Free and Fun Things to Do with Kids in Boston - Town Days, Street Festivals, Open Houses and More, 9/15 - 9/16
It appears that we’ll be holding on to summer-like weather for at least one more weekend, and we’ve rounded up plenty of concerts and festivals and other activities (most of them free!) to keep families outdoors, from Arlington’s Town Day to a Wayne Potash concert at the Stone Zoo, from the Battle Road Open House Day in Lexington, Lincoln and Concord to a family concert with Karen K and the Jitterbugs on Georges Island. Our best bets for the weekend are below, and be sure to check our Event Calendar for lots of other options. And follow us on Facebook and Twitter for giveaways, updates and tips on family fun.
It’s also a great time to check out a corn maze - a perfect fall activity that offers families the challenge of finding their way through winding paths to solve a mystery, claim a prize, or just make it to the other side.
We also take a look at the new museum exhibits opening this fall. Read about places around Boston to see exotic haberdashery, a genuine space capsule, artwork that heals and some that you can actually step into, graffiti as high art, and replicas of massive mammoths.
Enjoy!
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Arlington Town Day - Arlington
Friday-Saturday
The annual two-day festival of music and family entertainment begins with Friday's Town Night, at the Spy Pond Field, at 5pm with children's activities, live music and a fireworks show at dusk.
Town Day, on Saturday, takes place on Massachusetts Ave from Pleasant Street to Mill Street from 10am to 3pm. Town Day features local artist displays, children's activities, and an assortment of food vendors. FREE
South Boston Street Festival 2012 - South Boston
Saturday
The festival features live entertainment on two stages; booths representing over 100 local merchants, artists and organizations; great food, dance performances, and children's activities. And it's dog-friendly! FREE
Talk Like a Pirate Day Stories and Crafts - Harvard Coop for Kids, Cambridge
Saturday
It’s official - September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and while Treasure Island isn’t on today’s reading list, the Harvard Coop for Kids offers a morning of pirate stories and crafts. Ahoy, Matey! FREE
Blue Discoveries Family Day: Sharks - New England Aquarium, Boston
Saturday
Learn more about the blue planet through art, science and storytelling. Programs highlight Aquarium favorites as well as Aquarium hidden treasures. Today's focus: Sharks. Free with admission
Family Music: Wayne Potash - Stone Zoo, Stoneham
Saturday
Children can sing-a-long, dance and jump around during the Stompin’ Rompin’ Family Music Series! Each Saturday in September, a different children's performer entertains. Today: Wayne Potash. Free with admission
Trad Kids with Shannon Heaton - Club Passim, Cambridge
Saturday
Trad Kids is an interactive musical for kids, featuring a cast of lovable characters, with simple refrain songs and new vocabulary words that will also appeal to parents. $10
Family Day at the Museum - Waterworks Museum, Chestnut Hill
Saturday
The museum welcomes kids of all ages to join in on a variety of fun, educational activities, including scavenger hunts, Museum tours, story time, Waterworks Jeopardy, and hands-on projects.
Activities take place outside the Museum and inside the magnificent Great Engines Hall. Learn about Boston’s water history, water conservation, and water pumping and get to know more about where your water comes from! FREE
Battle Road Open House and Historic Trades Day - Lexington, Lincoln and Concord
Saturday
During the fall open house, you can visit many of the restored historic homes along the Battle Road and take part in special activities at each stop. Houses include the Jacob Whittemore House in Lexington, the Brooks Village in Lincoln, the Captain William Smith House, Hartwell Tavern, and the Nathan Meriam House at historic Meriam’s Corner.
Start your visit by picking up a park map and a program at Minute Man Visitor Center on Route 2A in Lexington or at North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty Street in Concord. Walk, drive, or ride your bike from house to house. FREE
The Colonial Brass - Concord Museum
Saturday
Bring a picnic and a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a free concert on the Concord Museum lawn by The Colonial Brass, the brass ensemble of the Air Force Band of Liberty located at Hanscom Air Force Base. The Colonial Brass plays a wide repertoire of music from Bach to Sousa to Miles Davis that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. FREE
Swan Boats - Final Weekend - Boston Garden
Saturday-Sunday
There are only two days left to enjoy the gentle, 15-minute ride around the waters of the Boston Public Garden before the birds are brought in for the winter. (Please note that the boats do not operate on rainy, windy or extremely hot days.) Adults $2.75; Seniors $2; Children (2-15) $1.50
Boston Children's Chorus Day - City Hall Plaza, Boston
Sunday
Boston Children's Chorus takes over City Hall Plaza with the largest open-air rehearsal of its kind, as its choirs and community band together to a learn and sing a new unifying BCC anthem, We Sing. FREE
Family Jam with Karen K and the Jitterbugs - Georges Island, Boston Harbor
Sunday
Kids love Karen K & the Jitterbugs' “kindie” music – a term coined for the blend of kids music and indie rock – thanks to their eclectic sound and Karen Ks well-written, memorable songs. Face painting and other kids' activities, too! FREE
Photo: Peggy Woods School of Irish Step Dance students performing at the South Boston Street Festival
