Kid-Friendly Activities – Salem Happenings

Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Boston Common

Star Wars fans of the Boston area rejoice! If you’ve been dying to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens on the big screen again or you missed it when it was on the big screen the first time around, you’re going to love this one. Mayor Martin J. Walsh, in partnership with the Skating Club of Boston, is holding the last of his 2016 series of movie nights at the Boston Common Frog Pond from approximately 7:00 P.M. to approximately 10:30 P.M. tonight (Friday, September 23, 2016).

This event, which is sponsored by Northeastern University and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department as part of their ParkARTS program, will let you see Star Wars: The Force Awakens in its entirety while you devour all of the free popcorn (courtesy of AMC Loews Theatres) that you can get your hands on. The movie itself will begin at dusk, but you may want to get there a little early to find a good spot to sit and make sure that you don’t miss the beginning of the film. For more information on the Boston Common Movie Nights’ presentation of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which is completely free and open to the public, please visit the Boston Common Movie Nights’ Facebook Event page or the Boston Parks and Recreation Department Facebook page.

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Cirque du Soleil: Ovo

“Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.” – Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau was fascinated by nature, and many of his works focused on the wonders of the wilderness and the need for a balance between civilization and the wild. As a result, Thoreau was always attempting to look at the world around him (both the natural world and the civilized world) in a very different way from the rest of society. In fact, if you share Thoreau’s passion for the natural world and the balance between humans and the wild, you may be looking for a way to enjoy the world from a new perspective yourself. Fortunately, if you have always wanted to see what the world might look like if you were an insect, there is a show in Manchester, NH that may be exactly what you’re looking for.

This is because Cirque du Soleil’s touring production Ovo, which will end its run in the Northeast this weekend at the Verizon Wireless Arena, gives new meaning to the idea of a “flea” circus. This show features an incredible cast of talented performers balancing, bouncing, crawling, dancing, jumping, juggling, and flying across the stage in a series of acts with an insect theme. However, the show’s focus is not actually on the insects themselves but is instead on the way they move. This means that Ovo will not only give you the opportunity to see what the world might look like to an ant, a flea, or a spider but will also allow you to witness a dazzling display of all of the incredible ways that humans and other creatures move. For more information on Ovo and/or to order tickets for the show, please visit the Cirque du Soleil website.

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See Zootopia for Free at the Prudential Center

You may not be familiar with Walter Winchell’s somewhat famous line, “It’s a sure sign of summer if the chair gets up when you do.” However, there’s little doubt that his words sum up what a lot of people in the Northeast are thinking right about now. In fact, I have a feeling that there’s a fair number of people who would sum up the current level of heat and humidity in one word: “gross”. Fortunately, if you’re looking for a way for you and your kids to sit back and enjoy yourselves when it may be a little bit cooler out (“little” being the key word at the moment, I’m afraid), you may want to head over to the Prudential Center tomorrow night.

This is because the Prudential Center is hosting the Magic 106.7 Family Film Festival in its South Garden every weekend until the end of August. This outdoor event, which is scheduled to begin at 6:00 P.M. every Saturday unless it rains (in which case the event will be moved to Tuesday), will give you and your family the opportunity to listen to music, participate in kid’s activities, win prizes, and see a kid’s movie for free. This week’s movie is Zootopia, so if your kids are huge fans of the movie or just fans of talking animals and RMVs run by sloths, you should definitely check it out. For information on the Magic 106.7 Family Film Festival, which is sponsored by Hood, please visit the Prudential Center’s Events page.

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Finding Dory Under the Sea

Disney’s latest animated film, Finding Dory, has been taking theaters by storm for over a month now, and if your kids are just as obsessed with the film as all of the other kids out there, you may be looking for a way for your children to get their Dory fix without taking them to see the movie again. Well, if you would love a relatively inexpensive way to entertain your Dory fans and teach them something at the same time, you may want to check out a program offered by Boston Harbor Now, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the National Park Service entitled “Under the Sea.”

Under the Sea, which will take place on Peddocks Island from 1:30 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. on Sunday (July 24, 2016), will give you and your family the opportunity to learn about all of the things that live under the water in Boston Harbor. This event, which will be conducted by a ranger from the National Park Service, will feature a discussion of the unique marine life that lives in the water around the island and the impact that humans have on these creatures, a guided hands-on exploration of the island’s beaches, and a touch tank that will give you a chance to actually get up close and personal with some of the smaller animals living in the water (tide permitting.) For more information on the Under the Sea program on Peddocks Island, which is free and open to the public, please visit the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park Calendar.

Please note that although the program itself is free, you will have to pay for the ferry to get to the island. The ferry currently charges $17 a ticket for adults and children over the age of 12; $12 for active military, college students, and seniors over the age of 65; $10 for children ages 3 to 12; and no fee for children under the age of 3.

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Cirque du Soleil Boston: Kurios

“Curiouser and Curiouser!” The famous phrase from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland certainly sums up the fantastic world that Alice falls into in the story. However, Wonderland is not the only world that the phrase could be used to describe (and no, I’m not talking about our own world even though the phrase probably does apply.) In fact, these well-known words could probably be applied to any number of incredible realms that appear in artwork, books, movies, television, stage performances, and other artistic works. Yet, the one show that these words probably fit better than any other is Cirque du Soleil’s touring production “KURIOS: Cabinet of Curiosities.”

KURIOS: Cabinet of Curiosities, which will have its final performance in the Boston area this weekend at Suffolk Downs, is a circus like none you have seen before. This show features some of the most amazing acrobats, dancers, jugglers, percussionists, and other performers that you will ever see performing a series of acts with a steampunk theme. The element that truly makes the show amazing, however, is the huge number of curious objects or, in other words, curios that the performers will display and use throughout each of their acts. This combination of incredible performances and mechanical marvels will give you a chance to see (and, in some cases, not see) a world that is very different from our own. And, if you would like the chance to feel like Alice, you can always take the T from Wonderland to get to the show. For more information on KURIOS: Cabinet of Curiosities and/or to order tickets, please visit the Cirque du Soleil website.

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Labor Day Weekend in Boston 2015

Another summer has come and gone, and the time to wish the warmer weather and your kid’s vacation a fond farewell is upon us again. In fact, I don’t know about you, but it seems like this summer went by at a scorching pace (both fast and hot.) As a result, it’s even more important to find a way to make this weekend, the unofficial end of summer, a memorable one because it’s your last chance to take advantage of all the things that the summertime has to offer. Fortunately, if you’re looking for a way to make this Labor Day Weekend memorable, you don’t have to look very far because these events are sure to help.

First, if you’re looking for a way for your kids to have some fun and beat the heat one last time before they go back to school (if they haven’t already), you’ll definitely want to check out the Watergun Wars. Cortège Fitness, a group dedicated to promoting exercise through social activities, is hosting an event entitled the Watergun Wars at the Water Fountain in front of the Christian Science Center in Boston from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Sunday (September 6, 2015.) This event will allow kids of all ages (regardless of how adult-like they may look on the outside) to grab their squirt guns and join the biggest water battle you have probably ever seen. For more information on the Watergun Wars and/or to RSVP for the event, which is absolutely free and open to the public, please visit the Cortège Fitness website.

Please Note: The Watergun Wars are a bring-your-own watergun event, so the event is free, but you will have to supply your own squirt gun. It is also important to note that for the purposes of safety, you should bring a squirt gun that does not resemble a real weapon in any way, shape, or form.

Secondly, if you’re looking for an event that will let you end the summer with a bang, you may want to head over to Boston Harbor on Saturday. This is because the 3rd Annual Labor Day Weekend Fireworks are scheduled to take place at approximately 9:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 5, 2015. This event will allow you to listen to music as you watch two barges loaded with fireworks duel in the sky to see which barge can light up the skyline in a more impressive fashion. For more information on the 3rd Annual Labor Day Weekend Fireworks, including the best locations to watch the fireworks from, please visit the Boston Harbor Association’s Summer on the Waterfront website.

Photo credit: Graham S Dean Photography / Foter / CC BY

Escape the Heat in Salem

If you’ve been hiding in your house for the past couple of weeks huddled in front of your air conditioner for the chilly comfort it offers, you’ll be happy to know that the heat wave that has been plaguing the Northeast is finally over (at least for now). In fact, the weather this weekend is supposed to be great, especially along the coast, which means that if you are looking for a way to take advantage of the cooler weather, you’ll definitely want to head down by the water. And, if you’re looking for something to do by the water, it just so happens that Salem’s Annual Heritage Days Celebration ends this weekend. As a result, there’s probably no better way to spend your weekend by the coast than heading down to Salem to check out these events.

First, if you’re a history fan or a fan of American literature, the House of the Seven Gables may have the perfect program for you. This is because the House of the Seven Gables is hosting a Living History Lab from 10:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and 2:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. on Saturday and Sunday. This educational workshop will allow you and/or your kids to experience what it was like to live in the mid 1600’s by attempting things like writing with a quill, preparing some of the food that people in the 1600’s would have eaten, performing some of the chores that people had to perform in the 17th century, and playing with some of the toys and games from the era. For more information on the Living History Lab at the House of the Seven Gables, please visit the House of the Seven Gables website.

Secondly, if you’re more of a shopper than a time-hopper, you may want to head down to Essex Street in Salem. This is because the Essex Street Fair is scheduled to take place from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday (August 8th and 9th, 2015). This fair will give you the opportunity to peruse and purchase art, books, clothing, crafts, jewelry, and an assortment of other one-of-a-kind items from dozens of small, independent vendors. For more information on the Essex Street Fair, please take a look at the Salem Heritage Days flyer.

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Bring Some Magic Into Your Life

We live in a frightening world. A world filled with bullies, cheaters, fanatics, murderers, incompetent politicians, and an endless array of other less-than-pleasant individuals. As a result, it really should come as no great surprise that so many people like reading books, watching films, and playing video games that allow them to indulge in a fantastic world in which every problem can be swept away with the wave of a hand. In fact, almost everyone will experience something at some point that makes them realize that they could really use some more magic in their life (whether that magic is in the literal or figurative sense.) And, if you have reached a point in which you could really use some more magic in your life, you’ll be pleased to know there are a number of magicians performing in the Boston area this weekend that would be more than happy to help you find it.

First, if you’re looking for a magic show that is aimed at the younger crowd, you may want to get tickets for Davey the Clown. Davey the clown is an accordion player, comedian, juggler and magician performing at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA at 10:30 A.M. tomorrow morning (Saturday, January 24, 2015.) This show is not just your typical clowning around, however, as you and your kids can expect to see a wide assortment of balloon sculptures, tricks, unicycle riding, a rubber chicken, and more. For more information on Davey the Clown’s show at the Coolidge Corner Theatre and/or to order tickets, please visit the Coolidge Corner Theatre website.

Secondly, if you’re looking for a magic show that is aimed at a more adult crowd or you just find clowns to be extremely creepy, the Hampshire House may be your best bet. This is because the Hampshire House is hosting an event entitled Four-Handed Illusions: An Intimate Evening of Laughs and Wonder at 6:30 P.M. on Sunday (January 25, 2015.) This event will allow you and your friends to enjoy a pre-show reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres (the hors d’oeuvres are free, but the drinks are not) before you watch two talented magicians, Joel Acevedo and Steve Kradolfer, make objects appear and disappear out of thin air, read minds, teleport, and more. For more information on the Four-Handed Illusions show at the Hampshire House and/or to order tickets, please visit the Four-Handed Illusions webpage.

Finally, if you’re looking for some of the lounge-style magic that you only typically see in Vegas, but you don’t really want to go to Vegas, you may want to check out The Comedy Studio in Cambridge. The Comedy Studio has a live magic show with a guest comedian every Tuesday night from 8:00 to 10:00 P.M. entitled Mystery Lounge Magic. This show will give you a chance to see a professional magician perform an assortment of new and classic tricks while a comedian cracks jokes about pretty much everything under the sun. For more information and/or to order tickets for Mystery Lounge Magic, please visit The Comedy Studio website.

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Kid-Friendly Activities This Weekend

Easter on the Death Star — Wow. Even these guys know that spring is here!

Let’s face it. Winter in New England is cold, and if you’re a parent who isn’t a big fan of your kids losing their extremities, you may have been a little less than keen on the idea of letting them go outside and dive into a snow bank in 10 degrees. The only problem is that when you keep a child cooped up in the house all winter long, they tend to go a little stir-crazy and take you right with them. Fortunately, if the weather outside is any indication, the time to let them escape is finally upon us. In fact, if your wallet is feeling a little light after all of the money that the nice heating man (or woman) took to keep your house warm all winter, there are a number of kid-friendly activities this weekend that won’t make you (or your wallet) scream in pain.

First, if your kids just can’t wait to have an Easter egg hunt and/or your Easter plans really don’t leave a lot of time for a hunt next weekend, you may want to head on over to Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester tomorrow. This is because Phillips Candy House is sponsoring the 22nd Annual Department of Conservation & Recreation’s Spring Egg Scramble in the park from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. tomorrow, April 12, 2014. This event will allow your children to join an enormous number of other children to search the park for nearly 10,000 eggs filled with toys. Best of all, the event is completely free. For more information on the 22nd Annual Department of Conservation & Recreation’s Spring Egg Scramble, please call 617-333-7404.

Secondly, if your kids are more interested in magic and optical illusions than they are in eggs (which, depending on the purpose of the eggs, may not be such a bad thing), the Davis Museum at Wellesley College has a program that your kids won’t want to miss. This is because the Davis Museum at Wellesley College is hosting a special program tomorrow, April 12, 2014, entitled “Family Day at the Davis: The Art of Illusion” from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. This event will allow you and your family to see artwork that is designed to trick your eyes, watch magic tricks, take part in a scavenger hunt, and a whole lot more. Best of all, the museum and all of its programs are completely free. For more information on Family Day at the Davis: The Art of Illusion and other programs at the Davis Museum, please visit the Davis Museum Event page.

Finally, if your kids would really prefer to hear some music, the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA may have a show that’s more up your alley. This is because the Coolidge Corner Theatre is hosting Josh and the Jamtones tomorrow, April 12, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. This group is a Boston-based rock band that plays family-friendly music for kids 3 and up, and seeing them perform won’t break the bank because tickets to the show are only $10 for adults and $8 for kids. For more information on the Josh and the Jamtones show at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, please visit the Coolidge Corner Theatre website.

Photo credit: JD Hancock / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Keeping the Kids Entertained Before the Big Game

Even though this county could use an editor, the idea is sound. I mean your living room could be considered a "recreational facility when the big game is on, right? — Even though this sign could use an editor, the idea is sound. I mean your living room could be considered a “recreational facility” when the big game is on, right?

Many football fans throughout New England are anxiously awaiting a certain playoff game between two well-known rivals. In fact, there are probably more than a few fans out there who aren’t really anxiously awaiting the game as much as they are just anxious about it. However, if you’re one of the people who just can’t wait and you’re really looking forward to watching the AFC Championship Game between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos this weekend, you may already be searching for a solution to the age old football dilemma. What do you do with the kids? Well, if you find yourself in this particular situation, don’t worry because there are a number of kid-friendly activities this weekend that end long before the game starts at 3:30 P.M. on Sunday.

First, if your kids are always talking about how they want to be a veterinarian when they grow up, the Franklin Park Zoo has you covered. This is because the Franklin Park Zoo has a special program every Saturday in January from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., which is appropriately entitled “Be A Veterinarian Saturday.” This program will allow your children to bring their beloved teddy bear or other stuffed creature to the zoo, so they can dress up as a vet, learn why vets are important to pets and zoo animals, meet the zoo’s vets, and give their stuffed animal a checkup just like the trained veterinarians at the zoo. Best of all, the program is included in the normal admission fee, so you can take your kids to see all of the animals and learn how to care for them without completely emptying your wallet. For more information on the Franklin Park Zoo’s “Be a Veterinarian Saturdays”, please visit Zoo New England’s Event Page.

Secondly, if your kids are more into action than animals, there’s an event at the Boston Children’s Museum on Sunday morning that may be more their style. The Boston Children’s Museum is hosting OSHOGATSU 2014 from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Sunday (and you can always go early and be back before the game!) This event is a celebration of the Japanese New Year, which features Japanese cuisine, drummers, lion dancers, kite making demonstrations, origami, storytelling, and a whole lot more. For more information on OSHOGATSU 2014, please visit the Event Calendar for the Boston Children’s Museum.

Finally, if you have a young daughter who is absolutely obsessed with the book, Pinkalicious by Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann, the Boston Children’s Theatre at the Boston Center for the Arts may have exactly what your daughter is looking for this weekend. The Boston Children’s Theatre (BCT) is performing PINKALICIOUS–The Musical every Saturday and Sunday until February 2nd. This 55-minute musical performance will allow you and your kids to see the story of a young girl who is just a little too obsessed with cupcakes and the color pink for her own good. For more information and/or to order tickets for PINKALICIOUS–The Musical, please visit the Boston Children’s Theatre website.

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