The Art & Nature Center's Greatest Hits - Peabody Essex Museum, Salem
Thu-Sat 12/29-12/31

Each year, the PEM brings back its most popular interactive stations and games from past Art & Nature Center shows. Kids will find the Aeolian Landscape wind machine, the Two View Puzzle, Nature Watch challenge, Wood in Art magnetic collage panel and many more hands-on activities to explore.

First Night - Boston
Sat, 12/31

Of course, the biggest thing going on is Boston’s First Night, the country’s oldest and largest New Year’s Eve arts festival. $18 buttons provide access to hundreds of performances and exhibits at indoor and outdoor venues in downtown Boston. The FedEx Family Festival, at the Hynes Convention Center, is packed with kid-centric events from 1pm to 6pm: performances by Little Groove, Ellis Paul, Improv Boston, Boston Children’s Theatre, Magpie Puppets, Tanglewood Marionettes; crafts, dance, and circus arts workshops; anime films, magic shows, and more. Read our post for more details about First Night Boston.

Bessie’s New Year’s Eve PJ Dance Party - Discovery Museums, Acton
Sat 12/31

Shake, rattle, and roll into the New Year with Bessie, dinosaur mascot of The Discovery Museums, and create party hats and noisemakers and dance to popular kids’ music. Museum staff is dressed in their pajamas - they hope kids are, too! Free with admission.

Happy Noon Year! - Boston Children’s Museum, Boston
Sat 12/31

Why wait until midnight to welcome 2012? Start your celebration with costumes and decorations and join the museum folk as they count down to the “Noon” year. Free with admission. Plus, free admission from 10am-12n with your First Night buttons.

The Velveteen Rabbit - Puppet Showplace Theatre, Brookline
Sat-Mon 12/31-1/2

Margery Williams’ classic tale comes to life in Applause Unlimited’s production, with hand puppets, storytelling, and song.

First Day Hikes - Blue Hills, Milton
Sun, 1/1

Join the DCR and The Friends of the Blue Hills for the 21st Annual First Day Hikes event. The afternoon starts with free hot soup or hot chocolate and cookies around the fire, followed by scenic one- to two-hour hikes for all ability levels led by DCR Park Rangers and FBH volunteers. Dress warmly and wear sturdy hiking boots for all hikes. Traction recommended if there is snow and you plan on hiking in the hills.