive a runner prize. A full list of Read to Ride partners, terms and conditions, and a printable entry form are accessible at www.DependableCleaners.com/Read-Ride.

    Read to Ride 2013 is sponsored by Dependable Cleaners in conjunction with Country Ski & Sport, Farina’s Bike Store in Watertown and The Patriot Ledger.

    For over 65 years, Dependable Cleaners, a three generation family-owned company, has been providing premium cleaning services throughout greater Boston and southern Mass. Dependable Cleaners aims to  maintain its legacy as Boston’s leading provider of superior garment care and exceptional customer service, while introducing the newest industry technologies and services to its customers. For more information, please visit www.DependableCleaners.com.

  • 2013 Garden City Boys Lacrosse Camp

    2013 Garden City Boys Lacrosse Camp

    The Garden City Boys Lacrosse Camp enters its 23th year this summer

    Two sessions will be offered at the Newton North High School Turf Field the weeks of July 22nd – 26th and July 29th –August 2nd, from 9am-3pm. Our camp is designed to give players the opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to fulfill their goals and reach their potential.
    We welcome players of all ability levels at our camp. Once in camp players will be evaluated and placed into groups with other players of similar age, size and abilities. The camp is for boy’s ages 6-17 and is run by Newton North Coach Bussy Adam.
    July 22nd-July 26th & July 29th-August 2nd
    The staff includes Newton North coaches Bob MacDougall, Jamie Doherty, Nick Capodilupo and Rich Claflin, as well as Newton South Coach Dave McCallum.
    Campers should provide their own helmet & mouth guard, stick, gloves, elbow and shoulder pads.
    The camp is $275/week.
    Registration information can be found at www.newtonsummerschool.com (navigate to Sports Camps @ top of page) or call 617-559-6264.
    Contact Bussy Adam with any additional questions at tigerlax34@verizon.net .
    Newton boys lacrosse summer camp, Garden City Lacrosse summer camp