Caitlin Dowling

Latest posts by Caitlin Dowling

13 Free Things to Do with Boston Kids in January

Submitted by Caitlin Dowling on Sun, 12/29/2019 - 6:00pm

The thrills and cocoa are free at Danehy Park on January 4th! Photo courtesy of Danehy Park

While you may be celebrating that you made it through the holidays (and another year of parenting), you might feel a little less victorious about the state of the family budget. To save a few bucks after a spendy December and still keep the brood busy, check out these no-cost events and activities for January. From a day o f art and theater to a complimentary afternoon at the zoo, these events are almost too good to be free!

For more low-cost family activity ideas, see our Boston winter fun guide.

Living Shores: New Interactive Aquarium Opens Next to Story Land

Submitted by Caitlin Dowling on Thu, 11/07/2019 - 8:46pm

There are four tidal pools for kids to explore. Photos courtesy of Living Shores Aquarium

Attention, ocean and animal lovers: New Hampshire now has its own aquarium! Boasting 32,000 square feet of tide pools and hands-on exhibits, newly opened Living Shores differentiates itself from other aquariums by offering more opportunities to interact with sea life. Plus, it's next door to Story Land amusement park, so you can plan a trip to Living Shores as a standalone winter escape or a counterpart to an amusement park visit in the warmer months.

For days when you want to marvel at underwater worlds but can't make it all the way to New Hampshire, The New England Aquarium is one of our favorite attractions closer to home.

Bigger, Better Launch Opens in Framingham: Trampolines, Ninja Obstacle Course, Laser Tag, and More

Submitted by Caitlin Dowling on Mon, 11/04/2019 - 7:52pm

A ninja obstacle course is a special feature at the new-and-improved Launch parks.

Big news for little Boston bouncers: There's a new indoor play area on the block! Launch Entertainment and Action Park just opened in Metrowest Boston, and it's a bigger, better version of other local Launch trampoline parks (which are planning expansions of their own to follow suit). Covering over 21,000 square feet in Framingham, this new-look Launch features a ninja obstacle course, laser tag, a "battle beam" arena, an indoor zipline, and a real restaurant—all along with their signature wall-to-wall trampoline fun. We got the inside scoop on this foam-filled fun zone, which is taking reservation for indoor birthday parties, too.

Sensory-Friendly Hours at Museums, Zoos, and Attractions for Kids with Special Needs around Boston

Submitted by Caitlin Dowling on Thu, 10/31/2019 - 8:47pm

Discover the Latch Wall in the Brain Building Together space for 0-3 year olds. Photo courtesy of Discovery Museum

While Boston has many kid-friendly museums and attractions, crowds and noises at these busy spots can sometimes overwhelm children with autism and sensory sensitivities. Many museums, zoos, and aquariums are working to change that, and are developing sensory-friendly hours, exhibit adaptations, and programs for these children. Here are places in the Boston area where highly sensitive or special-needs children can better enjoy enriching nature, science, animals, and the arts. For more inclusive fun, check out a list of special needs kids' classes and our favorite accessible playgrounds.

Drop-In Childcare and Date-Night Sitters for Boston-Area Families

Submitted by Caitlin Dowling on Sun, 10/20/2019 - 6:42pm

Friday night can be fun for kids and grownups! Photo courtesy of Little Gym Boston

Ever find yourself feverishly working your way through your babysitter Rolodex to find that not even one is available? Whether it's a last-minute work commitment, a random appointment, or a spontaneous date night after one of "those" weeks, a great Boston-area caregiver is available. From drop-in childcare to drop-off gym parties, these sitter services will save the day (or night)!

Don't have somewhere you have to be but need a moment to yourself? Check out these Boston area gyms that offer childcare while you break a sweat!

Top 10 Things To Do at the EcoTarium, the Interactive Science Museum for Kids Near Boston

Submitted by Caitlin Dowling on Tue, 10/15/2019 - 8:48pm

The EcoTarium encourages kids to make their own scientific discoveries. Photo courtesy of the EcoTarium

Spoiled as we are by world-class museums in Boston, it can be easy to overlook smaller, suburban spots like the EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature in Worcester, MA. But a recent visit to the EcoTarium proved that this unique science museum belongs on every Massachusetts parent's must-visit list. Just a short drive from Boston, the museum offers both indoor and outdoor activities, including interactive exhibits, live animal habitats, nature trails, and more. It's ideal for a day trip, but if you have limited time, we'd recommend hitting these 10 exhibits—plus one bonus seasonal activity (think: bubbles!)

Got super curious kids? Check out our guides to the Museum of Science, Boston Children's Museum, Discovery Museums of Acton, and more in our Boston Museums Guide.

20 Fun Fall Activities for Preschoolers in the Boston Area

Submitted by Caitlin Dowling on Sun, 09/08/2019 - 5:00pm

Connors Farm has apples, corn mazes, and ride-ons among the haystacks!

So many fall traditions in Boston and Massachusetts seem tailor-made for preschoolers: Who better to upend a freshly raked leaf pile or run around a pumpkin patch long enough to find that perfect Jack-O-Lantern? From events like the Topsfield Fair and Frog Pond Pumpkin Float to annual favorites like apple picking and corn mazes, we've rounded up twenty of the best ways to have some big fall adventures with little companions this fall. And if you have even tinier tykes, check out our fall fun guide—toddler edition!

8 Great Full Day or Extended Day Preschools in or Near Boston

Submitted by Caitlin Dowling on Sun, 08/11/2019 - 9:00am

Preschoolers can stay just for the morning or for a full day at Cambridge Montessori. Photo courtesy of Cambridge Montessori School

Finding a preschool that fits your family is a huge undertaking: From Montessori programs to bilingual preschools, there are many nursery school and pre-K options in the Boston and greater Boston area. For many families, a key feature of a preschool is a full-day schedule. So we've rounded up some popular, parent-approved schools in the Boston area, from the city to Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville, that have full-day programs or widely-used extended-day options. More time in a super school can mean peace of mind for busy parents, not to mention extra learning and social time for your budding student.