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Here Are the Things You Want To Do this Weekend in Boston: Ninja Festival, Maple Fun

Enjoy a guided walk around the sanctuary in search of beavers. Photo courtesy of Mass Audubon Stony Brook
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2/24/21 - By Caitlin Dowling

The weather is warming up and our calendar is filling up! From art to maple festivities to a ninja party, we've got an activity to please every little one this weekend. Kick off maple season by learning to tap a tree in Sharon or search for sap at Southborough's annual "Tap-a-Thon" instead. Keep the nature vibe going and master how to start a fire and forage foods at a ninja festival in Concord. Want to stay inside, away from the late-winter chill? Tune in on the radio and join in a graffiti art tour right from your car in Allston or heat up the kitchen baking up some unicorn cupcakes in Beverly.

For even more indoor fun to pass the time, be sure to check out our list of Boston museums and play spaces that have reopened, or sign kids up for a virtual program—we're excited about Science Through the Alphabet via Poppins @ Home. And make sure to check out our free February online events and classes. As always, keep tabs on our Boston events calendar for daily updates on local and virtual happenings. 

While we are trying to promote safer activities that occur outdoors or with social distancing guidelines in place, please keep your family and others safe by always wearing a mask and maintaining an appropriate distance. If you arrive at an event that appears too crowded, try using the “nearby” search feature on our events calendar to find something else to do. Note new travel restrictions for out-of-state events.

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Enjoy stories while you walk. Photo courtesy of StoryWalks
Enjoy stories while you walk. Photo courtesy of StoryWalks

Best Things To Do in Boston this Week with Kids

Night Hike and Owl Prowl For Families

Belmont—February 25 & 26
Experience the quiet, star-filled sanctuary at night and learn about local animals that are active at night and then head down the trails with a teacher naturalist to search for great-horned owls. READ MORE

Snow Moon Hike

Plymouth—February 26
Once dusk has settled over the marsh let the moon light your way for a hike! You will occasionally stop, look, and listen for creatures that awaken with the setting of the sun and will slow your pace and heighten your senses to experience the sanctuary under the cover of darkness.   READ MORE

Tap a Tree

Sharon—February 27
Nothing beats that first drip from a tap in a sugar maple tree, and nothing kicks off the season quite like hanging a bucket to capture the sap that will turn into maple syrup! READ MORE

Maple Tree Tap-A-Thon

Southborough—February 27
A ranger shows families how to identify maple trees on the farm and shares the history of tapping as visitors learn about how maple sap runs. READ MORE

Graffiti Car Tour for Parents

Allston—February 27
Go for a drive with your baby and enjoy an art tour from your car.  On this tour, you will visit and learn about several murals in the Allston-Brighton area and discuss street art and graffiti culture today.   READ MORE

Kids Paint Night

Hopedale—February 27
Drop your kids off and go relax for a few hours. Pricing includes a painting done by your child, pizza, dessert, and some gym play that is sure to have them exhausted and ready for bed!   READ MORE

Sunset Family Beaver Walk

Norfolk—February 27
Join a Mass Audubon Naturalist for a special evening program at Stony Brook: Sunset Beaver Walks! Learn all about this incredible species and the valuable role beavers play in wetland ecosystems. READ MORE

Make Unicorn Cupcakes

Beverly—February 27
Rainbows and sprinkles and cupcakes, oh my! You are invited on a fun-filled culinary adventure to whip up Unicorn Cupcakes complete with sparkle ear, a unicorn horn, and a rainbow mane.  READ MORE

Lincoln Winter Carnival

Lincoln—February 27
Gear up and take a hike on Lincoln’s many walking trails in search of the various animal sculptures hidden on trail and tour the ice sculptures displays. READ MORE

Maple Sugaring at the Boston Nature Center

Mattapan–February 27 & March 6
Drop in and experience the history of this New England tradition through tapping trees, hauling sap, and boiling it down to make syrup. READ MORE

Magical Unicorn Party

Billerica—February 27 & 28
Dress up in your favorite unicorn outfit for a magical party. All little unicorns will get a glitter nail manicure and fancy hair updo! You will also get to make a unicorn stuffed animal, listen to a unicorn story, & there will be lots of singing and dancing with the Unicorn Fairy.  READ MORE

Dino Terrariums

Boylston—February 28
Create your own prehistoric terrarium complete with a succulent and dinosaur friend. Get introduced to some of Tower Hill’s strangest plants and get up close and personal with succulent and cacti species in their tropical conservatories. READ MORE

Ninja Festival

Concord—February 28
Join in this fun festival of survival skills and nature sculptures. Your family will learn how to carve wood, escrima throwing, fire building skills and what yummy snacks you can find in the winter landscape.   READ MORE

Especially for Me

Acton—February 28 & March 7
Join the museum for this special, afternoon event for all previous Especially for Me families, as well as any family with a developmental disability. Play and explore in the Museum’s ADA-compliant, and universally designed exhibits.  READ MORE

Winter Walks at the Village

Sturbridge—Fridays-Sundays in February
Enjoy a peaceful winter walk around this early 19th-century village. See the farmers hard at work getting ready for the next season, say hello to farm animals and hop on a horse-drawn wagon for a ride throughout the museum. READ MORE

Aquarium After Dark

Boston—Fridays in February
Every Friday in October the Aquarium is keeping their doors open late for after dark visits. Spend an evening with the penguins, fish, sea lions, and (of course) Myrtle the Turtle.  READ MORE

Ice Castles

Lincoln, NH—Daily through February
Visit a castle made of ice. The experience is built using hundreds of thousands of icicles hand-placed by professional ice artists. The castles include LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, fountains and much more. READ MORE

Drive-In Theater at Revolution Hall

Lexington—Fridays through March 5
Come park, eat and watch! Grab tickets to these weekly drive-in screenings and catch some of your favorite hit movies like Soul, Inside Out, and Monsters Inc. READ MORE

Hike & Seek: Winter Wonderland

North Andover—Daily through March 8
Curious children are invited to discover their own magic in the woods with this outdoor self-guided program. Participants will be emailed an activity bundle to help them look for clues along the trail and work as a team to discover the tiny world beneath their feet and under their nose. READ MORE

Boston StoryWalks

Daily through March 12
The Boston Parks and Recreation Department teamed up with the Boston Public Library and the Highland Street Foundation to produce a series of StoryWalk installations in five different parks around the City. A fun way to read stories while enjoying the outdoors. READ MORE

Winter Fest

Harvard—Fridays-Sundays through March 21
Enjoy sledding runs down many wonderful hills. Go for a nature walk on the trails. See a human dog sled race. There is so much fun to be had for all ages in the winter woods!  READ MORE

Hot Chocolate Hike at Appleton Farms

Ipswich—Fridays-Sundays through March 28
Cozy up to a warm, delicious cup of cocoa after walking through the grounds of Appleton Farms. The farms have over 1,000 acres to explore before heading to the Farmhouse for a delicious treat. READ MORE

Maple Happenings

Ipswich—Saturdays & Sundays through March 28
Enjoy maple-flavored fun every weekend from late February through the end of March. The farm offers demonstrations of maple sugaring in the Sugar Shack, maple-centered strolls of the grounds, and Maple Breakfasts (March only), plus family maple syruping workshops each Saturday and Sunday. READ MORE

Weir River Farm Private Barnyard Tour

Hingham—Wednesdays through March 31
Bundle up and visit the barnyard with your family, educational group, or neighborhood pod to meet the ponies, sheep, chickens, goats, pigs, cows, and llama. Talk to a friendly guide and learn more about life on the farm. READ MORE
Maple Days - Learn how harvested maple sap is boiled down to create maple sugar. Photo courtesy of Old Sturbridge Village
Maple Days - Learn how harvested maple sap is boiled down to create maple sugar. Photo courtesy of Old Sturbridge Village

Best Things To Do in Boston in February and March with Kids

Maple Days at Old Sturbridge Village

Sturbridge—Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, March 5-29
The Village’s working sugar camp is up and running demonstrating maple sugaring as it was done in early 19th-century New England. See the entire sugar-making process, from tapping the trees to “sugaring off." READ MORE

The Princess Expo

Norwood—March 6
Be a princess for the day! Come dressed in your favorite princess attire and enjoy a magical day of Princess Pampering. Meet some of your favorite princesses and enjoy a sing-along and storytime.  READ MORE

Hike for Pizza!

Dover—March 6 & 13
Get outside and stretch your legs and enjoy a guided hike around the farm. Afterwards, enjoy homemade cheese pizza from the brick oven—you earned it! READ MORE

St. Patrick's Day Party

Billerica—March 14
At this St. Patty's day party you can get your hair done in a fancy updo with a green bow and glitter or get a spiked mohawk with green hair spray! Then, get a sparkly manicure or a temporary tattoo. READ MORE

Stargazing at Gore Place

Waltham —March 19
Calling all young astronomers—go stargazing with an expert astronomy educator at Gore Place. During this hour-long program, kids learn how to identify stars, planets, and constellations.  READ MORE

Art Car Tour for Parents: Dedham

Dedham—March 20
Enjoy an art tour—from your car! Calling all history lovers, public art enthusiasts, and ghost story fans. On this tour, you will visit some historical Dedham sites as well as some hidden gems. READ MORE

Spring Equinox Celebration at Powisset

Dover—March 20
The farm is waking up! Celebrate the spring equinox at Powisset Farm. Enjoy seedling planting, hike to the vernal pools, read the StoryWalk along the way, and enjoy farm-fresh pizza from their brick-oven.  READ MORE
Let off some steam at an indoor play space. Photo courtesy of Boston Playground
Let off some steam at an indoor play space. Photo courtesy of Boston Playground

More Things to Do in Boston in March

What's Open in Boston for Kids Right Now

Yes, the pandemic is dragging on, but Boston businesses are finding creative ways to keep kids and families busy and entertained—safely! These Boston museums and play spaces are progressively (and carefully) reopening. READ MORE

10 Places to Snowshoe with Kids Near Boston

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Igloos, Yurts, and Cozy Cabins: Fun Boston Outdoor Restaurants for Winter Family Dining

Eating in one of these cool or cozy spaces will be a special treat for kids. READ MORE

Winter Day Trips from Boston for families

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Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Boston for Kids and Families

Boston's favorite outdoor skating rinks are back for more winter fun! READ MORE

Indoor Ice Skating Rinks for Boston Kids and Families

Lace 'em up and mask up: Indoor public skating is back! READ MORE

Best Snow Tubing Near Boston for Families

Find amazing snow tubing within driving distance from Boston! READ MORE

Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Boston

Find all-weather fun at these indoor play spaces and playgrounds. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary
Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary
Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary
Lincoln Land Conservation Trust
New England Aquarium
The Stevens-Coolidge Place
Jack Kirrane Ice Skating Rink at Larz Anderson Park
DCR Emmons Horrigan O'Neil Memorial Rink