Story Land

Story Land is a manageable and affordable amusement park for younger children in the outskirts of the White Mountains in Glen, New Hampshire. It has an interesting history, the seed being planted by a German doll makers in the 1950s while the American founders were living overseas. The park opens at 9:30 during the summer and closes at 6:00 each day. Although refreshments and food are provided throughout the park, food and water are allowed to be brought in and areas are available to sit and eat.
There is an area for toddlers and smaller children which was the original area of the park when it first opened in 1954. This area is small houses designed around nursery rhymes and fairy tales, such as The Old Woman in the Shoe and the Three Bears Home. Children can walk through the interactive homes and see some of the characters. There is a sand box to play in a some shaded sitting areas and well as restrooms, etc. On the outer rim of this area there are some smaller rides such as tea cups, and swan boats, which glide on a little water area. Over the water is a bridge that leads up to a small Cinderella's Castle. A pumpkin coach also rides up to the castle on a track pulled by pretend horses. Cinderella herself sits in the castle for photos, which can be purchased or taken by parents, free of charge.

Another area of the park is an around the world experience, designed for older children, where there is a food area, an Arctic ride and Pharaoh's boat. Other rides compliment the area also. Additional rides throughout the park area faster, a couple of roller coasters, a log flume ride, and some others.
There are also some family rides, such as a short train ride around the park, a raft ride (one does get wet), and antique car ride.

Character dinners, Cinderella's tea, and other services are offered for additional costs.

There are often Group ons available for Story Land, which offer minimal discounts. There are also usually deals directly through the park for Father's Day and weekends. Perhaps one of the best tips though, is arriving after 3:00 pm and buying park passes, you are granted entry into the park that afternoon and issued return passes to use the next day or for use one other day that season. The also provide military and senior citizen discounts, children under 2 are free.

Antique cars that run on a track.

Story Land website

Graverson Playground and Elsie Turner Field

Check out this newly rebuilt playground in Waltham, with a small sprinkler splash pad. Beautiful facility in a quiet neighborhood. The playground boasts two new structures, while the field has a walking loop, newly finished basketball hoop, and soccer nets. There are trees around the perimeter, but the playground itself is full sun exposure during the day.
Hours for the water area start at 10:00 am.
Graverson playground

Sprinkler head on the sprinkler pad.

Splash pad area, which is fenced off from the other sections.

Covered picnic area.

View of the field area.

Summer Meals for Children in Need

Project Bread has released an app to locate meals for children in need to access at parks during the summer. Such a great resource to share with families or caregivers who the resources!


Summer Eats App

Childcare Co-op in Cambridge

An alternative childcare arrangement for playdates and community building:

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• The way it works is you sign up to host one “playdate” a month. It can be as simple as “pizza and a movie,” or if you have a special talent like singing, yoga or robotics, you can offer an enrichment activity like a “coding workshop” or "improv class." 
• Then, you invite your friends and child's classmates to your playdate. In order for their kids to attend, they need to host their own playdate and invite you! You can invite as few as 2 friends, but if you want more childcare and activities, we suggest inviting as many friends as possible. You earn one playdate for every child who attends yours. So if 3 kids come, you earn 3 playdates! If 10, 10 playdates, etcetera...
• You can also make new friends by booking playdates with people you don’t know yet. On the website, you can see who lives near you, message them to meet up for a parent-accompanied playdate or invite them to your playdate. If you see someone you're interested in sharing care with but haven't met yet, we recommend you find a time to meet up for a parent-accompanied playdate or a parent mixer so you can get to know them first. 
• Parents with babies are welcome too! If you have a baby, you can offer something like a daytime playgroup or a caregiver & me playdate.

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Discovery Museum

The Discovery Museum in Acton recently reopened as one renovated building with new and updated outdoor space.  The museum which has been around for 35 years, received a large donation from Middlesex Savings Bank, and reworked much of the interior space.

The museum is kid-friendly, hands on, and has a room for babies, one for toddlers, and plenty of activities for school age children.
Indoor space includes a water play area, light and sound rooms, ball runs, a pirate ship loft area, and other exhibits.  A big air machine is a hit and a magnetic gear wall upstairs is fun to interact with. There is a work area where kids can create and craft projects with recycled materials and wooden machinery that can be put together with tools.

Outside a new playground and tree house structure have been erected, which abut the Discovery Woods.  The museum has a great educational program for schools and groups, or activities for parents and children to join.  Their website gives a calendar of upcoming events.
click below:
Discovery Museum Website

Light activities.

Light room.

Water play, building Legoes to stop water flow.

Outdoor swing.

Sound room, each bulb makes a different pitch.

The museum does get crowded on school vacation weeks and during the winter months.  Traditional naptimes are a good time to go, or with little ones, during the school week.