Category: Activities for Kids

Activities for children in Newton, Massachusetts.

  • Winter Programming at Newton Community Farm

    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!newton community farm classes, newton community farm, kids classes at newton community farm, gardening classes newton ma
  • Kids’ Sewing Classes: 2 Great Places in Newton!

    Kids’ Sewing Classes: 2 Great Places in Newton!

    Sewing Classes for Kids: 2 Great Locations in Newton!

    Did you know that there are now two locations that teach sewing to kids in Newton? Hip Stitch was the first one to open in Newton. It started off in Newtonville and has since moved next to L’Aroma Cafe in West Newton behind West Newton Cinema. 5th grader PickyKidPix and her friends took a class on early release Thursday last week and made pillows, Christmas tree ornaments. She even helped her make a sash for her Hernando De Soto costume for school!

    Now, another sewing studio for kids has opened near the old Giroux Brothers Martial Arts in Newtonm, Newton Sewing Studio! As luck would have it, PickyKidPix attended its first sewing birthday party for kids! She made a pillow there too! Now, she is motivated to learn to sew and bugs me daily to sign her up for more classes.

    This December vacation, Newton Sewing Studio has sewing Camp. They also offer classes. He suggests, “Send kids to sewing camp and let the fun and creativity begin! Beginners and seasoned stitchers will appreciate our mix of fun and useful projects.”

    Newton Sewing Studio, sewing class for kids NewtonNewton Sewing Studio
    Lots of pretty fabrics to choose from at Newton Sewing Studio!
    Newton Sewing Studio fabrics for kids projects
    Newton Sewing Studio welcomes kids as young as five. Parents are more than welcome to stay and sew with us.
    December vacation camp is: Dec 26th through Jan 1st – Half or Full days.
    Newton Sewing Studio, sewing classes for kids Newton MAPickyKidPix attended Newton Sewing Studio’s first ever Birthday Party for her friend. She loved it (and she’s not easy to please!)
    They made pillows and Christmas Tree Felt ornaments.

    Hip Stitch sewing class for kids Newton MAFront of pillow by PickyKidPix she made at Hip Stitch.

    sewing project for kids, Newton MABack of pillow.

    Brian Remlinger, owner Newton Sewing Studio, Newton MAOwner Brian Remlinger of Newton Sewing Studio.

     

    Newton Sewing Studio, sewing classes for kids Newton MAFront of pillow PickyKidPix made at Newton Sewing Studio birthday party.

    sewing project for kids, Newton MA sewing class for kidsBack of pillow sewn at Newton Sewing Studio.

    sewing projects for kids, bags kids can sew, Newton sewing classesExamples of sewing projects for kids.

    Hope to see you in sewing class!

  • Upcycled Toy Invention Birthday Party for Kids

    Upcycled Toy Invention Birthday Party for Kids

    Science-Meets-Art Kids’ Birthday Party

    Do you need a new birthday party idea for your kids? Something eco-friendly and creative? I just met the founders of KinetiCreations. Check out these toys kids make from upcycled materials!

    KinetiCreations catapultsCatapults!!!

    KinetiCreations Marble MazeMarble Maze!

    KinetiCreations foosballFoosball!!

    KinetiCreations shows kids that they have the ability and imagination to create ways of having fun themselves, using mostly recycled materials to build kinetic toys and games. Kids build and play with toys they invent.

    KinetiCreations birthday party for kids Newton MA

     

    This is a new local business developed by two experienced educators. For more information, please visit KinetiCreations for more information.

    KinetiCreations birthday party for kids Newton MA

    They also do birthday parties and private classes with prices ranging from $125-$250.

    KinetiCreations birthday party for kids Newton MA

    My kids would love this combination of invention, creativity and art!

    Eileen Gagarin is a state certified K-12 art teacher and a local sculptor (www.eileengagarin.com). She has over a decade of experience teaching art to students of all ages. She has spent multiple summers volunteering as an art teacher in Latin America, teaches at various after school and adult education programs, and is an adjunct professor at Emmanuel College.

    Matt Westling is an outdoor enthusiast and science dork with a history degree from Boston University.  He has worked for after-school programs and summer camps in Brookline, Newton and Dedham as well as non-profits in Boston and abroad for under-privileged children.

  • Fun Things for Kids During December Vacation Week

    Fun Things for Kids During December Vacation Week

    Kids Programs, Camps and Activities for December Vacation

    Looking for fun things to do with kids this December school vacation? Here are some options near and far from Newton. Activities include family outings, and camps for one day or the entire week.  I also rounded up some ice skating options for indoor and outdoor fun!

    Newton Sewing Studio: Half or Full days. 

    Kids can’t wait to have time off school but how soon does the novelty wear off? Don’t get stuck scrambling to entertain them. Send the kids to sewing camp and let the fun and creativity begin! Beginners and seasoned stitchers will appreciate our mix of fun and useful projects. We welcome kids as young as five and parents are more than welcome to stay and sew with us. 

    Puddlestompers in Newton:  sign up for the day or the week.

    Newton Historic Society in Newton: Stories in the Snow, A Vacation Week Family Program.

    Newton Parks and Recreation: December Vacation Programs for Kids.

    JCC in Newton: Children’s Choice December Vacation Programs for Kids.

    Arsenal Arts in Watertown: December Vacation Art Workshops for Children.

    Museum of Fine Arts in Boston: You don’t need to sign up for their great December vacation programs. They set up stations that you can visit with a changing roster of fun art activities for kids throughout the museum. We love them and the programs are set up to entertain a wide age range of kids.

    Museum of Science in Cambridge: Mama Smiles recommends the Spontaneous Fantasia show in the planetarium. Artist J-Walt has combined improvised animation with music, and shown on the vast screen of the planetarium it is quite amazing. The show lasted 70 minutes, and the kids sat, mesmerized. They are still talking about the performance.

    Peabody Essex Museum in Salem : Drop In Activities for Kids.

    5 Wits in Foxboro: Espionage and 10,000 Leagues Under the Sea interactive adventures for kids.

    IMAX Movie in Boston: Museum of Science and New England Aquarium.

    Arsenal Arts december vacation art programs for kids

    Ice skating

    Auburndale Cove Ice Skating Rink (outdoor):  Lessons available when rink is open. Hours: Mon- Fri, 3pm – 9pm (opens one hour earlier on Tues); Sat, Sun, holidays and vacation, 10am – 9pm.

    Daly Skating Rink (indoor):  Just over the line in Brighton, the Daly rink offers season and day passes. Classes are also available. Hours: Mon – Fri, 9am- 12am; Sat, 9am – 4pm; Sun, 9am- 2pm.

    Coffin Ice Rink (indoor) at the Fessenden School: Available for rental for practices and birthday parties, but not generally open to the public for “free skating.” Home ice for the Newton North Tigers. See website for more information.

    John A. Ryan Skating Arena (indoor) in Watertown: The arena is professional-sized and seats 1,250 people. Private rental hours: Mon. – Fri., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Public skating hours: Sat., Sun., 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.

    Larz Anderson Park in Brookline: outdoor ice skating and rentals available.

    Frog Pond at Boston Common: There are shows, lessons and food at Frog Pond!

  • Kids Indoor Tennis Activities in December

    Kids Indoor Tennis Activities in December

    Kids Indoor Tennis Activities in December

    Newton Lower Falls Community Center

    Generation Tennis now registering for its “QuicKids” After School Tennis Classes to be held at  Newton Lower Falls Community Center 545 Grove Street;
    four Fridays in December.  Click to register:  www.GenerationTennisCTA.com Or, for additional questions or comments, contact Frank at 617 596 1434.


    Generation Tennis Newton, indoor Tennis Newton, tennis for kids Newton, tennis classes for kids Newton

  • Sign Up for Halloween Window Painting!

    Sign Up for Halloween Window Painting!

    Halloween Window Painting

    in Newton Villages

    Halloween window painting NewtonHalloween window painting, Newton Highlands, Newton Center, Newton Centre, Waban, AuburndaleNewton window painting for Halloween, window painting for kids, halloween window painting Newton

    Saturday, October 27, 2012

    9 am – 4 pm

    Open to kids in Grades 3-8

    Rain date Sunday, October 28

    Window Painting Contest Rules

    • Each artist will be assigned a 20″ x 36″ space on the outside of a merchant window in Newton’s participating villages.
    • Sill, wall, and sidewalk areas below window MUST be covered and taped with newspaper.
    • Each artist supplies his or her own tempera (NOT ACRYLIC) paints, brushes, newspaper, rags, and masking tape. All work needs to be done freehand and have a “Halloween” theme.
    • Official rules and regulations will be mailed prior to the event and must be followed closely to avoid disqualification.
    • Register on-line.
    • Registration deadline is Friday October 19.
    • Windows will be painted on Saturday, October 27, any time between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. all work must be finished by 4:00 pm.
    • The rain date for painting will be Sunday, October 28, 9am – 4pm. Please check this website or call 617-527-8283 by 8am on Saturday, October 27 for an announcement regarding weather-related conditions.
    • Windows are assigned on a first come first served basis. One window will be assigned to each participant. Due to the popularity of this event, we cannot honor requests for specific windows.
    • First, second and third place prizes will be awarded for each Grade. Special Awards Ceremony with Mayor Setti Warren will be on Tuesday October 30, 2:00 pm at the Newton Cultural Center. (directions)
    • Winners will be notified by telephone

    To sign up, please register here.

    Thank you to Elizabeth Reilly as the volunteer coordinator for this wonderful event for kids. She has been coordinating this event for years and threatens to retire this year! Will someone else step up to the plate if she stop coordinating this? Unclear! But this possibly could be the last year, so please participate!!!

  • Art Classes for Kids in Newton Highlands

    Art Classes for Kids in Newton Highlands

    Green Planet Kids presents…Green Planet Kids, art classes for Kids Newton, Newton Highlands, kids art classes
    THE ART LOFT
    Creative Classes for Kids
    Starts in October – SIGN UP NOW!
    An exciting new art education program for children ages 2 – 13.
    Professional Art Teachers & First Quality Materials.
    Great for busy families – no need to sign up for a lengthy series,
    just pick and choose each class that interests your child and fits your schedule!
    For more information and to register, please visit Green Planet Kids website.
    Green Planet Kids is located at 22 Lincoln Street in Newton Highlands.
  • Boston Public Library: Event for Kids to Meet Children’s Authors

    Boston Public Library: Event for Kids to Meet Children’s Authors

    Boston Public LIbrary fundraiser for Literary Lights for Children

    Boston Public Library Children’s Book Author Fundraiser

    Update: This event is fully subscribed. If you are still interested, there is a wait list. Otherwise, there is always next year!

    ————

    There is a great event at the Boston Public Library that raises money for Literary Lights for Children and you and your children can meet children’s and young adult authors. It’s Sunday, September 30 at 2pm. Please go here to purchase tickets.

    Sunday, September 30, 2012, 2:00pm – 5:00pm

    Bates Reading Room, Central Library, Copley Square

    The Associates of the Boston Public Library is pleased to invite you to the fourteenth annual Literary Lights for Children tea party on Sunday, September 30th in the beautiful Bates Reading Room of the Boston Public Library.

    The 2012 honorees are:

     

    “Literary Lights for Children” seeks to raise awareness of children’s literature, promote literacy, honor children’s authors, and raise money for the Boston Public Library’s children’s services and collections. Students selected from Boston area schools introduce and present the awards to each of the honored authors. The honorees then discuss their writing careers and share their love of books with the audience of over 400 children and adults. Tea refreshments are served.

    Tickets are $40 children, $60 adults

    There will be authors: Kevin Hawkes, Christopher Paolini, Mitali Perkins (Rickshaw Girl!), and Gary Schmidt.

  • Newton Community Farm Fall Festival

    Newton Community Farm Fall Festival

    Fall Festival Newton, Newton Fall FestivalCelebrate Fall at Newton Community Farm

    Did you know that we have a community farm in Newton? I only know this because it’s my Dad Friend Mike’s family farm on his Italian side. His grandparents sold a portion of farm to the city of Newton and the rest is now what is the Wells Avenue area.

    The Fall Festival celebrates the fall harvest as well as raises money for educational programs for kids.

    Families, adults, children….all are welcome!   Invite your friends and neighbors.

    Admission and parking are free!  We will have food, baked goods, produce, farm fresh jams, and beverages for sale. Proceeds benefit NCF’s education programs.

    Enjoy live music and entertainment, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, pumpkin decorating, and more!

    Schedule of Events

    11 a.m. Event Start

    11 a.m. Live Music by Finally Friday

    11:30 a.m. Welcome (Speaker TBD)

    12 p.m. Farm Tour

    12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Music & Movement of Newton

    12 p.m. Cooking Demo w. Biltmore Bar & Grill

    12:45 p.m. Apple Relay w. Boston Sports Club

    1 p.m. Farm Tour #2

    1:30 p.m. Bread Making Demo w. NCF Instructor

    1:45 p.m. Apple Relay

    2 p.m. Farm Tour #3

    3 p.m. Event End

     

    The day will be full of on-going activities as well:

    Children’s Activities

    All-Natural Pumpkin Decorating

    Milk the Cow – Pine Village Preschool of Newton

    Face Painting

    Budding Chefs – Newton Community Farm

    Seed Planting – Meeting House Preschool

    Story Hour – Newton Community Farm

     

    Community Activities

    Bake Sale

    Farm Fresh Jams

    Map of Newton

    Prayer Flags

    Community Weaving

    Farm Stand


  • $2.00 Admission at The Discover Museums!

    $2.00 Admission at The Discover Museums!

    The Discovery Museums Celebrate 30 Years with a Week of 1982 Admission Prices

    “Pay and Play Like It’s 1982” Offers $2.00 Admission from September 22 through 28

    Discovery Museums ActonTo say Thank You for 30 years of support from the greater Boston community, The Discovery Museums will reduce admission prices for a week to $2.00 per person, the same price as when the museum first opened in 1982.  From Saturday September 22 through Friday September 28, visitors of all ages can explore both museums on the campus and enjoy favorite programs and activities such as Music & Movement, FETCH!™ Lab, PEEP™ Science Adventures, Mixing in Math, LEGO Zone and more, and pay only $2 admission per person as part of the “Pay and Play Like It’s 1982” promotion.

    In addition to the reduced admission price, memberships will be sold at a 20% discount through the end of the month.  Members and children under 1 are not charged an admission fee; teachers are also always free.

    About The Discovery Museums

    The Discovery Museums are celebrating 30 years of inspiring curiosity. The two museums—the Children’s Discovery Museum for ages 0-6 and the Science Discovery Museum for kids of all ages—are the children’s and science museums of MetroWest Boston, paired on a single 4.5-acre campus in Acton, MA.  For 30 years the Museums have served families and schools from towns throughout New England, with a commitment to informal education that enhances classroom learning. The hands-on, playful exhibits, developed by professional educators, inspire curiosity, exploration, experimentation and imagination.  The Discovery Museums combine manageable scale, convenient location and free parking to provide a fun and engaging experience where children and adults can discover their world together. For more information, please visit www.discoverymuseums.org.

    Hours and Admission

    The Discovery Museums are located at 177 Main Street Acton, MA 01720. Tel 978-264-4200. All programs are free with admission: $11.00 adults & children, $9.50 seniors 60+, free for children under 1 and Members. Teachers are always free.

    School Year hours

    Children’s Discovery Museum: 9am to 4:30pm Tues – Sun

    Science Discovery Museum: 1pm to 4:30pm Tues – Fri, 10am to 4:30pm Sat & Sun

    Both Museums closed on Mondays.