Tara D

Tara constantly seeks out opportunities for enrichment and exploration with her kids. When she started writing about it as the Boston Community Ambassador for Ziptivity.com, she discovered a passion for sharing her unique finds with parents, helping to make their lives a little easier and a lot more fun. Her work, which has been highlighted by Huffington Post, can be seen nationally across the Mommy Poppins sites and on Appalachian Mountain Club's Kids Outdoors blog.

Latest posts by Tara

14 Outdoor Water Parks in New England

Submitted by Tara D on Tue, 07/28/2020 - 3:05pm

In just a few hours time, families in Massachusetts and Connecticut can drive to some exciting outdoor water parks for a wet and wild adventure with kids. Although there's no shortage of big slides at these water parks, you don't have to be a daredevil (or of a certain height) to enjoy yourself. There are wave pools, family raft rides, lazy rivers, and mini slides for little ones. Some of our favorite water parks are small, family-run parks with just a few slides, and others are part of a larger theme park, but they all offer plenty of chances to get completely soaked.

Read on to see what outdoor water parks are open in the summer of 2020. To cool off closer to home, Massachusetts and Connecticut families can day trip it to these Boston-area spraygrounds and splash pads, Hartford-area spraygrounds and splash-pads, or New Haven and Fairfield-area spraygrounds and splash pads.

25 Summer Day Trips for Boston Kids and Families

Submitted by Tara D on Wed, 07/08/2020 - 12:30pm

Summer is short, but the days can often feel endless, especially in a year without camps and trips to fill the calendar. A day trip to a cool locale in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Maine can often be the perfect diversion to break up a long week, with minimal time (and financial) commitment. Here are 25, fun-packed towns Boston families can reach in under two hours from city limits—and return home in the evening to their own beds.

Have just a morning or afternoon to kill? Here are some quick and easy outings you can do while staycationing around Boston this summer.

Summer Theater Camps for Boston Kids

Submitted by Tara D on Mon, 04/20/2020 - 10:19am

Being part of a stage production encourages kids to be creative, gain confidence, and learn the value of teamwork. All over the Boston area and in surrounding Massachusetts towns, there are theater-based summer camps designed to help kids from preschool through high school spend their summer days learning skills of acting, directing, and production.

If you are looking for an overnight camp experience or a different type of day camp, take a look around our Boston Summer Camps Guide.

30 Spring Activities We Can't Wait to Do With Kids around Boston

Submitted by Tara D on Sun, 03/01/2020 - 8:00pm

We're always delighted to welcome spring to Boston. It's the season when everything comes alive and each day brings a small and wonderful surprise. The city's green spaces are vibrant centers of color and activity, and it's the perfect time to get outdoors with the kids to reconnect with nature or celebrate at a fair or festival. Here are our picks for Boston's best activities for families in springtime.

For even more ideas for making the most of the season, check out our Boston spring fun guide.

March GoList - Best Things to Do with Kids in Boston

Submitted by Tara D on Sun, 02/23/2020 - 7:31pm

March is a month of celebrations, so lets celebrate! From St. Patrick's Day to maple sugaring festivals, there are tons of family-friendly festivities happening all around town this month. As winter gives way to spring, lots annual favorites like the Boston Flower and Garden Show and Revels Spring Sing are also popping up on the calendar. For a full list of ways to have family fun during winter's last hurrah, check out all of our picks below.

Maple Sugaring with Boston Kids: Maple Syrup Festivals, Sugar House Tours in Massachusetts

Submitted by Tara D on Fri, 02/21/2020 - 11:00am

One of the sweetest things about living in New England is being able to experience maple sugaring firsthand. Bostonians don’t have to go very far to enjoy maple sugar festivals, take tours of farms, watch sap being boiled down in sugar houses, or learn to tap maple trees. Of course, the best part is tasting the final product – in syrup poured over pancakes, as candies, and even in hot dogs. Celebrate maple sugaring season with special events and visits to these local maple farms.

Indoor Gardens Where Boston Kids and Families Can Escape Winter

Submitted by Tara D on Sun, 02/09/2020 - 8:00pm

Could your family use an escape from the New England chill? A warm, green space is closer than you may think. Several fabulous indoor gardens around Boston keep their greenhouse and atrium doors open throughout the winter. With controlled balmy temperatures—be sure to bring a bag for stashing ski jackets!—these sunlit spaces feature exotic plants and animals as well as plenty of space for children for roam, discover, and daydream.

For more ideas for keeping kids busy on the coldest or wettest days, check out our Boston indoor fun guide.

9 Drop-In Indoor Playgrounds Where Boston Kids Can Get Their Energy Out

Submitted by Tara D on Fri, 02/07/2020 - 9:00am

As temperatures hover around freezing and even trusty toys are getting tiresome, every parent is looking for fun winter activities that can help kids expend energy and get their sillies out indoors. Here are some of our favorite indoor play spaces where little and big kids can slide, climb, dodge, play pretend, and make friends—just as they might on their favorite outdoor playgrounds. Most are a drive outside city limits, but all have lots enough space and options for high-energy fun to make a day trip feel well worth it.

Looking for more ways to play inside? Try out a ninja warrior course or make a splash at an indoor pool. Our Boston Indoor Fun Guide is packed with even more ideas to making the most of cold or wet days.

Tara D

Tara D

Latest posts by Tara

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