Fenway/Kenmore

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.

8 Family-Friendly Places to Watch the Super Bowl Around Boston

Submitted by Jon Gorey on Wed, 01/30/2019 - 11:00am

The Patriots are in the Super Bowl (again!) this Sunday, and if you have children, they're probably just as stoked as you to watch it. But while your toy-strewn living room might have sufficed for an early season matchup, it may not inspire the appropriate excitement now that the team is playing in the biggest game of the year, with a chance to make history. Then again, you don't want to take the kids to a crowded, testosterone- and beer-soaked bar, either. So, to kick off a fabulous February of fun events with kids, we've compiled a number of family-friendly venues around Boston where you can take the whole clan to cheer on the Pats with fellow fans.

Winnie-the-Pooh Comes to Boston: Sweet, Interactive Exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts

Submitted by Caitlin Dowling on Sat, 10/06/2018 - 6:35pm

Think your kid isn't old enough to appreciate the Museum of Fine Arts? Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic, will change your mind. This interactive exhibit, featuring the "hunny"-loving bear Pooh, encourages your kiddos to not only look, but to actually touch and play, as they're immersed in the world of Christopher Robin and all of his friends in the Hundred Acre Woods. As Pooh would say, "it's no bother" to bring littles; and as I discovered on a recent visit with my own kids, it is in fact a sweet and super-entertaining outing for the whole family.

9 Summer Art Camps for Boston Kids

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Mon, 03/12/2018 - 9:00pm

Sure, kids dabble in paint and clay once a week or so throughout the Boston school year. But if you have a child who really loves to create, a weeklong (or longer) summer art camp might be just the thing to ignite a passion.

These nine visual art camps, happening throughout the summer around Boston, span ages and art media, so you're sure to find one that gets your creative kid excited.

Be sure to check out our complete Boston Camp Guide for other art-based programs, including theater camps and more.

17 Science and Tech Summer Camps for Boston Kids who Love STEM

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Mon, 02/26/2018 - 11:00am

Surrounded as we are in Boston by so many tech start-ups, a world-class science museum, and some of the top college computer-science departments in the country, it's no surprise that many of our kids are fascinated by all things STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Luckily, a growing number of tech-minded summer camps are cropping up all over the Boston region to meet demand, and the options for local kids range from a program for wannabe inventors to a science immersion program just for girls. We’ve rounded up a dozen great school vacation programs where kids can tinker, make, build, code, invent, and experiment.

Read on to find a STEM camp that’s a good fit for your sci-tech lover, and sign up soon—early-bird specials are widely available this month, and some of these camps fill up fast.

Find more great summer camp options for your Massachusetts kids in our Camp Guide and Directory of listings, which is searchable by interest, age, or location.

Cooking with Kids in and Around Boston: Classes, Camps, and Parties

Submitted by Audrey Trieschman on Thu, 09/21/2017 - 12:00pm

Whether our kids are adventurous eaters or too timid to try anything beyond boxed mac ’n’ cheese, teaching them about food prep, healthy eating, and nutrition is one of the more important things we as parents can do for their well being. Cooking together at home is one way to do this, but there are also plenty of opportunities for “instructive” fun through kids’ cooking classes and workshops.

One of the appealing aspects of kids’ cooking instruction is that it quite often takes the form of a single-class workshop or two- to three-session program. So, even if your children have regular sports team commitments or semester-long dance or music classes, they can still satisfy their inner foodies without missing a goal or a beat. Plus, many kids’ cooking classes are offered during those long school vacations or summer breaks—just the thing to keep kids engaged and entertained. Cooking workshops also make fun birthday parties - kids learn something, have fun, and are well fed. And (maybe best of all!), no mess for the parents. (More cooking party ideas here.)

We’ve rounded up five places that offer kids’ cooking classes and workshops in and around Boston. Get ready for your kids to cook up something great!

Weekday Picks for Boston Kids: Art, Market Day, and Jazz; May 29-June 2

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Sun, 05/28/2017 - 6:00pm

As we ring in summertime with Memorial Day Monday, we'll collectively cross our fingers that June brings more sunshine than May. But no matter what Mother Nature brings us this week, there's a lot to do around town to keep kids smiling. It's a big week for sparking creativity, with interactive events at the Museum of Fine Arts and Fox Library, and a performance celebrating simple materials at the Puppet Showplace Theater. Music will be in the air at a farmer's market in Lexington and the Boston Public Library. Don't miss our Events Calendar for more family-fun ideas.

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.)

8 Great Bakeries for Birthday Cakes Around Boston

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Fri, 04/21/2017 - 10:00am

Whether you’re hosting a birthday party at home or at another location, you’re going to need a cake to celebrate your child’s big day. Ideally, we’d all have the time and energy to whip up a beautiful creation ourselves, but it's a tall order, especially during a busy week. That’s when we call in the pros. We rounded up eight of the best bakeries in Boston for when you want your child’s birthday to be extra special...while preserving your sanity!

Five Lesser-Known Perks for Kids at Fenway Park

Submitted by Jon Gorey on Mon, 04/03/2017 - 10:00am

Like your wise but slow-moving granddad, baseball is showing its age—its TV audience is now the oldest among major American sports. And so savvy teams like the Boston Red Sox are bending over backwards trying to get more young fans to the game. In just the past few years, for example, the Red Sox have added Gate K, a kid-friendly concourse in right field, along with Wally’s Clubhouse, a climate-controlled game room that’s open from the third to seventh inning. That’s in addition to bobblehead doll giveaways, pre-game entertainment on Yawkey Way, and other ongoing efforts to make Fenway more fun for your little one. We know, we know; there are a lot of spring activities around Boston that cost less; but if you time it right, a Fenway family outing might prove to be the highlight of the season.