Contests
Sign up for the Wicked Local Parents
Fall Things To Do Guide
By Maria T. Olia
10 Fun Things For Grandparents & Grandkids to Do Together
The Massachusetts Audubon Society
Sanctuaries throughout the state.
1-800-AUDUBON OR 781-259-9500
www.massaudubon.org
Fall is a wonderful time for grandparents and grandchildren to take a walk in the woods. Audubon trails are known for their mostly flat, well-maintained, and marked walks and most of the sanctuaries have an easy looping path among their trails .There are more than 45 Audubon wild life sanctuaries located throughout the state, all are open year-round, and many sanctuaries also have a nature center with exhibits and programs for families.
The Boston Seaport Hotel (Boston)
200 Seaport Blvd., Boston
617 -385-4000
Grandparents Getaway Package: From $269 per room/per night
Borrow the grandkids for a Boston get-away. The Boston Seaport Hotel offers a “Grandparents Package” that includes an overnight weekend night stay, milk and cookies upon arrival, tickets to the Children’s Museum and continental breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children.
The Children’s Museum (Boston) art:
300 Congress St., Boston
617-426-6500
Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
$10 Adults, $8 seniors and children ages 2-15, $2 children, free children under age 1.
$1 admission for all Friday evening 5 to 9 p.m.
Enjoy messy fun at the Art Studio, make a take-home wood project at Johnny’s Workbench, and create giant soap bubbles in the Science Playground. Grandparents may be interested in the newest special exhibit “Children of Hangzhou: Connecting With China”. Two of the exhibit’s components examine the special role of grandparents in Chinese culture. See how a Chinese boy helps cook a birthday meal for grandmother & a girl helps plant rice seedlings with her grandfather.
John F. Kennedy Library and Museum (Boston)
Columbia Point, Boston
617-514-1600
Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$10 Adults, $8 seniors and students, $7 ages 13-17, Free ages 12 and under
The legacy of John F. Kennedy still endures for many of today’s grandparents. Located in a striking glass and concrete building overlooking Dorchester Bay, this is the official library of our 35th president. The introductory film — a memoir of Kennedy’s early life— is narrated by Kennedy himself. Other exhibits chronicle the events that defined the Kennedy presidency. The special exhibit “Jacqueline Kennedy Entertains” (now through April 2009) has a fun family guide just for kids.
Artbeat: The Creativity Store (Greater Boston and South) REQUEST PHOTO
212-A Massachusetts Ave.
Arlington, MA 02474
9 Summer Street
Franklin, MA 02038
Artbeat is a creative resource for families, offering exceptional art supplies, gifts and toys that inspire creative expression, and a walk-in studio WALK-IN STUDIO for guided creative play with mosaics, special paints, and papers.
Plimoth Plantation (South)
137 Warren Ave., Plymouth
508-746-1622
Daily March 22-November 30 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
$24 Adults, $14 ages 6-12, $22 seniors, free for children ages 5 and under.
If Grandma and Grandpa are coming to visit from out-of-state for Thanksgiving, a “pilgrimage” to Plimoth Plantation is a wonderful way to immerse the family in New England colonial history. Travel back in time at Plimoth Plantation, a living history museum .Wander through the English village where costumed role players tell their story of 1627 colony life.
The Exchange at the Wenham Tea House (North)
4 Monument St., Wenham
978-468-1398
Tea with Grandma is a special event. A local favorite, the Wenham Tea House is the country’s oldest continually running tea house. There are daily full and light tea options for adults and children. Dainty cream cheese and jam sandwiches for the kids, scones and clotted cream for the adults. Delightful!
The American Textile History Museum (North)
491 Sutton St., Lowell
978-441-0400
Thursday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
$8 adults, $6 seniors and children, children under age 6 are free.
Many of the textile arts like quilting, knitting, and embroidery have been taught from grandmother to granddaughter. Perhaps because grandmothers have more patient than Moms! Devoted entirely to the textile arts, the American Textile History Museum is scheduled to reopen after major renovations this fall. The new interactive exhibit “The Textile Revolution: An Exploration Through Space and Time” is of the textile arts from New England colonial times to the present.
Hebert’s Candy Mansion (West)
575 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury
508-845-8051
Daily 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
It is easy to spoil the grandkids at the Hebert Candy Mansion. The Tudor stone mansion is an amazing backdrop as the main retail outlet for Hebert’s Candy - definitely get their small batch handmade fudge. Then indulge the grandkids at Hebert’s legendary “make your own” sundae bar with 17 different toppings and 15 flavors of ice cream.
The Sky Ride at Wachusett Mountain (West)
499 Mountain Rd., Princeton
978-464-2300
Weekends and Labor Day Monday and Columbus Day Monday.
$7 adults, $5 ages 6-12
See the brilliant colors of New England’s fall foliage from a different perspective. The Sky Ride to the top of Wachusett Mountain is a family favorite .The easy ride to the summit on a 4 passenger chairlift will reward you with a spectacular 360 degree view of the surrounding countryside.
Five Things To Do With Your Younger Kids When the “Big Kids” Are In School
Infants and toddlers left behind should have fun this fall too! Here are five things to do while big brother or big sister is in school. Bonus: plan to take your toddler to one of these activities just after school drop and you just may be able to get your little one to have an afternoon nap!
Gymboree
Locations in Acton, Andover, Burlington, Canton, Framingham, Medfield, Newton, Norwell, Peabody, Pembroke, Plainville, Plymouth, Quincy and Westboro.
September is a great month to sign up for a “Mom and me-type” class. For more than 30 years, Gymboree has been a leader in programs for young children from newborn to age 5 that encourage developmentally appropriate activities for children that encourage parental involvement. You can sign –up on-line and try a class for free at a location near you.
The Tot Plex (South)
5 Carver Circle, Canton
The indoor place where infants to 6-year-olds can play with climbers, slides, playhouses and bounce on full sized moonwalks. Open House is Saturday, Sept. 6. Enrollment for classes begin the week of Sept. 8. The Mom’s and Dad’s Guide Kids Expo is Oct. 18.
Children’s Music Hour at Finagle- A- Bagel Restaurants
Children’s Music at Waylaid, Burlington, Brookline, Swampscott, Chestnut Hill, Norwell, Newton, Needham, and West Roxbury
Free
A bagel and coffee for you, a bagel and apple juice for your preschooler. Watch the famous Fingale-A-Bagle “buzz-saw” perfectly slice your bagels and chill while you listen to popular local kid’s music entertainers perform original and classic children’s songs. Check the website to confirm performance times.
Emerson Umbrella Center for the Arts (West)
40 Stow St., Concord
978-371-0820
Movies for Moms Series Beginning September 13, Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Requested Donation $3, concessions $1
Get out of the house! This series of Thursday morning films are an ideal way for Moms with infants to meet other new parents. Movies are screened in a carpeted room with flexible seating- a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy the film, nurse, or change a diaper. The movies are “by mother’s request” – lots of great “chick flicks!”
Imajinethat (North)
354 Merrimack St., Lawrence
978-682-5338
Monday-Wednesday 9 a.m.-5p.m.
Thursday-Friday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Saturday- Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
$8.95 ages 3 and up, $6.95 toddlers ages 1 and 2, $2.95 babies age 1 and under, $1.00 per parent. Multi-visit packs available too.
Located in an historic mill building, Imajinethat is a huge 12,000 square foot open indoor play space that is divided into creative themed areas such as a moon bounce, a pirate ship, a play grocery store, and a soft play infant room. There are daily staff-led story telling and music activities scheduled throughout the week and a café with healthy snack options for Moms and kids.
Let’s Go Apple Picking! Top Ten Apple Orchards in Massachusetts
For fun by the bushel, an outing to an apple orchard can’t be beat. Here is a list of ten of the best family-friendly u-pick apple farms in the state. But before you go, make sure you call ahead to confirm conditions - weather and heavy picking can affect hours and crops.
West
Tougas Family Farm
234 Ball St., Northboro
508-393-6406
Call for Days and Hours
Over the years, Tougas has switched to dwarf trees which are ideal for family picking. There is a large barnyard area where you can feed the goats, sheep and chickens (bring quarters!), free tractor –pulled hayrides on weekends, a playground , and a farm kitchen which sells homemade (and well-priced) pies, donuts and ice cream.
Belkin Lookout Farm – REQUESTED PHOTO
Rt. 16, South Natick
508-653-0653
Farm Admission: $8 + cost of the fruit
Daily 10 a.m.-5p.m.
Begin your visit by taking the train tram ride to the orchards. There are 11 varieties of apples during the u-pick season. Belkin Lookout Farm is also well-known for its pick-your-own Sweet Asian pears. Head over to the children’s play area which includes a burlap maze, a playground and pony rides too. There are not one-but two petting zoos and a bee observatory. Pick up organic groceries and more at Lookout Farm’s expansive farm market.
Nashoba Valley Winery
100 Wattaquadock Hill Rd., Bolton
978-779-5521
U-pick Hours: Daily 10 a.m.-5p.m.
This is a picture perfect orchard for pick-your-own apples with mature trees and rolling hills. There are tables for your picnic. But the real attraction for parents are the winery tours and tastings. Nashoba produces more than 20 unique fruit wines such as Baldwin Apple Wine and Blueberry Merlot. Winery tours take place on Saturday and Sunday, cost $6 for adults (free for kids) and includes four tastings.
Honeypot Orchards
144 Sudbury Rd., Stow
978-562-5666
U –pick Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
There are 12 varieties of apples available during the u-pick season. There are weekend tractor hayrides and barnyard animals. The Appleshop sells caramel apples, cider donuts and apple pies. The Hedge Maze is unique to Honeypot – kids and adults love the challenge of finding their way through this replica of Britain’s famous “Hampden Court”
Carver Hill
Brookside Ave., Stow
978-897-6117
U-pick Hours: Daily 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. September and October
A small, traditional, working orchard. Carver Hill attracts a lot of families who are looking for a low-key apple picking experience. This year there will be 6-7 varieties of pick-your-own apples. On weekends, take a tractor-pulled wagon ride around the farm. Walk the orchards- the property abuts town forest and a small pond. The farm store stocks apples, produce, and everyone’s favorite treat- ice cream!
North
Cider Hill Farm
45 Fern Ave., Amesbury
978-388-5525
U-pick Hours: Daily 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Cider Hill’s line-up of pick-your-own apples is impressive- there are more than 50 varieties! On weekends there are hay rides and two very popular mazes. The little ones will enjoy visiting the sheep and chickens. The cider here is award-winning and the still-warm cider donuts are the best around. Don’t leave without sampling both! The farm stand is housed in an authentic dairy barn and stocked with gourmet foods and produce harvested straight from the fields out back.
Russell Orchards
143 Argilla Rd., Ipswich
978-356-5366
U-pick Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
In addition to 25 varieties of apples for you to pick, this apple farm offers a bakery/farmstand that sells yummy cider donuts, pies, and scones along with their own and local produce. There are hayrides on the weekends. Kids can watch cider being made on the premises on Saturdays. The Saturday fall music series is a Russell Orchard tradition.
Smolak Farms
315 South Bradford St., North Andover
978-682-6332
U-pick Hours: Call for days and hours
During the fall, Smolak offers a good mix of old, antique and modern apples for picking. Weekend hayrides begin at the pond and end at the barn where kids can say hello to the farm animals. There is a playground too. During the weekends there are pony rides, musical entertainment, and children’s crafts. The Smolak bakery makes amazing apple cider donuts and delectable pies. Local favorite Treadwell’s ice cream is sold at the ice cream stand.
Brooksby Farms
38 Felton St., Peabody
978-531-7456
www.essexheritage.org/sites/brooksby_farm.shtml
U-pick Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
A 275 -acre property that is managed by the city of Peabody. Brooksby Farm has everything you need for a fun family day in the orchards. There are lots of pick –your- own apples, a pumpkin patch, weekend hayrides, and a petting zoo. There is also a wonderful farm stand which sells baked goods, ice cream and farm produce.
South
CN Smith Farm
325 South St., East Bridgewater
508-378-2270
U-pick Hours: Thursday -Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
At CN Smith Farm, you can pick your own apples from many delicious varieties. Kids can also choose their perfect Halloween pumpkin direct from the field or from the pile. There are weekend hayrides to the fields. New for 2008 - an improved animal area for the farm’s goats, chickens, and turkeys. There is a farm stand and an on-site cider mill that presses the farm’s own fresh apple cider.
Maria Olia is a writer who lives in Newton and is the mother of three sons and daughter. Her blog “Fun To Go” can be found here: http://www.wickedlocalparents.com/funtogo/
