Category: free

Family Friendly Boston – What to Know About Free Cambridge City Movies in the Park

Brittney Leave a comment
While attending our weekly Book Bike excursions last summer I was fortunate enough to be handed fliers for all sorts of other kid friendly events going on around Cambridge for the summer.  One such activity was Cambridge City Parks Movies on the Green.

Family Friendly Boston – What to Know About Free Cambridge City Movies in the Park (With List of 2016 Movies & Locations)

Each week during the summer, I believe it was on a Wednesday night, Cambridge city gets a giant inflatable screen and hosts a movie night.  These movies take place at different parks every week and all the movies are kid friendly thought not all of them are animated.

We went to one such movie night, set out some lawn chairs, and waited for sun down.  There was about an hours worth of pre-show entertainment in the form of Jenny the Juggler.  We got to see the movie “The Penguins of Madagascar,” and once the movie started city workers showed up and handed out bags of popcorn and drinks to everyone who was there (for free).

In any case we had an awesome evening. These are really fun events to attend and they may be closer to you than the Hatch Shell movies on the Green (that happen every Friday during the summer) or the Prudential Center Movies (that happen every Saturday).

Family Friendly Boston – What to Know About Free Cambridge City Movies in the Park (With List of 2016 Movies & Locations)

Things to Note: 

1) Price
Free.  Just show up at one of the parks sometime after 7 and look for the big screen before throwing down your blanket.

2) Kid Friendliness
Very kid friendly.  These events are totally targeted at children and all the movies are kid/family friendly films.  Also these are at park so if your child/children at not that into the movie it’s really easy to step away and run around a little bit.

3) Stroller Friendliness 
Yup, bring your stroller if you so choose.  I would also recommend lawn chairs if you have them and if not lawn chairs at least a blanket to sit/lay on.

4) Start Time
They start at sun down… like when the sun is all the way gone and it’s starting to get dark, so during the summer this usually means some time after 8pm, which can be late for young ones.  We only went once with our two year old (as a special treat) and he loved it, but I based on the flier I had received I was expecting it to start earlier.  So, note, the event starts at 7, with about an hour of pre-show entertainment and then the movie starts once it’s dark.

5) Pre show Entertainment 
They had something going before each of the movies so you can come as early as you want to enjoy the park and fun before the movie begins.  For us there were also a couple of different people/companies from around the area with tables set up with a few crafts/treats for the kids.

6) Parking
Most of the parks don’t have dedicated parking though there is street parking in the area and sometimes metered parking.

7) Bathrooms
Eek!  A lot of these parks don’t have dedicated bathrooms.  We usually end up scoping out the nearest Dunkin Donuts on our walks there (I will happily buy a $1 donut to use the bathroom, and they seem to be on just about every other street corner) You might want to scope out some business with bathrooms in advance if you think this might be a concern.

2016 Movie Line Up and Parks:

  • THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 7:00 PM – ECBA MOVIE NIGHT

    Featuring: Cate Flaherty – “Great Cate” Acrobat
    @ East Cambridge Savings Bank Lot: 292 Cambridge St, Cambridge 

  • THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 7:00 PM – KSA MOVIE NIGHT

    @ Volpe Lawn  – 55 Broadway. Cambridge

  • TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 7:00 PM – THE PORT MOVIE NIGHT

    @ Green Rose Heritage Park – 155 Harvard St, Cambridge

  • THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 7:00 PM – ISBA MOVIE NIGHT

    @ East Cambridge Savings Bank – Inmen Branch Lot: 1310 Cambridge St, Cambridge

  • TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 7:00 PM – CSBA MOVIE NIGHT

    Featuring: Koolkidz Beatbox
    @ TBA

  • THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 7:00 PM – HSBA MOVIE NIGHT

    Featuring: Four Shadow Band
    @ Palmer St, Harvard Square

Summary and Rating ★★★★★

Five Stars.  We loved being able to get out and see a movie and it was nice to see them at different parks around Cambridge.  It made it easy for us to find one that was within walking distance.  We also loved having something going on before the movie started, though it was a little difficult to have a little one out so late.  In any case it was a fun family night out and I would highly recommend getting out and seeing one of these movies with your family/friends this summer.

Have you been here before?  If so I’d love to know more about your experience and any tips or tricks you have in the comments section below. 

Family Friendly Boston – What to Know About Free Hatch Shell Summer Movies (With List of 2016 Movies)

Brittney Leave a comment
Friday nights all summer long you can head over to the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade to check out a free movie on the green.  The first time we went we came equipped with blankets and snacks. We quickly realized that we had no need to bring our own snacks because there were vendors lining the green handing out all kinds of sample snacks.  We ended up getting some free ice cream bars, mini chocolates, popcorn, flavored water, mini salad with a fork, and more.

Family Friendly Boston – What to Know About Free Hatch Shell Summer Movies (With List of 2016 Movies)

While waiting for the movie to start there is also great pre-movie entertainment.  When we went there was an announcer standing near the Hatch Shell playing games with the crowd and giving away random things like T-shirts for prizes.

Then the movie started and we settled in to enjoy our night.

Movie Line Up 2016

June, 2016 
Friday June 24, Sunset (8:25 pm) – “Mininons”

 July, 2016 
 Friday July 15, Sunset (8:19 pm) – “Cinderella (2015)”
 Friday July 22, Sunset (8:13 pm) – “Inside Out (2015)”
 Friday July 29, Sunset (8:06 pm) – “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”

 August 2016 
 Friday August 5, Sunset (7:58 pm) – “The Good Dinosaur”
 Friday August 12, Sunset (7:48 pm) -“Jurassic World”
 Friday August 19, Sunset (7:38 pm) – “UP”
 Friday August 26, Sunset (7:26 pm) -“Ant-Man”

Things to Note:

1) Prices
Free, come enjoy this awesome event every Friday night all summer long.

2) Kid Friendliness
Totally kid friendly.  Lots of space to run around and all the movies are kid friendly films, mostly animated but a few that aren’t and are just family friendly.

3) Stroller Friendliness
Yes, stroller friendly.  Bring a stroller, bring a blanket, maybe even bring lawn chairs if you can swing it.

4) Volume
We were sitting not super close to the front, probably in the first third of the field and the movie was LOUD.  Super loud for our then infant son.  When picking your sitting location check out where the speakers are and consider moving away from them, I promise you will be able to hear the movie from any place on that field.

5) Getting There
There is limited parking near the Esplanade, but you would be much better off taking the “T”.  It’s about a five minute walk from the Red Line – MGH station.

Summary and Rating ★★★★★

Five Stars.  We loved this activity, it was one we felt like we could go to with our young son to see a movie and get out without disturbing others and as he’s gotten older it’s only gotten better.  He loves it and we love it making it a really fun summer outing.  Plus, how can you complain about free? Especially when a free movie also comes with lots of free snacks.

Have you been here before?  If so I’d love to know more about your experience and any tips or tricks you have in the comments section below. 

Hatch Memorial Shell
47 David G Mugar Way
Boston, MA 02108

Phone: (617) 626-1250
Website: http://www.hatchshell.com/ 

Touring Boston – Free Fun Fridays – Tons of Great, Budget Friendly, Ideas to Tour Boston During the Summer

Brittney Leave a comment
Every year during the summer Boston does this thing called “Free Fun Fridays.” Each week they have a handful of museums and historic type things open for free for the day and it changes every week all summer long.  This is the perfect chance to explore some of the museums and attractions that your interested in that might otherwise seem too expensive.

Touring Boston - Free Fun Fridays - Tons of Great, Budget Friendly, Ideas to Tour Boston During the Summer

We were lucky enough to go on Freedom Trail day.   When my husband and I came to visit Boston before moving we had a brief exposure to the historic waking tours while we were touring one of the cemeteries. The actor leading the group was telling some really funny stories and we were intrigued, but didn’t end up going on a full tour ourselves.

Freedom Trail Tour Boston Capitol Building

Now that it was free we made the extra effort to check it out and we loved it!  If you come to Boston I would highly recommend the historic tour.

I had to laugh at human nature when we were bought to the historic state house.  We were told that about 50 years ago the city was going to tear down the building because they needed to widen the road.  A bunch of people got together to try to raise money to save the building but in the ended didn’t raise enough so the city was going to demolish it.  However, they were approached by some county in Illinois that was all for the widening of the road, but wanted to buy the state house and reassemble it brick by brick in Illinois.  To which the city of Boston immediately replied with something along the lines of “You can’t have our historic state house!  This is Boston history!” and the state house still stands in the middle of the city.

Freedom Trail Tour Boston Historic State House

In any case Free Fun Fridays are everything the name suggests and you should really make an effort to check out some of the events.

Have you been here before?  If so I’d love to know more about your experience and any tips or tricks you have in the comments section below. 

<Post 2016 Events>

Freedom Trail Tour guide dressed up actor

Freedom Trail Tour

Freedom Trail Tour guide dressed up actor

Touring Boston – What to Know About Visiting the Frog Pond Summer Splash Pad and Wading Pool

Brittney Leave a comment

One of my absolute favorite summer activities is visiting the Boston Frog Pond! The Frog Pond is a giant pond in the middle of Boston common with water that’s 6-8 inches deep.  There is also a huge geyser of water that fountains out of the middle and this pond that is meant to be splashed in.  (Posted life guards and everything!)

I took my son and he loved every minute of it.  He loved being there to play in the water, he loved having friends to play with and he loved following the other kids and trying new things like laying in the water on his belly and his back.

Touring Boston - What to Know About Visiting the Frog Pond Summer Splash Pad and Wading Pool

It was a really hot day and I was glad I came in my swimsuit because I was right there next to him sitting in the water to cool off.  We had a great time and were so glad we had friends to join us.

Things to Note:

1) Price
Free, free, free.  Just show up and start splashing.

2) Location & Amenities
Right in the heart of Boston, part of Boston Common.  The Red Line on the “T” stops pretty much at the park so you can get there without even having to bring a stroller. There is a bathroom located right next to the Frog Pond that has lockers you can use for the day.  There is also a snack bar attached to it if you need burgers and fries to get you through a busy day at the park.  Life guards are posted around the pond.  There is a carousel next to the pond ($3/ride) and an enclosed playground, not to mention plenty of trees and shade.

Frog Pond Splash Pad

3) Hours
The Frog Pond opens in late June and seems like it usually open until about Labor Day.  Hours vary, and it’s closed if the weather is bad.  Generally its open 11am – 6pm.

4) Other Seasons
Even when the pond is closed there are all sort of events generally going on around the pond.  In the winter you can ice skate on it, in the fall they have pumpkin floating festivals and more.  All in all it’s a really fun place to visit.

Summary & Rating ★★★★★

Five stars.  I think the Boston Frog Pond is a blast and my son has adored it since the first time we let him put his toes in it about a 1.5 years old.  This past summer when he was 2.5 it was amazing to be able to sit on the side of the pond and let him run around in the water.  The water is shallow enough that I didn’t feel like I needed to shadow his every movement and he had so much fun playing with the other kids in the pond and splashing around.  This is one of our most favorite summer activities and if you’re around for the summer it’s something you shouldn’t leave Boston without trying.

Have you been here before?  If so I’d love to know more about your experience and any tips or tricks you have in the comments section below. 

Boston Common Frog Pond
Boston Common
Boston, MA 02116

Phone: (617)635-2121
Website: http://bostonfrogpond.com/

Unexpected Ways to Get Free Children’s Books in Cambridge – Cambridge Book Bike – Family Friendly Boston/Cambridge

Brittney Leave a comment
I have always loved books and loved reading.  One of the first gifts I gave my son was a book, and I read to him often even though he was only a newborn and far to young to understand what was happening.  It didn’t matter that he didn’t understand it because it was more about sharing something beneficial with him that was important to me.

To this day my son loves reading and we do not take a nap or go to bed at night without him insisting we read at least two books to him, more if he can get away with it.

Anyway all that is a precursor to the amazing Cambridge Book Bike Program I stumbled onto by accident during the summer of 2015.  Honestly this program made me fall in love with Cambridge and though I’ve never considered myself a city girl I can’t deny that Cambridge does amazing things for kids all summer long and its a fantastic place to have young children during the summer – with Book Bike probably being my favorite thing of all.

Unexpected Ways to Get Free Children

Things to Note: 

1) What is the Cambridge Book Bike? 
It’s a bike, loaded with books, that travels around to different parks during the summer to give out free books to children.  They have teamed up with a bunch of great businesses to provide these books and make it possible. (Agenda for Children,  Center for Families, Cambridge Public Library, & Liz Phipps Soeiro)

2) What Kind of Books to they give out and to who? 
They give out books for every level, from popular board books (Llama Llama, Sandra Boyton, Goodnight Gorilla,) to soft cover picture books (Eric Carl) to young easy reader chapter books, to popular YA chapter books (Book Thief, Twilight etc.)  They are for children 18 and under and your child gets to pick out a new book every single week!  If you have multiple children they each/all get to pick out a book.

3) Why do they do this? 
I had to opportunity to talk to one of the women from the Agenda for Children and she was telling me that research has show children are so much more likely to read and be interested in both books and education if they have a library of their own and easy access to books.  She said that a library of their own is considered to be about 8 books, so their program ran for eight weeks, giving every child the opportunity to have a “library” by the end of it.

4) Where is this happening? 
The book bike visits a different Cambridge park every day of the week during the summer.  They have teamed up with Summer Food Programs and you can find out where they will be on any given day here: http://www.cambridgebookbike.org/schedule.html

Summary and Rating ★★★★★

Five Stars.  Cambridge Book Bike has been my favorite part of summer!  It’s a great reason to get out of the house, head over to a park, and get moving.  We got free lunch, a chance to play at the park and a free book along with great crafts provided by book bike and the entrainment of having a librarian read a story aloud to the captivated audience of children showing how awesome books really are.  Bottom line is this is pretty much the best program ever and I can’t wait to join in it again.

Have you been here before?  If so I’d love to know more about your experience and any tips or tricks you have in the comments section below. 

Cambridge Book Bike Website