Elyse Andrews

Latest posts by Elyse

Swimming Lessons for Boston Kids, Babies, and Toddlers (Where Parents Don't Need to Get in the Pool!)

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Mon, 02/22/2021 - 7:58pm

All sibs in the pool! Small group sessions are available now at Goldfish. Photo courtesy of Goldfish Swim School

There are plenty of places that offer parent-child swim lessons for babies and toddlers in Boston, but that format doesn't work for all families. In some cases, parents aren't keen on the idea of getting in the pool themselves; in others, kids respond better to instructors when parents aren't around. Fewer places offer lessons for under-3-year-olds without a caregiver in the pool to participate, but some that do are highly rated by parents. Here are a few Boston-area swim schools that are open and accepting students now, with certain COVID-19 safety protocols in place.

Peruse our Boston classes guide for more enrichment ideas for your Boston baby and toddler, including music, soccer, and more.

10 Places to Snowshoe with Kids Near Boston

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Thu, 01/28/2021 - 6:00pm

Snowshoeing is an activity that suits all ages. Photo courtesy of the Trustees of Reservations

Have a fun winter adventure near Boston on a pair of snowshoes!

Free and Affordable Summer Camps for Boston Kids

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Tue, 02/25/2020 - 8:04pm

Older kids learn the Science of Sailing. Photo courtesy of Piers Park Sailing Center

Summer camp can be pricey, but not all fun and enriching programs have to cost a pretty penny. To round out our complete guide to Boston-area summer camps, we’ve put together a list of nearly a dozen inexpensive camps in the Boston area that can provide your child with everything from performing arts experience to sailing lessons.

Find a full list of local summer camps in our Camp Directory for Boston families.

8 Public Libraries With Great Play Spaces Around Boston

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Fri, 12/20/2019 - 11:20am

Wellesley's Fells Branch has been renovated into a "learn and play" space. Photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins

There are all sorts of local spots to play indoors when the weather gets frightful. And some of the best spots are absolutely free—including some very special local libraries, which feature unique play spaces along with shelves of books. Whether you’ve got a preschooler or a pre-teen, a trip to at least one of these libraries will be a fun, brain-boosting escape on a cold or wet day.

5 Apple Picking Day Trips for Boston Families

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 1:37pm

Carving pumpkins and trick-or-treating are classic fall activities, but our favorite by far is apple picking. It’s especially festive since we live in New England, the site of the first apple orchard in America. There are several terrific places to pick apples close to Boston, but it can be even more fun to venture a little further afield. So we’ve rounded up five of the best places to pick apples in Massachusetts that have other fun attractions—and good food—nearby, so you can make a day trip out of your visit to the farm.

Free Public Art Around Boston that Will Blow Your Kids' Minds

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Fri, 08/16/2019 - 9:30am

Inspired by the movements of schools of fish, this outdoor sculpture moves with the seaside winds in New Bedford. Photo courtesy of Poetic Kinetics

Boston has long been home to some of the best museums in the world, showcasing art from around the world. Recently, the city has acquired an extensive collection of free public art where families can get up close and personal with installations of all kinds. Some of these exhibits are permanent, while others are currently on view. Outdoors, outsized, and often interactive, these works of art are especially appealing to kids.

Here are some of our favorite artsy destinations for a family day trip, along with spots to eat or play nearby. For more artsy outdoor fun, open year-round, check out the deCordova Sculpture Museum in Lincoln. And be prepared: If your kids are anything like ours, the kitchen table will be covered in recycle bin scraps and glue for the next month or two.

10 Science and STEM Classes for Boston Preschoolers

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Tue, 08/06/2019 - 10:38am

Kids see forest life firsthand at Puddlestompers. Photo courtesy of the program

There’s no shortage of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activities for kids in the Boston area, from summer camps to robotics classes. While most of these programs are geared toward older kids and teens, children as young as 2 or 3 years old are at a perfect age to start learning the basics of the scientific method. We've rounded up a list of local programs that offer science or technology programs specifically for curious preschoolers.

18 Places to Take Parent-Child Swim Classes in Boston

Submitted by Elyse Andrews on Mon, 07/22/2019 - 7:00am

Swimming ability and water safety are so important for little ones, but it can be difficult to imagine letting your baby or toddler plunge into the pool without you. Luckily, you don’t have to because there are a plethora of places in or near Boston that offer parent-child swim lessons so you can get in the water together. If you’re looking for other ways to be active with your child, check out our post on yoga classes for Boston moms and babies.

Elyse Andrews

Latest posts by Elyse

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