Crimson Kids

Children's Resources

Trails
Outings
Gymnastics & Dance
Music Classes
Singing & Story Hours
Playgrounds
Child Friendly Restaurants
Gyms with Childcare

General Information
Boston Go City Kids - A great website with tons of information on Boston events for kids and families.
Massachusetts Community Pages - Look up info about any town in Massachusetts

Trails
Friends of the Community Paths- A website with information on walking and biking paths in the Boston metro area
The Minuteman Trail - An eleven mile paved trail that is great for running with jogger stroller, biking, or walking.

Outings
Boston Public Library
A Boston Public Library card is a must-have for families. The Honan-Allston branch is the closest to HBS. At the circulation desk you can get a library card with identification and proof of current address.  With your new library card, you can reserve free or discounted tickets to many of the local museums.
300 North Harvard St, Allston
617-787-6313

Cambridge Public Library
The Cambridge Public Library also participates in the museum discount ticket program.
449 Broadway, Cambridge
617-349-1040

Marino Lookout Farm
One of the oldest working farms in Massachusetts with seasonal activities and U-picking.
89 Pleasant St, South Natick
508-651-1539

New England Aquarium
The aquarium is accessible from the Blue Line Aquarium stop.
Central Wharf, Boston
617-973-5200

Boston Children's Museum
Four floors of interactive exhibits for children of all ages. Also includes an enclosed PlaySpace for children under 3. Discounted parking is available at the Farnsworth Parking Garage for $8 for the day. Fridays after 5 pm, museum tickets are $1 per person. The museum is located 3 blocks from the Red Line South Station stop.
300 Congress St, Boston
617-426-8855

Duck Tours
Ride a World War II amphibious duck on a tour of Boston, then splash into the Charles River for a short cruise. Boats board at the Prudential Center and the Museum of Science.

Boston Common & Public Garden
The Public Garden has two things to draw kids: life-sized sculptures of Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings from "Make Way for Ducklings" (Mrs. Mallard is large enough for kids to sit on) and the Swan Boats, which take you for a leisurely "cruise" around the Lagoon (including the island Mrs. Mallard was getting back to). Across the street is the Boston Common, where the Frog Pond offers a spray pool in the summer and skating in the winter.

Franklin Park Zoo
One Franklin Park Rd, Boston
617-541-5466

Museum of Science
The museum has a play area for children under 3. It is open late on Fridays, and parking is a flat $5 after 5 pm.
Science Park, Boston
617-723-2500

Lexington Community Education
Adult & child "take it for fun" classes.
251 Waltham St, Lexington
781-862-8043

Walden Pond
Visit a replica of Henry David Thoreau's home and take a dip in the pond.
915 Walden St., Concord
978-369-3254

Gymnastics & Dance
Tumble Kids USA
201 Arlington St, Watertown
617-926-2640

My Gym Children's Fitness Center
188 Needham St, Newton
617-243-9496

Boston Ballet School
For ages 3 and up
Boston Studio
617-695-6950
Metrowest Studio (Newton)
617-45- 6263

Gymboree Play and Music
3 Crescent St, Waltham
781-209-2000
244 Needham St, Newton
781-209-2000

Music Classes
Music Together
Movement and music for newborns to toddlers.
Locations in Boston, Cambridge, Arlington, Belmont, & Newton

Suzuki School of Music
11 Homer St, Newton Centre
617-964-4522

Kindermusik

Singing & Story Hours
The Cambridge Public Library
Toddler sing-along on Wednesdays at 10:30 am and 11:30 am.

Finagle a Bagel in Harvard Square
Sing-along Fridays at 9:30 am. On JFK Avenue across from Curious George Bookstore

Harvard Coop
Harvard Square has a Story Hour Tuesdays at 11 am in the basement of bookstore. Spangler Coop has a Story Hour Thursdays at 4 pm

Honon-Allston Public Library
Storytime is Tuesdays at 10:30 am for children aged 2 - 5 years, accompanied by an adult.

Playgrounds
Cambridge City
Visit their website for information and a map of the many playgrounds in Cambridge.

Corporal Burns
Right next to Peabody Terrace, on Flagg St. Swings, small kids play structure and big kids play structure. Water in the summer.

Shaler Lane
On Memorial Drive at Shaler Lane. Great park for small children. Sand box.

Riverside Press Park
Memorial Drive and River St., right across from Whole Foods. Swings, play area and water in summer.

Cambridge Common
Up Massachusetts Ave. towards Porter Square, at north end of Common. Another great park for little ones. Play area, swings and sand box.

Cambridge Library Park
On Broadway, right next to library. Play area for little kids and play area for big kids, swings, and sand box.

Cooper Playground
On Hancock St., one block up from Massachusetts Ave. Play area, sand box, swings and great water area in summer.

Allston/Brighton
Smith Playground
On Western Ave, just past North Harvard St. Brand new, but kind of urban feeling.

Soldiers Field Park
Play area with swings, slides and big grass lawn next to SFP apartments.

Artesani Park
Along Soldiers Field Road towards Newton, right on the Charles River. Separate play areas for little and big kids. Wading pool/spray ground in summer.

Boston
River Park
Along Charles River, approx. 20 minute jog/40 minute walk/15 minute bike ride campus. Brand new park with separate play areas for little kids and big kids.

Child Friendly Restaurants
Full Moon
Pricey. Has a play area for children, but can get crazy when busy.
344 Huron Avenue
Cambridge MA 02138
617-354-6699

Bertucci's
Good food at reasonable prices. Has crayons and play dough.
Harvard Square
21 Brattle St.
Cambridge - Harvard Square
617-864-4748

Caffe Paradiso
A little café with good coffee, sandwiches, pastries and cute little kid's cookies with animals painted on them.
1 Eliot Square (Winthrop St.)
Across from Charles Hotel, Harvard Square
617-868-3240

Hi-Rise Bread
Yummy sandwiches and baked goods. Located in a cute yellow house with outdoor seating when the weather is nice, otherwise seating upstairs. Can get crowded on the weekends.
56 Brattle St.
Cambridge
617-492-3003

Johnny's Luncheonette
A diner with great breakfasts. Fills up on the weekends with the college brunch crowd so get there early. Also have burgers, etc.
1105 Mass Ave
Cambridge
617-527-3223

The Rainforest Cafe
Great for kids and the menu is good for adults
Burlington Mall
75 Middlesex Turnpike Burlington, MA
781-272-7555
**Many malls are open early for walking when the weather is bad.

Gyms with Childcare
YMCA-Allston Brighton (Oak Square)
470 Washington Street
Brighton
617-782-3535

Healthworks Fitness for Women
Onsite visit required for price quote. Paid babysitting available.
Porter Square
Cambridge
617-497-4454

Mount Auburn Athletic Club, Inc.
Onsite visit required for price quote. Tennis and childcare available.
57 Coolidge Ave
Watertown
617-923-2255