Roxbury

20 Ways to Spend a Morning with Your Toddler in Boston

Submitted by Elizabeth Fisher on Mon, 07/24/2017 - 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 entertain your tot and get you both out of the house.

8 Pools Where Kids Swim Free (or Nearly Free) in Boston

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Mon, 06/19/2017 - 10:00am

When the temperatures soar in Boston, you can always stop by a sprinkler park or wading pool to cool off a little; but sometimes, a refreshing swim in a bonafide pool is in order. Sure, there are some swanky hotel or membership pools inside city limits where you can pay a pretty penny to swim, but when kids and diaper bags are in tow, you don't need much more than a safe stretch of cool water to feel happy. Here, we’ve rounded up eight great swimming pools in Boston where kids and parents can splash, float, or practice strokes all summ

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: Free Ice Cream, Bunny Puppets, and Stargazing; April 3-7

Submitted by Kelley Heyworth on Sun, 04/02/2017 - 9:17pm

You can tell Bostonians are eager for warmer weather to arrive when everyone's taking about baseball, ice cream, and stargazing events this week. But if these summer-esque treats aren't speaking to you, two different Roxbury libraries are serving up terrific, kid-friendly offerings, including a family cooking class on Monday and a board game night that's sure to get you over hump day. If you've been meaning to get to Puppet Showplace theater and haven't yet, hop the train to Brookline Village and catch a super-seasonal, highly interactive show about a certain Mr. Bunni and some carrots he's looking to sell. If you still have room on your plate, take a look at our Event Calendar.

10 Perfect Places to Fly a Kite in Boston With Kids

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Mon, 08/08/2016 - 3:33pm

Chicago may be the Windy City, but it often seems like Boston could have earned that nickname, too. Ocean breezes are a near-constant presence and there’s no better way to harness them than by flying a kite. Despite Boston’s low elevation, there are plenty of hills and beaches in the area that provide the perfect places to get some air. We’ve rounded up 10 of them, some of which also have awesome playgrounds. Now go fly a kite!

What to Do at Franklin Park Zoo in Just Two Hours

Submitted by Scott Wallask on Tue, 06/28/2016 - 4:02pm

It was a gauntlet thrown down at my feet as much as my family's: Let's tour Franklin Park Zoo in under two hours.

Why set the timer at two hours? It seemed the like reasonable window to make our way through the zoo without getting tired while also keeping up a good pace. My pre-zoo strategies included feeding everyone lunch beforehand and packing enough food to avoid the snack shacks within the zoo that could eat away at our time.

Here's a brief journal of how we met our two-hour challenge at Franklin Park Zoo on one recent summer afternoon.

Best Birthday Party Places for Boston Babies

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Wed, 03/16/2016 - 12:48am

Deciding where to have your baby’s first (or second) birthday is a big deal. Having a party at home isn’t always an option—sometimes your living space doesn’t allow for large gatherings or you just want someone else to do the heavy lifting. Luckily there are several no-hassle options in the Boston area for making your baby’s birthday party unforgettable. And if you’re looking for more birthday party ideas, perhaps for an older child, be sure to check out Mommy Poppins Boston's Birthday Party Guide.

Coolest Boston T Stations for Kids

Submitted by Scott Wallask on Tue, 02/16/2016 - 4:59pm

For many kids, hearing a train rumble through a tunnel as it enters a station can be a moment of excitement, inspiring cries of, “I see the train!” Certain subway and trolley stops on the T exhibit a bit more charm than others, whether it be an interesting station design, convenient vendors, or appealing artwork. With that in mind, below is brief rundown of eight kid-tested stations in Boston's rapid transit system.

Juneteenth: A Celebration of African-American Emancipation

Submitted by Celeste Bocchic... on Fri, 06/06/2014 - 9:00am

On June 19th, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation theoretically freed all the slaves in the Confederate States, federal troops arrived in Texas to enforce the Proclamation and free the slaves of Texas. Dubbed "Juneteenth," June 19 has been celebrated as Emancipation Day in Texas since 1866 and has since spread to most of the United States, including Massachusetts. Whether you attend one of the special Juneteenth events, plan a visit to one of Boston's African-American museums and historic locations, or spend some time reading books with your family, Juneteenth is a great time for all of us to reflect on what freedom, and its absence, really means.