Check out this list of favorite books for Black History Month (and anytime!) from Reading Rockets. Some describe different histories while others show the joys and challenges that are shared by all children as they learn and grow.
family-friendly fun in massachusetts
Author:
one tough job
Family events happening across the state
BOSTON METRO
Event: Boston Public Market
Date: Saturday, February 10
Location: 100 Hanover Street at Haymarket Station, Boston MA
Website: https://bostoncentral.com/events/boston-public-market/p43105.php
Time: 8AM- 8PM
Description: Locally-sourced yearlong market in the nation, houses over 37 permanent vendors, runs hands-on training out of a demo kitchen, and offers free and low-cost fitness programming.
The children's area features stuffed animals, books, crayons, and kid-friendly furniture. And unique designs of Lobstah Rockah furniture can be found throughout the market.
Source: Boston Central
Event: Sledding in the Boston Area
Date: January 1-March 1
Location: Massachusetts
Website: https://bostoncentral.com/events/ice/p18867.php
Description: Sample some of the top sledding choices in the Boston area. And hold on tight!
- Flagstaff Hill on Boston Common (near the baseball diamond)
- The Bowl in Boston next to Jamaica Pond
- Larz Anderson Park in Brookline which offers both huge and more modest hills and parking.
- Weld Hill at Arnold Arboretum, corner of Walter and South streets in Roslindale with parking on South street and various side streets.
- Cory Hill Park in Brookline
- Dorchester Park off Adams Street in Dorchester
- Spy Pond Park in Arlington
- Oakley Country Club in Belmont
- Prospect Hill Park in Waltham which features some long runs.
- Tufts in Medford. A nice hill in the back of the school.
Source: Boston Central
Event: PJ Library Books and Blocks Drop-In Playgroup
Date: Friday, February 9
Location: 145 Hartford Street, Natick MA 01760
Website: https://bostoncentral.com/events/parent/p51042.php
Description: Calling all little-ones ages 0-5. Come with your caregivers to our FREE FRIDAY
drop-in program where you will sing, play, bounce, and giggle!
We will have baby and toddler friendly activities and snacks, as both the children and their
grown-ups build connections and lasting friendships.
Source: Boston Central
NORTHEAST
Event: XYZT: A journey in 4 Dimensions at PEM – Salem
Date: Exhibiting until April 22
Time: 9:30- 10:30AM
Location: Peabody Essex Museum
Website: http://www.northshorekid.com/event/xyzt-journey-4-dimensions-pem-salem
Description: XYZT is an immersive art exhibition comprised of 10 interactive virtual environments generated using math and physics models. In a darkened gallery, guests use their own movement and gestures to interact with light in a series of digital landscapes inspired by nature. Specific sensations, such as walking in the grass or putting your hands into the sand, are transposed into abstract, sensory encounters with lines, dots and letters.
Source: Northshore Kids
Event: Robots and Beyond
Date: Friday-Sunday, February 9-10
Time: 10:00AM- 5PM
Website: http://www.northshorekid.com/event/robots-and-beyond-exploring-artificial-intelligence-mit
Description: The world’s first AI research group began at MIT in 1959. Today the Computer Science and AI Lab, CSAIL, is the largest laboratory on campus. Robots and Beyond is a behind-the-scenes look at the inventive concepts and processes that lead MIT’s AI labs to great contributions in areas including medicine, underwater exploration, and entertainment.
Learn about tele-operated surgical robots, robotic legs, and socially intelligent humanoid robots that interact with their environments in human-like ways. See prototypes and other media that trace the evolution of some of MIT’s resident robots, including Kismet, Cog, and RoboTuna.
Source: Northshore Kids
Event: Beverly Library LEGO Club
Date: Friday, February 9
Time: 3:30-4:30PM
Website: http://www.northshorekid.com/event/beverly-library-lego-club
Description: Beverly Library's LEGO Club meets monthly. The club is for children in grades PreK-5. Registration is required each month. For more info call the Children’s Room at 978-921-6062.
We are also still accepting donations of LEGOs (no Duplos please).
Friends of the Beverly Library sponsor this program
- For children aged PreK-5
Source: Northshore Kids
Event: CAM Kids Second Saturdays
Date: Saturday, February 10
Time: 10-NOON
Location: Cape Ann Museum
Website: http://www.northshorekid.com/event/cam-kids-second-saturdays
Description: The second Saturday of every month is free for families with school-aged children. Families are invited to the Activity Center to participate in art, history, and cultural activities, and explore the museum using a Seek and Find. Each month has a different theme, from exhibitions to special celebrations.
Source: Northshore Kids
METROWEST
Event: Family Playgroup
Date: Friday, February 9
Location: 77 Nason Street, Maynard MA 01754
Website: https://bostoncentral.com/events/parent/p45218.php
Description: The Maynard Family Network is excited to offer two playgroups this year. Children ages 0-4 are welcome at our weekly Play Time!
From mid-October through April the Maynard Family Network Playgroup is held indoors at the Boys and Girls Club of Assabet Valley to let kids let off steam with free play while parents socialize. Bring toys, soft balls and small riding toys to share! (Please no toy weapons) During warm months, playgroup meets informally at local playgrounds and back yards.
New Baby Group (0-12 Months) - Fridays 9:15am-10:00am
Toddler Play Group (1-4 Years) - Fridays 10:00am - 11:00am
Source: Boston Central
SOUTHEAST
Event: Kids Club
Date: Friday, February 9
Time: 10:00AM
Location: 94 Derby Street Hingham, MA 02043
Website: https://ssboston.macaronikid.com/events/5a39c70d6c59dc6b1c8f500f/kids-club
Description: Join Whole Foods for a low-key fun for all the little ones and a great time to make new friends and create new crafts you can take home with you!
Source: Macaroni Kid
Event: Saturday Stories
Date: Saturday, February 10
Time: 9:30AM
Location: Hanson Public Library, 132 Maquan Avenue Hanson, MA 02341
Website: https://ssboston.macaronikid.com/events/5a5583cfdb63fc39511cfbaf/saturday-stories
Description: Join the Hanson Public Library for a special Saturday story time.
Source: Macaroni Kid
CENTRAL
Event: Turner Falls Great Hall Kidleidoscope
Date: Friday, February 9
Time: 10:30-11:30AM
Location: 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376
Description: Come learn about our wildlife neighbors who share our home in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, interactive games, and a craft to introduce young children to wildlife along the river. Meet in the Great Hall. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Siblings and friends welcome.
Source: Valley Visitor
Event: Springfield Museums Exhibit: Jack and Jackie: The Kennedys in the White House
Date: Friday-Saturday, February 9-10
Time: 10AM – 4PM
Location: The Springfield Museums, 220 State Street, Springfield MA
Website: https://springfieldmuseums.org/exhibitions/jack-jackie-kennedys-white-house/
Description: this exhibition explores the legacy of the Kennedys as promoters of art, culture, and elegance. Twenty-seven iconic photographs of the first family by Richard Avedon, on loan from the National Museum of American History, anchor the exhibition, providing a glimpse into the Kennedys’ personal life while also documenting their public image. Avedon was the only photographer who was allowed to take official photographs of Kennedy, Jackie, and their children, Caroline and John, between the time that he was elected in 1960 and Inauguration Day. He took this series of photos for Harper’s Bazaar on the same day the U.S. ended ties with Cuba.
Source: Springfield Museums
CAPE AND ISLANDS
Event: Toddler Time
Date: Friday, February 9
Time: 10:30-11:30AM
Location: 56R School Street Oak Bluffs, MA 02568
Website: https://capecod.macaronikid.com/events/59f3755ea9a306532b05e99f/toddler-time
Description: Songs and a story just for busy walking toddlers and their caregivers.
Source: Macaroni Kid
Event: Family Fun- Board Games
Date: Saturday, February 10
Time: 11:00AM-12:00PM
Location: 401 Main Street Hyannis, MA 02601
Website: https://capecod.macaronikid.com/events/59f213b4f5c233501e504317/family-fun-board-games
Description: Come play some of the library's many board games. Prizes and snacks too!
Source: Macaroni Kid
Event: 3D- Printer Saturdays
Date: Saturday, February 10
Time: 10:30AM-4:30PM
Location: Wellfleet Public Library, 55 West Main Street Wellfleet MA
Website: https://capecod.macaronikid.com/events
Description: Design, make, create all ages, grown-ups too.
Source: Macaroni Kid
BERKSHIRES
Event: Steam (Becket)
Date: Friday, February 9
Time: 9:30- 11:30AM
Location: Becket Washington Preschool, 12 Maple St. Becket, MA 01223
Website: https://berkshires.macaronikid.com/events/5a0c4374890e5e5bb045ff77/steam-becket
Description: Did you ever think that some things are too hard to do at home with your kids? We will give you fun, easy and not to messy ways to
practice STEAM at home with your child/children. Join us for an hour of great fun!
Source: Berkshire Family Focus
Event: Skip and Dip
Date: Friday, February 9
Time: 10:00AM- NOON
Location: 15 Crissey Road Great Barrington, MA 01230
Website: https://berkshires.macaronikid.com/events/5a5e6aee8223974cafcbf862/skip-dip-great-barrington
Description: FREE high energy fun at Berkshire South! One hour of SKIP in the gym & one-hour of DIP in the pool! Geared for families with children 0-5 years. Gym time includes tumbling, balls. hoops and more. Come ready to run, climb and play with friends.
Source: Berkshire Family Focus
Event: Chow Time
Date: Saturday, February 10
Time: 12:30-1:00PM
Location: 39 South St. Pittfield, MA 01201
Website: https://berkshires.macaronikid.com/events/59e8a90110d61a0949d2a71b/chow-time-pittsfield
Description: Join museum staff in the aquarium for an interactive look at what it takes to feed some of Berkshire Museum’s most interesting residents. Free with Museum admission.
Source: Berkshire Family Focus
FRANKLIN
Event: Mother Goose on the Loose
Date: Friday, February9
Time: 10-11AM
Location: Greenfield Public Library, 402 Main Street, Greenfield
Website: http://franklincc.chambermaster.com/events/details/mother-goose-on-the-loose-12-01-2017-4917
Description: Join the happy circle with Kay Lyons at a lap-sit story hour for children age 3 and under (with a grown-up) at the Greenfield Public Library. Kay reads books, leads the group in hand rhymes, and uses puppets to teach animal sounds and other concepts new to the very young. Each session is 45 minutes, with half an hour of structured activity and about fifteen minutes of visiting time. No sign-up is required, and the program is free of charge thanks to the generosity of the Friends of Greenfield Public Library.
Source: Franklin County Massachusetts
