Here is a list of links we've found useful, please feel free to update or add to the list by making suggestions to the webmaster. Many thanks to Marie Aviza for creating this list.
Indoor Activities - Special Needs Services - Museums - Libraries - Playgrounds - Splash Pads/Swimming - Stores & Fairs/Yard Sales
Indoor Activities, Playgroups, Classes Etc.
Assabet Valley Family Network 169 Pleasant Street, Marlboro, 508-485-0085, free family education and support to families with children age pre-birth through three years who live in Hudson, Marlboro, Northborough, Southborough, Westborough and Berlin. Residents of other towns are able to attend programs if space is available. Great indoor play space and child/parent programming including Story time with Mr. Mike. http://www.geocities.com/avafamilyn/
Little Tykes: 146 East Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748, Little Tykes is a playgroup for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their parent/caregivers. Sessions meet on Monday and Tuesday at 9:30 am. Little ones enjoy a craft, Bible story, music and snack. There is a $1 fee per week for the first child and 50 cents for subsequent children. Your family does not need to be a part of the First Congregational Church of Hopkington to attend. Contact the church via phone at 508-435-5900.
The Little Gym - 153 Turnpike Rd, Westborough, 01581 - (508) 389 – 9339. http://www.thelittlegym.com/
Jean’s Gymnastics - 255 E Main St, Marlborough, MA (508) 481-4401 http://www.jeansgymnastics.com
Gymboree - 76 Otis Street, Westborough, 508-366-1495, music and play classes for preschoolers, birthday parties available. www.playandmusic.com/b2c/customer/home.jsp
Music Together - Music Together is a music and movement approach to early childhood music development for infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten children and their parents, teachers, and other primary caregivers. http://www.musictogether.com/
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Hudson, MA contact Victor W Lalli Jr. 978 897-0874 |
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Framingham contact Andey Amata-Kynvi 617 823-1450 |
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Leominster contact Nancy Bell 978 840-1799 |
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Hopkinton, Marlborough & Westborough contact Alexandra Andrews 978 729-3697 |
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Shrewsbury, Southboro & Westboro contact Peichun Lin 508 333.2535 |
The Natick Mall PlaySpace - Natick Mall – Rte 9 Natick, MA. The Children's Playspace is located in the Food Court on the Upper Level. The mall opens at 8:30 am. It is a great place and is often unused in the early morning hours. http://www.natickmall.com/html/AttractionDetail.asp?aid=90
Noodle, Noggin N’Bean - 38 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough 8:30 am – 8:00 p.m. The Noodle Noggin N’Bean is a for profit parent-child interactive educational play & entertainment center. It is based on the discovery museum is located on the ground floor, is handy cap accessible & has12 interactive rooms. Call 508-351-7060 for more information. http://www.noodlenogginnbean.com/
Clinton Early Childhood Resource Center - 150 School Street, Clinton Rm 208 (this is the old elementary school). For Clinton Families/Providers Only, Non-Clinton families receiving WIC, WHEAT, Early Intervention, or Clinton PCHP services are welcome. See the website for details. http://www.clintonmass.com/cecrc.shtml
Early Intervention: Early Intervention (EI) in Massachusetts is a statewide, family-centered, developmental service. They offer earliest possible intervention and support for children birth to three years old who have developmental difficulties due to identified disabilities or whose development is at risk due to certain birth or environmental circumstances. They also have playgroups available to Community Kids, call your local area EI for more information.
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Hudson, Marlboro, Northboro, Southboro & Westboro - THOM EI at (508) 624-0304 or http://www.thomchild.org/marlboro.html |
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Auburn, Boylston, Holden, Leicester, Paxton, Shrewsbury, West Boylston and Worcester – contact Jimmilee Prouty, at 508-856-4202. http://www.umassmemorial.org/ummhc/hospitals/med_center/services/CMC/intervention.cfm |
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Check out www.SpecialNeedsMA.com for more resources within Massachusetts |
www.museumkidsclub.com - Website with coupons for various children's museums. www.museumkidsclub.com/tickets.htm
Children's Discovery Museum
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177 Main Street, Acton, 978-264-4200, themed rooms with hands-on learning for kids through age 6. Not
Stroller Friendly & Multilevel house (no elevator).
www.discoverymuseums.org
Ecotarium - 222 Harrington Way, Worcester, 508-791-9211, science exhibits, aquariums, tidal pool touch tank, wildlife center, snack bars, playgrounds, train ride – FYI: A membership to the Ecotarium will also get you into the Children’s Museum & Boston Science Museum. www.ecotarium.org
Children's Museum - 300 Congress Street, Boston, 617- 426-8855, interactive exhibits with four themes: arts, culture, science, technology, toddler area, Clifford display & snack bar. http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/index.html
Boston Museum of Science - Science Park, Boston, 617-723-2500, interactive exhibits, variety of restaurants/snack bar. www.mos.org
New England Aquarium - Central Wharf, Boston, 617-973-5200, aquatic life exhibits, seal show, hands-on tidal pool, animal care/feeding exhibits, snack bar.www.neaq.org
Berlin Public Library, Carter Street, 978-838-2812, http://townofberlin.com/Library/index.htm
| Free passes (currently available to all patrons): Tower Hill, Ecotarium, Davis Farmland (maybe), Roger Williams Zoo(maybe), and the Butterfly Place in Westford. |
| Offers range of free children's programming. |
| Wonderful children's playroom in the basement with puppet theater, train table, puzzles, blocks & more. Call or stop by library for info or to make sure the playroom is open. |
Hudson Public Library, Wood Square, 978-568-9644, Hrs: Mon-Thurs 9AM-8:30PM, Fri 9AM-6PM, Sat 9AM-5PM. Playroom is great for toddlers and preschoolers. http://www.hudsonpubliclibrary.com/
| Free passes - (call ahead as they are limited): Discovery Museum in Acton, Ecotarium, Drumlin Farm, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquity (tours of houses). |
| Laptime - A program specially geared towards toddlers one-year and under, Laptime introduces children to many of the popular fingerplays, songs and stories. No sign-up is necessary. This program usually lasts for 15-20 minutes. |
| Sing-A-Long - Come join us as we sing all the favorites like "The Wheels on the Bus" and "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" followed by a noisy parade of instruments around the Children's Room. Best for ages five and under. No sign-up is necessary. This program usually lasts between 20-25 minutes. |
Marlboro Public Library, 35 West Main
Street, 508-624-6900,
Winter Hrs: Mon-Thurs 9AM-8:30PM, Fri & Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM.
Closed Sundays: Memorial day to Labor day. July & August closed weekends.
www.marlborough.com/library/index.html
| Free passes: Boston Museum of Science, Children's Museum, Acton Discovery Museum, Davis Farmland, Ecotarium, Franklin Park & Stone Zoo, Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum Boston, Higgins Armory, Audubon Society to all sanctuaries (Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, Broadmeadow in Worcester are two closest), Museum of Fine Arts, NE Aquarium, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Tower Hill in Boylston, Worcester Art Museum. |
| Play area: Playrugs & toy checkout |
| Children’s Programs: Lap Time for infants (Ms. Sandy), Toddler Time & Children Story Hour must pre-register for these programs. Space is very limited! |
Northboro Public Library, 34 Main Street, 508-393-5025, Hrs: Mon-Thurs 9:30AM-8:30PM, Fri & Sat 9:30AM-5PM. http://www.town.northborough.ma.us/library/
| Free passes (limited to Northboro residents ONLY): Boston Aquarium, Boston Science Museum, Boston, Children's Museum, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Children's Discovery Museum in Acton, Framingham Garden in the Woods, Tower Hill in Boylston, Roger William's Zoo, Worcester Art Museum, Ecotarium. |
| Children's programming available, call for info. |
Shrewsbury Public Library, 609 Main Street, 508-842-0081, Mon-Thur 9AM-9PM, Fri & Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM http://www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/library/
| Free/discount passes (Shrewsbury residents only): Davis Farmland, Discovery Museum in Acton, Nat'l Plastic Center & Museum In Leominster, Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum Boston, JFK Library Boston, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Museum of Science Boston, Tower Hill, Worcester Art Museum. |
| Children’s Programming: Small play area in Children's room. |
| Preschool Storytimes are offered to children 3 1/2 to 6 1/2 years old. Storytime lasts about 50 minutes. Children enrolled in these sessions attend the storytime upstairs while parents and other siblings may stay in the Children's Room. |
| Tales for Twos & Threes storytimes are offered to children 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years old and each session is 30 minutes long. It requires a parent/caregiver to work closely with the registered child, gently teaching the child how to listen to an adult other than a parent. These one-on-one story times focus close attention on each child. Therefore, siblings (younger or older) are not permitted to attend |
| Baby and Me Storytimes are offered to infants and children up to age 2 1/2 years old and sessions last 30 minutes. It requires a parent/caregiver to work closely with the registered child. The Baby & Me Storytime does allow other siblings to attend; however, this is not a playgroup. |
Southboro Public Library, 25 Main Street, 508-485-5031, Hrs: Mon 10AM-5PM, Tues, Wed, Thurs 10AM-9PM, Fri & Sat 10AM-5PM, closed on Sat in summer. www.southboroughlibrary.org
| Free passes (Southboro residents only): Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Museum of Science Boston, Children's Museum Boston, Acton Discovery Museum, Ecotarium, Worcester Art Museum, Tower Hill |
| Children’s Programming: Children's play area. Preschool story hours are held three mornings a week during the school year. Call the Children's Librarian to register. |
Westboro Public Library, 55 West Main Street , 508-366-3050, Hrs: Mon-Thur 10AM-9PM, Fri 10-6PM, Sat 10-5PM, Oct -May Sun 1PM-5PM. www.westboroughlib.org
| Free passes (Westboro residents can reserve, public can drop in and pick up passes as they are available): Children's Discovery Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Worcester Art Museum, Tower Hill, Garden in Woods in Framingham, Fruitlands in Harvard, Museum of Science Boston, Boston Children's Museum, Ecotarium in Worcester, Higgins Armory in Worcester, NE Aquarium. |
| Children’s Programming: Children's play area. |
| BOOKBABIES (Ages 1 - 2 years): A story program for parent/caregiver and child, Tuesdays at 10:30 am. Five-week session. Pre-registration is required |
| TWO-TIME (Ages 2-3 years): A program for parent/caregiver and child, Thursdays at 10:30 am. Five-week session. Pre-registration is required |
| Preschool Storytime (Ages 3 - 5 years) - Tuesdays at 1:30 pm. |
Worcester Public Library, 160 Fremont Street (Main Branch), 508-799-1655, Hours: Mon-Thurs 9AM-9PM, Fri & Sat 9AM-5:30PM, Sun 1:30PM-5:30PM. www.worcpublib.org
| Passes: Boston Museum of Science, Children's Museum, Acton Discovery Museum, Ecotarium, Franklin Park & Stone Zoo, Higgins Armory, NE Aquarium, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Tower Hill in Boylston, Worcester Art Museum. |
| Children’s Programming: All Story times will be cancelled automatically on any day the Worcester Public Schools are canceled, or their openings delayed, due to inclement weather. Location: Frances Perkins Branch |
| Just Drop In Storytimes - This 30-minute program will feature stories, live music with instruments for kids, coloring sheets, craft activities and light refreshments. The program series is free, for all age children and is open to the public, no registration required; just drop in! Call us at 508.799.1655 for details. |
| Babytime! is a weekly drop-in series for babies through 16 months. Babies bring your adult to this fun 15-minute program of rhymes, songs, and pictures. It will be followed by a playtime with the library's toys and music. Each baby must be accompanied by an adult, and siblings are not allowed to sit in. No registration is required for Babytime! Just drop in. Please call 508-799-1687 with any questions. |
Hopkinton - EMC Park – Off of Rte. 85 in Hopkinton (Toddler Area is fenced in with shade.) http://www.hopkinton.org/visitors.htm
Hudson - Wood Park - Park Street off Rt. 85
Marlborough - Ghiloni Park - Concord Road off Rt. 20 by golf coarse, restrooms, separate toddler playground (not fenced), jogging trails/track, picnic tables Kelleher Park - Hudson Street, fenced, picnic tables
Northborough - Assabet Park - Rt. 135 off Rt. 20, separate toddler playground (fenced)
Shrewsbury - Dean Park - Main St., restrooms, separate toddler playground (fenced), jogging trails, picnic tables
Southborough - Fayville Field and Playground - Central Street off Rt. 9, separate toddler playground (fenced), covered picnic area
Sudbury - Haskell Field & Toddler Playground - 40 Fairbank Rd. (Fenced in Area, No Shade)
Westborough- Off Roger's Road, take a right before the Senior Center.
Worcester - Green Hill Park - Off Rt. 9.
Davis' Farmland - Redstone Hill, Sterling, MA 978-422-MOOO(6666), farm, petting zoo, water park (infant & toddler splash pads along with a big kid area), playgrounds, pony rides, hay rides, picnic areas, restaurant. www.davisfarmland.com
Clinton Splash Pad – (Free) Berlin street in Clinton open 10 am – 8:00 pm. The Splash pad has about 10 different sprinklers and 2 play-areas with slides, stairs and climbing things. (No swings). Some shade. Not completely fenced in (3 sides).
Philip Weihn Memorial Pool (State Pool) in Clinton 978 365-4684. Free and open to all. Summer only (its an outside pool). On Rte 110 next to the Middle and High Schools. Last year the hours were 1 pm to 7 pm M-F and I think 11-7 Sat and Sun. They offer FREE Red Cross Swimming lessons in the mornings - 3 sessions/summer. There are 2 pools - a toddler pool (16-18 inches) and a big pool (with a slide into the deep end). Changing rooms with bathroom and showers, fenced in grassy picnic area with swings. No floaties, toys or swimming aids allowed in either pool.
Northboro Splash Pad – Located at Assabet Park on South St off of Rte 135
Marlborough Splash Pad – (Rest Rooms available) Located at Ward Park on Orchard St.
Scholastic Book Fair - 360 Cedar Hill St, Marlborough, MA Visit their website http://teacher.scholastic.com/fairs/warehouse/states/ma.htm
Children’s Orchard - Resale children’s clothing, toys & videos with locations in Westborough, Framingham, Natick & Milford. Sign-up for their MOMS club & save money http://www.childrensorchard.com/momsclub.cfm
Local Toy Yard sales - Look for info on the M&M talk loop for gently used toy sales. Annual toy sales include the First Parish Nursery School, Marlborough & Shrewsbury Pre-school gently used toy sales
Smartie Pants - 10 High Street, Clinton 978-368-5979 – Consignment Shop
West Street Station - 237 West St, Berlin MA 978-838-0285 – Consignment Shop
Last modified: 09/18/08