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

9 Polar Express and Christmas Train Rides for Kids Near Boston

Submitted by Tara D on Fri, 10/11/2019 - 6:46pm

What is it about trains and Christmas? The two have become inextricably linked—especially since The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg's glorious picture book about the magic of Christmas, captured kids' hearts and imaginations. During the holiday season, train rides complete with hot chocolate and visits from Santa bring Christmas stories like The Polar Express to life..for all who believe, of course.

Lucky for us, we have plenty of delightful train ride options in driving distance from Boston, from cozy, seaside New England journeys to 4-D movie experiences that feel like a real locomotive ride, right down to the sounds, sights, and even smells. Like other hot holiday shows, teas, and events that tend to sell out, seats on most of these trains fill up fast, so we recommend getting your golden tickets now.

Just-Spooky-Enough Haunted Houses and Halloween Attractions for Boston Kids

Submitted by Tara D on Mon, 10/07/2019 - 12:00pm

Halloween is a holiday that everyone from toddlers to grandparents can enjoy, and there's no shortage of parades, events, and parties in the Boston area. But while there are plenty of sweet Halloween activities for preschoolers as well as terrifying haunted theme parks for 'tweens and teens, it can be hard to find Halloween activities that can feel suitably exciting (but not terrifying) for the elementary-school set. Here are local activities that will thrill kids ages 6 to 12 without scaring the pants off of them. Happy haunting!

Best Halloween Activities for Boston Preschoolers and Toddlers

Submitted by Tara D on Sun, 10/06/2019 - 11:08am

For little kids, Halloween is usually more about the treats than the tricks. The excitement is in getting dressed up for a costume parade, making decorations, and hitting the trick-or-treat trail with a pillowcase or pumpkin bucket in hand.

For fun, not-so-scary Halloween happenings in and around Boston this month, read on. While big brothers and sisters may want to be spooked (or even scared silly), these activities are for kids and families who just want the Halloween festivities to be sweet.

October GoList: Best Things To Do with Kids in Boston

Submitted by Tara D on Sun, 09/29/2019 - 8:00am

October in Boston is the greatest. In addition to fall fun like pumpkin picking and the excitement of Halloween, there are country fairs, festivals, special events, and performances galore. Opportunities for families to enjoy the fall foliage during special day or weekend trips are bountiful (and so are the pick-your-own apples at local farms!). Narrowing down our favorite things to do with kids in October is tricky, but here are our top 10 picks; and don't forget to look at our guide to all-free October family activities, too.

Halloween Thrills and Chills: Haunted Theme Parks Near Boston

Submitted by Tara D on Sat, 09/21/2019 - 2:20pm

Sure, a haunted trail is spooky, a nighttime hayride is eerie, and a haunted castle is even better. However, if your kids have been there and done that, they might be looking for a more extreme adventure this Halloween. New England’s theme parks, including the eerie new Ravenwood Haunted Farm north of the city, go all out for the most frightful holiday, mixing the thrills of the rides with chilling theatrics and special effects. Too scary? No worries: Our Halloween Guide is packed with seasonal parades, crafts, and other activities that are just plain fun.

Pumpkin Festivals and Jack-O-Lantern Displays for New England Families

Submitted by Tara D on Sun, 09/15/2019 - 8:00pm

New England is brimming with fall festivals, but kids are particularly enamored with events celebrating the humble pumpkin: the symbol of autumn and Halloween. Whether you stick close to home or make a day or weekend trip out of it, going to a pumpkin festival or visiting a glowing jack-o'-lantern display is a fun, family-friendly way to get into the spirit of the season. Here's a sampling of pumpkin fun in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine over the next month. Get inspired for a trip to the pumpkin patch for a jack-o'-lantern display on your own front porch!

Corn Mazes Near Boston With Fun Extras Like Zip Lines, Playgrounds, and Rides

Submitted by Tara D on Fri, 09/06/2019 - 12:16pm

Larger-than-life corn mazes offer families the challenge of working through a tricky puzzle together, all while enjoying New England's crisp fall weather. Add exciting play areas, hayrides, pumpkin patches, and quirky country games (like apple and pumpkin blasters), and a corn maze outing becomes one of our favorite fall activities. Here are some of the Boston area's best corn mazes for an outdoor autumn adventure.

September GoList: Top Things to Do with Kids in Boston

Submitted by Tara D on Fri, 08/30/2019 - 10:00am

September is so bittersweet: Carefree summer is in the rearview mirror, but there's the promise of fun fall activities ahead. Luckily in Boston, we enjoy temperate weather all month long that's perfect for spending outdoors at a festival, getting out on the water, watching giant kinetic sculptures in action, and singing farewell to summer.

Mark your calendar with these kid-friendly picks as well as our favorite free September activities, because you won't want to miss any of this month's spectacular lineup of events for Boston families.

Tara D

Tara D

Latest posts by Tara

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