Peter Pan at City Hall Plaza in Boston: Family Entertainment in the Round

Submitted by Audrey Trieschman on

Take a walk up Cambridge Street in Boston most evenings, and you can’t miss the blue glow that comes from a 100-foot-tall tent rising from City Hall Plaza. The glowing tent is a unique theatrical space - the “threesixtyº Theatre” - where Peter Pan is performed through December. This new, in-the-round version is true to J.M. Barrie’s original tale of the boy who refuses to grow up, yet technically innovative enough for a 21st century audience. First performed in London, the traveling show has been to Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles prior to its arrival in Boston.

Moms' Night Out with Mommy Poppins and Scribble Press

Submitted by Anna Fader on

As you may know, we are featuring the Upper West Side on Mommy Poppins this month, writing about fun things to do, cool toy stores and places to eat, stay and play.

As part of our Upper West Side focus, we're hosting a Moms' Night Out with one of our favorite family spots in the neighborhood, Scribble Press, and it's a wonderful chance to take care of your holiday card and gift making.

NYC Toy Stores: Best Toy Shopping on the Upper West Side

Submitted by Allison on

As we mentioned last week, Mommy Poppins' neighborhood of the month is the Upper West Side. We already shared our top 30 things to do on the UWS. Today we're highlighting our favorite toy stores in the area.

The UWS is so family-friendly that you can find a business selling toys on most blocks (along with a Starbucks or two). The West 80s in particular could be dubbed "Toy Store Row." Now if you ask my three-year-old, there's no such thing as a bad toy store. However, as an UWS parent who frequently finds herself searching for last-minute birthday party gifts, I certainly like some more than others. Here are sixUpper West Side toy shops that really stand out from the rest in terms of products, prices and cute offerings. One even has a Tooth Fairy Registry.

Weekly Wrap Up: Neighborhood Spotlight on the Upper West Side, Dekalb Market, Chocolate Show

Raven Snook's picture Submitted by Raven Snook on

What a scary week! Last Saturday felt like February (can you imagine if that had been a weekday? NYC schools probably would have been closed—heck, Central Park playgrounds are currently shuttered and many suburbs were totally derailed by the storm). Then on Monday, families dressed up in their creepiest costumes to trick-or-treat for Halloween. (That's me and my family dressed in our Addams Family best.) We're still suffering from a bit of a chocolate hangover in our household. Luckily, we've got lots of suggestions about what to do with all of that leftover candy.

Now that October 31 has come and gone, we're starting to turn our attention to the holiday season. Over the next few weeks, we'll be updating our Holiday Fun Guide and adding new posts, too. We're also highlighting a new neighborhood this month: the Upper West Side. So stay tuned for in-depth posts about things to do and places to play in the area.

And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut, as well as selected stories from our brand-new sites in Boston and Los Angeles.

Things To Do in New Jersey This Weekend November 4-6: Smash Your Pumpkins, Wear Pajamas, or Take In a Family Fest!

Submitted by Shari Simpson on

What is up with our wonky weather? We're hoping that everyone has electricity again and is ready to enjoy a great weekend. Yeah, October ended with snow (!), but before the cold (and hibernation) settles in for good, there are still pumpkins to be smashed, pajamas to be worn, clay to be made and lots of concerts to enjoy. Stay warm, New Jersey.

Scandinavia House's Redesigned Heimbold Family Children’s Playing and Learning Center in Murray Hill

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on

[UPDATED: February 18, 2013] There's a secret most Murray Hill families don't want getting out: The Heimbold Family Children’s Playing and Learning Center, a beautiful interactive play space tucked away on the fourth floor of Scandinavia House. Back when my son was a toddler, we visited several times a week. The center was cozy, cheerful, inexpensive and rarely crowded, and it's where my kid became obsessed with Scandinavian toys like Legos and wooden Brio trains.

The Heimbold Family Children’s Playing and Learning Center underwent a major two-month renovation in 2011 overseen by Koko Architecture + Design, the husband-and-wife team that created the awesome (though sadly now closed) Imaginasium for the Children's Aid Society in Greenwich Village. Education has always been the center's focus, and this magical redesign enhances that mission with hands-on stations where kids can learn, explore and play using Scandinavian early childhood development concepts.

I visited the revamped center shortly after its grand reopening, and it's really amazing. My now six-year-old son wouldn't even recognize the space! Step inside, and you'll wish you were a kid again.

Family Films, Boston Christmas Festival, and More Fun and Free Things for Kids and Families in Greater Boston - Nov 4-6

Submitted by Audrey Trieschman on

Our weekend roundup of events includes a family film festival in Watertown, two events at the deCordova Museum in Lincoln, a concert by the popular Rolie Polie Guacamole kids’ jam band, and the first Christmas Festival of the season. Read on for details, and remember, you can find additional options in our Event Calendar.

With holiday activities gearing up, exploring the Mayor’s Holiday Special website, which offers half-price tickets to many holiday shows all over Greater Boston, a $10-off holiday dining deal, and a full calendar of holiday festivities, is a great resource if you’re interested in saving some money and still seeing some of the best shows around.

This week, we’ve added to our occasional series of preschools in the greater Boston area by highlighting five Cambridge preschools that represent different philosophies or approaches to education, plus a schedule of Open Houses in November. We’d love your thoughts about other great schools to cover in our series; please drop me a line with your ideas.

Enjoy your extra hour of sleep on Sunday with Daylight Saving Time!

 

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