I Love Newton

Category: Activities for Kids

Activities for children in Newton, Massachusetts.

  • 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.


  • Sift & Mix with Boston’s Best: Marisa Iocco Celebrity Chef Cooking Class for Kids!

    Sift & Mix with Boston’s Best: Marisa Iocco Celebrity Chef Cooking Class for Kids!

    Marisa Iocco, cooking class for kids, Boston, celebrity chef seriesKids Cooking Lessons in Boston

    Boston Center for Adult Education Continues Popular Celebrity Chef Kids Classes as Part of Its Bean City Kids Program!

    WHAT:             The Boston Center for Adult Education’s (BCAE) Bean City Kids program is continuing the popular monthly series of interactive kids’ celebrity chef classes!

    On Monday, October 22nd, 2012 from 3:30PM to 4:30PM, kids will have the opportunity to tap into their creative side, working spoon to spoon with celebrity chef Marisa Iocco, Executive Chef of Gennaro’s 5 North Square located in the North End.  Boston’s only Italian-born female chef, Iocco, artfully fuses American and Italian cuisine into her new concept called MANGIAmerica.  She reinterprets her native Italian roots with American flavors, blending her past with her present.

    This interactive cooking class is hands-on, allowing kids to explore a whole new world of food appreciation while learning the tricks of the trade. They will take part in the cooking process from start to finish, building confidence and pride in the dishes they’ve created. At the end of the session the group will sit down with Chef Iocco and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

    Conveniently scheduled after school, the classes are perfect for children six to nine years of age! The themes & items prepared vary from month to month. All classes will involve two dishes that are both prepared by Chef Iocco and students. All classes are nut-free. There MUST be a parent/caregiver present during class who is responsible for each child (no more than 3 kids per adult). Child’s registration fee covers caregiver.

    WHEN:             Monday, October 22nd, 2012; 3:30PM-4:30PM; 1 session

    COST:                $45 Members/Non-Members, $15 Materials

    WHERE:           Boston Center for Adult Education122 Arlington Street Boston, MA 02116.

    RSVP:              Registration is necessary. Please visit www.bcae.org or call the Boston Center for Adult Education at 617-267-4430 to sign up. There must be a parent/caregiver present during class time. No more than 3 students per adult.

    ADDITIONAL:  Suitable for children 6-9 years of age. Completely nut-free. Children must be supervised by a parent or a caregiver.

  • Giroux Brothers Martial Arts Open House FREE Event!

    Giroux Brothers Martial Arts Open House FREE Event!

    Karate Newton, Karate classes for Kids Newton, Giroux Brothers Martial Arts, Open House NewtonKarate for Kids Open House with Demo, Games and Prizes!

    SUNDAY, Sept 30th, from  Noon to 5

    • We are starting off with a kickathon for the Make A Wish Foundation.  Our goal is to provide one child a wish which costs $6,500.00. Watch our students kick to do good!
    • In addition to the kick-a-thon we will be having raffles.
    • After Kick-A-Thon, we will have a performance from our Elite Demo Team who just won the championship at Chun Kuk Do’s International Training Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada this July.
    • After the demo we will be presenting certificates to students who achieved black belt or higher level of black belt last year.
    • We will also have a slide show with pictures of these students when they started and throughout their training at Giroux Bros.  We have over 20 students receiving certificates.
    • After the Black Belt Extravaganza, we will open the school and the perimeter up for games, prizes, face painting, etc.

    All are welcome.

    This is last year’s Elite Demo Team.

  • The Discovery Museums Celebrate 30 Years of Inspiring Curiosity

    The Discovery Museums Celebrate 30 Years of Inspiring Curiosity



    Discovery Museums Acton

    The Museums Kick Off Twelve Months of Special Programs and Events

    Master Plan for Expansion Underway 

    The Discovery Museums in Acton announced today a 12-month celebration of its 30th anniversary marked by special programs, events, discounts and prizes.

    • The celebration kicked off with a two-day party for dinosaur mascot Bessie’s 30th birthday in June, attended by more than 1,000 people.
    • This fall the Museums will hold an anniversary gala hosted by NPR’s Robin Young, and during a week in September will roll back to the 1982 admission price of $2.00.
    • There will be a special members-only event tied to a new science exhibit opening in December, and on the 30th of each month all visitors can be entered into a drawing for a free membership.
    • Free admission will be offered on Friday nights all summer and the first Friday of every month.

    A master plan for expansion of the facilities on the 4.5-acre campus is currently underway, with objectives to expand permanent exhibit space, create a gallery space for traveling exhibits and public events, and build-out the Museums’ outdoor education space.