Boston Parent December 2019 by Parenting Media

DECEMBER 2019

Celebrate the Season

Subscription Gift Services Gifts that Keep on Giving

Support for Single Dads in Boston Become a Calmer, Happier Parent

Events & Activities to Enjoy with Your Family

OPEN STUDIO WEEK

•

JAN 10–16

Children’s Program students explore dance through original activities created by Boston Ballet School expert faculty to learn the foundations of ballet. Children 16 months–age 7 interested in joining Boston Ballet School are invited to attend class in Boston, Newton, and the North Shore. Pre-registration is required.

LAST CHANCE FOR 2019–2020! Students ages 8–18 interested in joining the Classical Ballet Program for the 2019–2020 school year are invited to our final placement class on January 12. See our website for details and pre-registration.

PRE-REGISTER TODAY: bostonballet.org/school/events Children’s Program by Evgenia Eliseeva, Classical Ballet Program by Igor Burlak Photography

Boston Parents Paper | December 2019

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Contents

December 2019

Volume 35 • Number 4

Do Single Dads in Boston Have the Support They Need?

Understanding Why Parents Lose It and How to Stop

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E

6 Family F.Y.I.

• WIN TICKETS to Christmas Revels

• The Heart of Hanukkah

• Kids

 Museums

10 Subscription Service Gifts

The Gifts That Keep Giving

Boston Parent 841 Worcester Street Suite 344 Natick, MA 01760 • 617-522-1515 info@BostonParentsPaper.com Visit us online at BostonParentsPaper.com

PUBLISHER Parenting Media, Inc ART DIRECTOR | Debbi Murzyn

16 Family Calendar

• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical • Holiday Pops • Middleborough Festival of Lights • And much more...

18 School Open Houses

Boston Parents Paper is published monthly by Parenting Media Inc. Please note that the advertisements in this magazine are paid for, which allows this magazine to be free to the consumer.

CALENDAR EDITOR | Grace Batmale

60,000 copies of Boston Parents Paper are distributed to more than 1600 locations in the region. Past issues are available on our website, www.BostonParentsPaper.com

ADVERTISING SALES Holly Castro, David Morney

Send letters to the editor or article submissions to editor@bostonparent.com. Submit events to our Family Friendly Calendar at bostonparentspaper.com/event/

ASSOCIATE EDITOR | Jean Abernathy

Boston Parents Paper | December 2019

Ho Ho Ho

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Additional photos + merchandise available for purchase. One giveaway per family, per Christmas season. Some restrictions may apply. Valid through December 24. Visiting times may vary.

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) • Parent Training • Functional Behavior Assessments • Home Services • Center-Based Services • Immediate Daytime Availability • Social Skills Classes

December 2019 | BostonParentsPaper.com

Family F.Y.I. $1,048 That’s roughly the average amount of money Americans will spend on Christmas gifts in 2019. This year’s projected online holiday sales are expected to reach $163 billion, up around 11% from last year and it is expected that a whooping 45% of the sales will be done on Amazon. With so many great retail options in our area it’s worth taking the time to shop local.

ENTER TO WIN 4 TICKETS Christmas Revels

or the 49th annual Christmas Revels they will be coming home. Beginning at a remote radio station at a crossroads in the dusty heartland in the 1930’s the Christmas Revels will be exploring the roots of American music. Show runs from Dec. 13 – Dec 29. To win tickets to the December 15th, 3:00pm performance enter here at http://bostonparentspaper.com/content/promotions.html

Festival of Lights

his year the first night of Hanukkah falls on December 22, ending on December 30, at sunset. The holiday always begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, but never falls on the same day each year on the Gregorian calendar. Hanukkah, the Hebrew word for “dedication,” is also known as the Festival of Lights or Feast of the Maccabees.

Be a Flashlight in the Dark W

ith all of the holiday festivities happening this month, you’re probably overlooking one offbeat occasion — National Flashlight Day. This year it falls on December 21, the longest night of the year, and could be a good time to check on your household’s flashlight supply. Make sure batteries are new in the event of a power outage. 6

Boston Parents Paper | December 2019

“The best hands-on Museum I’ve seen.”

usscm.org | 617-426-1812 • Interactive exhibits for all ages! • Open 7 days a week • Admission by donation

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DECEMBER COOP KIDS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 AT 11:00 AM HANUKKAH STORIES & CRAFT Celebrate Hanukkah with a very special Storytime Then join us for a Hanukkah craft SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 AT 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM SANTA WILL BE AT THE COOP to hear wishes Holiday stories & snacks too. Details & to register go to harvardcoop.eventbrite.com

Michelson’s Shoes, for the entire family!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 AT 11:00 AM SEASONAL STORIES SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28 AT 11:00 AM CELEBRATE FAMILIES with stories and a fun craft

THE

Please donate new unwrapped children’s toys and/or books. There are drop boxes in the Children’s Book Department and in the Palmer Street Entrance of The Coop.

COOP H A R VA R D

1400 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge 617-499-2000 www.TheCoop.com www.facebook.com/TheHarvardCoop CustomerService@TheCoop.Com

1780 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington 781.862.1034 1082 Great Plain Ave., Needham 781.449.2753 www.michelsonshoes.com December 2019 | BostonParentsPaper.com

Family F.Y.I. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deirdre Walsh, Boston Children’s Hospital Trauma Center

he bad news: Carbon monoxide (CO) cannot be seen, smelled, or heard. The good news: It can be stopped! There are several things you can do to keep your family safe from what is often called the “silent killer.” Install CO detectors on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Test the detectors once a month to ensure they are working and replace batteries every six months. CO poisoning is common in the winter months. When shoveling out your car, always remember to remove the snow from the muffler before starting the car. If you decide

to take a break and sit in your running car, leave the door or window open, not cracked. Never leave your car running in a garage, even if it’s only partially enclosed. Never use your oven or stovetop to heat your house, and ensure vents for dryers, furnaces, stoves, and fireplace are clear of snow. Have gas, oil, or coalburning appliances serviced every

year. Signs that your appliances may be out of order are: rust on vents, loose or disconnected vent pipes, moisture inside windows, and soot falling from fireplaces or appliances. If you notice any of these signs, have a technician inspect immediately. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Children generally show signs of poisoning quicker than adults and can often experience more severe side effects. Always play it safe: Evacuate your house immediately if the CO detector sounds and call 911.

BOSTON PARENT’S PAPER

Museums

Explore a world of imagination at the many thought-provoking museums New England has to offer. Boston Parents Paper has the information you need to set out and explore the fabulous offerings of our area. Go to BostonParentsPaper.com and tap on the magazine tab.

ECO Museum

Museum of Science

PHOTO BY CANDY KENNEDY

Kids

PHOTO BY JOEL HASKELL

Eric Carle Museum

SETH KAYE PHOTOGRAPHY

Boston Children’s Museum

Franklin Park Zoo

Photos on this page are a sampling of some of the museums you’ll find in the Kids Museums online. 8

Boston Parents Paper | December 2019

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Personal & Professional Service December 2019 | BostonParentsPaper.com

Subscription Service Gifts ARE THE GIFTS THAT KEEP GIVING By Cassidy McKean

A Perfectly Gastronomical Experience

PHOTO BY FREDDIE COLLINS ON UNSPLASH

Boston Parents Paper | December 2019

who simply can’t ignore the cacao delicacy. Other options could include craft beers and rare vintages of wines, and for those who want a truly unique experience, candy selections from across the world will be a treat.

The Gift of Choice

One of the best parts of choosing a subscription service for a friend or loved one is that you can really drill down into their personal preferences. For instance, picky eaters can expand their palates with options such as pre-planned meal ideas, and according to Eat2Explore, customization is part of the process. There are also boxes that cater to specific types of foods or beverages, and it’s not unusual to sign up for a box that contains jerky from different parts of the world, or a box of chocolates for those

PHOTO BY KASTURI ROY ON UNSPLASH

here’s nothing worse than browsing the aisles for hours on end, looking for that perfect gift for the person who seemingly already has it all. But along comes a savior in a cardboard cape, and you’re filling out the details for a three-month trial to a subscription service, a booming industry that’s already growing at a rate of 100% per year. Who doesn’t like receiving delivery of goodies and, more importantly, who doesn’t like receiving a box of goodies tailored specially for them? The subscription service might just replace those endless meanderings in shopping malls once and for all.

One month your better half decides to be a gear head and the next month, he’s a bona fide techie. This will make it a little bit difficult to pinpoint a specific subscription service to satisfy his ever-evolving interests. While you could get him two subscriptions with the hope that he won’t expand his interest further, there is also the possibility of allowing him to browse through the subscription options he’d like to go with, and perhaps highlight those services that have short trial periods to allow him to change the service as needed. You’re even covered if he’s the type that never makes it to the mall to try out some new outfits and would much rather set his shorts (even if it’s the only pair he has) on fire than go clothing shopping. Men’s fashion subscription services are picking up momentum and are considered one of the coolest subscription choices if you’re looking for the perfect gift.

Learning Through Play Early childhood development specialists encourage learning through play, as the brain is more able to

Who doesn’t like receiving delivery of goodies and, more importantly, who doesn’t like receiving a box of goodies tailored specially for them?

retain information when the information seems like a reward. One of the best ways to encourage little ones to reach their developmental milestones and still enjoy hours of play is with STEM toys. Subscription services now offer a fine selection of these toys that will help parents and caregivers source high-quality toys with the added convenience of having them on auto-deliver. If you’re short on ideas on what to get those new parents, this is an ideal gift.

For Your Beloved Fido While it’s still possible to pick up something nice from the pet store, there’s a way to make your mailman more endearing to your pooch. Simply ensure that one of those deliveries is filled with pet-friendly toys and goodies, and they’re as good as besties. This also happens to be the ideal gift for the pet lover, as a display of affection to their fur baby will undoubtedly count toward friendship points. Subscription services as a gift are not only great in terms of exposing the recipient to products they may not have encountered before; they also reveal that the giver has insight into the preferences of the recipient. These goods are often sourced from high-end suppliers who try to expose consumers to goods that are a little less generic. Cassidy McKean is a freelance writer.

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By Katlyn Eriksen

round 4% of children in the U.S. live with a single dad, as found by Pew Research, and Boston in particular has been deemed one of America’s best cities to live in if you’re a single parent. There are four key factors that make “the Cradle of Liberty” an ideal spot to live in for single parents: income, affordability, time, and workplace protection. Boston came in 19th in the list of the U.S.’s 100 largest metro areas, but despite the positive findings, one question remains: Do single dads have all the help they need to feel that they’re not alone?

Support for Single Parents, Irrespective of Gender In Boston, groups like Meetup/HOPE for Single Parents provide support to all single parents, without discrimination. This group provides attendees with a host of fun activities to help them build a healthy social life following separation, divorce, or the death of their partner. It also holds educational events, and provides support and guidance regarding how parents can give the very best of themselves to their children. Thus, advice is given on everything from co-parenting without a hitch during the holidays to post-divorce issues.

WIC Supplemental Nutrition Program Single fathers who have custody of their children can rely on the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)

Boston Parents Paper | December 2019

national nutrition education program, which promotes healthy eating. Dads can obtain advice, referrals to key community services, and special checks for vital items like cereal, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and eggs. They can also count on WIC for individual nutritional counseling, dental health classes and exams, and reminders about immunizations. It is important to note that WIC is only available for low-income families.

Learning Vital Skills for a Peaceful Life Mental health is one area that some would say is not adequately catered to when it comes to single dads. A study undertaken by researchers at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) found that issues such as loneliness and stress contribute to a mortality rate among single fathers that is three times higher than those of single moms. Loneliness can cause stress levels to spike, which can in turn trickle down to children. Therefore, opportunities for the family to unite and meditate are key. Meditation (like other holistic activities, including yoga and Tai Chi) has a powerful ability to reduce levels of the primary stress hormone, cortisol. However, although there are many such classes in Boston aimed at single moms (actress Michelle Williams, for instance, launched a yoga school for this group), classes catered specifically to single dads can be harder to find. Dads need to be proactive in this sense, seeking out family yoga

or general yoga classes, and using apps like Calm and Headspace to enjoy a peaceful meditation or yoga session alongside their kids. Building social networks is also important, which is where meetup groups can be useful. One group offering great support for dads in Boston is The Fatherhood Project. This organization designs and delivers programs using an innovative curriculum, working with all dads, but placing a special focus on atrisk populations. The Dads Matter Initiative is just one of many this organization uses to change lives. It involves social interaction, free play, structured relationshipbuilding activities for dads and children, and talks that are created especially for fathers. Topics discussed include mindfulness, emotional regulation, and positive discipline. The Fatherhood Project also hones in on specific groups of dads, including dads to newborns, dads in the process of divorce, and teen dads. Single fathers have many of the same opportunities as single moms, but their stress levels are generally higher, and they sometimes find that there are more classes and opportunities in Boston for single mothers. However, dads wishing to learn how to connect optimally with kids do have opportunities that they can find fulfilling and lifechanging. By signing up to groups like The Fatherhood Project, they can learn about programs that teach them as much about themselves as they learn about their children, and the result is a smoother, more stress-free life for the family. Katlyn Eriksen is a freelance writer and editor who lives in Medford.

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By Cheryl Maguire

consider myself a patient person but being a parent can cause even the most patient person to lose it. In an effort to learn more about how to be calm around your kids, I talked with Dr. Carla Naumburg, clinical social worker in Newton, Massachusetts, and the author of the new book, How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Calmer, Happier Parent. In her book she has a conversational style that feels as if you are speaking to a friend, and she shared that same tone during our interview.

WHY A BOOK ABOUT PARENTS LOSING IT? We parents are losing our shit, and that sucks and we all want to do better but we don’t know how. Also, because staying calm when everything is falling apart is the key to eternal happiness. OK, maybe not eternal happiness, but it is necessary to get the chaos under control rather than contributing to it.

I LOVED WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THERE BEING NO SUCH THING AS A BAD PARENT, COULD YOU TALK ABOUT THAT? Don’t get me wrong. There are parents who make less-than-ideal parenting choices. But rather than calling them “bad parents,” I think we should call them “human parents,” or perhaps “every single one of

Boston Parents Paper | December 2019

us parents,” or maybe “parents who don’t have the right support, resources, and information.” The one thing I don’t want to call them is “bad parents,” because that sort of label is shaming and shitty and leaves parents feeling isolated and stuck and that’s not helpful for anyone.

YOU SAID, “CALMER PARENTS MAKE FOR CALMER KIDS.” COULD YOU EXPLAIN THAT?

literally the adults who keep them alive. The bad news is that if we’re falling apart, our kids are going take their cue from us, and ramp up their stress. The good news is that the opposite is also true. Now, we’re not Jedis and we can’t mind trick our kids to calm down, but the calmer we get, the more we’ll send the family energy in the right direction.

YOU MENTIONED THAT TOO MUCH INFORMATION Look, we’re not responsible for our kids’ shenanigans. But we don’t AND EXPERTS ARE MAKING want to make everything crazier than PARENTING HARDER. WHAT DO it already is. And whether we like YOU MEAN BY THAT? it or not, our kids are totally tuned in to how and what we’re doing. It’s a survival mechanism that evolved over generations because we are

I know this is a bit rich coming from someone who has written three parenting books but hear me out. The right advice can be helpful, but there comes a tipping point where we’re getting too much advice and that makes us crazy. It can increase our stress, anxiety, and self-doubt and set us off on unhelpful paths to change aspects of our parenting that may not need to be fixed. All of this makes us more likely to lose our shit with our kids, which is the opposite of awesome.

HOW CAN UNDERSTANDING BRAIN SCIENCE HELP PEOPLE PARENT THEIR KIDS? In the moment when your kids are pushing your buttons and you’re about to explode, it can be hard (if not impossible) to keep things in perspective. Why can’t they stop hop-

ping around the freaking kitchen and just put on their shoes, which you’ve only asked them to do twenty-seven times? Sometimes, our kids’ shenanigans can feel like personal attacks; after all, you can’t get more personal than your own kids. This is when the whole brain science thing can be helpful. When we can remember that our kids literally don’t yet have a prefrontal cortex—the part of their brain that helps them make plans, follow through with said plans, and regulate their emotions (aka not lose their shit)—it can help us have a little more compassion and patience for everyone involved.

WHAT IS A TRIGGER?

HOW CAN PARENTS PREVENT THEMSELVES FROM LOSING IT? Sadly, there is no iron-clad guarantee that we’ll never lose it again. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to make it far less likely that we’ll explode, and these steps will also make our freak-outs less frequent and intense. Basically, we want to reduce our triggers when we can, and take care of ourselves in specific ways that will make our buttons smaller, dimmer, and less pushable. I have a whole list of such practices in the book. They’re not rocket science, but they may require some habit changes on our part. The most powerful practices involve getting some sleep, reaching out to our support system when we’re struggling, and having a whole lotta compassion for ourselves when the shit hits the fan anyway, as it inevitably will.

HOW DOES MULTI-TASKING MAKE PARENTS LOSE IT? Multi-tasking makes us crazy. We think we’re being all awesome and adulty, but the truth is that trying to do multiple things at once increases our stress and anxiety and makes us

all tense and shit-losey. This is not the awesome adultiness we’re going for. When we take the time to do just one thing at a time whenever possible, our nervous system calms down and we make it far less likely that we’re going to break, drop, forget, or lose things, including our minds and our shit.

ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT THE BOOK THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD? I had two goals for this book. The first was to teach parents how to stay calm and patient in challenging parenting moments. The second was to reduce the shame that parents feel around this totally common parent/ child dynamic. So many parents believe that they’re the only ones who lose it with their kids, and they’re not. We’re all in this together, including me, and the more connected we feel to other parents, the less ashamed and triggered we’ll be. Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, AARP, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings and Your Teen Magazine. You can find her at Twitter @ CherylMaguire05.

PHOTO BY BRUNO NASCIMENTO ON UNSPLASH

I think of a trigger as anything that makes it more likely that we’ll lose our shit with our kids. The most common triggers for parents are exhaustion, stress, and anxiety, but there are lots of other triggers too, including difficult anniversaries, chronic pain, an obnoxious conversation with that annoying parent on the playground at pickup, or bad news from your boss or your doctor or social media. When we’re triggered, our sympathetic nervous system kicks us into fight, flight, freeze, or freak-out mode. It makes our buttons huge and glowing and super

pushable, and when our kids come along and push them, we lose it.

December 2019 | BostonParentsPaper.com

CALENDAR

Explore the magic of the roots of American music.

Christmas Revels

PHOTO COURTESY OF MASSAUDUBON.ORG

DECEMBER 13-29 Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge Matinees & Evenings 617-496-2222 • $15 and up www.boxoffice.harvard.edu

Boston Parents Paper | December 2019

1 Sunday The Train to Christmas Town Varying times every Fri-Sun before Christmas, Buzzards Bay Depot, 70 Main St., Buzzards Bay. All aboard the Train to Christmas Town! Take a train ride to see Santa in “Christmas Town” while singing songs, eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate. Meet Santa’s elves and even the big man himself! Through Dec. 23. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. $44 and up. 888-797-7245; www.capetrain.com

All Aboard! Trains at Science Park 9am -5pm: Sat.-Thursday, 9am -9pm: Friday, Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston. Behold a winter landscape filled with different trains and whimsical scenes. The entire family will love building their own tracks at various stations throughout the exhibit. Through Jan. 7. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Free with Exhibit Halls ticket. 617-723-2500; www.mos.org

Historic Holiday Stroll 3:30pm, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 4 South Market St., Boston. A 90-minute city tour by costumed guides highlighting the holiday traditions of Boston’s past. Thursdays through Sundays in December and January. Dec. 25 and Jan.1 excluded. Adults, $29; youth, $19. 617-357-8300; thefreedomtrail.org

Middleborough Town Hall Christmas Tree Lighting 3:30-5pm, Middleborough Town Hall,10 Nickerson Avenue, Middleborough. Merriment and cheer promised for all at this festive tree lighting! FREE. 774-766-6335; discovermiddleborough.com

ZooLights 5-9pm, Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham. Stroll along treelined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights; visit Santa and a reindeer, on Wednesdays and Christmas Eve meet Mrs. Claus! Through Jan. 4. Closed Dec. 25. $8 and up. 781-438-5100; stonezoo.org

2 Monday MFA Playdates 10:15am, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. Bring your toddler to enjoy story time and activities in the galleries. This month’s theme is Winter Adventures! Free with admission. 617-267-9300; mfa.org

3 Tuesday Family Trees – A Celebration of Children’s Literature

lights dance to the beat of holiday songs. Through Jan. 1. FREE. faneuilhallmarketplace.com

5 Thursday The Nutcracker Boston Opera House 539 Washington St, Boston. Create an annual tradition with family and friends at one of New England’s most beloved holiday events and make memories to cherish for years to come. The Nutcracker will capture your imagination and transport you to a magical world of brave toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes, and a mystical Sugar Plum Fairy. See website for pricing and showtimes, Through December 29, 617-695-6955; bostonballet.org

Boston Common Tree Lighting 6-8pm, Boston Common, 139 Tremont St., Boston. Kick off the night with a free festive show then the park holiday lights are switched on for the season and Mayor Walsh is joined onstage by entertainers and Santa Claus. The tree lighting starts at around 6:55pm. FREE. 617-635-4505; cityofboston.gov

6 Friday Imagine, Sing & Learn: Wake Up, It’s Night! 10-11:30am, Joppa Flats Education Center, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport. This program is designed for you and your active preschooler. Hands-on activities, music, moving, and grooving are highlights of this educational program. $6 and up. 978-462-9998; massaudubon.org

Cultural Survival Bazaar 10am – 10pm, Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston. Experience art and music from indigenous peoples around the world. Through December 8; closes at 8pm Sunday. FREE. bazaar.culturalsurvival.org

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical Various showtimes, Boch Center Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont St., Boston. Join Rudolph and his friends in saving the day for Santa! This musical, based on the classic TV special, brings magic straight from the North Pole to you and your loved ones in the audience. Through Dec. 8, $43 and up. www.bochcenter.org

Fledgling Fridays: Seasons 1:30-2:30pm, Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 293 Moose Hill Parkway, Sharon. Interact with your children ages 3-5 in a hands-on-learning nature based program guided by a Teacher Naturalist. Create art, participate in STEAM activities, listen to stories, and explore the outdoors every Friday afternoon. Members- adults: $5, kids: $15; nonmembers- adults: $6, kids: $18. Registration is required. Suitable for ages 3-5. 781-7845691; massaudubon.org

Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Road, Concord. Admire holidays trees decorated with inspiration from children’s literature. Through Jan. 5. Included with museum admission. 978-369-9763; concordmuseum.org

Lexington Symphony’s Holiday Pops: Welcome Yule

4 Wednesday

Legacy Dance Company: “In a Holiday Mood”

The Gingerbread Man

7:30pm, Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. Legacy Dance Company presents their Christmas-themed dance performance “In a Holiday Mood”. Additional showtime Saturday morning. $13 and up. 781-646-4849; regenttheatre.com

10-11:30am, Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 S Great Road, Lincoln. Design and decorate your very own gingerbread man. While he’s baking, hear about his exciting adventures, then pay a visit to his friends on the farm. Open Dec. 4, 6, 12, and 13. $14.50 and up. 781-259-2200; massaudubon.org

Blink! A Light and Sound Extravaganza 4:30-10pm, Faneuil Hall, Boston. It’s opening night of this Boston Holiday favorite! Bring the family to watch as more than 350,000

4pm(Kid’s Pops) & 7:30pm, Cary Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington. An evening of popular holiday hits complete with Santa and a carol sing-along. $15 and up. 781-523-9009; lexingtonsymphony.org

7 Saturday Autumn Cleanup 10am-12pm, Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 10 Juniper Road, Belmont. Start this holiday season with doing December 2019 | BostonParentsPaper.com

Open House Events More Events Online at www.BostonParentsPaper.com

BOSTON The British International School of Boston

Open House January 15, 2020 @ 9:30 am 416 Pond St www.nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools/ boston/admissions/school-open-houseand-tours

CAMBRIDGE The International School of Boston (ISB) Preschool & Kindergarten Open House January 25, 2020 @ 10:00 am 45 Matignon Rd www.isbos.org/

CONCORD Tremont School

Open House (Grades 5 - 12 and Post Graduate) December 14, 2019 @ 9:00 am 575 Virginia Rd #100 www.tremontschool.org/

LEXINGTON

Waldorf School of Lexington January 25, 2020 @ 10:00 am 739 Massachusetts Ave www.thewaldorfschool.org/

MILTON Thacher Montessori School

Montessori Information Session December 4, 2019 @ 9:30 am January 17, 2020 @ 9:30 am 1425 Blue Hill Ave www.thacherschool.org/

Afternoon Chores and More 3:30-5pm, Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 S Great Road, Lincoln. Spend your afternoon helping Drumlin Farm tuck their animals in for the night. You’ll collect eggs, bring hay to sheep, goats, and cows, and learn what it takes to run a farm. 781-2592200; massaudubon.org

Middleborough Festival of Lights 4-9pm, Boston/Cape Cod KOA, 438 Plymouth St., Middleborough. Drive through acres of lights, then visit the Christmas Village for holiday snacks, ornaments for purchase and a model train display. Saturday and Sunday evenings thru Dec. 15. $5 per car. 978-810-5892; discovermiddleborough.com

Christmas Market at Heifer Village 4–9pm, Heifer Village and Urban Farm, 216 Wachusett St., Rutland. Enjoy this European-style Christmas market, filled with unique vendors selling ethical gifts and goods from all over the world. 508-886-5000; heifer.org/farm

NEWTON Wellan Montessori School

Holiday Pops

Info Session: Toddler – Grade 8 December 3, 2019 @ 8:30 am 80 Crescent Ave www.wellan.org/

Varying times, Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. Join the Boston Pops in a performance of holiday music favorites, sing-a-longs and a visit from Santa. Through Dec. 24; kids matinees Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23 & 24. $33 and up. 888266-1200; bso.org

TYNGSBORO Academy of Notre Dame

Hay Bale Christmas Tree Lighting

Open House February 6, 2020 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm March 8, 2020 @ 12:00 pm 180 Middlesex Rd www.ndatyngsboro.org.org

6:30-8pm, Powisset Farm, 39 Powisset St, Dover. Join Powisset Farm for the annual lighting of their hay bale Christmas Tree. Hot chocolate and hot toddies will be available for purchase. FREE. 508-785-0339; ttor.org

8 Sunday some good, come cut firewood, haul brush, and get the sanctuary ready for winter. FREE. 617-489-5050; massaudubon.org

Wild About Winter 10am-4pm, EcoTarium, 222 Harrington Way, Worcester. Celebrate the wonders of winter at the EcoTarium this December! Join in for indoor sock skating, winter crafts, cocoa and cookies, and cozy winter tales. While you’re here, learn about animals in winter, the science of snow, and discover the seasonal sky in the planetarium. Weekends through Dec. 15. $8. 508-9292700; ecotarium.org

Holiday Open House 10am – 3pm, North River Wildlife Sanctuary, 2000 Main Street, Marshfield. Enjoy free admission, cider and snacks while shopping for unique and locally handmade gifts. Exhibits and demonstrations will be available to keep your little ones occupied while you shop. FREE. 781-837-9400; massaudubon.org

Holiday Open House 10am – 4pm, Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St., Boston. Meet colonial characters, enjoy a cup of tea, make crafts and much more. FREE. 617-482-6439; osmh.org

Holiday Bazaar 12-2pm, Faneuil Hall, Boston. Bring the whole family, pets too, to shop and take pictures with Santa at this festive holiday market! Open Dec. 7, 14, and 21. FREE. faneuilhallmarketplace.com

A Spirited Winter Village Weekend afternoons starting Dec. 7, Plimoth Plantation, 137 Warren Ave., Plymouth. Enjoy a spirited performance in a recreated English Village featuring everyone’s favorite humbug, Scrooge! Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 21. Adults, $20; youth, $18. 508-746-1622; plimoth.org

Boston Parents Paper | December 2019

Breakfast with Santa 10am & 11:30am, Plimoth Plantation, 137 Warren Ave., Plymouth. Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet, decorate a gingerbread man and visit with Santa. Sundays through Dec. 17. Adults, $20; youth, $10. 508-746-1622; plimoth.org

Vanessa Trien & The Jumping Monkeys 10:30am, Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. Trien and The Monkeys return to the Coolidge Corner Theatre for their highly anticipated annual show! Adults, $13; youth, $10. 617-734-2501; coolidge.org

Cookie Decorating 12pm – 4pm, The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. Museum elves (renown for their tinkering skills) will help kids make a special keepsake holiday craft and decorate cookies! $2.50/cookie. 508-230-3789; childrensmuseumineaston. org

Lexington Symphony’s Holiday Pops: Welcome Yule 3pm, Cary Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington. An afternoon of popular holiday hits complete with Santa and a carol sing-along. $15 and up. 781-523-9009; lexingtonsymphony.org

Roxbury Stringfest 3:30pm, Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley St., Roxbury. Voci Angelica performs world music for the Roxbury Stringfest with Boston City-Wide String Orchestra. Voci Angelica cellist, Aristides Rivas, will adapt Puerto Rican folksong arrangements for the featured youth ensembles. Reservations suggested. FREE. 617-598-3225; celebrityseries.org

CAMPS

9 Monday Nature and Art Discovery: Owls 10 -11am, Museum of American Bird Art, 963 Washington St, Canton. This art and nature-focused program focuses on a new theme every week; this week’s is owls. Suitable for kids ages 2.5-5.5. $8 & up. Registration is required. 781-821-8853; massaudubon.org

Summer Program 2020 Serving ages 2.9 through Grade 8.

Weekly themes and fun, engaging activities!

Swimming lessons!

Full day and half day options

Owls at Stellwagen 6-8pm, Stellwagen Beer Co. 100 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield. This program, co-hosted by North River Wildlife Sanctuary and Stellwagen Beer Co, invites you and your family to learn about Marshfield’s most active night-time predators through crafts and hands-on activities. FREE. Registration is required. 781837-9400; massaudubon.org

11 Wednesday ZooLights 5-9pm, Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham. Stroll along treelined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights; visit Santa and a reindeer, on Wednesdays and Christmas Eve meet Mrs. Claus! Through Jan. 4. Closed Dec. 25. $8 and up. 781-438-5100; stonezoo.org

12 Thursday The Gingerbread Man 10-11:30am, Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 S Great Road, Lincoln. Design and decorate your very own gingerbread man. While he’s baking, hear about his exciting adventures, then pay a visit to his friends on the farm. Open Dec. 12, and 13. $14.50 and up. 781-259-2200; massaudubon.org

Winterlights 5-8pm, Stevens-Coolidge Place, 137 Andover St., North Andover. This holiday season, the gardens at three of our most popular historic homes, Naumkeag in Stockbridge, Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton and The StevensCoolidge Place in North Andover will sparkle with thousands of shimmering holiday lights. Each weekend features performances and activities for the whole family, from the young to the young at heart. Through Dec. 29. $12 and up. 978356-4351; ttor.org

Registration opens January 8, 2020. Space is limited! lesleyellis.org/summer-program lesleyellis.org

For more information contact: Jeanette Keller summer@lesleyellis.org | 34 Winter St., Arlington, MA 02474

SUMMER at

TOBIN

SUMMER at

TOBIN

• Summer fun for kids entering Jr. K - 5th grade • Flexible scheduling: “Choose Your Days, Choose Your Weeks” SUMMER at visitors, • Themed weeks, special swim lessons, and field trips included SUMMER at NATICK • 508.650.1561 • WWW.TOBINAFTERSCHOOL.ORG/LEARNING/SUMMER-AT-TOBIN

TOBINnior Ju

TOBIN Jr.

SUMMER at

Outdoor TOBIN Jr.

Adventures for Girls

13 Friday Fledgling Fridays: Coyotes and Your Nose 1:30-2:30pm, Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 293 Moose Hill Parkway, Sharon. Interact with your children ages 3-5 in a hands-on-learning nature based program guided by a Teacher Naturalist. Create art, participate in STEAM activities, listen to stories, and explore the outdoors every Friday afternoon. Members- adults: $5, kids: $15; nonmembers- adults: $6, kids: $18. Registration is required. Suitable for ages 3-5. 781-7845691; massaudubon.org

Christmas Revels Preview Times vary, Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge. This year we explore the magic of the roots of American music! Shows through Dec. 29. $12 and up. 617496-2222; www.boxoffice.harvard.edu

6 DAY CAMPS Bus Stops Throughout Eastern Massachusetts 4 RESIDENT CAMPS Bus Stops in Boston, Braintree, and Woburn

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New Friends Fun Activities Safe, Affordable Challenge Courses, Archery Horseback Riding Sailing, Kayaking, Windsurfing Adventure Travel

Serving girls entering K-12

Learn more and register at hercamp.org Not a Girl Scout, not a problem. Prior Girl Scout membership not required.

December 2019 | BostonParentsPaper.com

Scrooge! Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 21. Adults, $20; youth, $18. 508-746-1622; plimoth.org

Frozen Wonderland 3–6pm, The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. Meet, greet, and play with the Snow Queen herself! Your little ones will love making crafts at this party made for a prince or princess! $25 per child. 508-230-3789; childrensmuseumineaston. org

Join the Boston Pops in a performance of holiday music favorites, sing-a-longs and a visit from Santa. Through Dec. 24; kids matinees Dec. 14, 15, 21, 22, 23 & 24. $33 and up. 888-266-1200; bso.org

Family Trees Program: Voices from Around the World

11am – 12pm, Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Road, Concord. Bindy Fleischman and Nancy Traversy discuss books that open children’s hearts, minds, and provide authentic perspectives and Winter Solstice Lantern Walk voices from around the world. After the program admire holidays 4-6pm, Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkins Row, trees decorated with inspiration from children’s literature. Topsfield. Make lanterns, tell solstice stories and stroll the trails to Through Jan. 5. Included with museum admission. 978-369-9763; light up the night. Enjoy hot cider and cocoa at the bonfire after the concordmuseum.org hike. Through Dec. 14. $8 and up. 978-887-9264; massaudubon. org Family Design Day 10:30am-12:30pm, BSA Space, 290 Congress St., Boston. Tour gingerbread houses made by local design firms, then create your 14 Saturday own. Registration required. $12. 617-391-4000; lbdma.org

Cultural Survival Bazaar 10am – 6pm, Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, 459 Broadway, Cambridge. Experience art and music from indigenous peoples around the world. Through December 15. FREE. bazaar. culturalsurvival.org

Matt Heaton & The Outside Toys 10:30am, Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. Matt Heaton & the Outside Toys put on a Holiday Hootenanny that will have the whole family out of their seats and singing along! Adults, $13.50; children, $10.50. 617-734-2501; coolidge.org

Holiday Pops

Dorchester Stringfest 3pm, Kroc Center Boston, 650 Dudley St., Dorchester. Cello and vocal trio Voci Angelica, and the young musicians from Conservatory Lab Charter School lead the Dorchester Stringfest. Voci Angelica cellist, Aristides Rivas, will adapt Puerto Rican folksong arrangements for the Conservatory Lab ensemble. Reservations suggested. FREE. 617-598-3225; celebrityseries.org

Varying times, Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston.

CAMPS

Boston Parents Paper | December 2019

Saturday and Sunday evening thru Dec.15. $5 per car. 978-8105892; discovermiddleborough.com

decorated with inspiration from children’s literature. Included with museum admission. 978-369-9763; concordmuseum.org

Owl Prowl Adventures under the Moon and Meteors for Families

16 Monday

7-8:30pm, Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, 280 Eliot Street, Natick. Come for great views of the night sky and meteors with snacks and hot drinks to keep you warm. A fun way to learn about stars and meteors from an astronomer! Ages 6 and up. $7 and up, registration is required. 508-655-2296; massaudubon.org

Nature and Art Discovery: Porcupines

15 Sunday

246th Boston Tea Party Anniversary and Annual Reenactment

10 -11am, Museum of American Bird Art, 963 Washington St, Canton. This art and nature-focused program focuses on a new theme every week; this week’s is porcupines. Suitable for kids ages 2.5-5.5. $8 & up.; registration is required. 781-821-8853; massaudubon.org

6:30 -8:30pm, Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St., Boston. Join over 100 actors in reenacting one of America’s most iconic public protests. Experience a moment in history and chant “Huzzah!” as loose tea leaves are tossed into the harbor! $30/ person. 617-482-6439; www.December16.org

Science on Screen: Sherlock Jr. 10:30am, Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. Before this film about an imaginative movie projectionist begins, a local scientist will discuss optical illusions and special effects in movies. Suitable for kids ages 7 & up. Adults, $9.50; youth, $7.50. 617-734-2501; coolidge.org

SCHOOLS AND PRESCHOOLS

Family Trees Program: Monument Makers 11am – 12pm, Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Road, Concord. This talk about Concord-based sculptor Daniel Chester French, will highlight his most famous works, a children’s book recently written about him, and will culminate in kids sculpting their own masterpieces. After the program admire holidays trees

We go beyond—so they will.

Here, junior kindergarten through grade 8 academics go beyond grade level, with advanced curricula and performancebased math and writing groups to take children as far as they can go.

meadowbrook-ma.org 10 Farm Rd., Weston Open House: Dec. 10, 9–10:30 A.M. December 2019 | BostonParentsPaper.com

17 Tuesday Habitat Restoration Workday 9:30am-12:30pm, Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 10 Juniper Road, Belmont. Lend a helping hand this holiday season. Habitat needs the help of you and your family to remove invasive plants and restore natural species. FREE. 617489-5050; massaudubon.org

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: The Musical 7:30pm, Boch Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston. Irving Berlin’s classic film is brought from the screen to the stage in this lavish retelling. Through Dec. 29, $25 and up. www. bochcenter.org

18 Wednesday Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights 4:30-10pm, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. Enjoy an array of musical performances by artists, bands,

SCHOOLS AND PRESCHOOLS

Little People’s Playhouse

Educating and caring for your child like their own!

15 mos. to 6 yrs. • Pre K • Kindergarten Before & After School Ages 6-12 • 7am - 6pm Part-time Preschool • 7am - 1pm ♦ Literacy based academic program focusing on the whole child ♦ Tutoring available ♦ Catered hot meals included

ONGOING ENROLLMENT

www.peopleplayhouse.net 32 South Fairview Street ♦ W. Roxbury/Roslindale Line ♦ 617-323-2566 4019 Washington Street ♦ Roslindale/Jamaica Plain ♦ 617-323-6144

Our mission is to create an early childhood program that fulfills the cognitive, emotional, social and physical needs of what is known to be the most significant period of human development. Friends Childcare offers an exciting, creative curriculum, as well as fun and stimulating learning activities for all age groups. Tailor-made schedule 7AM-6PM, 5 days a week. Regular in-house enrichment programs such as nature exploration, music, gross motor program, and baby massage are included in the tuition.

• Infants

(Birth to 15 Months)

• Toddlers

(15 Months to 33 Months)

• Preschool/ Pre-Kindergarten (33 Months to 5 Years)

and ensembles from around the region; view a one-of-a-kind, artist-made menorah and join a community candle lighting; and explore the MFA’s collection of Judaica to find inspiration to make your own art. FREE. 617-267-9300; mfa.org

19 Thursday Urban Nutcracker Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont, Boston “You really don’t get more “original” than Williams’ version of “The Nutcracker” that features people who reflect the increasingly diverse neighborhoods of Boston and, frankly, many other metro areas in the United States.” — The Boston Globe. $29-$85. Multiple showtimes daily from December 19-28; www.urbannutcracker. com

20 Friday Imagine, Sing & Learn: The Sun, Moon & Stars 10-11:30am, Joppa Flats Education Center, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport. This program is designed for you and your active preschooler. Hands-on activities, music, moving, and grooving are highlights of this educational program. $6 and up. 978-462-9998; massaudubon.org

The Train to Christmas Town Varying times every Fri-Sun before Christmas, Buzzards Bay Depot, 70 Main St., Buzzards Bay. All aboard the Train to Christmas Town! Take a train ride to see Santa in “Christmas Town” while singing songs, eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate. Meet Santa’s elves and even the big man himself! Through Dec. 23. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. $44 and up. 888-797-7245; www.capetrain.com

Fledgling Fridays: Evergreen Trees 1:30-2:30pm, Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 293 Moose Hill Parkway, Sharon. Interact with your children ages 3-5 in a hands-on-learning nature based program guided by a Teacher Naturalist. Create art, participate in STEAM activities, listen to stories, and explore the outdoors every Friday afternoon. Members- adults: $5, kids: $15; nonmembers- adults: $6, kids: $18. Registration is required. Suitable for ages 3-5. 781-7845691; massaudubon.org

A Winter Solstice Celebration 3:30-5pm, Joppa Flats Education Center, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport. Come celebrate the longest night and shortest day of the year with Joppa Flats! $6 and up. 978-4629998; massaudubon.org

Christmas Revels Times vary, Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge. This year, explore the magic of the roots of American music! Shows through Dec. 29. $15 and up. 617-4962222; www.boxoffice.harvard.edu

21 Saturday MFA Playdates

Brookline • 617-731-1008 • 617-739-0854

Call or email us to schedule a tour • friendschildcare.brookline@gmail.com www.friendschildcare.net

Boston Parents Paper | December 2019

10:15am, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. Bring your toddler to enjoy story time and activities in the

galleries. This month’s theme is Winter Adventures! Free with admission. 617-267-9300; mfa.org

The Muppet Christmas Carol

PHOTO COURTESY OF CONCORD MUSEUM

10:30am, Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. Bring the whole family to this kid-friendly retelling of a Christmas classic. Additional showtime on Sunday. Adults, $9.50; youth, $7.50. 617-734-2501; coolidge.org

Solstice Illumination Night 4-6pm, Governor Hutchinson’s Field, 224 Adams St, Milton. Gather with family and friends to celebrate the darkest day of the year around campfires with s’mores, hot dogs, and a fire spinner! $20-$25 per family. 617-542-7696; ttor.org

Winter Solstice Hayride 6:30-8:30pm, North River Wildlife Sanctuary, 2000 Main Street, Marshfield. Bundle up in your favorite warm layers and join North River in celebrating the Winter Solstice. Bring your own box dinner and they will supply hot cocoa, dessert and stories. $8 and up. Registration is required. 781-837-9400; massaudubon.org

Star Gazing Nights 6:30-8:30pm, Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 293 Moose Hill Parkway, Sharon. Join local astronomers for a look at the stars and other night objects through big telescopes. Drop in for all or some of the evening. Event subject to weatherrelated cancellations. Ages 6 and up. FREE. 781-784-5691; massaudubon.org

22 Sunday

Tues., Dec. 3, Family Trees – A Celebration of Children’s Literature — Concord Museum

LEARN

SPANISH, FRENCH, GERMAN, ARABIC, ITALIAN

WITH MY FRIEND LEE DOWNLOAD THE PENTALINGUALTM APP www.pentalingual.com

Referred to as the “Mr. Rogers of ‘Foreign Language’ Instruction,” the PentaLingualTM app featuring “My Friend Lee,” offers a language experience unlike any other – where children & adults, ages 5-105, learn 5 languages interactively and all-at-one-time! The scripts are FUN – SURREAL – ENGAGING – and they EXPAND one’s learning drive. Download the PentaLingualTM app for $4.99. Let’s get started!

Get Ahead For Finals!

Winterlights

If you or your child struggles with: ADHD • Autism • Executive Function Learning Issues • Anxiety • Depression Behavioral Problems • School Refusal

5-8pm, Stevens-Coolidge Place, 137 Andover St., North Andover. This holiday season, the gardens at three of the most popular historic homes, Naumkeag in Stockbridge, Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton and The Stevens-Coolidge Place in North Andover will sparkle with thousands of shimmering holiday lights. Each weekend features performances and activities for the whole family, from the young to the young at heart. Through Dec. 29. $12 and up. 978-356-4351; ttor.org

We Can Help! Safe, effective, and drug free. Starting with a QEEG Brain Map, we create an individualized wellness plan that corrects brain imbalances and promotes sustained We host free improvement. educational workshops: visit us online for details!

24 Tuesday • Christmas Eve Holiday Pops - Kids Matinee 11 a.m. Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. Join the Boston Pops in a performance of holiday music favorites, singa-longs and a visit from Santa. Through Dec. 24; kid’s matinees. $33 and up. 888-266-1200; bso.org

ow Call N ree for a Fsult Con

Jolene Ross, Ph.D., Director

Licensed Psychologist | Over 30 Years of Experience

781.444.9115 • Needham

www.AdvancedNeurotherapy.com

26 Thursday Family Trees – A Celebration of Children’s Literature Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Road, Concord. Admire holidays trees decorated with inspiration from children’s literature. Through Jan. 5. Included with museum admission. 978-369-9763; concordmuseum.org

28 Saturday Blink! A Light and Sound Extravaganza 4:30-10pm, Faneuil Hall, Boston. Watch as more than 350,000 December 2019 | BostonParentsPaper.com

CLASSES AND ENRICHMENT lights dance to the beat of holiday songs. Through Jan. 1. FREE. bostonblinks.com

Lessons at your school! We bring the

instrument and the instructor for ages 3-14 Now offering in-home private lessons

31 Tuesday • New Year’s Eve New Year’s Eve Party

Fun • Creative • Small Group Lessons

10am – 3pm, The Children’s Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton. This party has everything your little one is looking for in a glamorous New Year’s Eve. Festive activities include magic shows, cookie decorating, a glow-in-the-dark dance party, and glitter tattoos! $11 per person. 508-230-3789; childrensmuseumineaston.org

Contact Molly at

617-999-8794 www.pianoplaytime.com

JAZZ

all that DANCE STUDIO

Happy Noon Year 10:30am – 12pm, The Common, 308 Congress St., Boston. Why wait until midnight to welcome 2020? Start your celebrations early with festive hat making and a noon countdown. Free with admission. 617-426-6500; bostonchildrensmuseum.org

Come Discover the Joy of Dancing! CLASSES START AT AGE 2 AND ARE OFFERED 7 DAYS A WEEK

Boston’s Family Fireworks

New Classes Starting in January Register Today!

7pm, Boston Commons, Tremont St., Boston. Enjoy a fantastic fireworks display over Boston Common, brought to you by The Mugar Foundation. FREE. www.firstnightboston.org

Ages 2 and Up • Ballet • Tap • Jazz • Hip Hop • Contemporary • Fairytale Ballet • Musical Theater • Street Jazz and Lyrical • And More!

2019 WINNER

330 Watertown St., Newton • 617-641-0784 www.AllThatJazzNewton.com

KIDSTOCK!

Making a Difference One Skater at a Time

Boston Parents Paper Family Favorite 2019 Winner:

SHINE YOUR LIGHT ONSTAGE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

2019 WINNER

Vacation weeks-no school playdates shows - birthday parties www.kidstocktheater.com

GET THE BEST REPORT CARD YET! GET AHEAD IN MATH & READING. Join us as we play math games, read books and apply our studies to our daily lives. Call in today to reserve a slot!

BP201819

2018 TOP 5

Bay State Skating School LEARN TO SKATE CLASSES for Recreational • Figure • Hockey As Skating Skills featured on Over 50 Years Experience Chronicle Children (4-18 years)

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2019 TOP 5

781-890-8480 • www.BayStateSkatingSchool.org 24

Boston Parents Paper | December 2019

MICHAEL BLANCHARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Monday, Dec. 16 246th Boston Tea Party Anniversary and Annual Reenactment

December 2019 | BostonParentsPaper.com

Photos by Bonnie Baker Photography, Rachel Napier, Carol Boughrum

The Concord Museum is jam-packed with fun, family events!

✼

calendar

Family Trees

24th Annual Celebration of Children’s Literature

the Tanglewood Marionettes. Reservations required. FREE. WEST Valentine Making Party, 10am, The Carle 617-514-1644; 38 fancifuljfklibrary.org. trees and wreaths of all shapes and sizes, decorated withCard original ornaments inspired byEric acclaimed Museum,picture 125 West Bayfavorites. Road, Amherst. Pop in to make Winter Backyard Birding,children’s 10:30am, Boston Nature storybooks and contemporary book special valentines for your family, friends or classmates. Center, 500 Walk Hill St., Mattapan. Learn to use Registration recommended. $12 per pair or trio. 2019 Honorary Zagarenski binoculars, go on a bird hike and create some seed and Chair Pamela 413-658-1100; carlemuseum.org. fruit art for the birds to enjoy. Registration required. Youth, $7. 617-983-8500; massaudubon.org.

November 27 ~ January29 5 atSunday the Concord Museum

Matias Latelier, 10:30am, Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. An hour of magic and surprises from a Chilean magician and mentalist. $10; youth, $8. Join usAdults, for special book-related 781-646-4849; regenttheatre.com.

The Enchanted Forest, 10:30am, Coolidge Corner

Theatre, 290 on Harvard St., Brookline. programs December 14 Artbarn, & 15 a youth

SOUTH Lead Sponsor Tracking the Winter Wild Thing, 9am, Francis William Bird Park, 251 Washington St., Walpole. See Jan. 14 listing.

community theater company, presents the tale of a family vacation gone wrong. Adults, $13; youth, $10. 617-734-2501; coolidge.org. Media Sponsor

NORTH www.concordmuseum.org Ward Winter Fest, noon to 3pm, Ward Reservation,

Winter Warm Up, 2-6pm, World’s End, Hingham. Get outdoors for hiking, sledding, snowshoeing, owl prowls and tales around the campfire. Adults, $10; youth, free. 781-740-7233; ttor.org.

Family Owl Prowl, 7pm, Blue Hills Trailside Museum, 1904 Canton Ave., Milton. Practice owl calls and meet some of the museum’s resident owls before going on a night hike to search for them. Registration required. $10. 617-983-8500; massaudon.org. Stargazing: Jewels of the Night, 7pm, North River Wildlife Sanctuary, 2000 Main St., Marshfield. Join astronomy enthusiast Peter Reed as he guides you through the constellations. Registration required. $13. 781-837-9400; massaudubon.org.

ENTERTAINMENT AND PARTY NEEDS ENTERTAINMENT

J & J Pony Rentals • Quiet, gentle, lovable ponies for any occasion at your place or the farm

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Host your next party in our new Decorating Kitchen

Andover. Explore the property on a guided hike, or bring your snowshoes and sled to play. Then warm up with refreshments by the fire. $10 per car. 978-886-5297; ttor.org.

Parents

ice Award ChoTuesday 31 er ner nne Win Wiinn W

Fran Friedman

Children’s Musician & Instructor

Birthday Parties, WEST Schools, Concerts, Backwards Storytime, 10am, The Discovery Museums, Libraries 177 Main St., Acton. Celebrate National Backwards Day with silly stories and activities. Free with admission. Preschool & Elementary 978-264-4200; discoverymuseums.org. Music Specialist

Lots of Participation & Fun for All! 508-358-1614 • www.franfriedman.com

& PARTY NEEDS Parents Choice Award er ner nne inn Win Wi W

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