Sly Spoon

Touring Boston – What to Know About Visiting the Plymouth Plantation with Kids

August 10, 2016October 15, 2021 Brittney 2 Comments

Recently we headed down to Plymouth to see the Plimouth (original spelling) Plantation. There they have recreated the village to mimicked the original one, and they have actors who walk around talking like old English people and answering questions etc. It sounded cool and we had heard lots of good things about it.

What to Know About Visiting the Plymouth Plantation with Kids

On the plantation you start by visiting the Indian Village and I was a little hesitant about this part, not because I didn’t want to see and learn from the Native Americans, but because I was afraid it would seem… I don’t know, exploitative and wrong somehow. The Native Americans were dressed in traditional garb, but they didn’t speak like actors, instead they told us about what life used to be like for their tribes and it was really cool.

These Native Americans were part of a matriarchal society, the elder women got to decide when someone was old enough to be married, and that was based on their ability to do the chores and other things that needed to be done. Once they were established as old enough the woman would go out and pick a husband and bring him back to her village. Food was said to be plentiful and they only needed to work around 3 hours a day to maintain their lifestyle, the rest of the day was for them to do whatever they wanted, which didn’t sound too bad to me…

Then we walked over to the pilgrim village. The village was fairly big and all of the houses were both open and furnished, so you could walk in and sit on a rough feather bed, and pick up a brass kettle… which meant our son was trying very hard to play with all the ceramic pottery… eek.

We went in early September and the bad part about the village is it was dry and so so hot. It felt like walking through a dessert. The baby was hot, we were all sweating, and it was hard to plow along for long periods of time. We met up with one of the actors and got to ask her some question. My husband said her expression was priceless when I asked I could take a photo with her, you could see her not knowing how to respond while saying in character. Anyway, she let me. The village was cool, and it was a lot of fun to be able to direct the history lesson and experience it in such a hands on way.

Things to Note:

1) Price

So if you’re going to make the trip to Plymouth you will probably want to see more than just the plantation. In a near proximity to the plantation there is also the Mayflower II (patterned after the Original Mayflower that you can climb on and ask actors questions about) and the Gist Mill, where you can see how flour and the like was ground. You can buy a ticket to see any one of the attractions or a ticket to see any two or even all three of them. For all three the tickets run about $30/person, two of the three is generally about $20/person. You can view more specific details here: http://www.plimoth.org/plan-your-visit/hours-prices

2) Parking

Parking is free at the Plantation and there is nice big lot. They also offer golf cart rids to those with mobility issues, which makes for a pretty fantastic family visit with the old and young.

3) Stroller Friendliness

Yes! This is mostly an outdoor attraction and there are trails and paths everywhere, as well as lots of walking involved. Bring a stroller is your child still uses it.

4) Child Friendliness

Perfect for children. Lots of big open spaces, plenty of space to run around in and hands on exploration. Kids can climb on the beds, sit in the chairs, hold the pots, visit the farm animals and interact with the actors. My son was only 1.5 years old at the time and he loved it, everyone I’ve talked to with older kids said they also had a fantastic experience.

Summary and Rating ★★★★☆

Dressed up Plymouth Plimouth plantation tour actress

Four stars. It was a little bit expensive, but I thought this place was a blast. We went during the off season, but I’ve heard that there is even more to do during the on-season… and probably a few more actors populating the villages, when we went there were only five or six and the village is quite big. There is a lot of open space for kids and it’s really fun to be able to talk to the actors, ask them questions, learn about why they did the things they did etc. I also thought it was really fascinating to be able to compare the lifestyles of the early pilgrims to those of the Native Americans, it would have been nice if they could have picked up a few tips from the Natives who seemed to have life pretty well figured out. I would highly recommend this trip, it was one of the most engaging and interesting history lessons I’ve ever gotten to experience.

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.

Plimoth Plantation
137 Warren Avenue
Plymouth, MA 02360

Phone: (508) 746-1622
Website: https://www.plimoth.org/
Hours: 9am-5pm 7 days a week

Big list of Objects and Things That Start with the Letter “U”

August 9, 2016February 23, 2024 Brittney 4 Comments

Big list of objects that start with letter U

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 “U” 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 “U” objects.

UFO: Unidentified Flying Object
Uganda: Country in East Africa
Ugli Fruit: Citrus fruit hybrid of grapefruit, orange, and tangerine
Ukulele: Small string instrument from Hawaii
Ukulele player: Person who plays the ukulele
Ultra Violet: High-frequency light beyond the violet end of the spectrum
Ultrasound: Sound waves with frequencies higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing
Umbrella: Device used to protect from rain or sun
Umpire: Sports official who enforces the rules
Uncle: Brother of one’s parent
Uncrustables (Sandwich Brand): a brand that sells pre-made, crustless sandwiches
Underarm: Area of the body between the arm and chest
Undercover agent: Secret investigator who works in disguise
Underground: Beneath the surface of the ground
Underwater: Located or occurring beneath the surface of the water
Underwear: Clothing worn under outer clothing
Uneven Bars: Gymnastics apparatus for women
Unicorn: Mythical creature with a single horn on its forehead
Unicycle: Single-wheeled transportation device
Uniform: Clothing worn by members of a group to show common identity
Union: Association of workers for the protection of common interests
Unitard: One-piece garment similar to a leotard but covering the legs
United Nations: Intergovernmental organization to promote international cooperation
Universal remote: Device that can operate multiple electronic devices
University: Institution of higher education and research
Unopened package: Container that has not been opened
Upholsterer: Person who specializes in making and repairing furniture
Upside-down Cake: Cake where the toppings are placed on the bottom before baking
Upstairs: Upper floor of a building
Uranium: Radioactive chemical element with the symbol U
Urchin: Small, mischievous child
URL: Uniform Resource Locator, web address
Urn: Container for holding cremated remains
Ursa Major: Constellation in the northern sky
Ursa Minor: Constellation in the northern sky
USA: United States of America
Usher: Person who shows people to their seats at a venue
Utah: State in the western United States
Utensils: Tools used for eating or cooking
Utility worker: Person who handles the infrastructure of public services.

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

Toddler Letters – “P” is for “Pom Pom”

August 8, 2016August 22, 2023 Brittney

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

Supplies Needed:

Colored Craft Paper
Letter “P” Cutout
Elmer’s Glue
Scissors
Colored Pom Poms
Markers

Set Up:

We stared by adding glue to our letter “P”. I let my son add his own glue and he was very careful to trace his P, then he grabbed handfuls of Pom Poms to cover his glue. Since we were running out of Pom Poms by the time was son was done I ended up being a little more conservative and just doing dots of glue where I wanted Pom Poms added. If you want to control or limit the amount of Pom Poms being used I would suggest going the glue dot route and letting your child add one Pom Pom per glue dot. We let our glue dry then shook our P a little to dislodge any loose Pom Poms before gluing our P down to our craft paper.

We finished by talking about different things that are circle. (Balls, cups, clocks, apples, pizza, wheels, etc.)

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

Tracing Letters:

*Courtesy of http://bogglesworldesl.com/

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.

Touring Boston – What to Know About Visiting Mount Auburn Cemetery with Kids

August 3, 2016October 15, 2021 Brittney

Mount Auburn Cemetery was the first Rural Cemetery in the United States and it has been designated as a national landmark. It also seems to be one of those places that shows up frequently on the “Must See/Things to Do in Boston” lists.

We decided to check it out and see what all the hype was about. We went in early May, it was still jacket weather but the flowers were out and the greenery was gorgeous.

What to Know About Visiting Mount Auburn Cemetery with Kids

This cemetery is huge and it’s a very green a peaceful place to be. Flowers and attractive bushes are everywhere and there are plenty of paths to walk along and interesting headstones to see. As far as bringing kids along I thought it was great. There was lots of space for them to move about, lots to explore and we weren’t getting in anyone’s way as we toured the area. The chapel was gorgeous and we loved being able to walk around and enjoy so many amazing flowers.

We were also surprised to see some velociraptors there. We stumble unto a herd of 3, then realized they were calling to the rest of the herd a few paces over. Turns out there were around 10 of the beasties… alright they might just have been wild turkeys, but those suckers were giant, and the way they moved and called to each other… well they seem to be direct descendants! We had to keep the kids from getting to close because I was sure they would end up getting their eyes plucked out or something. In any case, there is also a lot of wild life to be seen in the area. We saw a flock of wild turkeys, chipmunks, bunnies, squirrels and the like.

Things to Note:

1) Parking/Admission
Free. This area is really large and you can park just about anywhere along the trails, stopping when you find something you’re interested in exploring more.

2) Stroller Friendliness
There are paths that go every which way through the cemetery and if you wanted to bring a stroller you would be able to get around easily with it, but if you’re bring a toddler with you it might be easier just to let them run free and follow them through the headstones without trying to drag a stroller up and down the hilly paths.

3) Kid Friendliness
Totally kid friendly. It mostly a nature walk that you can do at your own pace and you don’t have to worry about running into other people, though I believe Mount Auburn also offers a guided tour of the cemetery if you are interested.

4) Wildlife
We were able to spot a lot of interesting creatures while walking around the park, most notably a decent sized flock of wild turkeys, along with bunnies, chipmunks, squirrels and birds.

5) Plant Life
The greenery everywhere is amazing. There are so many flowers, flowering bushes, trees, sweeping weeping willows, scenic ponds etc. that you can’t help but to enjoy nature as you explore the area.

Summary and Rating: ★★★★★

Five Stars. I thought this place was beautiful and it was so nice to have so much green spaces after living in the city. I loved that my son could explore and I could enjoy the quiet piece of the area as we walked around together. If you’re looking for a nice outing, near the city, with free parking that you can do last minute this might be just the ticket.

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.

Mount Auburn Cemetery
580 Mount Auburn Street
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

Phone: 617-547-7105
Website: http://mountauburn.org/

Hours: Gates open: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm;
Saturday 8:30 am – 12:00 pm for business, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm for information

Toddler A-Z – 160+ Objects That Start with the Letter “T”

August 2, 2016February 21, 2024 Brittney 5 Comments

Big list of objects that start with letter T

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 “T” 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 “T” objects.

T-Shirt: A lightweight shirt with short sleeves and typically a round neckline.
Tabasco Sauce: A brand of hot sauce made from tabasco peppers, vinegar, and salt.
Tabernacle: A fixed or movable habitation, typically of light construction.
Table: A piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, used to hold items.
Table Mat: A small mat placed on a table to protect the surface or enhance the table’s appearance.
Tablet: A small, flat surface with writing or images inscribed for communication or decoration.
Tabloid: A newspaper with compact pages, typically with sensationalist content.
Tack: A small, sharp nail used to fasten items together.
Tackle: Equipment or gear used in a particular activity or sport.
Tacos: A Mexican dish consisting of a tortilla filled with various ingredients.
Tadpole: The aquatic larva of a frog or toad.
Taffeta: A crisp, smooth fabric with a lustrous surface.
Taffy: A chewy candy made from sugar or molasses.
Tag: A label or piece of paper attached to an item for identification.
Tail: The rear part of an animal’s body, usually extending beyond the trunk or main part.
Tailgate: A hinged door at the back of a truck or car that can be lowered for loading or unloading.
Tailor: A person who makes, repairs, or alters clothes professionally.
Talon: A hooked claw, especially of a bird or prey.
Tambour: A traditional drum-like musical instrument.
Tambourine: A percussion instrument consisting of a small drum with metal disks attached.
Tangerine: A type of citrus fruit similar to an orange but smaller.
Tank: A large receptacle or container for holding liquid or gas.
Tap: A device for controlling the flow of liquids or gases.
Tape: A long, narrow strip of material used for binding or fastening items together.
Tape Recorder: An electronic device used to record audio onto magnetic tape.
Tapioca: A starchy substance extracted from cassava roots and used in cooking.
Tapioca Pudding: A dessert made from tapioca pearls cooked in milk and sweetened.
Tar: A dark, thick, oily substance derived from coal or wood.
Tarantula: A large, hairy spider found in warm regions.
Target: An object or goal aimed at or desired.
Tarmac: A type of road surface made from crushed stone mixed with tar.
Tarts: Small pastries with fruit or sweet fillings.
Tassel: A hanging ornament made of threads or cords.
Taxi: A vehicle used to transport passengers for a fee.
Tea: A hot drink made from the processed leaves of tea plants.
Tea Cup: A small cup used for drinking tea.
Teakettle: A kettle used for boiling water for tea.
Teapot: A vessel with a spout and handle used for making and serving tea.
Tear: A drop of saline fluid secreted by the eye.
Technician: A person skilled in the use of technology or equipment.
Teddy Bear: A stuffed toy bear, often used as a children’s toy.
Tee: A short, typically casual t-shirt.
Teeth: Hard, white structures found in the mouth that are used for biting and chewing food.
Telegraph: A system for transmitting messages over long distances via electrical signals.
Telephone: A device used for transmitting sound over distance using electrical signals.
Telescope: An optical instrument used to view distant objects.
Television: A device used for viewing broadcast programs on a screen.
Tennis Player: A sport played by a person on a rectangular court in which a ball is hit back and forth over a net.
Tennis Ball: A ball used in the sport of tennis.
Tennis Court: The specially marked and constructed area for playing tennis.
Tennis Racket: The equipment used to hit the ball in the sport of tennis.
Tennis Shoes: Footwear designed for playing tennis, typically with rubber soles.
Tent: A portable shelter made of fabric or other materials supported by poles.
Tepee: A conical tent traditionally used by Native American tribes.
Termite: A small insect that feeds on wood and can cause damage to wooden structures.
Test Tube: A transparent tube used in scientific experiments.
Textbook: A book used as a standard work for the study of a particular subject.
Therapist: A person trained in therapy or counseling.
Thermometer: A tool used to measure temperature.
Thermos: A container used to keep liquids hot or cold for an extended period of time.
Thermostat: A device that regulates temperature in a system, typically for heating or cooling.
Thimble: A small protective cap worn on the finger while sewing.
Thistle: A prickly plant with pink or purple flowers.
Thorn: A sharp-pointed spine on a plant.
Thread: A long, thin strand of cotton, nylon, or other fibers used in sewing or weaving.
Threatre: A place for performances such as plays, musicals, and other dramatic productions.
Three: The number after two and before four.
Thresher: A farm machine used for separating grain from stalks.
Thyme: An aromatic herb used in cooking and for medicinal purposes.
Tide: The rise and fall of sea levels caused by gravitational forces of the moon and sun.
Tie: A piece of fabric worn around the neck as decoration or to hold a collar closed.
Tiger: A large carnivorous cat with a striped coat.
Tiller: A lever used to control the direction of a boat or ship.
Timber: Wood used for building or fuel.
Timer: A device used to measure time intervals.
Tin: A metallic element often used in alloys.
Tin Can: A container, typically cylindrical, made of tinplate or other metal.
Tinsel: Shiny strips of material used for decoration.
Tiramisu: An Italian dessert made of layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cheese.
Tire: A rubber covering for a wheel.
Tissue: A soft, thin piece of paper used for cleaning or drying.
Toad: An amphibian similar to a frog but with dry, warty skin.
Toast: Sliced bread that has been browned by exposure to heat.
Toes: The digits on the end of a foot.
Toffee: A confection made by caramelizing sugar and butter and sometimes adding nuts.
Tofu: A soy-based food product made by curdling fresh soy milk and pressing it into blocks.
Toggle: An object used as a fastener, consisting of a bar that fits into a loop or hole.
Toilet Paper: Paper used for personal hygiene after using the restroom.
Tomatoes: Red or yellow fruit with a juicy pulp, commonly used in cooking.
Tongs: A tool consisting of a long handle with two hinged gripping arms, used for lifting and moving objects.
Tongue: The muscular organ in the mouth used for tasting, swallowing, and speaking.
Tool Case: A container for storing and transporting tools.
Toolbox: A box or container used for storing tools.
Tooth: A hard structure in the mouth used for biting and chewing food.
Tooth Brush: A tool used for cleaning teeth, typically with bristles and a handle.
Top: The highest part of something.
Top Hats: Tall, formal hats worn on special occasions.
Topiary: The art of trimming and shaping trees and bushes into decorative shapes.
Torch: A handheld light source consisting of a stick with a flame at one end.
Torpedo: A self-propelled underwater missile.
Tortilla: A thin, unleavened flatbread made from corn or wheat flour.
Tortilla Chips: Triangular pieces of fried or baked tortilla, often served as a snack.
Tortoise: A slow-moving land turtle.
Tote: A large bag with parallel handles that typically has an open top.
Totem Pole: A tall pole carved with symbolic figures representing a family or clan.
Toucan: A brightly colored, large-billed bird found in Central and South America.
Touchscreen: A display screen that responds to touch by a finger or stylus.
Toupee: A wig worn by men to cover partial or complete baldness.
Tow Truck: A vehicle equipped for towing other vehicles.
Towel: A piece of absorbent fabric used for drying or wiping.
Tower: A tall structure often used for observation, communication, or defense.
Toxin: A poisonous substance produced by living organisms.
Toy: An object for children to play with, typically a model or miniature representation of something.
Toy Box: A container for storing toys.
Tracker: A person or device that determines the current location of something or someone.
Tractor: A powerful motor-driven vehicle used for pulling farm machinery.
Trader: A person who buys and sells goods or assets for profit.
Trail: A beaten path through rough country.
Trailer: A vehicle towed by a car or truck and used to transport goods or passengers.
Train: A connected series of railroad cars or carriages.
Train Track: The pair of parallel rails on which trains run.
Trampoline: A piece of equipment consisting of a strong fabric stretched over a steel frame used for jumping and tumbling exercises.
Transmission: The mechanism in a vehicle that transmits power from the engine to the wheels.
Trap: A device designed to catch and retain animals.
Trapeze: An apparatus consisting typically of a horizontal bar hanging by two ropes, used by acrobats.
Trapezoid: A quadrilateral with only one pair of parallel sides.
Trash: Waste material.
Tray: A flat, shallow container used for serving or holding food.
Treadmill: An exercise machine with a moving belt used for walking or running in place.
Treasure: Valuable and precious possessions.
Treasure Chest: A wooden chest or container used for keeping treasures and valuable items.
Tree: A perennial plant with a trunk and branches.
Tree House: A structure built among the branches of a tree, often used as a playhouse.
Trench Coat: A long, loose-fitting coat typically made of waterproof fabric.
Trestle: A supporting framework consisting of a horizontal beam supported by two pairs of sloping legs.
Triangle (Geometrical Shape): A polygon with three sides and three angles.
Triangle (Musical Instrument): A percussion instrument consisting of a metal rod bent into a triangle shape and struck with a metal beater.
Tricycle: A three-wheeled vehicle typically used by children.
Trident: A three-pronged spear.
Trinket: A small ornament or item of jewelry that is of little value.
Trio: A group or set of three people or things.
Troll: A mythical creature often depicted as either a giant or a dwarf that dwells in caves or mountains.
Trolley: A small wheeled cart or basket typically used for transporting goods.
Trombone: A brass musical instrument with a long slide for changing pitch.
Trophy: A decorative object awarded as a prize for a victory or achievement.
Trout: A species of freshwater fish.
Truck: A motor vehicle designed for transporting goods or people.
Tub: A large, open container typically used for holding water.
Tuba: A large brass musical instrument with a deep booming sound.
Tube: A long, hollow cylinder or pipe.
Tugboat: A small, powerful boat used for towing or pushing larger vessels.
Tulip: A bulbous spring-flowering plant with a cup-shaped flower.
Tuna: A large marine fish.
Turbine: A machine that generates power through the action of a wheel or rotor turned by a fast-moving flow of water, steam, gas, or air.
Turkey: A large bird native to North America.
Turnip: A round root vegetable from the cabbage family.
Turnstile: A mechanical gate consisting of revolving horizontal arms, allowing one person at a time to pass through.
Turntable: A revolving plate or platform used for rotating records in a record player.
Turtle: A slow-moving reptile with a bony or leathery shell developed from their ribs.
Tusk: A long, pointed tooth, usually one of a pair that protrudes from the mouth of certain animals, such as elephants.
Tuxedo: A formal suit typically worn for evening events.
Tweed: A rough-surfaced woollen cloth typically of mixed flecked colors.
Tweezer: A small instrument with two short, close-fitting legs used for gripping or pulling small objects.
Twinkle Lights: Decorative fairy lights that sparkle or blink intermittently.
Two: The equivalent of the number 2.
Typewriter: A machine for producing printed characters similar to a printer.
Typhoon: A tropical cyclone or hurricane in the western Pacific Ocean.