Family Friendly Archives - Masshole Mommy

Experiencing a Jr. Celtics Gameday Clinic

Dec 262018

If you know my 14 year old in real life, you already know that he’s OBSESSED with The Celtics. My youngest is a basketball fan, too, but JD lives and breathes for The Celts. Just imagine how pumped they were to have been invited back to participate in a Jr. Celtics Gameday Clinic for a 2nd year in a row! You can read all about our experience last year here. We went this past Sunday and I want to tell you all about it.

A Jr. Celtics Gameday Clinic is an unforgettable experience for young basketball fans. Learn what it means to "be a Celtic" on the court of the TD Garden.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Jr. Celtics program, it’s a series of clinics in Boston (at the Garden and the Auerbach Center) that teaches young kids the core values of Boston Celtics Basketball as part of its mission to improve healthy youth development in the Boston community through basketball programs. Programs include Basketball Clinics, Coaches Clinics, Leagues, Tournaments and Summer Camps. Kids learn things like how to improve their skills, how to become a better teammate and to perform like a champion. Jr. Celtics provides opportunities for all ages and skill levels. Continue reading »

Got Young Celtics Fans? Check Out the Jr. Celtics Program!

Nov 012018

My boys both love basketball (especially my 14 year old who is OBSESSED) and they love rooting for their favorite team – The Celtics. We’re going to our first game of the season in a few weeks and then in December both of my boys will be participating in one of the Jr. Celtics Clinics at the TD Garden (also, it’s really hard for me not to call it the Boston Garden). My two did one of the Jr. Celtics Clinics last year (read all about our experience here), so they are pumped to do it again.

Jr. Celtics teaches the core values of Boston Celtics Basketball as part of its mission to improve healthy youth development in the Boston community.

The Boston Celtics have expanded the Jr. Celtics program this year by adding a series of new programs and events. The Jr. Celtics program teaches the core values of Boston Celtics Basketball as part of its mission to improve healthy youth development in the Boston community through basketball programs. Programs include Basketball Clinics, Coaches Clinics, Leagues, Tournaments and Summer Camps. Continue reading »

King Richard’s Faire 2018

Oct 082018

Hear ye, hear ye! King Richard’s Faire in back in Carvershire (Carver, MA) and the faire is better than ever this year. Spread out over 80 acres of woods, King Richard’s Fairs is the place to be if you want to fully immerse yourself in the 16th century. If you’ve never been to a renaissance festival, it’s definitely not something to be missed. Even if you think it’s not for you, trust me – it is. There is so much experience there and it really is loads of family fun.

If you are looking for a fun and unique experience for your family, head to King Richard's Faire in Carver, MA. It's an experience like no other.

Here’s what you can expect at King Richard’s Faire

Entertainment!

There are eight stages of live entertainment all day, included in your admission price at King Richard’s Faire. In addition to jousting show, you can see fire eating, magic, comedy shows, acrobatic acts and much more. Many of the performers ask for tips (and some might even beg). If you feel inclined, feel free to tip them. If you don’t want to, that’s ok, too. There’s no pressure at all, but in case you didn’t already know this – many of the performers at the faire spend their lives traveling from ren-faire to ren-faire, so they rely on tip money. Just something to keep in mind. Continue reading »

Family Fun at Gatorland, Orlando

Sep 102018

If you are looking for a fun day of making memories with your family in Orlando, head to Gatorland. There's a lot more there than just gators!

I don’t know about you, but I have been hearing buzz about Gatorland in Orlando for years. It’s one of those attractions that I have had on my bucket list for a long, long time and recently I was able to cross it off. We had some time between checking out of one resort before we could check into the next, so I figured it was the perfect time to head over to the the Alligator Capital of the World!

If you are looking for a fun day of making memories with your family in Orlando, head to Gatorland. There's a lot more there than just gators!

Sure, you go to Gatorland to see the gators, but in addition to thousands (literally) of alligators, Gatorland has much more to offer. Gatorland boasts the largest collection of extremely rare white leucistic alligators, a free-flight aviary, petting zoo, one-of-a-kind animal shows, thrilling Screamin’ Gator Zip Line and their new Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure! Your day at Gatorland will be full of fun and memory making! Continue reading »

Marshfield Fair 2018

Aug 202018

If you grew up in Southeastern Massachusetts (like me), it’s that time of year again. Time for the Marshfield Fair that is! Growing up, my siblings and I looked forward to the fair returning at the end of every August. The 151st Marshfield Fair is here NOW through August 26th. If you’re local and you’ve never been, you are truly missing out on a fun experience. The fair blends carnival rides, live music, animal demonstrations, a demolition derby and more.

Marshfield-Fair-2018

There really is something for everyone at the Marshfield Fair. While we were there we enjoyed seeing truck pulling, a magic show, a blacksmith demonstration and walking through the petting zoo. Oh, and of course my boys loved riding the rides. There is a lot going on at any given time at the Marshfield Fair and they also have some fun specials coming up. Continue reading »

The Summer is Already Half Over – Don’t Miss Out on Going to Water Country This Year!

Aug 062018

The Summer is Already Half Over, don't Miss Out on Going to Water Country in Portsmouth, NH this summer. It's New England's favorite water park!

Here in New England, summer is way too short and my family really tries to make the most of the nice weather we do get. One thing we do every single year is head up to Portsmouth, NH to Water Country. There are several water parks in New England, but Water Country is by far our favorite.

For over 30 years, Water Country has been the go-to destination for family fun in southern New Hampshire. Water Country features family-friendly rides and attractions like Big Ollie, Dr. Von Dark’s Tunnel of Terror, and the lazy river. They have more slides, pools and attractions than any other water park in the area and there is definitely something for everyone there. A day at the water park is just that, a full day!

The Summer is Already Half Over, don't Miss Out on Going to Water Country in Portsmouth, NH this summer. It's New England's favorite water park!

My family had a blast spending the day at Water Country this past weekend and I wanted to share a few tips with you for your trip: Continue reading »

Summer Fun at Edaville Family Theme Park

Jul 232018

Growing up, my siblings and I waited all year long until my parents finally said we were going to “Edaville” to see the Christmas lights. It was one of highlights of my childhood and I have so many happy memories of going there year after year with my family. These days it’s known as Edaville Family Theme Park and I am so thankful that I have the chance to take my own kids there so they can have the same wonderful memories of Edaville as I do.

A visit to Edaville Family Theme Park is a fun way to spend the day with your family. Admission includes Thomas Land, Dino Land, all rides & attractions.

But why is it called Edaville? Ellis D. Atwood used his initials (E.D.A) to name the theme park back when it first opened. He started this railroad by purchasing most of the surviving equipment from Maine’s once expansive network of two-foot gauge rail’s and had them trucked south to Carver, Massachusetts – and it is now known as Edaville Railroad. Continue reading »

Planning My Perfect Boston Staycation with TripAdvisor

Jul 172018

Did you know you can book experiences directly through TripAdvisor. I was able to book my perfect Boston Staycation on their site & you can, too!

I almost hate to jinx things, but I am just going to say it. We’ve been having some killer weather here in Boston this summer. It’s been so hot here (the way I like it) and knock on wood, we’ve had very little rain. Last year I feel like it rained for 80% of the month of July, so this nice sunny weather we’ve been having is so nice. With all the gorgeous weather, I decided that I wanted to plan a Boston staycation for my family. Sometimes it’s so fun to play tourist in your own city! I headed over to TripAdvisor because I needed help narrowing down what we should do. There is a lot to do in Boston, but since my boys aren’t always enthusiastic about doing things as they used to be (darn tweens/teens), I had to be sure to choose adventures that would keep everyone happy and entertained.

Did you know you can book experiences directly through TripAdvisor. I was able to book my perfect Boston Staycation on their site & you can, too!

Did you know that you can book activities and experiences directly through TripAdvisor? It’s super convenient to be able to look through all the things they offer to do in the city you’re traveling to, read reviews while you’re there AND book whatever catches your eye – all in one spot. You are going to TripAdvisor to look at the reviews anyways, so why not just book your experiences while you are there on their site. Trust me, it makes life so much easier! Continue reading »

Plan a Family Friendly Getaway at Great Wolf Lodge New England

May 072018

Tucked away in central Massachusetts, Great Wolf Lodge New England is THE place to go for a weekend of family fun! Located in Fitchburg, Great Wolf Lodge is more than just a water park. Sure, your family is in for an incredible water park experience when you visit, but there is much, much more including tons of family friendly attractions, shopping, entertainment and various dining options – all under one roof! I was invited to spend this past weekend at Great Wolf Lodge with my family, so I am going to tell you all about it.

Great Wolf Lodge is more than just a water park. Sure, your family is in for an incredible water park experience when you visit, but there is much, much more including tons of family friendly attractions, shopping, entertainment and various dining options - all under one roof!

If you are like me, the Indoor water park is most likely the initial draw to Great Wolf Lodge. Obviously around these parts we have much more cold weather than we do hot weather, so that makes an indoor water park very appealing. The water park includes a number of awesome water slides, an indoor wave pool and Fort Mackenzie, which is a water fort tree house with slides and toys. You can also Grab a tube and float your way around Crooked Creek (lazy river), try to pass across the Big Foot Pass, where you have to cross these large, floating lily pads using only cargo nets for help or play in Chinook Cove, activity pool gives you the chance to swim, splash and shoot some hoops.

New England Spring Break Fun

Apr 112018

Yesterday I met up with my good friend, Leah from City Living Boston and Kim from Kimworld (who was behind the scenes) to do a Facebook Live about what to do with the kids over the April school vacation. Well, we had some technical difficulties and the live stream didn’t work out, so we decided to just record a video and talk about all the stuff we had planned on telling you about – and if anyone has any questions feel free to comment here or email one of us. If you missed the video, here it is so you can watch it:

Here’s some more information on some of the places we talked about in the video: Continue reading »

Family Fun at Launch RI

Mar 292018

Sometimes I tell my boys that they have no idea how lucky they are, and they really don’t. There are so many cool things now that we just didn’t have when I was a kid. Take Launch Trampoline Park for example. There was no such thing as a trampoline park back in the 90’s. If we wanted to jump on a trampoline, we had to beg our parents to buy one.

Speaking of Launch Trampoline Park, my boys get so excited whenever I tell them we are going there. Did you know that Launch RI just got a major upgrade? It’s not just a trampoline park anymore. Of course they still have trampolines, but now they have a bunch of seriously awesome attractions (a Ninja Warrior Course, Extreme Dodgeball and Laser Tag to name a few).

Did you know that Launch RI just got a major upgrade? It's not just a trampoline park anymore. Of course they still have trampolines, but now they have a bunch of seriously awesome attractions (a Ninja Warrior Course, Extreme Dodgeball and Laser Tag to name a few).

Here’s what they have at the new Launch RI complex: Continue reading »

NEW Star Wars MINILAND Display at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston

Feb 132018

I never tell my kids where we’re going, I just tell them we’re going on a Mystery Ride and we go. Sometimes we go to Walmart, sometimes we go to Washington, DC. It’s a surprise every time. So, when the opportunity came up to go to the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Boston for #LEGOStarWars #MINILAND Preview Event I was psyched. This was going to be a perfect Mystery Ride! With my oldest being almost 13, the age gap between him and the 9- & 8-year olds feels like dog years. It’s getting harder and harder to find Mystery Rides they will enjoy together but something like this was a no-brainer.

Star Wars MINILAND is the newest addition to the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Boston. For Star Wars fans, this is a display not to be missed!

When they saw Gio, the giant Lego Giraffe, and realized they were going up to the Discovery Center, the excitement was palpable. Even the tweenager smiled. We found parking two blocks over that was free for the first 3 hours, made a mental note that there was an ice cream shop across the street and headed in for our adventure. Continue reading »

Upgrade Your Trip By Booking Experiences Directly Through TripAdvisor

Feb 122018

Upgrade Your Trip By Booking Experiences Directly Through TripAdvisor! They offer more than 56,000 bookable experiences in 2,500 destinations worldwide and with that many experiences it's safe to say there is something for everyone.

I don’t usually make any major travel plans during the winter time. If there is one thing I’ve learned as a life long New Englander, it’s that the weather is unpredictable. It’s such a bummer to have your flight delayed – or worse, canceled, because of snow and yes, I had to learn the hard way about what a bummer it actually is (sleeping at the airport is NOT fun). So instead we do lots of local outings and day trips during the winter time.

Whenever I am planning to visit someplace new, whether it’s a fun day trip or a vacation, the first place I look for information is TripAdvisor. I can always count on honest reviews by fellow travelers over there, but did you know that TripAdvisor recently just leveled up? In addition to thousands of honest reviews about anywhere and everywhere, you now have the ability to book attractions, tours and experiences directly through TripAdvisor.

Obviously, it’s February and since that’s the heart of winter here in New England, we’re still keeping it local this time of year. So off to TripAdvisor I went so that I could book some fun activities locally. I sat down and perused the available options for the dates I wanted to do something on. There are a lot of cool things happening in Boston on any given day (Boston is such an awesome city!!), but it was fun to scroll through all of the available experiences. I really like having so many options in one place, so I can easily search for what best suits what I am looking for.

I ended up picking out a few fun experiences in the Boston area for my family and here’s a little bit about the things I picked. Continue reading »

Keep the Kiddos Busy During Their Winter Break (Locally)

Feb 072018

Did you catch the Facebook live I did this morning with Leah from City Living Boston live from The Royal Sonesta Boston. Actually, Kim from Kimworld was there, too, but she did all the behind the scenes stuff for us (THANK YOU for that by the way, Kim)! During the live stream we covered local things to do over the Winter break/February school vacation.

What, you missed it? No worries – grab a snack, sit back and have a look:

Before I get into all my February vacation picks, here are a few of the links for things mentioned in the live stream for your reference:

Little Scientists Package: https://www.sonesta.com/…/royal-sonesta-boston/offers

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston February Vacation Offerings http://www.mfa.org/…/special-event/february-vacation-

Mirror Maze Exhibit at Museum of Science, Boston https://www.mos.org/exhibits/mirror-maze

Love Royally at the Royal Sonesta Boston https://www.sonesta.com/loveroyally

As promised here is some information on the locations I discussed in the video (plus a few that I didn’t have time to mention): Continue reading »

Plan Your Next Romantic Cape Cod Getaway at the Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa

Jan 152018

Here in Massachusetts a sandwich isn’t just a delicious combination of lunch meat, condiments and bread – it’s a town on Cape Cod, too. Yes, the actual name of the town is Sandwich and what a lovely town it is. I actually spent many childhood summers in Sandwich and I have so many fond memories of all my time there. My Great Aunt Millie and Uncle Jack used to rent a beach cottage on N Shore Blvd every summer and as kids we loved visiting them and playing on the beach. Sure there are beaches in Maryland (where they were from), but there is something really special about Cape Cod and it kept them coming back year after year.

Aside from the amazing beaches, there is charm everywhere you look. Cape Cod is filled with antique shops, boutiques, museums, cafes and so much more. It really is a wonderful getaway destination and I have just the place for you to stay when you start planning your trip to “The Cape”: The Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa!

The Dan'l Webster Inn & Spa is the perfect destination for your Cape Cod vacation, business gathering, wedding or simply a quick Cape Cod getaway.

The Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa in Sandwich, Cape Cod’s oldest town, has been in business for over 300 years. When you book a stay in one of the 48 guest rooms/suites at the Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa, you will be pleasantly surprised when enter your guest room. Each room has it’s own lovely decor and is full of amenities that you will help you to have a comfortable stay, including WiFi, a coffee maker, hair-dryer and more. If you are looking for a little more than just a room, there are suites available which feature canopy and/or four-poster beds, fireplaces and over-sized whirlpool tubs. Continue reading »

Plan a Fun Family Getaway at the Cape Codder Resort and Spa

Nov 272017

Located in the heart of Cape Cod, The Cape Codder Resort and Spa makes a wonderful spot for a family getaway. The Cape Codder has an indoor water park, a wide variety of room options, several restaurants, a full service spa and more. Everything you need to enjoy your getaway is located all under one roof!

Located in the heart of Cape Cod, The Cape Codder Resort and Spa makes a wonderful spot for a family getaway with their indoor water park and more!

Cape Codder Water Park

The Cape Codder Resort and Spa boasts the only one of its kind indoor/outdoor Water Park on Cape Cod. Here are some of the highlights:

There are two 160-foot “Stars and Stripes” high-speed water slides!
A 50-foot and an 80-foot water slide winding through a replica of a pirate ship.

Get Your 2018 Lake Compounce Tickets NOW! #LakeCompounce #LCHolidayLights

Nov 162017

Lake Compounce, New England’s Premier Family Theme and Waterpark, is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America, celebrating its 171st season in 2017. It’s home to the number one wooden roller coaster in the world, Boulder Dash, and the largest water park in Connecticut!

Lucky for you, Lake Compounce is offering some pretty amazing Black Friday deals to give their guests the best discounts on tickets and season passes! You can enjoy an entire year of Lake Compounce fun at a fantastic discount price!

Halloween Fun at Edaville Family Amusement Park

Oct 172017

When I was a kid my sister, brother and I waited all year long until my parents finally said we were going to “Edaville Railroad” to see the Christmas lights. I’m dead serious – it was one of the highlights of my childhood and I have so many fond memories of going there year after year with my family. These days it’s know as Edaville Family Theme Park and I am so thankful that I have the chance to go there with my own children so they can have the same wonderful memories of Edaville as I do.

Halloween Fun at Edaville Family Amusement Park's Not So Spooky Halloween event being held weekends throughout October. It's fun for the whole family.

Edaville Family Theme Park is tucked away in the middle of cranberry country in Carver, MA. It is a fun family attraction which features amusement rides including a Ferris Wheel, carousel my boys favorite: the bumper cars! Each admission includes a five mile train ride through the cranberry bogs on their property, all the rides, Dino Land and Thomas Land. Continue reading »

Your Guide to the 2017 Jack O’Lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo

Oct 042017

It’s that time of year again…..Time for the Jack O’Lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo that is. The Jack O’Lantern Spectacular is a nighttime display of 5,000 illuminated jack-o-lanterns all along the zoo’s beautiful Wetlands Trail. There’s something magical about so many illuminated Jack O’Lanterns on display as you walk along the trail and it is running from October 5th through November 5th this year.

he Jack O’Lantern Spectacular is a nighttime display of 5,000 illuminated jack-o-lanterns all along the zoo’s beautiful Wetlands Trail.

The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, presented by Citizens Bank has been delighting audiences of all ages for years and each year has a fun theme. This year you will travel through time and visit with dinosaurs, explore the ice age, and peek into the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Rome. Wander the Feinstein Junior Scholar Wetlands Trail and delight in the history of the Middle Ages, discover the New World, and be fascinated by major inventions like cars, planes, space travel, and the computer. Infused throughout will be the art and music associated with each era. Imagine our planet’s history reflected on more than 5,000 intricately carved pumpkins. Continue reading »

Good Southie Eats: Worden Hall

Oct 022017

Picture this: You are spending the morning wandering around South Boston and it suddenly hits you that you’re starving. It happens to me all the time. I will be out and about and it hits me out of no where that lunch time has already passed and I need to find some great food like NOW. I stopped into a great eatery in Southie recently and was so happy that I stopped in. Named after a 19th century guest house in historical Saratoga Springs, NY, Worden Hall was exactly what I was looking for.

Stop into Worden Hall for delicious meal in South Boston. Visit them for lunch, dinner or brunch, this restaurant in southie is sure to please

But what sets Worden Hall apart? Sure, there are lots of food options in Southie, but the American cuisine at Worden Hall stands out among the rest. Just the variety on the menu alone….from classics like burgers and mac & cheese to char-grilled NY Strip to mushroom & vegetable lasagna! And that’s not even mentioning the deep dish pizzas that bring in the crowds! Worden Hall also boasts a wonderful seasonal food menu, an extensive craft beverage program with 40 rotating draft beers, a selection of over 100 whiskeys and modern inventive cocktails. How can you go wrong? Continue reading »

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