Boston Family Fun

What: Explorazone at Mamas Move
Web: http://www.mamasmove.com
Where: Norwell, MA
Price: $7/ child for non-members of Mamas Move
Info: We visited the Explorazone with our son and a few of his/our friends today. Oh my goodness, he had such a good time! I was very impressed. There are two areas separated by a low wall, and the whole thing is closed in: an area for the under 23 months set and the other for the 2-6 year olds. We spent our time in the "big kids" area, but it looked like there were some nice toys and climbing stuctures for the babies. The older kids area has three little houses on one side, a fully stocked kitchen, a dress up shop, and a mechanic's shop. There was a nice sized climbing stucture in the middle. In addition, there was a train table, a puppet area, trucks, etc. We had to pull our son away after an hour and a half.

Charlie was such a good time that I decided to buy a monthly pass for $25 so he can go back whenever there is a cold and rainy day.

Our second baby is due any day now. I was hoping to be able to continue this blog even right after he was born, but I am already feeling a little overwhelmed. So, we will probably post very sporadically for the next few weeks and then get going again in December.

Please let me know if anyone has an event to share. We will definitely post it!

If I don't have a chance to say this again, have a wonderful November, enjoy the last nice outdoor days of the year and Happy Thanksgiving!

Summary of this weekend's fun:

Friday, October 31
Cambridgeside Galleria Trick or Treat - Cambridge
Meet Clifford the Dog - Burlington

Saturday, November 1
Bear Family Party - Concord
Magic by George - Brookline
Daniel Webster Farm Day - Marshfield
13th Annual Boston Vegetarian Food Festival - Boston
Haunted Hayride - Braintree

Sunday, November 2
Vanessa Trien & Her Jumping Monkeys band - Brookline

Multiple Days
Frog Pond Carousel - Boston
Free Museums - Multiple Locations

Where: Concord Scout House, Inc. 74 Walden Street Concord, Mass. 01742
When: Saturday, November 01 at 2-4:00pm
Web: http://www.concordfestivalofauthors.com/events
Info: Celebrate Paddington's 50th birthday and Corduroy's 40th birthday at a free family party. Crafts, games, refreshments, and a "Bears in Books Scavenger Hunt" through downtown Concord. Ages: 1-9
Cost: Free

Where: Coolidge Corner Theater 290 Harvard St. Brookline, MA. 02446
When: Sun, Nov 2 @ 10:30 am
Web: http://www.coolidge.org/kids
Info: Local Brookline musician Vanessa Trien and her Jumping Monkeys band will be getting the Coolidge jumping, clapping, singing and dancing at the highly anticipated release of their second children's CD, "Carnival Day." Vanessa's first CD, "Hot Air Balloon" won a Parents' Choice Silver Award, NAPPA Honors Award, and iParenting Media Award. Vanessa and her band put on shows that are engaging not only for the pre-school set but for the grown-ups that come along for the ride. Come join the festivities for this foot-stomping, rip-roaring CD release show. $10 adults/ $8 children & seniors

Where: Coolidge Corner Theater 290 Harvard St. Brookline, MA. 02446
When: Saturday November 1 @ 10:30 am
Web: http://www.coolidge.org/kids
Info: Magic by George has appeared on the “CBS Early Show”, at Universal Studios’ City Walk in Hollywood and Sesame Street’s “Fun to be One” celebration in New York City. Now, George will be returning to the Coolidge Corner Theatre with some new surprises on November 1st. This fun filled show will keep you on the edge of your seat with exciting magic and amusing family humor! For young and old alike. Great show! Great family fun!

Where: CambridgeSide Galleria, 100 CambridgeSide Place, Cambridge MA 02141
When: Friday, October 31, 2008 from 4pm to 6pm
Web: http://www.shopcambridgeside.com/go/Poolb.cfm?MallID=238&FPURLID=2129964120
Info: Visit Customer Service on Level 2 for your FREE Trick-Or-Treat bag and candy! Look for the big pumpkin in participating store windows!!

Each child is requested to bring a canned food item for donation to the Salvation Army.

See Customer Service Desk on Level 2 for complete details or call 617-621-8666.

Where: Boston Common Frog Pond
When: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM, now through November 9
Web: http://www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org/
Info: 30 horse carousel open for fun! $2/child + free for adult

Where: Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary - Marshfield, MA
When: November 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Web: http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/North_River/news.php?id=1098&event=no
Info: Come on down for hayrides, games and crafts for children, live music, homemade soups and baked goods. Observe blacksmith David Armstrong at work, watch a bird carving demonstration by Michael McCarthy, shop among the displays of the fine crafters and artisans. Children 10 and under wearing their Halloween costumes to Farm Day will receive a free hayride.

Admission is $6 or $4 for Mass Audubon members. Children 3 and younger are free.

Where: Several States
When: Saturday and Sunday
Web: http://promotions.bankofamerica.com/museums/
Info: Bank of America card holders have free admission to select museums this weekend.

Where: Reggie Lewis Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont Street, Boston Massachusetts
When: Saturday, November 1, 2008, 10 AM – 6 PM
Web: http://www.bostonveg.org/foodfest/
Info: The Boston Vegetarian Food Festival is a full day of fun, good food, and learning! It brings together exhibitors of vegetarian natural foods from across the country and locally, offering free food sampling and "show special" discounts. It provides a welcoming environment in which to explore a wide variety of delicious, healthy, and readily available vegetarian foods. + kids activities!!

Where: Barnes & Noble, 98 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington
When: Friday 6:30PM
Web:
Info: Meet the big red dog in person. FREE. 781-273-3871.

Where: Newton Library - Druker Auditorium
When: Thursday, October 30 4:00 pm
Web: http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net/?sec=childrens
Info: Susan Raskin Abrams will cast a spell with spooky stories for children ages 5 and up.

Where: Porter Square Books, 25 White Street, Cambridge, MA 02140
When: 4:00pm - 5:00pm, Thursday, October 30
Web: http://www.portersquarebooks.com
Info: Come hear Doria Hughes - Porter Square Books' in-house Storyteller - tell spooky silly stories the day before Halloween! A treat not to be missed, this family-friendly venue sports a wonderful cafe and arguably the finest selection of children's books in Cambridge. And the event is free!

Where: Braintree Municipal Golf Course
When: Saturday November 1, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Web:
Info:

Two tractor pulled hay bale trailers filled with straw and hay will be used to tug families onto the course through the woods to view “the many creepy creatures that come out after dark for a scary experience for all.”When families arrive at the course, they will have to register inside the clubhouse to be assigned to a particular hayride.

• Parents will be required to ride the trailers with their children.
  
• The cost will be $5 for children (those under five will ride free) and $7 for adults.
• A maximum of 325 tickets will be sold.
• Tickets are on sale at the town’s recreation office at 249 Union St.
• Holiday glow sticks will be given to all of the hayride riders.
  

Should the weather be inclement, residents can call (781) 843-6513, ext. 3 to confirm that the event is either still being held as scheduled or postponed until Nov. 2 during the same hours.

Where: Roche Bros Westborough - 1100 Union Street Bay State Commons Westborough, MA 01581
When: Wednesday, October 29 2008.
Web: http://www.rochebros.com/dynamiccontent.aspx?loc=27&menuId=31&pmenuId=30
Info: Frightingly Fun Family Event with Radio Disney, this event will be held at our Westborough store from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Come in your Costumes & enjoy face painting, Boo bag & Mini pumpkin Decorating, games, dancing & fun!

Where: Boston Nature Center 500 Walk Hill St. Mattapan
When: Tuesday, October 28 2008.
Web: http://www.massaudubon.org/boston
Info: Celebrate the fall harvest and Halloween by creating your own jack-o-lantern. Learn techniques to create spooky and silly designs. Register in advance to ensure a pumpkin of your own. Pre-registration is required. Mass Audubon members $4.00, Non-members $6.00. Family rate: $8.00, $12.00 ($2.00 per pumpkin or bring your own.)

Where: EcoTarium, 222 Harrington Way, Worcester, MA
When: Saturday, October 25, Noon to 9:00 p.m.
Web: http://www.ecotarium.org/activities/pumpkin/
Info: Looking for a fun Halloween festival that's not too scary for the kids? Don’t miss the biggest Halloween celebration for families in Central Massachusetts -- Great Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, October 25. From noon to 9 p.m. enjoy creative displays of hundreds of carved, lit pumpkins. Take a free hayride and a train ride, and enjoy a free digital planetarium show, games, animal encounters, kids' costume parades, crafts, pumpkin-carving demonstrations, Halloween story times, face painting, a magician, and much more festival fun.

Where: Atrium School, 69 Grove Street, Watertown
When: Saturday 25th 10 am - 1 pm.
Web: http://www.atrium.org/documents/FinalFallFestivalFlyerwebsite_000.pdf
Info: Fun-filled morning at Atrium School. Ben Rudnick & Friends (the hippest family music around -11:30 am), storyteller extraordinaire Norah Dooley (11:00 am), children's activities. Buy and decorate pumpkins. Bake sale. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy Atrium School's playground and outside space afterward. Fundraiser for Atrium School. Cost: $10 per person, under 2 free; $30 maximum per family. Price includes all activities except pumpkin sale and bake sale.

Where: Choate Pond, Medway MA
When: 10-1 on Saturday October 25th with a raindate of Sunday October 26th.
Web: http://choatefriends.blogspot.com/2008/09/halloween-touch-truck-and-jack-o.html
Info: lease join the friends of Choate Park as we host our 4th annual Touch-A-Truck event and Halloween Parade. Come in costume to climb aboard various trucks from around town including fire trucks, limousines, a yellow school bus, tractors and more.

Come back from 6-8 that night to enjoy our 2nd annual Jack-O-Lantern Walk and water fire at Choate Pond. If you would like to bring a pumpkin to have in the event please drop it off at Touch-A-Truck or by 4:00 that afternoon in the tennis courts. Free event. Donations are always welcome. Food and refreshments for sale in the concession stand.

Where: Harvard Coop, 1400 Mass Ave., Cambridge.
When: October 25^th, 1 - 4pm
Web: http://store.thecoop.com/coopstore/images/eventscalendar.pdf
Info: STORIES, GAMES, MUSIC, COSTUME CONTEST, PUMPKIN &
FACE PAINTING AND MORE

Where: 500 Columbian Street, South Weymouth, MA
When: October 25 from 1pm – 8pm
Web: http://www.newildlife.com/
Info: The event is a fall festival and green living fair which will include:

• Llamas Walk
• Pony Rides
• Live Animals – special appearances by Center education animals including snakes, iguanas, bearded dragons, turtles and more.
• Hospital tours – see New England Wildlife Center veterinarians first-hand helping injured wild animals.
• Teddy Bear Clinic – Bring your broken and torn teddies or other stuffed animals for mending.
• Carnival games & prizes – moon walk, three-legged, wheel barrel and sack races, strike bell, raffle, stringed donut eating contest, apple dunking.
• Music – Indoor and outdoor open-mike sessions featuring YOU! Come prepared to jam, play solo, sing or recite poetry. We want to hear why environmental protection is important to you.
• Storytelling around the campfire.
• Food and drinks – including a cook out and bake sale.
• See 1000 jack-olanterns lining a trail behind this Center's wildlife rehabilitation building.
  

Where: Meet at DCR Reilly Memorial Rink on Cleveland Circle in Brighton.
When: Saturday, October 25 10 am - 2 pm
Web: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/events/bhhikes.pdf
Info: Chestnut Hill Reservation has a new look! Join us as we enjoy the new recreational
improvements. We’ll have fun and games for all, including a Halloween Parade round the
Pond, family crafts and outdoor games. Also free public rink skating from noon to 2 pm.

Where: Christ Episcopal Church 1132 Highland Ave. Needham, MA (accross from the Library/next to the High School)
When: Saturday, October 25, 2008, 8:30am - 12:30pm
Web: http://www.parenttalk.info/newsite/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=18
Info: Children's clothing, toys and baby equipment in excellent used condition at bargain prices. Shop the $10 bag sale from 11:30 - 12:30! All you can stuff for $10! (see website!)

Where: Lakeshore Learning Store, 230 Needham St., Newton.
When: Saturday 25th, 11am - 3pm
Web: lakeshorelearning.com
Info: ids create a ghostly windsock that they can hang anywhere using craft materials like glitter, pipe stems and tissue paper. Ages 3 and up. FREE. 617-969-1171

Where: Pierce House, Dorchester, MA
When: Saturday, October 25, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Web: http://www.historicnewengland.org/things/calendar/Events.asp?State=MA
Info: Fall Family Fun features craft activities and other hands-on learning opportunities connected to harvest time and the history of the Pierce House as a working farm. Families can make a leaf rubbing, design a pressed leaf card, practice spinning and weaving, and grind corn. Take a step back in time with colonial clothing, toys, and games. Tours of the house are on the hour. Pierce House is located at 24 Oakton Avenue in Dorchester. Admission is free for Historic New England members and $2 for the general public. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Where: Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, Belmont MA
When: Friday, October 24, 2008 - 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Web: http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Habitat/catalog.php?code=1309-HA08FA1&sancName=Habitat&getresults=long
Info: We have sometimes seen evidence of deer at Habitat in the past, but recently there have been more frequent sightings. Where are the deer coming from? Why are they here? And what can we learn from these graceful animals?

Where: Georges Island, Boston Harbor
When: 10/25/2008 - 10/26/2008 11:00AM - 4:00PM
Web: http://www.bostonislands.org/events_search.asp
Info: Take a spooky tour of haunted Fort Warren, meet the Big Nazo Puppet Creatures who will be strolling the park, and keep your eyes open for the Lady in Black. Boats will leave from Long Wharf at 11:15am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, and Hingham Shipyard at 11:30am, 12:45pm and 2:00pm. Ferry tickets are $10 per person, walk up sales only, first come-first serve. Children under age 3 are free. For details on ferry, call 617-222-6999 or visit harborexpress.com.