Art in Bloom Family Day - MFA, Boston
Saturday, 4/28

Celebrate spring at this annual festival of fine art and fresh flowers. Families can enjoy art-making activities, storytelling, and more as part of the MFA’s annual transformation of its galleries with almost 70 extraordinary arrangements inspired by magnificent works of art. Free with admission

25th Annual Sheepshearing Festival at Gore Place - Waltham
Saturday, 4/28

Enjoy demonstrations of sheep-shearing, herding dogs, spinning, weaving and gardening at the outdoor farm festival, now in its 25th year, plus  a large crafts fair, live entertainment, historic demonstrators, games and farm animals. Wagon rides and museum tours are available for an additional charge. Food vendors on site. Free parking. No dogs or other pets allowed. Rain or shine! Adults $15'; Children 12 and under Free

Fifth Annual Bookish Ball and Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration - Harvard Square Cambridge
Saturday, 4/28

The free, family friendly festival features book store strolls, live music, dancing, performances, birthday cake and a sidewalk procession led by Curious George!

11am: In the Whale Room at the Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, children make unique and colorful banners, signs and hats to be carried during a sidewalk procession through the streets of Cambridge.

Shortly before 12noon: Toni Bee, Poet Populist of Cambridge, reads one of her poems. Then, the group parades from the library through the streets of Harvard Square led by the man of the hour, Curious George, the Man in the Yellow Hat.

Approximately 12:30pm: Procession arrives in Harvard Square and gathers at 1 JFK Street for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of The World’s Only Curious George Store – Harvard Square.

The party continues with a performances, artists, and ice cream, served in honor of William Shakespeare. Plus, face painting, balloon artists, toasts, readings and more! FREE

World’s Only Curious George Store Grand Opening - Cambridge
Saturday, 4/28

The store’s Grand Opening coincides with Harvard Square’s fifth annual Bookish Ball! Come down early and join all the festivities around the Square. The ribbon-cutting ceremony is at 12:30pm, and throughout the day there will be family events including balloon artists, face painting, chalk drawings, music, book readings, cake and ice cream. FREE

Boston College Arts Festival - Kids Activities - Boston College, Chestnut Hill
Saturday, 4/28

Part of the annual arts festival is a full day of special programs for children. KIs explore the various arts at Boston College - painting, ceramics, dance, music, theater, reading; listen to music, watch a dance performance, and enjoy a special performance of theater for kids; paint, color, glue, dig their hands in clay, listen to stories, and have their faces painted; and have the opportunity to participate in a parade with the BC Marching Band.

• Children's Activities (12n-5pm): A variety of arts 'n' crafts activities, including cookie decorating, face painting, and sidewalk chalk. O'Neill Plaza
• Instrument Petting Zoo (12n-12:30pm): Students in the BC Marching Band give children a chance to try an instrument. O'Neill Plaza
• Children's Theater (12:45pm-1:45pm): The BC Creative Dramatics class performs The Little Mermaid. O'Neill Plaza
• Children's Story Hour (2pm-3pm) Gasson Commons

Most activities FREE

Ben Rudnick & Friends Concert - Belmont Cooperative Nursery School, Belmont
Saturday, 4/28
Ben Rudnick & Friends' adventurous acoustic music and lyrically humorous style have won them fans of all ages. The day also includes pizza, bake sale goodies, "prize" balloons, and a silent auction. Adults $10; Children $8; Family Maximum $20

Play Date: Ready, Set, Design - ICA - Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston
Saturday, 4/28

Join visiting artist Justin Gargaz, a designer for Reebok, for an art-making workshop using text, found materials, and your imagination to create wearable works of art. 3D design shells provided by Reebok. Free for families: up to two adults per family accompanied by children ages 6–12

Astronomy Day - Clay Center, Brookline
Saturday, 4/28

The family-friendly event includes activities for all ages, including:

• Demonstrations, planetarium shows, Laser Light shows, rocketry, stunt kites, hands-on educational activities for all ages.
• Galileo returns.
• Meet a famous robot from the movies, have your picture taken with it
• Door Prizes for children - register for a chance to win telescopes and more.
• Mike Cenci Food Canteen Truck from 4:30-7:30 pm

FREE

Celebrate National Astronomy Day - Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield
Saturday, 4/28

Celebrate National Astronomy Day with the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club. Astronomer and physicist Gary Meehan gives a brief introduction to the geology of the moon - earth’s only natural satellite (rain or shine). Afterwards, weather permitting, go outside for spectacular views of the moon through club members’ telescopes. Call to register. $5/person

Celebrate the Week of the Young Child - Boston Children’s Museum, Boston
Saturday, 4/28

Enjoy music, a parade, and hands-on activities for kids and grownups! Learn about the Massachusetts statewide early childhood education campaign, Brain Building in Progress with researchers and advocacy groups. Free with admission

Mister G - Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline
Saturday, 4/28

Mister G is Ben Gundersheimer, who spent 20 years as a solo artist before transitioning to the family music scene. He skillfully leaps from rock to ska, bluegrass to bossa nova, and reggae to folk in an interactive and dynamic show that is a favorite of both kids and parents. Adults $9.75; Children $7.75

Japan Festival Boston - Haru Matsuri 2012 - Copley Square, Boston
Sunday 4/29

The festival was created to commemorate the Centennial of the original gift of cherry trees from Japan to Washington, DC in 1912. The Haru Matsuri will present a unique opportunity for Boston families and visitors to enjoy Japanese food and entertainment and to learn about Japanese culture in an entertaining environment. The day features 80 booths offering delicious foods and goods, games and activities typical to traditional Japanese festivals, as well as music and performances by local artists. FREE

Run of the Charles
Sunday, 4/29

New England’s largest canoe and kayak race includes 6, 9, and 19 mile races, a 24-mile, five-leg canoe relay race, and a 26-mile professional marathon.

The Annual Run of the Charles showcases the ongoing improvements in the Charles River, while drawing 1,500 paddlers and hundreds of spectators to enjoy a day on the river.

The afternoon Finish Line Festival features food, live music, awards, raffles and demonstrations. FREE