Fantastic, Little Known, Cambridge Parks – 6 Things to Know About David Nunes Park (aka Old Morse Park)

Brittney
This park is located one block over from Fulmore Park and is amazing for older children, (I would say it’s best suited for ages 5+).  The have a giant climbing structure made from thick rubber mats, a basketball court, ping pong/table tennis tables, a giant water sprinkler and lots of other fun stuff to keep your older children engaged and moving.

Fantastic, Little Known, Cambridge Parks - 6 Things to Know About David Nunes Park (aka Old Morse Park)

Things to Note:

David Nunes Park playground

1) Parking
There is no dedicated parking for this playground, though you might be able to find street parking near it.

2) Water Feature
There is a big geyser of water in this park that shoots ten or so feet into the air.  My two year old son was both fascinated and terrified of it, but the older kids seem to love it.

3) Climbing Structure
This park has a really unique and fun climbing area.  There are a bunch of thick black rubber pieces strung up that create small, wobbly platforms for the children to climb up and crawl on. There is also a thick rubber slide made out of the same material and a rope/net climbing area.

David Nunes Park playground

4) Seesaw
This park has a suspended seesaw and I have to admit I played on it with my husband and have not laughed so hard in a long time.  You climb onto a disk shaped seat that has a rope coming out of the middle of it.  That rope is attached to some mechanism high above your head and somehow it becomes a combo between a seesaw and a swing.  I would not dare put a young child on it, but it was a blast to swing on as an adult.

5) Courts
This playground has an enclosed basketball court as well as couple of enclosed table tennis/ping pong tables.

David Nunes Park splash pad

6) Pizza
Okay… not that you’re going to come here looking for food, but right next to the park is a little pizza joint and we have spent a couple of great evenings enjoying a pizza and playing in the park. Check out Cambridge Pizza for pricing and to learn more.  I happen to think they make a pretty good pizza myself…

Summary and Rating ★★★★★

Five Stars. Though I think my son is too young to fully enjoy this park we still had fun at it.  I love the uniqueness of the playground and I love that there are no swings (my son would happily sit on a swing for hours)  it’s all about climbing and playing, but it’s also a park for older kids.  If you have toddlers or children under five I would suggest checking out Fulmore Park, which is exactly one block south of this park, a super short walk, and it’s perfect for younger kids.

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. 

David Nunes Park plaque

David Nunes Park/ Old Morse Park
129 Allston Street
Cambridgeport, Cambridge, 02139

Learn More: http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/parks/parksmap

David Nunes Park ping pong tables

David Nunes Park playground

David Nunes Park playground

David Nunes Park playground

David Nunes Park playground

Toddler Letters – “J” is for “Jellyfish”

Brittney

 

Letter J Craft - Toddler/Preshooler letter of the week craft J is for Jellyfish with related craft, tracing sheets and fruits/vegetables.

Supplies Needed:

  • Colored Craft Paper
  • Letter “J” Cutout
  • Elmer’s Glue
  • Scissors
  • Googly Eyes
  • Ribbon
  • Markers

Set Up:

I cut out our “J” ahead of time, then we sat down at the craft table and I let my son cut little strips off of a whole bunch of random ribbons and colored strings I had.  Once we had a good pile of strings I showed him how to put glue on the “J” (I have a glue stick pictured above, but we ended up using Elmer’s glue) then we glued the strings to our “J”.  Finally when we had enough strings we added some goggly eyes and let our J with its strings dry.  Once our “J” was dry we glued our jellyfish to a sheet of craft paper.
We finished by talking about different kinds of things that live in the water; fish, starfish, jellyfish, crabs, sharks, dolphins etc.

Toddler/Preshooler letter of the week craft J is for Jellyfish with related craft, tracing sheets and fruits/vegetables.

Tracing Letters:

Have you made this craft?  What was your experience like and do you have an suggestions to make it better?  I’d love to hear about them in the comments section below.

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Fantastic, Little Known, Cambridge Parks – 7 Things to Know About Fulmore Park (aka Sand Park)

Brittney
Fulmore Park is a tiny park located toward the west end of the MIT campus.  The park is only .4 acres, but for a toddler it’s awesome.  We’ve also heard this park called both the Sand Park, and the Chicken/Rooster Park.

This park is fenced in and split into two main areas.  The water/sand area and the grass/tree house area.

Fantastic, Little Known, Cambridge Parks - 7 Things to Know About Fulmore Park (aka Sand Park)

Things to Note:

Fulmore Park (Sand Park) Playground

1) Parking
There is no designated parking for this park, though you may be able to find a spot along the street.

2) Water Features
This park has two and they are both great for toddlers.  It has a set of three or so mini sprinklers that come out of the ground and reach three or so feet in the air, it also has a water spigot that the kids can pump. The water comes out of the spigot and falls into a metal trough then runs down a long metal shoot into the sand, allowing lots of children to play in the water while one is pumping.

Fulmore Park (Sand Park) Playground

3) Sand
This park has a lot of sand and like many Cambridge parks there are generally community toys there so you can dig and haul water around even if you don’t bring your own bucket/shovel.

4) Wooden Blocks
I think one of the most fun and unique parts of this park is the wooden blocks they have there to play with.  There is a storage shed filled with blocks and planks of all sizes that the kids can drag around the park, build with, walk on etc.  It’s really fun to see some of the structures the kids come up with and it fun to have something so unique to play with.

Fulmore Park (Sand Park) Playground Water feature

5) Tree House
The park seems fairly well divided into the sand section and the grass section.  In the grassy/shady area there is a large wooden climbing structure built around a tree that the kids can play on and a small grassy area for them to run on.

6)  Day Care Kids
It seems like during the late morning, especially on nice days  (10am-12pm) the park is well used by the local day cares.  There is still plenty of space to play and my son enjoys having other little kids to be with, but if you want a more quite park visit going earlier or later might be for you.

Fulmore Park (Sand Park) chickens

7) Wildlife…ish
I’m not sure who own chickens but a neighbor near the park must and I have seen chickens running around the park many many times.  They don’t seem to bug or mind the kids, though I suspect they are not supposed to be there.  Mostly just an FYI, you may come across some chickens flapping around. 

Summary and Rating ★★★★☆

Four Stars.  The park is quite small, but the park and equipment is unique and engaging. When we come we love the soft sand and the fun water features.  This past summer my son finally figured out how to use the water pump and he loves standing on the platform and watching the water come up.  This park is certainly for a younger audience, I would say it would be most interesting to ages five and below, and right now it’s perfect for us.

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. 

Fulmore Park (Sand Park) green space

Fulmore Park (Cambridge)
223 Sidney St,
Cambridge, MA 02139

More Info Can Be Found At: http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/parks/parksmap

Fulmore Park (Sand Park) playground

Fulmore Park (Sand Park) playground treehouse

50 Objects That Start with the Letter “E”

Brittney 14 Comments
Picture of Objects and Things that start with Letter E
A group of my friends started doing something we are calling Toddler Time and each week we choose a letter to focus on.  I realized that finding objects that start with the letter of the week can be a challenge and I thought it might be helpful to have a long list of “E” letter objects them on hand.  If I’ve missed something drop me a note in the comments, I would be thrilled to add even more letter “E” objects.
  1. Eagle: A large bird of prey known for its strong and majestic appearance.
  2. Earmuffs: Protective coverings worn over the ears to protect them from extreme cold or loud noises.
  3. Earphones: Small devices worn over or inside the ears to listen to audio privately.
  4. Earplug: A small object inserted into the ear canal to block out noise or water.
  5. Earrings: Jewelry worn in the ears, typically hanging from the earlobes.
  6. Ears: The sensory organs responsible for hearing and balance in humans and many other animals.
  7. Earth: The third planet from the sun and the only known planet to support life.
  8. Earthenware: Ceramic objects made from baked clay, commonly used for dishes or pottery.
  9. Earthworm: A long, slender invertebrate that lives in soil and helps improve soil quality.
  10. Earwax: A waxy substance secreted by glands in the ear canal, helping to protect and clean the ear.
  11. Earwig: A small insect with pincers on its abdomen, known for its distinctive shape.
  12. Easel: A stand used by artists to hold and display their canvases for painting or drawing.
  13. East: The direction toward which the sun rises, opposite of west.
  14. Easter Bunny: A mythical creature associated with Easter, often depicted as a rabbit delivering eggs.
  15. Easter Egg: A decorated or dyed egg used as a symbol of Easter celebrations.
  16. Easy Chair: A comfortable and usually upholstered armchair designed for relaxation.
  17. Echidna: A small, spiny mammal native to Australia and New Guinea, also known as the spiny anteater.
  18. Edamame: Young soybeans, typically served boiled or steamed as a snack.
  19. Edifice: A large, imposing building or structure.
  20. Egg / Eggs: A reproductive structure produced by female animals, usually containing a developing embryo.
  21. Egg Beater: A kitchen tool used for beating eggs or whipping cream, typically consisting of rotating blades.
  22. Egg Nog: A rich and creamy beverage made with milk, eggs, sugar, and often spiked with alcohol.
  23. Egg Noodles: Thin, ribbon-like pasta made from flour, eggs, and water.
  24. Egg Rolls: A popular dish in many Asian cuisines, consisting of a filling wrapped in a thin dough and deep-fried.
  25. Egg Yolk: The yellow, nutrient-rich part of an egg that contains fat and protein.
  26. Eggplant: A vegetable with glossy, purple skin that is commonly used in cooking.
  27. Egypt: A country located in Northeast Africa known for its ancient civilization and iconic landmarks.
  28. Eiderdown: The soft feathers or down of the eider duck, often used to fill pillows or comforters.
  29. Eight: The cardinal number between seven and nine.
  30. Elastic: A flexible material that can stretch and then return to its original shape.
  31. Elbow Noodles: Short, curved pasta tubes resembling the shape of an elbow.
  32. Elbows: The joint between the forearm and the upper arm.
  33. Elderberry: The dark purple fruit of the elder tree, often used in jams, syrups, and herbal remedies.
  34. Electric Guitar: A type of guitar that uses electromagnetism to convert string vibrations into electrical signals.
  35. Electricity: A form of energy resulting from the movement of charged particles, commonly used for power and lighting.
  36. Eel: A snake-like fish with a slender body and no pelvic fins, found in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
  37. Elephant: A large mammal with a long trunk, tusks, and big ears, known for its intelligence and strength.
  38. Elephant Seal: A large marine mammal belonging to the seal family, named for its size and nose resembling an elephant’s trunk.
  39. Elephant Shrew: A small insect-eating mammal native to Africa, characterized by its long nose and slender body.
  40. Elevator: A device used for vertically transporting people or goods between floors or levels in a building.
  41. Elf: A mythical creature often depicted as a small, mischievous and magical being in folklore and fantasy literature.
  42. Emu: A flightless bird native to Australia, known for its long legs, distinctive feathers, and fast running speed.
  43. Enchiladas: A traditional Mexican dish consisting of tortillas filled with meat, cheese, or beans, typically topped with sauce and baked.
  44. Endive: A leafy vegetable with slightly bitter leaves, often used in salads or as a cooked vegetable.
  45. Engine: A machine that converts various forms of energy into mechanical work, typically used to power vehicles or machinery.
  46. Envelope: A flat, usually rectangular paper container used for enclosing letters or documents.
  47. Equal Sign: A mathematical symbol (=) used to indicate that two quantities or expressions are the same or equivalent.
  48. Equator: An imaginary line that divides the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere, lying equidistant from the North and South poles.
  49. Eraser: An object, typically made of rubber or a similar material, used to remove pencil or ink marks by rubbing them away.
  50. Escalator: A moving staircase consisting of steps or platforms that transport people from one level to another, typically found in buildings and public spaces.
  51. Exhaust: The waste gases or fumes expelled from an engine, machine, or other process, typically containing pollutants resulting from combustion.
  52. Eye: An organ responsible for vision, consisting of various structures including the eyeball, cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and retina.
  53. Eyeglasses: A pair of lens-containing frames worn in front of the eyes to correct vision or protect the eyes from excessive light or foreign objects.
  54. Eyelash: Hairs that grow on the edge of the eyelids, helping to shield the eyes from debris and providing a protective function.
  55. Eyelid: The thin, movable skin covering and protecting the eye when closed, capable of blinking to help keep the eye moist and remove foreign particles.
  56. Eye shadow: Cosmetics applied to the eyelids and surrounding areas to enhance or alter the appearance of the eyes, usually in the form of powder, cream, or liquid.
  57. Eyebrow: The arch of hair above the eye that helps prevent sweat and debris from falling into the eyes and contributes to facial expression.
  58. Eyeliner: A cosmetic product, usually in the form of a pencil or liquid, used to emphasize and define the shape of the eyes by applying a line along the eyelids.

Objects that start with the letter E

Can you think of any other letter “E” words?  If so please comment and let me know, I’d love to get them added to the list.

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Cardboard Creations – DIY Cardboard Puzzle – How to Make Any Picture Into a Cardboard Puzzle

Brittney

Cardboard Creations - How to Make Any Picture Into a Cardboard Puzzle, penguin puzzle

Cardboard Creations - How to Make Any Picture Into a Cardboard Puzzle, penguin puzzle

There are a lot of really cute board and wooden puzzles to be found but unfortunately they also tend to be fairly pricey. We’ve got a handful of coloring books and I thought it would be fun to attempt make my own board puzzle out of cardboard.  

The nice thing about making my own puzzle is I have full control over what is on the puzzle as well as the difficulty of the puzzle.  For my penguin puzzle I decided to keep the pieces fairly big and simple, but as my son gets better and better at puzzles it would be super easy to cut out more pieces and up the complexity.  So far our six piece puzzle is perfect!

Cardboard Creations - How to Make Any Picture Into a Cardboard Puzzle, penguin puzzle

Supplies Needed:

  • Two pieces of cardboard (from shipping boxes, not cereal boxes) 
  • A picture (colored or printed) 
  • Exacto Knife
  • Glue
  • Foam Paint Brush
  • Brads

Steps: 

Cardboard Creations - How to Make Any Picture Into a Cardboard Puzzle, penguin puzzle

  1. I started by coloring my image. If you have an older child it might also be fun for them to have a puzzle made from an image they colored.
  2. Take your glue and mix it with water.  I usually do two parts glue to one part water.
  3. Cover one piece of cardboard with the glue mixture then press your picture onto it.
  4. Cover the top of your picture (now glued to the cardboard) with another layer of the glue mixture.  Make sure to get the edges really good and press out any wrinkles as you go.
  5. Let your picture dry.
  6. Cut off the excess cardboard around your image.
  7. Cut out the pieces you want for your puzzle using your Exacto knife.  I would suggest leaving at least an inch wide boarder around the inside of your puzzle so that it has a little more structure when piecing it back together.
  8. Glue the outer boarder of your image to the second piece of cardboard, creating the back of your puzzle. Let it dry, then cut off the excess cardboard from the back piece.
  9. Press a brad into each piece of your puzzle so that your child will have something to grip when taking the pieces in and out. Then put a thick dot of glue on the back of the brad so it stays in place. Let it dry.
  10. Piece your puzzle back together and you’re ready to go. 
Thanks for reading!

Have you tried to make a cardboard puzzle?  I would love to see the puzzles you’ve created or hear about any of your experiences or thoughts to make it better in the comments section. 

Cardboard Creations - How to Make Any Picture Into a Cardboard Puzzle, penguin puzzle