Category: Activities for Kids

Activities for children in Newton, Massachusetts.

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
Newton Tweens: Enter Your Video!

The New Art Center is looking for submissions for a Video Showcase on Saturday, April 26th!

Teens and young adults, ages 12 to 21, investigating city life in video under 5 minutes, are invited to submit work to be considered for this showcase.

E-mail your video link to citytoworld@gmail.com by Monday, April 22nd, 11:59pm.

Watch this video for more information:

Any questions? Please email Kathleen Smith, Exhibitions Director, at Kathleen@newartcenter.org or call 617-964-3424.

DEADLINE: MONDAY, APRIL 22, 11:59 PM

Looking forward to your submissions!!

April 4, 2013
Family Concert with Music with Philip in Brookline
We loved Music with Philip so much so that we used to drive to Brookline to attend his Toddler and Preschool Music classes when my kids were younger.

He is doing a show to benefit the Brookline Early Education Program this weekend on Sunday, 10:30 am at Temple Ohabei Shalom: 1187 Beacon Street, Brookline.

This year’s line-up features Vanessa Trien, plus a mash-up of her band and mine, along with some BEEP alumni chiming in on a song or two. Vanessa and Philip will both be debuting new songs, so don’t miss it!
What: Family Concert to Benefit BEEP, featuring Philip Alexander and Vanessa Trien together for the first time!

WHERE: Temple Ohabei Shalom, 1187 Beacon Street Brookline, MA 02446 [map]

WHEN: Sunday, April 7th,10:30 to 11:30AM

PRICE: $8 kids, $10 adults
LINK: http://beeppto.org/

But, if you do have to miss it, then join his Sing, Play, Grow! program on Mondays or Wednesdays, and sing all the favorites over again… and again… and again… It’s a KidS ClaSS, silly— children learn by repetition, and so do adults!!! Now, repeat after me: “I WILL bring my kids to the big show. I WILL bring my kids to the big show. I WILL bring…”

More Shows by Music with Philip

WHAT: Family Concert at Temple Sinai
WHERE: 50 Sewall Avenue, Brookline MA 02446 [map]
WHEN: Sunday, April 28th, 1 to 2PM
PRICE: FREE!
LINK: http://sinaibrookline.org/

Mommy and Me Music Classes in Brookline, MA

MONDAYS : April 8th to June 24th. No class on April 15th or Monday May 27th.

@Temple Sinai, 50 Sewall Avenue, Brookline (map)

9:15am Mixed age — up to 4yrs

10:15am Mixed age — up to 4yrs

WEDNESDAYS : April 3rd to June 10th. No class on April 17th.

@Temple Ohabei Shalom, 1187 Beacon Street, Brookline

1:15pm 3 to 5 years (younger siblings ok)
April 3, 2013
Boxing for Kids at Nonantum Boxing Club

Boxing Classes for Kids in Newton

My mom friend Lynn has both her 3rd grade son and her 7th grade son boxing at Nonatum Boxing Club. They love it. It’s their favorite activity, nudging out baseball, soccer and even video games!

Her 7th grade son, Max, takes a semi-private lesson with two other classmates — they are in the photos and video below. They have been taking for less than one year.

Sam, her 3rd grade son, takes the Saturday morning class.

I thought I’d find out more from co-founders Marc Gargaro and Nathan (Nate) Buso.

1) What are the benefits of boxing for kids?
It not only teaches kids hand eye coordination and physical fitness, it develops self-confidence and character.

2) What is your philosophy in teaching kids to box?

Show them fundamentals and try to make it interesting for them as they learn the ins and outs of the sport.

3) Is boxing a good sport for special needs kids? If so, what experience have you had training them?

We train many kids with special needs. It gives them a great outlet where they can work on their focus and coordination and build confidence as well.

4) Your classes for children start at age 5. What will they learn?

At 5 they will learn that being active and conditioned is fun. As they grow older they will learn more about the sport.

5) How old were you both when you learned to box? What did it teach you?

We grew up with the sport both at the Boys Club and through older siblings. I think the best thing it taught me when I was younger was that it’s ok to be afraid and nervous, as long as you can deal with it positively. Also to make sure you are always staying in top condition.

Youth Boxing Classes

Classes currently are on Saturday mornings. Nonantum Boxing Club is expanding to the downstairs space as well, so stay tuned for more kids’ classes!

5 to 9 Years Old
Sat: 9 am to 10 am

10 to 14 Years Old
Sat: 10 am to 11 am

Non-Stop Action for Non-Stop Boys

Music makes practicing the footwork fun!

Heavy bag work strengthens muscles and reinforces technique.

p.s. Did you ever wonder why Nonantum Boxing Club is so clean? The bathroom is spotless and the floors never seem to have a speck of dirt on them. And, thankfully, it never smells like a locker room. It turns out that Nate is a neat freak. Thank you Nate!

March 11, 2013
Free Preschool Event at Boston Public Library

Free Kids’ Event at Boston Public Library

Preschool Story Hour welcomes singer/songwriter Marcie Joy.

When: Tuesday, March 19, at 10:30 a.m.

Cost: FREE

Marcie will be performing songs from Make A Discovery as well as reading the book adaptation of There’s a Bug in My Room.

Here’s a video of her song Where Do You Want to Go?

March 10, 2013
NFTE FREE Summer BizCamp Experience
Boston Entrepreneurial Camp for Girls

Now recruiting girls entering the 7th and 8th grade this summer.

Education drives change.Through the introduction of leadership, entrepreneurship and personal development skills, young girls are empwered to discover new career opportunities.

Hosted by WomenUp and The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) and sponsored by Care.com, Girl Empower:

The NFTE Summer BizCamp Experience, is a two-week, intensive camp designed to each young women about personal discovery, leadership, entrepreneurship and teamwork.

Program Schedule

Dates: July 8-19, 2013

Monday-Friday sessions meet 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM

Location: Boston Metro Area, specific location details will be sent to you with the acceptance letter.

Eligibility Requirements

Young women who will enter 7th or 8th grades in the 2013-2014 school year are eligible to apply.

Costs & Scholarships

Girl Empower: The NFTE Summer BizCamp Experience is a FREE program based on a competitive application process.

Application Process and Requirements

Only complete applications will be reviewed. Applicants will be chosen based on complete well-thought answers to short answer and essay questions and include the following: community involvement, demonstrated interest in entrepreneurship or related fields and ability to overcome challenges.There is a limited amount of space for this program, so please take your time and thoroughly review the application. The application consists of:
- Application Form (required) | Complete an Online Applicationor Download the Application
- Short-Answer Questions (required)
- Essay (required)
- Recommendation (optional but highly preferred)
- Upon receiving your application materials, your application will be carefully reviewed. Students will be notified of their application status within one month of the application deadline.
March 7, 2013
Nonantum Boxing for Moms and Kids

Newton Boxing for Moms and Kids

It all started with my mom friend Penny. She saw her brother during the holidays, and he had those Star Trek Cardasian trapezius muscles bulging out of his neck. He got them from boxing in the Bronx.

She, too, wanted to whip herself into shape through boxing. She put me in charge of figuring this out. I used to kickbox with a Muay Thai boxing champion last summer who was awesome, but alas, he was back in California.

The 3:oo school pick up was a fertile recruiting ground. Our friend Stella wanted to get back to pre-baby weight. Lydia had enjoyed karate back in England and wanted to get in shape. We also roped in our friend Katherine. We figured we needed her in case of injuries. She’s a nurse practitioner at Babson college.

Katherine is our resident nurse.

Finding the right place and instructor was easy. I just texted my dad friend Mike, a Golden Gloves champion.

“Nonantum Boxing. Ask for Marc. He’s the best!”

It only took one call and we were set up for a class the next day. And so we went.

First the basic punches. Jab. Cross. Hook. Uppercut. Marc is very technical and insists on perfect form. You need that in order not to injure yourself! We start on that white line and hit the mitts that Marc holds. We do this for about a third of the class.

On the line with Marc.

Heavy bag work is next. We each take a heavy bag and Marc calls out the drills. Punching. Then some foot work. Shuffle, shuffle, up. Shuffle, shuffle, back. Footwork with punching comes next.

Lydia throws a mean cross.

The final third of the class is a combination of heavy bags with conditioning. This last segment is non-stop with no rest in between.Some of the fitness exercises are yoga- like too, especially if your yoga has lots of core work: chair pose, plank, low plank, high to low push up, and side plank. Other exercises are bootcamp-like: burpees, Chavez hops, and other forms of torture. We usually end in abdominal exercises, different sequences that seem agonizingly difficult.

After six weeks,we’ve worked our way into punching sequences that include defense moves — slipping and ducking — also known as “the bob and weave.” Our friend Stella demonstrates:

In case you are wondering if you can do this, watch us progress. Here is Lydia after 3 weeks and again at 6 weeks. What a difference a few more weeks make! We are also noticing that we are getting stronger with more endurance, both for boxing and other sports.

For anyone who wants a fun workout, consider boxing! Nonantum Boxing Club has fitness classes for adults where typically the class make up is at least half women. They also have classes for kids.

If you want to learn to box, start your own semi-private group like we did. We recommend buying 10 pass pack and getting a group of 4 people. The price optimizes at 4 and you can also pair off!

We hope to see you at Nonantum Boxing Club!!

p.s. Our mom boxing group continues to grow. We now book Marc three times a week. Warning: boxing is very addicting!

February 27, 2013
Garden City Soccer Camp Summer 2013
Garden City Soccer Camp 2013
- 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.

To register on-line, go to the Garden City Sports Camp website
January 21, 2013
Winter Programming at Newton Community Farm

Winter Classes at Newton Community Farm

NCF is pleased to offer a variety of courses in the winter of 2013 for children, gardeners, and others who have an interest in the outdoors, food, and farming.

For children, join us on Feb 6 at the Farm for an Early Release Day Activity.

**Early Release**
February 6th, 1:00pm – 2:30pm
$25, $20 Friend of the Farm
Dress warmly and come spend an afternoon on the Farm as we look at ways plants, animals and even people adapt to the colder weather. Look for evidence of animal activity despite the colder weather and enjoy some fun games to keep us warm!
Instructor: Alison Wilson
Location: Newton Community Farm

And again on February 21 for Kids on the Farm – Then and Now, a vacation week program at the Jackson Homestead.

**Kids on the Farm –
Then and Now**
A Vacation Week Family Program
February 21st, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost Per Family (4 people max, 1 adult required)
$30 General Public
$20 Friend of the Farm or Historic Newton member
Cost includes museum admission, materials, and snack.
Prepaid registration required; limit 25
Call 617-796-1450 to register.

Want to know what life on a farm would have been like for kids in Newton in past centuries? Using real artifacts from the Museum’s collection and real stories from the Angino family who lived on what is now the Newton Community Farm, we’ll explore how kids would have helped on the farm. Participants will also plant some seeds which will then be transplanted into our garden in the spring.
Location: Jackson Homestead, 527 Washington Street,
Newton, MA 02458

For gardeners, classes that might be of interest include Planning Your Garden for a 4 Season Bounty, Growing Fruit Trees, and Defensive Urban Gardening.

NCF 4 Season Gardening Program. This program will guide you through the year from planning your garden in the winter months to planting in the spring and then harvesting in late summer and fall. You will also learn about ways to extend your growing season to ensure you can continue to enjoy home grown produce for as long as possible.

NCF 4 Season Gardening
A Gardener’s guide through 2013
Saturday February 2nd, March 30th,
June 29th, September 14th
9 – Noon
$162, $144 Friend of the Farm
This series is designed to get your home garden up and running, growing vegetables all year round. The curriculum is spilt into four sessions and is timed to
coincide with the main gardening seasons and the associated tasks.

Session 1 – Planning Your Garden for a 4-Season Bounty. (February 2nd2013).
Plan for successive crops, select your seeds and learn which plants to start indoors.

Session 2 – Garden Structures and Planting. (March 30th 2013).
Assist in the building of a simple three bin composting system and learn how to incorporate and build simple trellises and arbors into your garden infrastructure. Begin early season planting and learn about transplanting and direct sowing as well as tips on watering.

Session 3 – The Mid Season Bounty and Thinking Ahead. (June 29th, 2013).
Weeding, harvesting and tips on how to dry and store your harvest. Check in with your compost system and begin to plan for your late season harvest.

Session 4 – Winding down…not really!! Season extension and more.
(September 14th, 2013).

Season extension; row covers, hoops and mini greenhouses, crops that can be grown over the winter.
Revisit your compost system and learn about the importance of turning and storing your compost. Finally learn about the importance of seed saving and how to begin your own collection.
Instructor: Ted Chapman and Farm Staff

Urban Defensive Gardening. Looks at ways to overcome some of the common problems of gardening in a suburban location.

NCF is also offering a class series on beer brewing and a guided tree walk in Nahanton Park. For more information on these classes and to register, please visit our website athttp://newtoncommunityfarm.org/education/classes/.

We also have our popular Growing Fruit Trees and BeerBrewing programs. We are also excited to welcome back City Arborist Marc Welch as he leads a guided tree
walk within the local area, Walking in a Winter Wonderland.

We look forward to seeing you!

January 9, 2013