Local parents, get your groove on with the little ones! Baby Loves Disco—as featured in Boston Baby: A Field Guide for Urban Parents—is on the road, hitting Boston on Sunday, August 15th from 2pm-5pm at the Revolution Rock Bar.
“The disco bus is on the road, leaving a fresh trail of fun and funk as we dance our way across the USA, raising our sippy cups in a toast to life & lemonade in support of Alex's Lemonade Stand!”
A great excuse for a family play date (and a discounted rate for a pack of four tickets!), here’s all that’s included in The Baby Loves Disco Lemonade Tour 2010 Boston stop:
And finally, be one of the first 50 families at the disco and grab a FREE Boston Baby goody bag with coupons, discount passes, and more.
You can purchase the tickets through the Baby Loves Disco website--we'd recommend booking ASAP as these events tend to sell out faster than you can say Boogie Ooggie Ooggie!
For the Boston parents out there who do not yet own a copy of Boston Baby, this week (high of 96 degrees today!) might be the week to pick up a copy! Author Kim Foley MacKinnon dedicates an entire chapter of the book, "It's Hot, Hot, Hot," to summer activities that'll keep the whole family cool (plus the museums, classes, and getaways in the rest of the book will also keep you busy). From beaches, spray decks, sailing, and parks, to children's Indie bookstores and libraries, there's no reason to feel overwhelmed by the heat. Here are a few options to get you through this week:
Artesani Park and Wading Pool, 1255 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton. Kim lists this as one of the best spray parks in the city. Located on the Charles River you'll get a great view and (hopefully) slight breeze, while the kids can splash around, enjoy the playgrounds, break for a picnic, and even feed the ducks nearby. Plus, there are lifeguards on duty, changing rooms, showers, and free parking (with an ice cream truck that hangs around too!)--you'll be all set for the day.
Courageous Sailing at Jamaica Pond, 617-268-7243, www.courageoussailing.org. Can't swim in Jamaica Pond but sailing away on the water will keep the kids cool. Paddle around, feed the ducks, and get the little ones fishing.
Castle Island and Fort Independence, Day Boulevard, South Boston, 617-727-5290. Hang out by the water, explore Fort Independence, and enjoy a snack at local landmark Sullivan's, all at the tip of Pleasant Bay. Plus, your future pilots can watch the planes as they land and take off from Logan.
Curious George & Friends, 1 JFK Street, Cambridge, 617-498-0062, www.curiousg.com. If you'd rather have the kids out of the sun, head on over to Harvard Square to explore the two floors of books and toys in this local Indie that was founded with the help of Curious George writer Margret Rey. Perhaps an afternoon (iced) tea is in order too? Upstairs on the Square has an array of treats for the fam.
Museum of Science, Science Park, Boston, 617-723-2500, www.mos.org. With exciting exhibits, live presentations, and the omni films, the museum offers plenty for a daytrip--or multiple daytrips. Stop by the Butterfly Garden for a tour or catch one of the 3D films to learn all about our planet. Your future scientist is certain to be intrigued by the creatures and interactive activities; and for any kids below the age of 8, the Discovery Center should be your first stop upon arrival.
Hope these tips help get the family out and about despite the heat. And send us (or tweet us @unionparkpress) some favorite hot spots in your area too--the cooler the better!
I don’t know about everyone else in the world, but at my house we’re glued to the 2010 Olympics coverage. Somewhat to my surprise, my daughter loves the snowboarding competition, while not surprisingly, my husband can’t get enough of hockey. Me? I’m a sucker for pairs ice skating. But really, it’s not healthy to stay inside glued to the TV.
If you are inspired by the winter sports, get out and try some. The Department of Conservation and Recreation is holding its own version of the Olympics with an Opening Ceremony this Friday night at Revere Beach from 6-8 p.m. And yes, here’s another plug for the Harbor Islands – head to Spectacle Island on Saturday from 11-2 p.m. with your snowshoes, cross-country skis or hiking boots for Snow Day with park rangers and REI staff who will lead winter activities. Finally, on Sunday, there will be ice skating and winter sports at the Reilly Rink at Cleveland Circle in Brighton from 2-4 p.m. Activities are free and there are sure to be lots of fun surprises. Visit www.mass.gov/dcr/ for more info.
And if you’d rather shed your coat and put on a swimsuit instead, a couple of area hotels offer day passes at their indoor pools. The Boston Harbor Hotel charges $25 for adults and $15 for kids and the Seaport Hotel charges $20. Call for specific hours. You can also try your local YMCA. If it has a pool, it likely has non-member hours. Visit www.ymcaboston.org to check.
