Family Friendly Archives - Masshole Mommy

6 Tips For Visiting Water Country in Portsmouth, NH {And a Free Printable Checklist}

Jul 262017

If you're planning on visiting Water Country in Portsmouth, NH this summer, here are some things to know before you go. Plus there is a printable checklist!

If you are looking for some fun this summer, Water Country is the place to go! They have more slides, pools and attractions than any other water park in the area. There is definitely something for everyone when visiting Water Country. A day at the water park is just that – a full day. I always do my prep work before heading out for the day because I like to be prepared. In addition to packing up all the items I will need for the day, I take a few minutes to look over the website to make sure there are no surprises when I get there.

If you're planning on visiting Water Country in Portsmouth, NH this summer, here are some things to know before you go. Plus there is a printable checklist!

What you need to know before visiting Water Country

Old Town Trolley Tours are the Best Way to See Boston {And a Free Printable Scavenger Hunt}

Jul 172017

It is no secret that I am a proud Bostonian. I have lived in the area all my life and love being from this part of the country. There is so much to see and do in Boston and sometimes I like to pay tourist in my own city. When I want to see the sights in Boston, I take the Boston Old Town Trolley Tour in Boston.

If you're planning on visiting Boston, spend a day on the Boston Old Town Trolley Tour. It's hop on/hop off and brings you to over 100 Boston attractions.

The Hop On Hop Off Boston Tour covers all the major areas of the city including Downtown, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, the Theater District, and the Waterfront District. On the trolley, the fun conductors narrate the tour with a fun mix of trivia and humorous stories. My husband and I took the trolley tour on a rainy day a couple of weeks back. Since we’re local, we decided to stay on for the whole tour and I am so glad we did. Lucia was our tour guide/driver and she was wonderful. She is a life-long Bostonian and she was full of stories and trivia about Boston. Continue reading »

Summer Fun at Davis Farmland

Jul 102017

For a fun summer outing with the family, visit Davis Farmland in Sterling, MA

Located in Sterling, MA, Davis’ Farmland is super fun farm experience for families with children under 12. Davis Farmland has over 100 breeds of animals that can be petted and cuddled with as well as North America’s largest sanctuary of endangered farm animals. They don’t just have animals at Davis Farmland, they have several playgrounds, hay & pony rides and an awesome splash park, too. There is tons of summer fun at Davis Farmland!

For a fun summer outing with the family, visit Davis Farmland in Sterling, MA

There is so much summer fun at Davis Farmland

My boys were both really excited to spend the day at Davis Farmland – especially once I told them there was a splash park there. It was a hot day in July and they were happy about there being a way to cool off. We actually brought cousin Jonah, who was visiting with his dad, Uncle Keith, from San Diego with us for the day. All three of the boys had a blast exploring everything at Davis Farmland. Continue reading »

17 Free & Cheap Things to Do with Kids This Summer in New England

Jul 052017

Inexpensive things that you can do with your kids this summer in Massachusetts, Rhode Island or New Hampshire!

Entertaining kids ALL SUMMER LONG can be exhausting and expensive. Let me save you the time thinking about what to do…Here are 17 free & cheap things to do with kids this summer in New England.

1. Unplug with good old fashioned outdoor activities at the Great Glen Trails. Located at the base of Mount Washington, families can bike, kayak, picnic, and see some spectacular wildlife. Rent equipment or bring your own.

2. Water park admission can really add up, so instead, take the kids to any number of community pools and splash pads your city has to offer.

3. Visit the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, where kids can explore caves, learn about dinosaurs, and get hands-on experience in the air conditioning all day for only $10!

5 Fun Things To Do in New London, Connecticut

Jun 112017

Having grown up in nearby Massachusetts, as an adult I am just starting to learn that the state of Connecticut is full of all sorts of hidden treasures. There are so many cute little towns with many sights to see and I want to see as many of them as I can. One of my recent discoveries in Connecticut is New London. It’s great waterfront town that’s over 350 years old!

New London, CT is full of art, music, culture, one-of-a-kind boutiques and more than 30 eateries, all which make it a wonderful vacation destination! Here are five things not to miss on your trip to New London. Continue reading »

A Weekend at The Inn at Mystic + Harbour House Restaurant

Jun 042017

The Inn at Mystic in Mystic, Connecticut sits high up on a hill overlooking Fishers Island Sound and Mystic Harbor. Once a private estate, the Inn at Mystic now consists of a hotel, restaurant, mansion, and full service banquet operations. They’ve been welcoming guests for over fifty years and with relaxing accommodations including rooms with ocean views, Jacuzzis, and wood burning fireplaces – it’s no wonder.

Stay in comfort at the Inn at Mystic

The Inn at Mystic consists of three unique lodging choices: the Main Building, the East Wing, or the Haley Mansion. The Main Building and East Wing are centrally located on the property with 52 rooms decorated in a nautical style that fits in perfectly with the surroundings, all with modern amenities and private baths.

Water Parks in Massachusetts

May 302017

water slides in New England

If you are wanting to stop by one of the most popular water parks in Massachusetts (or southern New Hampshire this season), then check out this list below! This is a list of the top places you will want to add to your travels this summer! No matter which park you pick, I am sure you and your family will have lots of fun!

Enjoy inflatable rides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and amusement rides and more. This is a great way to find fun things to do near you, or plan a trip for you and your family. Beat the summer heat this year at one of these fun water parks or amusement parks listed below. Make this summer filled with fun memories.

Water Parks in Massachusetts

Water Wizz (Wareham, MA): Southern New England’s largest water park! Mussel Beach is a huge wave pool that is very popular. If you like to live on the edge try the Squid Row, it’s a tube ride, with high speeds. Or if you want to go with little kids, they do have a family pool area as well. Thrilling slides, tubes and cabanas to relax in, this water park has something for everyone.

Nelson Park Splash Pad (Plymouth, MA): Located inside Nelson Memorial Park on Nelson Street in Plymouth, this is a popular place for kids to cool off in the summer. In addition to a free splash pad, there is a playground, beach area and plenty of room for a picnic lunch here. Parking is free, but I highly recommend getting there early because the lot fills up fast. For a day full of free fun, stop by the Nelson Park Splash Pad this summer. Continue reading »

Did You Know That Boston Has a Major League Lacrosse Team?

May 222017

When I was growing up, lacrosse was an almost unheard of sport. Over the last 20-ish years, it’s really picked up steam and now there are nine professional teams that play for a Major League Lacrosse here in the US. One of those nine teams are based right here in Boston! The Boston Cannons have been a part of Major League Lacrosse since 2001 and play right at Harvard Stadium in Boston.

I had the chance to go to a Boston Cannons game with my family recently and we thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, my oldest son, who is 12, is considering joining a team after seeing a live game. The thing is, it was more than just a lacrosse game – it was an experience. Here are some of the things that made going to the game more than just a game.

Boston Cannons Fan Zone

Get there early and experience the Boston Cannons Fan Zone. The Fan Zone is open at every Cannons home game two hours prior to the start of the game and remains open through the first quarter. At the Fan Zone you will find things like music, ping-pong tables, RCN Ice Cream Truck, FlingGolf, the Bud Light Build-A-Bar, and more! It has something for fans of all ages. Continue reading »

Review: ANNIE at the Boch Center (Wang Theater) in Boston

May 152017

I am a child of the 80’s and I am ok admitting that I spent an entire summer watching and re-watching the movie Annie. On VHS. Ok, maybe I stopped watching to eat and go outside occasionally, but I think it’s pretty safe to say that I watched it at least 500 times that summer. I had the story line down pat and knew every word to every song. I even went out trick or treating as Annie that year (which reminds me that I need to go through some old photos and dig that one out). I know that the movie has been remade a few times since the one in the 80’s that I loved so much, but I am loyal to the version I watched so many times that summer.

So now you know that I am a self-proclaimed expert on all things Annie, imagine how giddy I was when I got invited to see the live musical at the Boch Center (Wang Theater) in Boston last week.

Why You Should Visit Heritage Museums and Gardens (formerly Heritage Plantation) in Sandwich, MA

Apr 242017

Daffodils at Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich

If you’re heading to Cape Cod and you’re looking for a great way to spend the day, you should definitely consider visiting Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich. I spent a good part of my childhood in Sandwich because my aunt and uncle used to rent a beach cottage on North Shore Blvd from a friend of theirs every summer. I fondly remember visiting the Heritage Plantation (what it was called back then) with my grandmother and aunt. These days it’s called the Heritage Museums & Gardens and it’s just as wonderful as I remember it being when I was younger.

More than 100,000 people visit the Heritage Museums & Gardens annually to spend time in the three gallery buildings that house special and permanent exhibitions, peruse the gardens, play in Hidden Hollow and more. There is so much to see and do at the Heritage Museums & Gardens and it is safe to say that is something for everyone there. Continue reading »

Kids Week at Foxwoods

Apr 072017

Spring break is almost here and Foxwoods has some really cool free events lined up to keep the little ones busy.

Free activities:

Face Painting ~ Mondays
Balloon Characters ~ Tuesdays
Xbox and Playstation Games
Arts & Crafts
Giant Jenga, Tic Tac Toe & Connect 4
Cornhole

**Located at the 25th Anniversary Celebration Zone across from Great Cedar Casino.

If you and your family want to catch a movie, check out these free movies being shown in the Grand Theater:

Snow Tubing at Cranmore Mountain

Mar 282017

Did you know that Cranmore Mountain was named #1 in New Hampshire for Off-Hill Activities by Ski Magazine?

My family recently stayed in the North Conway, New Hampshire area and going snow tubing was high up on our list of things we wanted to do while we were there. We’re not big skiers, but we definitely wanted to make some time to play in the snow. That’s why we all love snow tubing: tubing is a family friendly activity that requires no special skills or equipment. Continue reading »

Give a Gift They’ll Never Forget With Cloud 9 Living #mycloud9

Mar 202017

In case you hadn’t noticed, experience gifts seem to be all the rage these days. In case you don’t know what an experience gift is, it’s just what it sounds like – it’s an experience. Think things like taking a flying lesson, white water rafting or even taking a cooking lesson. When it comes down to getting gifts for that hard to buy for person in your life, an experience is definitely the way to go. I always say that life is about making new memories and an experience gift is a great way to do that.

Cloud 9 Living offers a whole range of experience gifts starting at just $50! Pick something you’ve always wanted to do or give someone a gift they’ll never forget! From stock car racing to couples massages to zip lining, Cloud 9 Living offers 2,000 Experiences in 51 Cities.

As many of you already know, I lost my mom last month and now that all the hubbub is starting to wind down, I thought it would be fun to grab my dad and sister for a fun adventure. After the last six weeks, we all really needed it. And yes, I do have a brother, too, but he has a new baby at home, so I figured he could go next time. You know, when he’s able to get a good nights sleep and can enjoy it a little more. Continue reading »

Birthday Parties at Sky Zone

Mar 142017

Sky Zone is the world’s first indoor trampoline park and whenever I tell my boys we are going there, their faces light up. They love it because it’s fun, but I love it because it’s fun fitness disguised as family entertainment!

Sky Zone Kingston offers great activities such as Freestyle Jump, a SkySlam basketball dunking court, GLOW (all ages), Ultimate Dodgeball, a Foam Zone, and a Toddler Court for kids walking to 4 years old. We also offer a full schedule of SkyFit classes, Toddler Time, a special abilities low-sensory jump, and more. But did you know that you can have your child’s birthday party at Sky Zone?

Their goal is to make your party as easy and seamless as possible so you and your guests can focus on fun – and not have to worry about set up/clean up. Sky Zone offers a standard package (see below), but every party is completely customizable to your requirements. It is your party, after all! Continue reading »

The Element Boston Seaport I Boston Staycation Approved

Jan 252017

My family almost always stays close to home during the February vacation. I would be devastated if any travel plans we made got disrupted because of snow, so we definitely prefer staycations. My family and I recently got to experience a stay at the Element Boston Seaport and it’s the perfect location for a Boston staycation. It’s located right in the heart of Boston’s thriving Seaport District and there are tons of family-friendly attractions within walking distance of the hotel. As far as I am concerned that is a big selling point when I am looking for a place to stay with my family.

The Element Boston Seaport was built to be green from the ground up, guestrooms are spacious, stylish, sustainable and designed for comfort, providing guests with space to live their life while away from home.

Looking for something inexpensive to do with your bored children in Rhode Island?

Jan 242017

We have a few school vacations coming up and if your kids are anything like my son, they are always “bored”. The unfortunate thing is that most of us are not independently wealthy, so we sometimes must get creative with finding things to entertain them. Cue the Mr. Potato Head statues located throughout Rhode Island. Rhode Island is the home of Hasbro and Mr. Potato head. In 2000, the state decided that they needed to boost tourism and chose Mr. Potato Head as their “travel ambassador”. The result was a whole lot of 6-foot fiberglass statues (some reports say 37, others say it was closer to 45) decorated buy artists and placed around the state. They were met with mixed reactions and now, 17 years later, there are only a handful left in the state. Rumor has it that there is one in Virginia and a few others are owned privately. One was even for sale on EBay for a mere $5,000, but I digress.

On one of those days where the kids are bored and you need something inexpensive to do, take a Potato Head adventure; the only cost is the price of gas. There is a total of 8 left in RI. A friend and I searched them out over the course of several trips and much research. I have taken all of that away for you. We truly made it an adventure, finding them and taking selfies with each. I have them listed in no particular order. Continue reading »

Great New Concession Menu Items at the TD Garden in Boston

Oct 242016

new-food-options-at-the-td-garden-in-boston

Picture this: You & your family (or friends) head out for a night at the Bruins, Celtics or other event at the TD Garden in Boston. You fight the traffic getting into Boston, find parking, walk from where ever you parked to the arena, get through security and suddenly you’re starving. It happens every time, right?

Whenever I head into the Garden, the first thing I usually do is make a quick detour to the closest restroom, find my seats and then scout out the food options. What I have always loved about the TD Garden is that they have so many great food choices.

Concessions and food options include:

Big Bad Burger: Signature juicy burgers drizzled with Gooey Sauce; optional double, triple or quadruple patties.
Boston Common: Local fresh seafood menu including fried clams, lobster roll, lobster bisque and clam chowder.
Garden Grill: Classic Boston sandwich menu that includes shaved steak roll with house made cheese sauce and fan favorite grilled chicken sandwich.
The North End Butcher: Kayem meats including an Italian sausage with peppers and onions and jumbo all-beef gourmet hot dogs.

Must See Tourist Attractions in Boston

Oct 182016

must-see-tourist-attractions-in-boston

As with most historic cities in the US, Boston has a rich background and with that comes TONS of tourist attractions. Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States, the area played an integral role in our nation’s history and there are landmarks EVERYWHERE that celebrate this rich and amazing history. Unless you are coming to stay or for a very extended visit, you’ll need to prioritize your must see tourist attractions in Boston. There are some things that you just have to experience while you are visiting Boston. In case you are not as familiar with Boston as I am here is a list to help!

Sports Fans Must See Tourist Attractions in Boston

If you are a sports fans these are the places you will NOT want to miss when you are visiting Boston. Along with being home to some of the best teams that call Boston home, these locations are beautiful works of architecture and some even have historical cred of their own!

Fenway Park: Home of the Boston Red Sox
TD Garden: Home of the Bruins and the Celtics

If you can’t catch a game while you are in town I highly recommend that you swing by anyway just to take in the awesome and massive feel of these locations! Continue reading »

The Midnight Zoo at Franklin Park Zoo: A Unique Halloween Experience

Oct 162016

Last weekend, my family had a chance to attend The Midnight Zoo, a brand new Halloween experience at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston. Even though we checked out the website, we weren’t sure exactly what to expect, but ended up being very pleasantly surprised by our experience.

midnightzoo1

This is what the website says:

Under the light of the autumn moon, discover a secret corner of Franklin Park Zoo that is home to a mysterious, mystical world. The Midnight Zoo surrounds visitors with never-before-seen creatures from the farthest realms of the imagination. Wind your way through the darkness as the woods come alive in this 360-degree immersive experience. Elaborate costumes, masterful design, and moonlit surprises await you in this haunted habitat featuring over 20 fantastical creatures ranging in size from tiny to over 8 feet tall. Continue reading »

The 2016 Jack O’Lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo

Oct 092016

the-2016-jack-olantern-spectacular-at-roger-williams-park-zoo1

If you are local to New England, surely you’ve been to – or at least heard of the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo. It’s an annual tradition for our family to attend as well as thousands of others each year. If you’ve never been, you’re missing out because it’s really something to see. The Jack O’Lantern Spectacular is a nighttime display of 5,000 illuminated jack-o-lanterns all along the zoo’s beautiful Wetlands Trail, with well over 100 of the pumpkins carved into veritable works of art. There’s something magical about so many illuminated jack o’lanterns on display as you walk along the trail. This year The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is presented by Citizens Bank and it runs from October 6 – November 6, 2016.

the-2016-jack-olantern-spectacular-at-roger-williams-park-zoo2

Last week I had a chance to preview the Jack O’Lantern Spectacular before it opened to the public and not only that, I was able to go behind the scenes and see some of the action. I saw the area where the pumpkins are carved and learned how they store the completed jack o’lanterns in a temperature controlled box truck until they are ready to be put on display. Continue reading »

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