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

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

Chikki Plaza

Chikki Plaza is an English-Spanish bilingual playspace located in Cummings Park in Woburn (behind BankAmerica). Each weekday they run an activity for children in Spanish.  The clean playspace is for children from 1-5 with a separate snack/birthday party area upstairs.  The space is ideal for more low-key, indoor play.  It's on the smaller side, so high energy play could be tricky.  The play equipment appears to be new and is organized.  They provide coffee for parents and little complimentary snacks for children. 

Chikki Plaza link

Hours

Monday - Friday	9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday, & Sunday	9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Admission

Child less than 1 year	Free with paid child admission
Child 1 year and up	$11
Extra child 1 and up in the same household	$7
Adults	1 adult Free with a child admission. (additional adults $2)

Free and Reduced Museum Times

I put this together for students whom I teach, but it's a quick guide for some local museums:

                                  Exploring Museums

Boston Children’s Museum

http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/ 

Fridays, 5pm – 9pm   $1 admission

308 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
617.426.6500

From Downtown Crossing: The MBTA #7 bus stops in the Downtown Crossing area at Summer and Otis Streets and at South Station (See walking directions from South Station to the Museum). The bus will indicate that the destination is City Point.

Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum

http://www.gardnermuseum.org/home 

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
25 Evans Way (not gps address)
Boston, MA 02115

18 and under – Free

Take the Green Line E train to the Museum of Fine Arts stop, or the Orange Line train to the Ruggles stop

Harvard Art Museum(s)

http://www.harvardartmuseums.org/ 

32 Quincy St, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 495-9400

Saturdays 10- 12pm- Free (under 18 always free)

5 minute walk from Harvard stop red line

Museum of Fine Art

http://www.mfa.org/ 

465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
(617) 267-9300

Wednesdays 4 pm- 9:45 pm pay what you wish

Take the Green Line E train to the Museum of Fine Arts stop, or the Orange Line train to the Ruggles stop

 MIT Museum

http://web.mit.edu/museum/ 

465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
(617) 267-9300

Last Saturday of every month- Free (except July and August) The MIT Museum is a 7-minute walk from the Central Square stop on the Red Line.
The # 1 bus stops on Massachusetts Avenue a few blocks from the MIT Museum.

deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

http://www.decordova.org/
First Wednesday of each month is free

51 Sandy Pond Road
Lincoln, MA 01773

781.259.8355

Concord Museum Christmas Trees

Each year the Concord Museum, in Concord, Mass, puts up themed Christmas trees.  The trees are based on children's literature and copies of the books are displayed next to each tree.  The thirty plus trees are located throughout the museum and range in all shapes and sizes.  The trees and stories change each year.  Admission this year ran at $15 per adult, $6/child,  and children 3 under being free.  Parking is street parking along Lexington St and is also free.  (Be careful crossing the street, cars drive very quickly on Lexington St).  The museum opens the exhibit just after Thanksgiving and it stays open through January 1.  Throughout the duration of the exhibit, various authors of the books will visit, sometimes characters from the books, and other events take place.  Checking the website will give you the annual calendar.

Concord center, just down the street is also a quaint, lovely little town center which is great for Christmas shopping or wandering around.  Metered street parking is available there.

Museum Address: 200 Lexington Rd, Concord, MA 01742

Phone:(978) 369-9763

Hours:  April- Dec. Mon- Sat: 9- 5:00 Sunday 12- 5:00
Jan- March: Mon- Sat 11:00- 4:00, Sun 1:00- 4:00

Click here for Concord Museum Link

Drumlin Farm

Drumlin Farm is a local working farm, that is a great way to introduce little ones to animals and farms, in a low key environment.  The farm offers a short tractor pulled hay ride that loops the farms, and is home to sheep, birds, pigs, horses, and cows, among other animals.
They are run by the Mass Audubon Society, which means that with a membership ($65 a year for a family), you can go an unlimited amount of times, and also gain entrance to other Audubon wildlife sanctuaries, while supporting local wildlife.
The farm also offers picnic spots, public restrooms, educational lectures and events, and some seasonal produce for sale.  Drumlin Farm hosts field trips and a summer camp.
Drumlin Farm is located in Lincoln, Mass, just at the end of Route 2.



Drumlin Farm

Full Moon Cafe

A great little restaurant in Cambridge, that is well known locally, but advertised primarily by word-of-mouth, is Full Moon Cafe.  This cafe was originally recommended to us by friends with young kids and is one of our favorite spots when we are meeting other families out.  The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, though closed between the seatings, so it's helpful to check the hours before going (we did learn this the hard way).  It is located in Huron Village in Cambridge and street parking is almost always available and convenient.  It is also on the bus line.
Full Moon was opened over a decade ago by two moms and features beautiful artwork.  There is a small dining room, and tucked back is a little play area for younger children.  They have a train table set up with numerous miscellaneous trains, a few trucks to push around, a kitchen set up, and a few other random toys.  They also have some books and will bring a bucket of toys to the table for kids to play with.  Full Moon is also well equipped with high chairs, kiddie cups, and white paper "tablecloths" to draw on.  Changing tables are available in the bathrooms.
The portions are huge, especially the meals brought for toddlers.  The menu prices have increased slightly lately, but the food is worth the price, particularly when the kiddies are entertained.  The menu is somewhat limited, but vegetarian options are available and there is choice enough (maybe ten selections) for everyone to be satisfied.  They also offer a decent selection of beer and wine, are friendly and accommodating.  At peak times (think early for dinner hour, like 5:00), on the weekends, the noise level and chaos becomes apparent and some adult facilitation may be needed at the play area.  At a quieter time, it can be relaxing and if you are seated near the play area, you can almost pretend that you are at home.


Full Moon Restaurant