Downtown/Theater District

25 Ways to Spend a Morning with Your Toddler in Boston

Submitted by Elizabeth Fisher on Fri, 04/05/2019 - 3:00pm

Once you've gotten through breakfast and downed your second (or third) cup of coffee, have you ever looked at your toddler and thought, "what the heck am I going to do with you today?" Too young for many full-time schools or camps, too old to just tag along on errands all day, toddlers are suited for fun, interactive activities that don't require a long attention span and will tucker them out for their afternoon nap. Fortunately for parents and caregivers, there are a plenty of great local activities that will get you both out of the house; and many attractions are 100% free for toddlers.

Boston Restaurants for Thanksgiving: Hosting All That Family Without Messing Up Your House

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Thu, 11/01/2018 - 8:41pm

Thanksgiving is all about food and family, two of our favorite things. And while we love cooking a big meal, we also love when someone else does it for us … especially the clean-up! Going out to eat on Thanksgiving isn’t exactly traditional, but with a little help from some of Boston’s best restaurants, you can have a holiday that’s delicious, relaxing, and memorable. We rounded up 11 local spots that are serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal fit for the whole family so you can have a fun and festive holiday without all the mess and stress.

Weekday Picks for Boston Kids: Peace Day, Family Science, and Shopkins; Sept 18- 22

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Sun, 09/17/2017 - 6:00pm

Looking for a treat to make busy September a little sweeter? Look toward the end of next week, when there's fun to be had from downtown stages to the country fields. As if the little plastic confections don't seem to pop up in every nook and cranny of your world already, Shopkins will be taking the spotlight on Thursday only; if you have a collector on your hands, grab your tickets now. And on Friday, the all-new Mega Farm Festival, a souped-up offshoot of all the family fun and great eats that Davis Farmland has long hosted, kicks off harvest season.

And yes, there's enrichment to be had this week, too. Homework helpers, those wonderful fairies who volunteer their time at the Boston Public Library, start their (free!) services in J.P. this week. There's a very special storytime focusing on world peace at the Mary Baker Eddy, and an opportunity to get the whole family thinking about science—and working together—at a fun event in Roslindale.

For more interesting activities this week in Boston and beyond, check out our Events Calendar.

Boston has a New Museum! A Review of the Dreamland Wax Museum

Submitted by Fiona Haley on Thu, 08/10/2017 - 11:12am

On the list of things Boston is flush with—green space, top universities, a maddening number of rotaries—museums are a particular point of pride. We boast some of the world's best, but it's been awhile since one could call itself "new." Enter Dreamland. As visitors to Government Center may have noticed, the Dreamland Wax Museum just had its grand opening in July. With more than 100 wax figures, Dreamland is definitely a different sort of experience than you might find on the neighboring Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall. I recently visited with my 12-year-old son, my seven-year-old daughter, and an eight-year-old friend, and here's our take on whether the museum is cool or creepy. (Spoiler alert: It's a little bit of both).

Weekday Picks for Boston Kids: Theater, Scooper Bowl, and a Strawberry Moon; June 5-June 9

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Sun, 06/04/2017 - 6:00pm

The flowers are putting on a show this week, and so are performers on various kid-friendly stages. Starting on Monday, the innovative Pineapple Project will be traveling to Boston Public Libraries as part of Pride Month in Boston. Later in the week, the Broadway blockbuster Wicked swoops into Boston Opera House, and the Create.Inspire.Change Theater company debuts their take on Dahl's classic James and the Giant Peach. Meanwhile, cool temps aside, it will feel like summer at Boston City Plaza and the Discovery Centers of Acton, where kids can indulge in all-you-can-eat ice cream and learn about June's beautiful strawberry moon, respectively. But wait, there's (always!) more: Check out our Events Calendar for family-fun ideas this week and beyond.

Weekday Picks for Boston Kids: Sculpture, Farming, and Music Exploration; May 15-19

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Sun, 05/14/2017 - 6:51pm

Monday, 5/15—Newton

5 Spots to Go Fishing with Kids Near Boston

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Thu, 05/11/2017 - 11:42am

Looking for an antidote to the fast-paced, tech-saturated culture our kids are growing up in? One word: fishing. Demanding preparation, patience, and stillness, fishing is a pasttime that might be a challenge for our instant-gratification generation—and that's exactly what's so great about it. Our street backs up to a little pond, and from the time they could capably hold a pole, our kids have tried their luck hooking sunfish and striped bass on free weekend days and evenings. Our catches have been few, but our boys have learned some lessons about treasuring the process over the final product, and the quiet moments contemplating the water have made for some great memories.

Spring is a great time to introduce kids to fishing, as many local ponds and lakes are often brimming with fish (sometimes stocked by MassWildlife). Here are some family-friendly fishing holes within a short drive of Boston—and some tips for making a day out on the pond or lake a successful one, whether the fish are biting or not.

Weekday Picks for Boston Kids: Dumplings, Annie, and Crazy Concoctions; May 8-12

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Sun, 05/07/2017 - 8:06pm

The extended, school-and-sports heavy stretch between spring break and summertime can sometimes feel like a long slog for kids and parents alike. But this week's offerings are an antidote to the everyday routine. Taking us from the slave era to the Great Depression to the futuristic world of video games, this week's events really run the historical—and cultural—gamut. And just in case you need a stress reliever, there's a chance to dig your hands into edible dough at the beginning of the week, and Play-doh (and similar sensory delights) at week's end. For more ideas to make this a memorable week, take a look, as always, at our Events Calendar. We're adding new activities everyday.

Spots to Breastfeed and Pump Milk in Busy Boston Tourist Areas

Submitted by Fiona Haley on Tue, 04/25/2017 - 11:21am

Everybody knows that nursing your baby is a special experience that not only nourishes your baby’s body but also strengthens the mother-child bond. But when you're out and about, it can tricky to find a clean, comfortable, and effective place to breastfeed—particularly if you have a curious infant who reacts to noise and light—not to mention pump milk if you're separated. As we enter the heart of spring and start planning fun outings to museums, ballparks, and other popular places around town, we're scoping out cushy spots where you can escape the elements, crowded seating, and leering eyes to take care of your baby's needs in peace. (Note that Massachusetts state law permits women to breastfeed openly in any public space or establishment, and imposes a $500 fine for harassing a nursing mom.)

Where to Eat With Kids Near Boston Common

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Tue, 03/21/2017 - 9:49am

There are few more iconic places in our city to take kids than the Boston Common. It’s steeped in history and the perfect place to run around in the grass right downtown. In the summer, families flock to the Frog Pond to cool down after playing on the nearby Tadpole Playground.