Local Area Activities
Geared for Babies and Toddlers
Indoor Play Areas
Mall at Buckland Hills
This has a indoor playground in the shape of a
pirate's adventure and has a carousel in the
food court.
Noodle Noggin' 'N Bean
Location: Northborough, MA
Website:
http://www.noodlenogginnbean.com
Email:
nnnb@noodlenogginnbean.com
Telephone #: (508) 351-7060
NNNB believes that the learning and sharing
process should be hands-on and provide endless
fun and discovery for kids and adults. NNNB
believes in music, in early education, and for
parents to share in the early learning process.
Noodle Noggin' 'N Bean is an EDU-tainment parent
- child experience for children ages one through
six. The facilities includes 5,000 sf of open
rooms and areas, all on one ground floor. All
rooms, doors, hallways and bathrooms are
handicapped accessible so that everyone is able
to experience all that NNNB has to offer.
Museums
Boston Children's Museum:
Cost: Adults: $9.00; Seniors(65+): $7.00;
Children (2-15): $7.00; Children (1): $2.00;
Children under one are FREE
Location: Boston, MA
Website:
http://www.bostonkids.org
The Boston Children's Museum
pioneered the concept of interactive exhibitions
used widely in museums today. Designed and built
in-house, exhibits from the Boston Children's
Museum have been replicated at prestigious
institutions throughout the world. Exhibits
focus on early childhood development and have
three themes: arts, culture, and science.
Children's Museum at
Holyoke
Cost: N/A
Location: 444 Dwight Street at Heritage State
Park in Holyoke
Phone: 413-536-7048
The Children's Museum at Holyoke was ranked the
nation's 12th best children's museum - Child
Magazine. The Museum is an exciting and
wonderful place for children and the young at
heart. Participatory exhibits give children a
chance to challenge themselves and learn by
doing. The museum offers birthday party
packages, visiting exhibits, and special
year-round programs.
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Cost: Adults: $7.00; Ages 1-18: $5.00;
children under 1: Free
Location: Amherst, MA
Website:
http://picturebookart.com/
Founded in part by Eric Carle, the renowned
author and illustrator of more than 70 books,
including the 1969 classic The Very Hungry
Caterpillar, The Eric Carle Museum of
Picture Book Art is the first full-scale museum
in this country devoted to national and
international picture book art, conceived and
built with the aim of celebrating the art that
we are first exposed to as children. Through the
exploration of images that are familiar and
beloved, it is the Museum’s goal to foster
connections between visual and verbal literacy
and to provide visitors of all ages and
backgrounds with the confidence to appreciate
and enjoy art of every kind.
Essex Steam Train and River Boat
Cost: children under 3: Free; all others
check website
Location: Essex, CT
Website:
http://www.essexsteamtrain.com/
The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat ride is a
fun-filled trip for adults and children of all
ages! They
have two coal-fired locomotives available to
pull a collection of
lovingly
restored railroad cars.
You will be swept away by the hiss of steam, the
blast of the whistle, and the clickety-clack of
the tracks. From the exciting "All Aboard" to
the engineer checking the locomotive before the
run, you will experience an authentic journey
back to the days of steam.
KidCity Children's Museum
Cost: Adults and children over 2: $7.00;
Babies under 1 years of age are free of charge.
Location: Middletown, CT
Website:
http://www.kidcitymuseum.org
Wonderful place for play, imagination and fun!
3 floors filled with different rooms such as
Farmer's Market, Space Age, Musical Planet, and
Main Street encourages kids to interact, play
and explore. The mission of Kidcity
Children's Museum is to celebrate a child's
natural curiosity by offering a downtown
hands-on playspace where children ages 1 through
8 come with parents and other significant adults
to learn through play. Kidcity will be a safe
and enriched educational environment which
fosters the development of problem-solving
skills and creativity. Worth the trip!
New England Butterfly Conservatory and
Garden's
Cost: Adults: $8.00; Seniors: (age 62
& over) $7.00, except on Wednesdays when seniors
are only $5.50; Children ages 3-17 & Students(up
to age 22 with valid student ID): $5.00;
Children under 3 are free of charge.
Location: South Deerfield, MA
Website:
http://www.magicwings.com/
Magic Wings
Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens, opened in
October of 2000, consists of an 18,400-square
foot facility that includes a 8,000-sq. ft.
glass
conservatory
filled
with butterflies, moths and tropical vegetation.
Mystic Aquarium
Cost: Adult $17.50; Senior (age 65+) $16.50;
Children (age 3 - 17) $12.50; Children (age 2
and under) Free!
Location: Mystic, CT
Website:
http://www.mysticaquarium.org
As close as Boston without any of the traffic.
This aquarium is a little bit smaller then
Boston but is the perfect size for a little one.
It has lots of interaction and great diversity.
Old Sturbridge Village
Cost: Residents it is free - just bring your
driver's license. Adults $20.00; Seniors
(65 and over) $18.00, ($10.00 during Senior
Month, September 1-30); Youths (3-17) $5.00;
Children Under age 3 Admitted Free
Location: Sturbridge, MA
Website:
http://www.osv.org/
Old Sturbridge Village is open year-round. Plan
to spend 3-4 hours in order to see all the
Village has to offer. They offer a indoor
playarea for children to use their imagination -
cook in an old fashion kitchen, work in a
general store, or play dress up. They
offer wonderful family programs around the
holiday and vacations.
Springfield Science Museum
Cost: Adult $10; Seniors $7; College Students
$5; Children 6-17 $3; Chidren 5 and Under Free
Location: Quadrangle, State & Chestnut Streets;
Springfield, MA
Website:
http://www.quadrangle.org
Explore science. Learn about dinosaurs in
Dinosaur Hall which has a life-sized replica of
Tyrannosaurus rex. Learn about the earth in
Mineral Hall and the heavens in the 100 seat
Planetarium. Museum Shop.
Music Programs
Pakachog Community Music School
Cost: $158.00 for 12 weeks
Location: Auburn, MA but comes to Sturbridge
once a week
Website:
http://www.pakmusic.org/
A Music
Together Class is a community of families
sharing songs, instrument play, rhythm chants,
and movement activities in a relaxed, playful,
non-performance-oriented setting. The music
learned through developmentally appropriate
activities support and respect the unique
learning styles of very young children. Infants,
toddlers, and preschoolers participating at
their own levels in family style classes of
mixed ages. 45 minutes of PURE FUN with your
child every week!
Outdoor Activities
Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary
Cost: N/A
Location: Rt. 20 East in Charlton, MA
Phone: 508-248-5516
Nature programs throughout the year. Hands-on
nature studies in the outdoors. Objective is to
instill a love, appreciation, and understanding
of our environment. Wildlife preserve for hiking
pleasure, and a small natural history museum
with library, observation/classrooms, as well as
live animal exhibits.
Davis Farmland
Cost: Ages 2 - 59: $12.95; Ages 60+: $9.95;
Under 2: Free
Location: Sterling, MA
Website:
http://www.davisfarmland.com
This is worth the trip!
Beginning in the spring,
explore their animal showcase. Make friends with
the world’s rarest, cute and cuddly farm
animals. Ride a pony or journey out to the back
pastures on a Safari Hayride. They have daily
events including milking, egg collecting, and
bottle feeding the babies. Pretend, climb and
play in Imagine Acres, where your child’s
imagination is the only limit.
In the summer,
Splash and laugh in Adventure Play & Spray. New
England’s largest zero-depth water sprayground
is overflowing with fun.
In the fall, ride
a special haywagon out to the orchard and
harvest your own fresh apples.
Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden
Cost: Free
Location: Springfield, MA
Website:
http://www.catinthehat.org/
A day in the park. The Dr. Seuss National
Memorial Sculpture Garden is located at the
Springfield Museums, State & Chestnut Streets in
downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. The five
bronze sculptures include Dr. Seuss busily
working at his drawing board with the Cat in the
Hatstanding at his side as his muse, and lots of
other favorite Dr. Seuss characters such as
Horton the Elephant, Yertle the Turtle, the
Grinch and his dog Max, the Lorax, Gertrude
McFuzz, Things One and Two, and the lovable
Thidwick the Moose.
Hyland Farms
Cost: free
Location: Arnold Road in Sturbridge
Website:
http://www.hylandbrew.com/
Public is welcomed anytime to visit with the
animals. Check their calendar for Harvest
festivals and October Fest with live music,
apple picking, wagon rides and more. It is
great for spending some time or a quick stop to
let the kids run around.
Midstate Trails:
Cost: Free
Website:
http://www.midstatetrail.org
Offering open walk ways
across the state.
Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary in Wales/Monson
Website:
http://www.norcrossws.org
Phone: 413-267-9654
Norcross comprises approximately six thousand
acres of wooded hills, lakes and streams. It is
maintained by the Norcross Wildlife Foundation,
Inc. whose purpose is the conservation of
wildlife and the active practice of conservation
for the benefit of the public. This includes the
collection and propagation of wild plants, the
preservation of birds and all forms of animal
wildlife and the conservation of land and
water. The Sanctuary is open to the public
every day except Sundays and legal holidays;
open Mondays from June till December, then
closed during the winter months on Mondays.
Hours are 9:00 to 4:00. There is no admission
charge. Please call ahead to be sure trails are
open.
RailsToTrails:
Cost: Free
Website:
http://www.railstotrails.org/
Offering open walk ways
across the state.
Playgrounds
Spencer Playground
Directions: Take Rt. 49 to Spencer, take a right
at the end of Rt. 49. At lights (1/2 mile
up) take a left. Playground is on a side street
visible from this road on your left about 3
miles up.
Brimfield Elementary School
Directions: Take Rt. 20 to Brimfield. When
you come to the center, at a set a lights, take
a right and school is a 1/2 mile up on your
right.
Burgess Elementary School in Sturbridge
Directions: From Rt. 20, take Cedar Street.
Take your first right and road leads to school
Auburn Playground
Playground 1: Directions: After passing the
Auburn Mall and the new high school on Rt. 12 -
the playground is on your left. To access
it continue to drive pass the high school and
take a left at the lights. Take a left
into the old school entrance and follow the road
to the playground on your left.
Playground 2: Directions: This park is located
behind the Horgan Ice Skating Rink.
Easiest way to get there is from the Auburn Mall
- Exit out of the Filenes entrance and go across
Rt. 12 to head towards onto Rt. 290 towards the
MA Pike. So from Filenes you will go over
the bridge (where Rt. 290 is below) and take a
left at the lights. Go pass the Rt. 290
entrance and head into residential area. Take
your next left and you will see a sign that says
"Park closes at dark." The street looks as if
you are turning into someone's driveway. Take
this road and you will see the park.
Sports & Wellbeing
Baystate Blades
Cost: $3.00 for Open Skate and $4.00 for
rentals
Location: Auburn (Horgan Arena) and Lake Ave. in
Worcester (Buffone Arena)
Website:
www.baystateblades.com
They offer open skate most weekdays and weekend.
Schedule for Auburn
Schedule for Worcester
FlowForms Yoga
Cost: per class basis
Location: Water Street in Worcester
Website:
www.flowformsyoga.com
Offering Family Yoga, Yoga for Birthing,
PreNatal Yoga and Mommy and Me Yoga
Giguer's Gymnastics
Cost: $5.00
Location: Cherry Valley, MA
Website:
http://www.gigueregym.com/
Large Olympic size gym offering open gyms three
days a week. Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Thursdays from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Also
offers programs for toddlers.
Gymboree
Cost: approximately $200/12wks
Location: Rt. 20 in Auburn
Website:
http://www.playandmusic.com
Classes offer are gym play, music, art and yoga.
Some classes cater to two children in a family
of different ages. They offer open gym
twice a week for children enrolled in a program.
Midstate Trails:
Cost: Free
Website:
http://www.midstatetrail.org
Offering open walk ways
across the state.
RailsToTrails:
Cost: Free
Website:
http://www.railstotrails.org/
Offering open walk ways
across the state.
Twisters Gymnastics
Cost: $3.00
Phone: 508-885-6810
Open gym one day a week and ongoing classes.
Zoos:
Lupa
Zoo
Cost: Suggested donation of $5.00.
Location: Ludlow, MA
Phone: 413-583-8370
Non-profit wildlife facility dedicated to
promoting appreciation and respect for the
conservation of animals and their ecosystems;
while offering enjoyable, educational and
family-oriented experiences in an urban
recreational setting. Open April 1 through
December 25; Everyday from 9:30 AM – 5 PM.
Rodger Williams Park Zoo
Admission: Ages 3-12: $6.00; Adults: $12.00;
children under 3 are free
Location: Providence, RI
Website:
http://www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org
Fairly large zoo with lots of different species.
The park has great walk ways that make sure you
see all the exhibits.
Southwick’s Zoo
Cost: Children 2 and under FREE
Children 3 to 12 $10.75; Adults 13 & up $15.00;
Seniors (62 and over) $10.75
Location:
Mendon, MA
Website:
www.southwickszoo.com
Southwick’s Zoo is situated within the historic
Blackstone Valley. Surrounded by 300 shady acres
and home to hundreds of animals representing
many species, Southwick's is more than a zoo,
it's an adventure for all ages! As well as an
impressive display of animals, Southwick's also
offers educational programs, live animal
presentations, a petting zoo, deer forest,
elephant rides, and children’s play park. There
are also picnic grounds, kiddie rides, food
venues, and free parking.
The Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center
Cost: Up to age 1 FREE; Children up to age 4
$2.00; Children ages 5 - 12 $3.50; Adults $4.50;
Senior Citizens $3.50; Train Rides $2.50; Animal
Food Packages $1.00
Location: Springfield, MA 01138
Website:
http://www.forestparkzoo.org/
The Forest Park Zoo, located in Forest Park, a
735 acre woodland park in Springfield, features
exotic and indigenous animals representing a
large variety of species found throughout the
world and in North America. Experience the world
of exotic animals and local wildlife as never
before. Take a train trip around the park,
explore freshwater pond life, learn about
endangered animals and captive breeding
programs. Get to know the creatures that
frequent your backyard, and visit a Heritage
Breeds Barn. Shop in our unique gift shop for
unusual, educational, or whimsical gift items.
Enjoy the gardens, seasonal exhibits, programs,
and events.
All breastfeeding
mothers and pregnant women interested in
breastfeeding are welcome to come to our
meetings or
call our
Leaders for breastfeeding help.
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