Category: Activities for Kids

Activities for children in Newton, Massachusetts.

Open House at Belkin Family Lookout Farm

Belkin Family Lookout Farm is hosting a FREE open house this weekend!

For two days only, Saturday, May 4^th and Sunday, May 5^th, the farm will open its gates for free admission for the entire family. Celebrate May’s arrival and take a ride through the orchards, visit the Children’s Play Area, take a turn in the moon bounce, and find your way through the burlap maze.

BELKIN FAMILY LOOKOUT FARM

Hosts FREE Open House

TWO DAYS ONLY – Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5

This Saturday and Sunday, Belkin Family Lookout Farm opens the gates for a Farm Open House with free admission for the entire family – the ONLY CHANCE for FREE ADMISSION before the season begins! Celebrate May’s arrival and take a ride through the orchards, visit the Children’s Play Area, take a turn in the moon bounce, and find your way through the burlap maze. PLUS there’ll be face painting and caterpillar rides for the kids. Chips, snacks and beverages will be available at the Snack Shack. Located less than 20 miles from Boston, Belkin Family Lookout Farm is the perfect day trip for the entire family.

WHEN:

Saturday, May 4^th and Sunday, May 5^th

Open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

WHERE:

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

SPECIAL DISCOUNT OFFER: When you visit the farm during the FREE Open House on May 4^th or May 5^th, Lookout Farm season passes will be available for purchase at a discounted price of $69. You save $30 if you buy during the free open houses. A season pass is valid for a family of four and allows free admission to the farm for the entire 2013 season. If you are unable to make it to the farm during the Open House weekend you can still purchase the specially priced 2013 season pass over the phone. Just call the farm at (508) 653 – 0653between May 5^th and May 10^th to get your season passes for $69. Lookout Farm will be open every weekend beginning May 11^th.

ABOUT BELKIN FAMILY LOOKOUT FARM

Established as a farm in 1651, Belkin Family Lookout Farm in South Natick is recognized as one of the oldest continuously-working farms in the country. Steve and Joan Belkin of Weston, Massachusetts purchased the 180-acre Lookout Farm in 2005, and the Belkin family is dedicated to continuing 350 years of farm tradition for future generations. Steve and Joan strive to provide healthy, outdoor, family fun activity while maintaining the farm’s long-rooted history and importance within the community for years to come. Visit us at lookoutfarm.com.

May 3, 2013
Free Self Defense Workshop for Kids!

This great FREE self defense workshop for kids is from Giroux Brothers Martial Arts. My kids and I studied there and he’s wonderful!

I’d personally like to invite you and your child (ren) to attend a free self defense workshop at Giroux Bros. Martial Arts this Saturday from 1 pm to 2 pm.

In the workshop I will be discussing the importance of using your BRAIN more than anything else when it relates to self defense.

I will be discussing bully prevention techniques as well as discussing stranger danger.

Kids will all get a chance at sparring me for fun, as well as breaking a board at the end of the class.

This class will be taught in a basic, fun, and non-fearing environment. Both of my daughters will be in attendance as well. They are 5 and 6 years old.

In order to attend, you MUST register online. You can access the registration tab on our home page atwww.GirouxBros.com or for your convenience, I’ve attached the link here:

click here

I hope that you can make it!!

(No uniform necessary to attend this free workshop)

Steve Giroux
Owner / 6th Degree Black Belt

May 2, 2013
Newton Family Singers Spring Concert with GIVEAWAY!

THE TIDE IS HIGH

Songs Reflecting on the Water

It finally feels like Spring, and that means the Newton Family Singers Spring Concert is around the corner!

Join them for a program of tender, poignant and rocking water-inspired songs by an eclectic mix of artists, including the Beatles, Lyle Lovett, Blondie, the Grateful Dead and the Indigo Girls, in addition to strikingly beautiful songs by local songwriters, award winning singer-songwriter-naturalist, Oen Kennedy, and Waban’s own Andy Rogovin. This has something for everyone. Bring your family and prepare to sing along!

This concert, they will be thanking our Facebook fans with a ukulele giveaway! In order to be eligible to win, please like us on Facebook! They will also be giving away a few other prizes to a few lucky concert-goers. Good luck!

To see the Newton Family Singers in action, check out this 10 min. behind-the-scenes video of our Spring 2012 Concert!

Sunday, May 5th at 4pm

Memorial Spaulding Auditorium
250 Brookline St.
Newton, MA

Tickets are on sale now!
Buy them online!
$10 Adults/$8 kids
Doors Open at 3:30pm

May 1, 2013
FREE Open Gym for Kids at Day Middle School

OPEN GYM (NO CHARGE)

4:00-6:00 PM Every Tuesday at Day

All students from Day, Bigelow, Brown and Oak Hill are invited to participate in the new Open Gym program. Tyler Wachtelhausen, F.A. Day’s Physical Education, Health and Wellness Teacher, will lead the program EVERY TUESDAY through the rest of this school year at Day Middle School. Kids can enjoy basketabll, dance, volleyball and just about whatever fitness activity you can think of. And, best of all, it’s FREE!

Please click on the link below for more information about the program and the registration form. Or, have your child pick up a form in the Main Office of their school.

Registration form for Open Gym

April 29, 2013
Soccer Clinics and Camps for Kids in Newton

There is a Co-ed clinic being run this Sunday, today, (April 28) by Weston Youth Soccer and the New England Revolution. It’s a fundraiser for Weston’s unique “Score One Save One” campaign, which raises money for UNICEF, the United Nations program for children. It’s such a great example of combining soccer with citizenship. The cost is just $45 and several Revs starters are expected to attend. For more information, go to Weston’s web site at: http://www.westonsoccer.org

The other clinic is for girls only on Sunday, May 5. It’s being run by US Women’s National Team star Heather O’Reilly. Heather, who also plays for the Boston Breakers, did NGS a good turn last week when she showed up at our NGS-Breakers April Vacation camp to sign autographs and talk to the campers – despite not being one of the Breakers players assigned to work the camp. She has her own soccer academy and is running an offensively focused clinic at Harvard’s athletic fields. The cost is $85.

Heather_O’Reilly_Clinic_flyer

We are lucky to live in a city that has many wonderful sports camps options for kids! Here are a few more that we’ve tried and can wholeheartedly recommend:

The Lady Eagles Women’s Soccer Team at Boston College is also running soccer camps this summer. My kids have done these camps for years and have a consistently great experience. They especially love the coaching by the B.C. women’s soccer team.

World Cup Day at Lady Eagles Girls Soccer Camp is always a fun day!

We have also done Garden City Soccer Camps at Newton North High School. Soccer combined with swimming is a great combination during the summer. It’s run by my daughter’s coach, Brian Rooney, who is a wonderful coach! Newton high school players help run the camp and it’s been fun for my daughter to recognize high school kids around town.

Be Ahead of the Game also runs great summer sports camps including tennis and soccer. My son has done these and it has been a great experience.

April 28, 2013
Free Family Fun in Watertown!

We’re having an open house with arts activities and performances at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown – a free day of family fun called Open Arts Day – on May 4.

April 27, 2013
Newton Girls Soccer Camps at Boston College
My girls have been attending the Lady Eagles soccer camps for girls near the Boston College Law School in Newton for years. It’s a very special soccer camp because the girls think it’s really fun but they also learn the next level of soccer skills from what they have been playing.

Boston College Girls Soccer Camp Schedule
- 9:00am -11:00am: Warm-up/Skill Development
- 11:00am -12:00pm: Fun Small-sided Games
- 12:00pm – 1:00pm: Lunch and Entertainment
- 1:00pm – 3:00pm: Games, Scrimmages and Coaches Challenge
- 3:00pm: Dismiss from Camp
- 3:00pm – 5:00pm: (for $20/day late pick up is available!)
There’s also the role model aspect. The women’s soccer team is a wonderful group of young women who typically have a special gift working with kids. Many of them are studying to be teachers. I know this because sometimes I am lucky to have them as babysitters.

The camps are usually 4 days long (Monday through Friday) but this year because of all the snow days, the first session is different so I wanted to point out that there are two options:

1) 4 Days: Tuesday June 25th through Friday June 28th. $295

This option works for schools who had less snow days.

OR

2) 2 Days: Thursday June 27 through Friday June 28. $195

This works for the Newton Schools since our last school day is Wednesday June 26th.

The second session is the typical one: 4 days starting on Monday.

Boston College Lady Eagles Soccer Camps for Girls

Summer Session I

Dates: 6/25/13 – 6/28/13 OR

6/27/13 – 6/28/13 (2 day option)

Ages: 6 – 14 years

Time: 9am – 3pm
Cost: $295 / $195

Summer Session II

Dates: 7/22/13 – 7/25/13

Ages: 6 – 14 years

Time: 9am – 3pm

Cost: $295

To register, please go here. Early drop off and late pick ups are also an option.
April 26, 2013
Still Snow at Killington! GIVEAWAY
Killington has extended their hours in honor of Spring’s arrival. This year the new season brings big fun in the way of soft snow, later sunsets, and events like the NOR’BEASTER, which includes activities for the whole family on and off the snow! There will be competitions, live music, BBQs, and so much more in store, so grab a piece of the action now through the very last day of the season!

I’m hosting a GIVEAWAY for 4 family sets of lift tickets.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
- EXTENDED LIFT HOURS
  
  STARTING SATURDAY, MARCH 30:
  
  – Saturday, March 30: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
  
  – Saturday, April 6: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
  
  – Saturday, April 13: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
  
  STARTING MONDAY, APRIL 15:
  
  – Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
  
  – Saturdays and Sundays: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- TRAILS & CONDITIONS
  
  Despite warmer weather approaching, over 60% of Killington’s trails and lifts remain open for mountain lovers! For daily trail reports and ride conditions, click here.
The fine print:

Once the winners have been chosen they will need to know the name and phone number of each winner(s), number of tickets needed (one ticket per family member), plus the ages of all attending. Tickets will be held at will-call for the remainder of the 2012-2013 winter/spring ski season.
April 11, 2013
Newton Family Singers’ Spring Concert!

Dive into the warm weather with the Newton Family Singers’ spring concert!

Go with the flow and join us for a program of tender, poignant and rocking water-inspired songs by an eclectic mix of artists, including the Beatles, Lyle Lovett, Blondie, the Grateful Dead and the Indigo Girls.

We are also singing strikingly beautiful songs by local favorites, award winning singer-songwriter-naturalist, Oen Kennedy, and our own Andy Rogovin.

This show will have something for everyone. Bring your family and prepare to sing along with us!

This concert, we will be thanking our Facebook fans with a ukulele giveaway! In order to be eligible to win, please like us on Facebook!

We will also be giving away a few other prizes to a few lucky concert-goers.

When: Sunday, May 5th at 4 pm

Where: Memorial Spaulding Auditorium, 250 Brookline St. in Newton

Tickets: Purchase here

Here are the Newton Family Singers for the This Land is Your Land project on PBS.

April 9, 2013
Things to Do During April Vacation Week

If you need ideas for a staycation in Massachusetts for kids and families, here are some deals and programs going on across the Commonwealth.

Newton Sewing Camp

April Vacation Camp

Tuesday April 16th-Friday April 19th

April Vacation camp is just around the corner, so come and join HipStitch and make some things for summer!

Make a beach bag, summer skirts and shorts or a swim bag! You can sign up for 1/2 day, full day or all four days!

Morning Sign Up

Afternoon Sign Up

Full Day Sign Up

Newton Boys Soccer Camp

To all NYS families with boys in the Grade 2-8 IM or U9-U14 Travel Programs:

Newton Youth Soccer is offering a 4-day clinic over April break! The sessions will be run by former Newton North coach Brian Rooney and current Newton North coach Roy Dow.

Dates: Tuesday, April 16 – Friday, April 19
Time: 9am – 12am
Location: Newton Field (most likely Weeks Field)

Cost: $175

Click here to register. Email Brian Rooney, bmrooney95@aol.com with any questions.

Watertown Arts Camp

The Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown offers April Vacation Art Workshops from April 16 – 19 for 5 & 6 year olds and for 7-10 year olds. In Witches & Wizards, students will use the characters and places made famous by “Harry Potter” as inspiration. Younger students will create Magical Animals and work with Fables & Fantasy; the older group will focus on Myths & Mystery as well as Fantasy Figures. Full or half-day options available. Morning classes run from 9:30AM – Noon. Afternoon classes run from 12:30 – 3PM. Supervised Lunch and Extended Day options are available.

Classes are held at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street in Watertown, with free parking and access to public transportation. Scholarships and Membership discounts are available. For class descriptions, visit www.arsenalarts.org. To register, call 617-923-0100, ext. 309.

Soccer Camp in Brookline

Greater Boston

Awesome Animal Adaptations at the Franklin Park Zoo, Dorchester
The Franklin Park Zoo combines animal encounters, arts and crafts, behind-the-scenes tours, games, and other activities in this vacation-long program! Pre-registration is required. zoonewengland.org

Normandy Farms, Foxboro
New England’s finest camping resort has a whole week of special family programs planned, ranging from games and crafts to food, movies, and much more! normandyfarms.com

Underground Railway Theater Camp, Cambridge
During “Science on Stage!“ young thespians spend the week with Underground Railroad Theatre Teaching Artists and Central Square Theatre professionals, exploring the science of “paying attention”. There will be guest-led workshops and a field trip to the MIT Museum. centralsquaretheater.org

North of Boston and Greater Merrimack Valley

Plumfield Fun Week at the Orchard House, Concord
Spend each day living the life of a different character from Louisa May Alcott’s stories! Trained staff will help children act, write, make a craft, and draw just like Alcott and her sisters. Pre-registration is required. louisamayalcott.org

Cooking Classes at Verrill Farm, Concord
Verrill Farm’s cooking classes have become favorites for adults and children alike. During vacation week, they will have two special classes geared toward 1st through 3rd graders and 4th through 6th graders. Future chefs will get to take home and share what they’ve made! Registration is required. verrillfarm.com

South of Boston

John Carver Inn Family Vacation Package, Plymouth
The John Carver Inn is providing a special for families during vacation week that includes a meal allowance and admission to the Pilgrim Cove Indoor Theme Pool, equipped with water slides, saunas, a fitness room, and spa. johncarverinn.com

Battleship Cove, Fall River
Explore and learn about historic naval ships, and during school vacation week, kids can go on a scavenger hunt for adorable stuffed rats and enter to win a special prize. There will be additional activities and entertainment, and even the chance to sleep overnight in a WWII battleship! battleshipcove.org

Children’s Museum, Easton
Get Pumped! Inspiring kids and adults to get physically fit, this week will feature ways to get everyone more aware of how movement and food are vital to health and longevity. Throughout the week, you’ll be able to try out a variety of sports, games, dances, and fun activities. childrensmuseumineaston.org

Plimouth Plantation, Plymouth
Make your own history during this week of special family programming, including guided tours, demonstrations, 17th century games, arts and crafts, and more! Most activities are free with admission. plimouth.org

Cape Cod and the Islands

Cape Codder Resort & Spa, Hyannis
The Family Vacation Package is perfect for a family that’s looking to escape for a few days. The deal includes a meal allowance and admission to the indoor wave pool with water slides, whirlpool, saunas, a full spa, and a heated outdoor pool. capecodderresort.com

Hyannis Whale Watcher, Hyannis
Whale watch earlier in the season than ever as Hyannis Whale Watcher opens on April 14 for school vacation week. Massachusetts is one of the top ten whale watching locations in the world, and April is a great time to see whales returning from their winter migration. whales.net

Central Massachusetts

Earth Week at the EcoTarium, Worcester
At this unique indoor-outdoor museum, visitors can meet wildlife, explore nature trails, and enjoy hands-on, family-friendly exhibits. During April vacation and Earth week, the EcoTarium will be concentrating on space exploration, culminating in Earth Day on April 19th, which will feature half-price admission and many special vendors and exhibits. ecotarium.org

Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge
The Old Sturbridge Village will be hosting a wide range of activities for the week, such as crafts, meeting baby animals, watching musket demonstrations, and many other games and exhibitions. osv.org

Western Massachusetts

Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
Over the months of April and May, many new baby animals will be born at the Hancock Shaker Farm. Come welcome and learn about them! Children 12 and under are free for the baby animals program. hancockshakervillage.org

Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge
For the school vacation week, the museum will be holding a special program, free with admission, on the Wonder of Wordless Picture Books. Learn more about the art and even create your own picture book in hands-on workshops. nrm.org

Statewide

If you’re looking to get out and enjoy the weather while learning more about local flora and fauna, the Mass Audubon Society will be holding exciting vacation week programs at many of their wildlife sanctuaries across the state. massaudubon.org

April 5, 2013