Cardboard Creations – DIY Play Kitchen

Brittney
How To Make an Easy DIY Play Kitchen - Cardboard Creations - Sly Spoon

The holidays have just passed and during December I ended up seeing a million toy ads, many from the company Step2, which happens to make awesome play kitchens. Every time I saw them I though about how much fun my son (who loves helping me in the kitchen) would have with them.  I’ve tried to win a few but no luck.  Go figure.

Anyway, since our cute little family is surviving on a grad student stipend I thought I’d try my hand a building one… out of cardboard. My little guy is two, he’s going to have fun with it no matter what, and he’s really not going to notice or care that the thing is painted rather than made out of colored plastic.

Supplies Needed:

  • Large rectangular cardboard box, I looked for one that would reach a little above my son’s stomach
  • Large flat piece of cardboard
  • Shoebox
  • Exacto Knife
  • Hot glue gun & glue sticks
  • Paint
  • Bowl, can of soup or cup (will be traced)
  • 5 milk carton lids
  • 2 soda pop lids
  • 2 empty toilet paper rolls 
  • 3 brads (optional, only if you want to be able to hang pots/spoons)
  • 7 Small nails
  • Roll of plain white paper (wrapping paper rolled inside out would also work well for this)
  • A curved piece of plastic for the sink part.  I ended up using a cracked tupperware, but I think a milk carton cut in half, a plastic salad container (like you find at Costco) or even a takeout box would work just as well
How To Make an Easy DIY Play Kitchen - Cardboard Creations - Sly Spoon

Step 1) Flip Your Box

If you plan on painting your kitchen you’re going to save your self a lot of heartache and a lot of paint if you flip your box inside out so you don’t have to try to paint over and cover up whatever ads are printed on the outside of your box. 
My box was a huge pain to flip (because I ended up with a really sturdy one that had about a million staples holding it together)  I had to use the edge of a hammer to get all the staples out of the seam, a lot of boxes are just glued and you can pull them apart with a little bit of arm muscle. 
Anyway, pull the staples out or rip the glue apart then flip your box inside out and glue the seam back together using your hot glue gun. 
Step 2) Outline the Oven & Cupboard
I used a book to keep a strait edge and just kind of eye balled where I wanted my kitchen oven & cupboard to fold out from.  I traced one of the soda lids for the little hole on the cupboard so there would be an easy way to pull it open and I cut out the extra square ‘viewing window’ in the stove for the same reason.  
How To Make an Easy DIY Play Kitchen - Cardboard Creations - Sly SpoonStep 3) Outline the Sink
Use whatever container you have for your sink and trace it.  If your item (like a halved milk jug) doesn’t have an edge that will allow it to sit into the hole you’re going to cut, then make sure to cut you’re hole smaller than the width of the jug so that it won’t just fall through. 
Step 4) Cut out your Cupboard, Oven and Sink
Use an exacto knife and cut around the areas that you traced.  Make sure you leave one side of the cupboard and oven intact so that your child can bend them open without pulling them off the box. 
Step 5) Make your Shelf
Get a piece of cardboard a little longer than your oven/sink box.  You need a flat strip that will fit inside the box.  Bend the edges of this piece of cardboard and rest them against the flaps inside your box to hold them in place. 
Step 5) Make your Burners
Trace something round (a cup, can of soup, bowl) to outline your stove burners. Then use hot glue to outline what you traced.  Make smaller and smaller hot glue circles inside of your burners.  
Step 6) Make your Backsplash
Get a large piece of cardboard, about the height of your child and as wide as the box you are using for your oven/sink.  You will use this to create the backsplash.  Lay it flat on the floor and roll a length of plain white art paper over it (or wrapping paper, printed side against the box, white side out) and tape it in place.  Use a ruler or stencil to create the pattern you want for your backsplash. 
Step 7) Make your Microwave 
I found a shoebox that had the lid connected to the box, it was awesome because I could just throw the lid over the top of my backsplash and the rest of the box would just hang in place.  If you can’t find a shoebox that already has the lid attached, no worries, just tape the lid to the box.  
Use a book to trace a rectangle on your shoe box and draw out your buttons. 
How To Make an Easy DIY Play Kitchen - Cardboard Creations - Sly Spoon

Step 8) Add the Faucet 

Get your empty toilet paper rolls. Place one roll upright where you want your sink faucet to be, cut a “C’ shape in the second roll and slide the flap into the first roll creating a slightly curved faucet.  Use your hot glue to glue them where you want them to be on your box. 
Step 9) Paint 
Grab your paints and paint your kitchen to your hearts content. 
Step 10) Add your Knobs
Grab your bottle caps.  (I choose to paint mine) Place the two soda bottle caps on opposite sides of your faucet and grab one of your small nails.  Push it though the top of your bottle cap, and through your cardboard box (you may want to use a hammer, I was able to use my super strong thumb).  Then grab your glue gun and glue the bottom part of the nail that is protruding through your box.  This will keep the cap in place and protect your child from the pointed part of the nail while still allowing them to twist the “knobs” 
Do the same thing with the knobs for the oven burners, and I choose to add one to my microwave so it would be easier to open. 
Step 11) Add your Brads
I poked a few little brads through the back of my backsplash to hang pots and pans on.  Do whatever works for you… you could probably also do it with nails, but I didn’t like the idea of nails jutting out so I opted for the brads. 
And “Wha-la” you’re done!
If your kid/s are anything like my son they will adore it.  We’ve got some great stainless steel pots and pans from Ikea and my son happily cooks on his stove and dutifully puts his dishes in his sink.  Ha.  I love it!

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. 

How To Make an Easy DIY Play Kitchen - Cardboard Creations - Sly Spoon
How To Make an Easy DIY Play Kitchen - Cardboard Creations - Sly Spoon

Weekly Event Summary (Feb 5th – Feb 12th) – Family Friendly Boston Cambridge

Brittney 1 Comment

Weekly Event Summary (Starting Feb 5, 2016) 

________________________________
1) ICA First Fridays: Cabin Fever (Feb 5)
2) MFA First Fridays (Feb 5)
3) Exhibition: Ceramic Material Formation – Harvard Graduate School of Design (Feb 5)
4) SoWa First Fridays (Feb 5)
5) Cambridge Winter Farmers’ Market (Feb 6)
6) Lunar New Year Celebration (Feb 6)
7) Join the Chinese New Year celebration at Franklin Park Zoo (Feb 6)
8) Kids Union Dance Party #3 at State Park (Feb 6)
9) South Station History Tour (Feb 6)
10) Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market (Feb 6)
11) CWF February Book Sale (Feb 6)
12) Oscar-Nominated Shorts Program (Feb 7)
13) National Choreography Month Boston ‘Shorts’ (Feb 7)
14) Innovations in Ocean Science and Policy (Feb 8)
15) South Station Chess Simultaneous Exhibition (Feb 9)
16) King’s Chapel Tuesday Recitals (Feb 9)
17) The Present & Future of Automated Driving (Feb 9)
18) Public Open Night the BU Astronomical Observatory (Feb 10)
19) ICA Free Thursday Nights (Feb 11)
20) Frog Pond Ice Skating (Feb 11)
________________________________
Detailed Listings
________________________________
1) ICA First Fridays: Cabin Fever (Feb 5)
When:
Friday, Feb 05, 2016 5:00p – 10:00p
Where:
Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Ave
Boston, MA 02210
Admission:
$15
Don’t let the cold keep you in all winter long! Bundle up for Cabin Fever as we embrace the lumbersexual in all of us and warm up with a spiked beverage. Beards and flannel encouraged (but no axes, please).
2) MFA First Fridays (Feb 5)
When:
Friday, Feb 05, 2016 6:00p – 9:30p
Where:
Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Shapiro Family Courtyard
465 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Admission: $23-25
Enjoy a festive cocktail and music with friends!
MFA First Fridays is on the first Friday of each month from 6:00?9:30 pm. Join us for fine art, music, cash bars featuring signature cocktails, and delicious tapas available for purchase.
Order your tickets now to secure your spot at our monthly weekend kickoff. Advance tickets are strongly suggested as the event can sell out.
Tickets may also be available in person on the day of the event, first come, first served.
Open to visitors 21+. Valid ID with proof of age required for entry.
3) Exhibition: Ceramic Material Formation – Harvard Graduate School of Design (Feb 5)
When:
Friday, Feb 05, 2016 10:00a – Friday, Mar 04, 2016 6:00p
Where:
Ceramics Program, Office for the Arts at Harvard
224 Western Ave
Allston, MA 02134
Admission: FREE
he Ceramics Program, Office for the Arts at Harvard, in cooperation with the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD), is proud to present the student exhibit ?Ceramic Material Formation – Harvard Graduate School of Design? at the Ceramics Program?s new state-of-the art facility at 224 Western Avenue, Allston, MA. The exhibit will be on view from February 5 ? March 4, 2016 with a reception on Friday, February 19th from 5-7 PM. Gallery hours are M-F, 10am ? 6pm and weekends, 10am ? 5pm or by appointment.
Ceramic Material Formation showcases the results of semester-long group research projects undertaken by 29 Harvard Graduate School of Design students with the guidance of the Ceramics Program, Office for the Arts at Harvard and with support from the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer?s Association (ASCER). Using fabrication methods such as 3D printing and CNC milling as well as manual processes more traditional to the ceramics studio environment such as slip casting and turning, students explored novel applications for ceramics in architectural design.
Projects on display include experimental designs for ceramic shingles and bricks, water filtration systems, evaporative cooling systems and more.
For more information visit http://ofa.fas.harvard.edu/gallery-224 
4) SoWa First Fridays (Feb 5)
When:
Friday, Feb 05, 2016 5:00p – 9:00p
Where:
SoWa Galleries, Shops, and Restaurants
450 Harrison Ave
Boston, MA 02118
Admission:
FREE
On the first Friday of every month, from 5-9pm, over 60 artists and 40 Boutiques, Galleries and Restaurants open to the public for your viewing pleasure and to have some fun!
For more information visit http://www.sowaboston.com 

5) Cambridge Winter Farmers’ Market (Feb 6)
When:
Saturday, Feb 06, 2016 10:00a – 2:00p
Where:
Cambridge Community Center
5 Callender St
Cambridge, MA 02139
Admission:
FREE
Join us for the 5th Annual Opening Day of the Cambridge Winter Farmers Market at the Cambridge Community Center! We will be open every Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm from January through April!
The opening day will feature local food and drinks, live music, an art project hosted by the Riverside Gallery, a photo booth, and face painting.
Our vendors for opening day:
Valicenti Pasta Farm Winter Moon Roots Copicut Farms Jubali BirchTree Bread Company Marblehead Salt Co. Sweet Lydia’s Apex Orchards El Recreo Estate Coffee, Inc. Fungi Ally Freedom Food Farm Levend Bakery Chickadee Farm Silverbrook Farm Narragansett Creamery The Soup Guy Honeycomb Creamery Kitchen Millie Lilac Hedge Farm Dan’s Power Plant Moose Cup Samira’s Homemade Just Add Cooking Soluna Garden Farm Jennifer Lee’s Gourmet Bakery
Our musicians:
JackKnife Valentines
JackKnife Valentines influences run from Bob Dylan and the Band to James Brown, Bill Withers and Gil Scott Heron. With two amazing lead singers in Jimmy James and Gene McAuliffe, their songs span roots americana, soul and country. Members of the band have played in prominent blues, rock, and alternative groups around Boston for several decades. Basically, it’s all about soul and playing from your heart.
James McCarthy
James McCarthy is a singer, pianist that performs upbeat pop music and catchy original songs.

6) Lunar New Year Celebration (Feb 6)
When:
Saturday, Feb 06, 2016 10:00a – 5:00p
Where:
Museum of Fine Arts Boston
465 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Admission: FREE
Free admission for all!
Visit the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to ring in the Year of the Monkey! Explore Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese traditions while enjoying activities, demonstrations, and performances throughout the day. Be sure to find the vibrant floral arrangements around the building and stop in for an Asian-inspired lunch at the Garden Cafeteria. And visit the MFA?s newest display, featuring art from the prosperous and vibrant Song dynasty (960?1279)?regarded as a pinnacle of Chinese art and aesthetics.
– Go on a Gallery Tour highlighting works of art in the Art of Asia galleries
– Drop in on a hands-on Family Art-Making Activity to create your own masterpieces to take home.
– Participate in interactive demonstrations of meditation, Gong-Fu (Chinese martial arts) and Saebae (Korean ceremony).
– Enjoy festive musical and dance performances (including a Lion and Dragon Dance!) by local artists and much more!
– And visit the MFA?s newest display, featuring art from the prosperous and vibrant Song dynasty (960?1279)?regarded as a pinnacle of Chinese art and aesthetics.

7) Join the Chinese New Year celebration at Franklin Park Zoo (Feb 6)
When:
Saturday, Feb 06, 2016 10:30a – 1:00p
Where:
Franklin Park Zoo
One Franklin Park Road
Boston, MA 02121
Admission:
$0-19.95
In celebration of the Chinese New Year, visit Franklin Park Zoo on Saturday, February 6 for special performances and zookeeper encounters! At 11:00 a.m., watch as the Chiu Mo Kwoon school performs a Hung Gar Kung Fu and Lion Dance in front of the Tropical Forest. The lion dance is a part of traditional Chinese folklore and culture, and is said to ward away evil spirits and summon luck and fortune.
The inside of the Tropical Forest will be festively decorated for the occasion, and with 2016 being the year of the monkey, special zookeeper encounters will take place at the cotton-top tamarin exhibit at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
8) Kids Union Dance Party #3 at State Park (Feb 6)
When:
Saturday, Feb 06, 2016 3:00p – 5:00p
Where:
State Park
1 Kendall Square, Building 300
Cambridge, MA 02139
Admission: $5
We’re taking the dance party on tour to Kendall Square! On Saturday, the 6th, KUDP will be at State Park. As you know, your kids don’t care it’s cold out, they still need to run around and burn off their energy. You can only freeze at the park so often, so come out for our next Kids Union Dance Party and you can have an adult beverage while your kids do what they do best: dance to your favorite music. It’s $5 for kids who can dance; free for babies and parents.

9) South Station History Tour (Feb 6)
When:
Saturday, Feb 06, 2016 1:00p – 2:00p
Where:
South Station
700 Atlantic Ave
Boston, MA 02111
Admission: FREE
Free behind-the-scenes guided tours highlighting the architecture and history of Boston?s busiest station.
Year-round schedule: First Saturday of the month at 1pm.
Summer Schedule: Thursdays at 12pm.
Please meet at the concierge desk (Teddy Ball Games counter) on tour days.
For groups of 8 or more, please contact us at (617) 217-2236.
Private tours are also available.
10) Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market (Feb 6)
When:
Saturday, Feb 06, 2016 9:30a – 2:00p
Where:
Center for Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02143
Admission: FREE
Presenting the very best variety of products from New England farms and specialty vendors including vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, fish, baked goods, and lots more.
Live music, delicious treats in two cafe areas and a chance to meet friends — Chase away the chill of even the coldest winter day with us!
December through March at 191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA. Every Saturday from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM (closed Dec 26, 2015)
For more information visit http://www.somwintermarket.org 

11) CWF February Book Sale (Feb 6)
When:
Saturday, Feb 06, 2016 10:00a – 4:00p
Where:
Boston Public Library- Central
700 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Admission:
FREE
The City-Wide Friends of the BPL will host a book sale Saturday, February 6th from 10am to 4pm. Most books are $1-$2, and we have something for everyone- mystery, romance, biography, history, art, science, cooking, and a ton of books for kids! If you’re more musically inclined, we have sheet music, records, and CDs. And be sure to check out the vintage postcards and framed Boston sports photos!
Too many books? Bring donations to the sale! Or, if it’s one bag of books, drop them at the circulation desk anytime- just make sure they’re labeled City-Wide Friends. If you have a larger donation, call us at (617) 859-2341 and we’ll make an appointment for drop-off.
All proceeds from these sales are used to purchase equipment and sponsor programs for the BPL. We’ve helped the summer reading program by funding the end of summer prizes, and provided grants for branches to have more Saturday programming. We’ve also purchased a new camera and lens to make digital archiving faster and simpler.
12) Oscar-Nominated Shorts Program (Feb 7)
When:
Sunday, Feb 07, 2016 7:00p – 5:00p
Where:
Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Ave
Boston, MA 02210
Admission: $10
For the 10th consecutive year, the ICA presents the Oscar-nominated shorts program featuring an intriguing array of the live-action, animated, and documentary films you always wish you?d had an opportunity to see come Oscar night (Feb 28).
Sun, Feb 7, 7 PM
Sun, Feb 14, 3 PM
Sun, Feb 14, 7 PM
Sun, Feb 21, 3 PM
Sun, Feb 21, 6 PM
Fri, Feb 26, 7 PM
Sat, Feb 27, 7 PM
Sun, Feb 28, 3 PM

13) National Choreography Month Boston ‘Shorts’ (Feb 7)
When:
Sunday, Feb 07, 2016 6:00p – 8:00p
Where:
The Dance Complex
536 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
Admission: $10
See new work from 20 local dance artists in celebration of the vibrant creativity of the Boston dance community.
Sunday, February 7h, 6 PM
Mai Telesford, Alive Dance, Jenny Oliver, Jennifer Lin, MaryRose Blandino, Deidre Lewis, Jordan Jamil, Claire Johannes, Liana C. Percoco / Peachy Productions, Wisty Andres, and Metamovements
Sunday, February 7, 8 PM
Intimations Dance, Grant Jacoby & Dancers, Adriane Brayton / Brayton Dance, Nikki Sao Pedro Welch, Ryan Casey, Kristin Wagner, Stephen Ursprung / Reject Dance Theatre, Molly Hess & Leslie Armstrong
The performances will celebrate the vibrant creativity of the Boston dance scene and hopes to forge new artistic connections that will strengthen our community. Tickets are offered at a sliding scale; $10-$15 for general admission.
For more information visit http://www.nachmo.org/boston/ 
14) Innovations in Ocean Science and Policy (Feb 8)
When:
Monday, Feb 08, 2016 6:00p – 7:00p
Where:
Harvard Museum of Natural History – Geological Lecture Hall
24 Oxford Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Admission:
FREE
Jane Lubchenco, former Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will discuss how NOAA advances and utilizes research on weather, climate, and oceans to guide its services and to improve environmental stewardship in the U.S. She will also highlight new scientific advances that are transforming attitudes, behaviors, and policies that affect ocean health and the future of humanity.
Prather Lecture by The Honorable Jane Lubchenco, U.S. Science Envoy for the Ocean and University Distinguished Professor and Advisor in Marine Studies, Oregon State University
Presented in collaboration with the Departments of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University

15) South Station Chess Simultaneous Exhibition (Feb 9)
When:
Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 12:00p – 2:00p
Where:
South Station
700 Atlantic Ave
Boston, MA 02111
Admission: FREE
Now at lunchtime: 12pm – 2pm
Come to South Station for a chance to play Grand Master Larry Christiansen – for free! A 3-Time American Chess Champion, Mr. Christiansen will play 25 games simultaneously.
All are welcome to play, or come watch Larry’s technique and skills.
This is a monthly event under the schedule board.

16) King’s Chapel Tuesday Recitals (Feb 9)
When:
Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 12:00p – 1:00p
Where:
King’s Chapel
58 Tremont St
Boston, MA 02108
Admission: $3
These recitals last between 30 and 40 minutes and take place every Tuesday at 12:15 at King’s Chapel. They feature a wide variety of performing artists ranging from local students to traveling performers. The performances range from jazz and folk music from numerous ethnicities to classical music from medieval times to the present. Admission is by suggested donation of $3; the donations are given to the performers.
King’s Chapel was organized as an Anglican congregation at a meeting in Boston’s Town House, the city hall of the day, on June 15, 1686. Its first house of worship was a small wooden meeting house at the corner of Tremont and School Streets, where the church stands today, that was dedicated on June 30, 1689.

17) The Present & Future of Automated Driving (Feb 9)
The Present & Future of Automated Driving: Technology, Policy and the Human Factor
When:
Tuesday, Feb 09, 2016 2:30p –
3:30p
Where:
Kresge Auditorium (W16)
48 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
Admission:
FREE
Please join us in welcoming Mark Rosekind, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), for a discussion with Bryan Reimer, Associate Director, New England University Regional Transportation Center and Research Scientist, MIT AgeLab, on The Present and Future of Automated Driving: Technology, Policy and the Human Factor.
This event is free and open to the public. If interested, please RSVP through our Eventbrite page: https://agelabnhtsa.eventbrite.com
18) Public Open Night the BU Astronomical Observatory (Feb 10)
When:
Wednesday, Feb 10, 2016 8:30p – 9:30p
Where:
Coit Observatory at Boston University
725 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA
Admission: FREE
The Public Open Night at the Observatory is a chance for people to come observe the night sky through telescopes and binoculars and see things they otherwise might not get to see, and learn some astronomy as well. The Open Nights are held most Wednesday evenings throughout the year, weather permitting.
It is open to everyone. Starting times are 8:30pm during the spring and summer, and 7:30pm during the fall and winter. The program lasts about an hour.
For more information visit http://https://twitter.com/buobservatory<http://https:/twitter.com/buobservatory> 

19) ICA Free Thursday Nights (Feb 11)
When: Thursday, February 11, 2016, 4 ? 9pm
Where: The Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Ave
Boston, MA 02210
Cost: Free
FREE for all every Thursday from 4 to 9 PM during ICA Free Thursday Nights. Special hours: From Oct, 10, 2015 to Jan 24, 2016, Free Thursdays will start early at 4 PM in conjunction with Leap Before You Look: Black Mountain College 1933?1957.
For more information visit http://https://www.icaboston.org/visit<http://https:/www.icaboston.org/visit> 
20) Frog Pond Ice Skating (Feb 11)
When:
Tuesday, Dec 22, 2015 10:00a – Thursday, Mar 10, 2016 10:00p
Where:
Frog Pond
Boston Common
Boston, MA
Admission:
$5
The absolute best place to skate outdoors in Boston. Open to the public with skate rentals available. Weather permitting, ice skating returns to Boston Common Frog Pond mid-November of each year.
Open Daily starting Saturday, Nov 22, 2015:
Mon 10AM-4PM
Tue-Thu 10AM-9PM
Fri-Sat 10AM-10PM
Sun 10AM-9PM
Daily Admission:
Adult Admissions (14+): $5.00
Kid Admissions (13 & under): FREE
Rentals:
Adult Skate Rentals: $10.00
Kid Skate Rentals: $5.00
Locker Rentals: $2.00
Skate Sharpening
$8.00 per pair
#holiday
#NYE

Touring Boston – What to Know About Visiting the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) with Children

Brittney
I kept seeing these things for the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston (ICA), like that it’s open free to the public on all Thursday nights between 5-9pm and that the last Saturday of every month is family day and families and kids get in free, and that the library has a bunch of passes that you can pick up to see the museum for free.  I have known about and forgotten and been reminded again of these things for probably about a year.  For the last 3 Thursday’s we’ve been trying to go, but something always comes up, my husband has to work late, someone offered to drive me grocery shopping (it’s a big deal when you don’t have a car) or it’s so cold outside that I don’t think the baby would stand for a mile walk along the pier…. etc.

Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) with Children

It looked like my husbands next couple of Thursdays were booked and I finally put my foot down.  We were going to see this Art Gallery if it killed us.  So Saturday, after our son’s nap, we went.  It was actually the perfect day for a walk downtown, it was in the mid 40’s with only a little wind, and since we got a wind shield for our stroller the baby didn’t mind the walk at all.

I love seeing Boston, the buildings are fantastic and walking along the water front is always interesting and exciting.  I was thrilled to note the museum is right on pier, so we would get a great water front view as we walked to it.

We carried our son around the museum looked at the different pieces they had.  One of the wings was closed as they are working on getting a new exhibit up, but they gave us free tickets to come again because of it, which was great.

I think the most memorable installment was a video clip of extreme closes up of models licking a piece of glass covered with different candies.  It was gross, fascinating, a little bit sexual, but mostly like a train wreck that you can’t look away from.

Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) with Children

Our son did okay initially, but he started getting bored and impatient of being carried a few rooms in.  He was too busy to walk with us and we didn’t want him bugging the other people so we had to cut our trip short.  I wish we had gone during family day so he could have blended and interacted with the other kids and I would have felt less guilty for annoying other people… perhaps will have to use our return tickets for family day.

They had one room toward the end that was just a glass wall with a view of the harbor where we felt safe setting our son down.  He made a real effort to get their glass good and smudged, but the view was lovely nonetheless.    If I worked there, that is where I would take all my breaks.

We finished out trip and played on the grass near the ICA for a little bit to get out some energy.  Unfortunately, I realized the lawn was so covered with bird crap that it looked like it had been aerated, so I had to cover our son’s hands with his coat and watch him carefully while he walked.  He passed out the minute we got him back situated in stroller.  All in all in was a fantastic day.  I loved having family time and getting to be out and about exploring this fascinating city.

Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) with Children

Things to note:

1.  Getting There
I have no idea where you would park there, since we didn’t have a car I didn’t even look, but it was a nice, less than a mile, walk from the “T” which worked out well for us.  The website mentions that there is parking around it but that it cost upward of $20…

2. Price
$15/Person – General Admission
$10/Person – Student
17 and under free

FREE for all every Thursday from 5 to 9 PM during ICA Free Thursday Nights. Special hours: From Oct, 10, 2015 to Jan 24, 2016, Free Thursdays will start early at 4 PM in conjunction with Leap Before You Look: Black Mountain College 1933–1957.

Free admission for up to two adults accompanied by children 12 and under during Play Dates, offered on the last Saturday of the month, except December.*

3. Hours
Tuesday and Wednesday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Thursday and Friday: 10 AM – 9 PM
Saturday + Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM

Closed Mondays, except on the following national holidays: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day.

4.  Stroller Friendly
You can easily bring a stroller into the place.  It’s big and open.  A few of the exhibits you’ll have to leave the stroller to enter but we found it to be easy to do.

5.  Kid Friendliness
Go during one of the free kid Saturdays.  We didn’t and I wish we would have.  I felt bad having a toddler there who wanted to walk around and was fairly disruptive to the other patrons who seemed really into their contemporary art.  I would have felt much better about taking our son if there were a bunch of other kids and if the people going knew that kids would be there… plus its free on kids day so it’s kind of a win/win.

Summary and Rating: ★★★★☆
Four Stars.  The museum itself was really nice and state of the art. The walk to it was gorgeous.   It was stroller friendly and it seems like they are really trying to make sure children are welcome there.  The draw backs are that this is a nice art museum which can make having young children there a struggle.  I think we would have had a better experience going during family day where we would have felt less disruptive. Also the museum looked huge from the outside, but we saw all the exhibits fairly quickly from the inside, as I mentioned one of the wings was closed for a new instillation so we might have been missing out on a big portion of the museum but it was quite a bit smaller than other ones we’ve been to, like the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum or the Museum of Fine Art.

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 Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)

100 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210

Phone: 617-478-3100
Website: http://www.icaboston.org/

“C” is for “Cookie” Letter Craft

Brittney

 

Letter C Craft - Toddler/Preshooler letter craft C is for Cereal or cookie with related craft, tracing sheets and fruits/vegetables.

Supplies Needed:

  • Craft Paper
  • “C” letter cutout
  • Marker
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Spoon/s
  • Variety of Cereal or Dry Ingredients
  • Glue
Toddler/Preshooler letter craft C is for Cereal or cookie with related craft, tracing sheets and fruits/vegetables.

 

Set Up:

In hindsight I probably should have said “C” is for “Cereal”… but it felt like we were making cookies at the time.  I started by letting each of the toddlers take a scoop/tablespoon/teaspoon full of the different ingredients and together they would mix them up.  They loved this activity!  They had so much fun getting to add different spoonfuls of things to the bowl and they took their mixing very seriously.  This continued until I made the mistake of adding “Lucky Charms” into the cereal mix.  One scoop of those added to the bowl and the kids were no longer content to stir, they were ready to start sampling.  Ha!

After all the marshmallows and most of the raisins had been devoured I was able to convince them to take a few scoops of their mixture and spread it over a glue covered “C”.  It might look less like a cookie than I was intending, but the kids had a blast making it.

Toddler/Preshooler letter craft C is for Cereal or cookie 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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Weekly Event Summary (Jan. 29th – Feb 5th) – Family Friendly Boston Cambridge

Brittney
Family Friendly Weekly Event Activities for the Boston Cambridge Area

Weekly Event Summary (Starting Jan 29th)

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1) National Choreography Month Boston ‘Shorts’ (Tomorrow)
2) Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Keynote and Performance (Tomorrow)
3) Winter Panto 2016: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jan 30)
4) Cardboard Tube Fighting Leauge – Boston (Jan 30)
5) Cambridge Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 30)
6) Mindset of Success at Harvard (Jan 30)
7) Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 30)
8) Travel Tuesday: China (Feb 2)
9) Drawing in the Galleries at the MFA (Feb 3)
10) Public Open Night the BU Astronomical Observatory (Feb 3)
11) Frog Pond Ice Skating (Feb 4)
12) ICA Free Thursday Nights (Feb 4)
________________________________
Detailed Listings
________________________________
1) National Choreography Month Boston ‘Shorts’ (Today)
When:
Friday, Jan 29, 2016 7:00p –
Sunday, Jan 31, 2016 6:00p
Where:
The Dance Complex
536 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
Admission:
FREE
Free performances of dance by local artists for National Choreography Month Boston. Each year, dance artists gather in a series of workshops, feedback sessions and performances to focus on dance making for one month – January.
A series of shorts showcasing 3 NACHMO Artists each evening preceding CATALYST Performances
Friday January 29th, 7:00-7:45PM
Juliana Utz / Turning Key Dance
Josie Bray
Lily Cryan
Saturday January 30th, 7:00-7:45PM
Deadfall Dance
Meghan Carmichael
Carlee Travis
Sunday January 31st, 6:00-6:45PM
Heather Brown
Jordan Jamil
Claire Johannes
Penumbra:Movement/Eugenia Kim
What is NACHMO?
NACHMO is your yearly choreographic kick in the pants conceived by Sharyn Korey and Anna Brown Massey. We spur dancers to choreograph by challenging you to work against a deadline. You?ve got one rollicking month from January 1st to the 31stto forge new steps and complete your piece. Your work doesn?t have to be good, nor does it have to be public, but it does have to be done. For this one month each year, we put aside our excuses, our hesitations, and perhaps our day jobs to work intensely on making dance. Through the communal NACHMO blog, social media, and live events throughout January, we provide opportunities for individual artists to network and collaborate.
For more information visit http://www.nachmo.org/boston/ 
2) Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Keynote and Performance (Today)
When: Friday, Jan 29, 2016 7:00p – 9:00p
Where:
Berklee Performance Center
136 Massachusetts Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Admission:
FREE
This celebration features a performance by Ledisi and a keynote address by Beverly Morgan-Welch, the associate director of external affairs at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, opening on the National Mall in 2016.
3) Winter Panto 2016: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jan 30)
When:
Saturday, Jan 09, 2016 1:00p –
Saturday, Jan 30, 2016 6:00p
Where:
BCA Plaza Theatre
539 Tremont St
Boston, MA 02120
Admission: $20
Regular price tickets $20 — get half price tickets here:
Hold onto your hats! imaginary beasts sweeps into town like a cyclone this January with a tale full of magic and wonder when they refashion an American classic into a fantasy of technicolor proportions!
When a terrible twister drops Dorothy and her little dog Toto somewhere over the rainbow, they must take a journey of discovery to the Emerald City in order to get ?Home, sweet home?. But when our young heroine realizes that her Auntie Em has followed her to the Land of Oz the adventures really begin.
L. Frank Baum?s beloved fairy tale receives the full Panto treatment when the beasts return to Boston with their favorite cold weather tradition, and audiences of all ages will want to follow the ‘yellow’ brick road to the Boston Center for the Arts.

4) Cardboard Tube Fighting Leauge – Boston (Jan 30)
When:
Saturday, Jan 30, 2016 11:30a – 2:00p
Where:
Boston Commons
139 Tremont St
Boston, MA 02116
Admission:
FREE
Create your best cardboard armor and come out to battle. Be sure to check out some pics from the 2009 CTFL – NYC battle for some creative armor design tips.http://gothamist.com/2009/07/13/cardboard_tube_war_ravages_mccarren.php#photo-1
It’s a free family event. It is recommended that only children above the age of 5 participate.
Location:
Boston Commons
Entry Fee:
FREE to the public!
What to bring:
Water, warm liquids, cameras, video cameras, drone cameras?, name tags & positive social attitude
Attire:
Cardboard armor, costumes are encouraged.
All tubes are provided by the group.
No outside tubes allowed, liability and cost are the drivers for this ruling.
5) Cambridge Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 30)
When:
Saturday, Jan 30, 2016 10:00a – 2:00p
Where:
Cambridge Community Center
5 Callender St
Cambridge, MA 02139
Admission:
FREE
Join us for the 5th Annual Opening Day of the Cambridge Winter Farmers Market at the Cambridge Community Center! We will be open every Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm from January through April!
The opening day will feature local food and drinks, live music, an art project hosted by the Riverside Gallery, a photo booth, and face painting.
Our vendors for opening day:
Valicenti Pasta Farm Winter Moon Roots Copicut Farms Jubali BirchTree Bread Company Marblehead Salt Co. Sweet Lydia’s Apex Orchards El Recreo Estate Coffee, Inc. Fungi Ally Freedom Food Farm Levend Bakery Chickadee Farm Silverbrook Farm Narragansett Creamery The Soup Guy Honeycomb Creamery Kitchen Millie Lilac Hedge Farm Dan’s Power Plant Moose Cup Samira’s Homemade Just Add Cooking Soluna Garden Farm Jennifer Lee’s Gourmet Bakery
Our musicians:
JackKnife Valentines
JackKnife Valentines influences run from Bob Dylan and the Band to James Brown, Bill Withers and Gil Scott Heron. With two amazing lead singers in Jimmy James and Gene McAuliffe, their songs span roots americana, soul and country. Members of the band have played in prominent blues, rock, and alternative groups around Boston for several decades. Basically, it’s all about soul and playing from your heart.
James McCarthy
James McCarthy is a singer, pianist that performs upbeat pop music and catchy original songs.

6) Mindset of Success at Harvard (Jan 30)
When:
Saturday, Jan 30, 2016 1:00p – 5:00p
Where:
Harvard University
Harvard Hall 104
Cambridge, MA 02138
Admission:
FREE
Start your new year off with 8 thirty minute talks from successful people with a variety of backgrounds. The speakers range from a world famous DJ, someone who went from homeless to multi-millionaire, a Peak Performance coach for fortune 500 CEOs and more. 4 hours on January 30th of great content and great networking.
RSVP now on the provided link below!
Hope to seeing you there!
7) Somerville Winter Farmers’ Market (Jan 30)
When:
Saturday, Jan 30, 2016 9:30a – 2:00p
Where:
Center for Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02143
Admission: FREE
Presenting the very best variety of products from New England farms and specialty vendors including vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, fish, baked goods, and lots more.
Live music, delicious treats in two cafe areas and a chance to meet friends — Chase away the chill of even the coldest winter day with us!
December through March at 191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA. Every Saturday from9:30 AM to 2:00 PM (closed Dec 26, 2015)
For more information visit http://www.somwintermarket.org 

8) Travel Tuesday: China (Feb 2)
When: Tuesday, Feb 02, 2016 4:30p – 5:30p
Where:
Boston Public Library
700 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Admission: FREE
The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center invites kids ages 5-11
to explore our world on Travel Tuesdays.
Join us in February as we enjoy crafts and activities and learn about
Chinese geography, culture, and wildlife, and celebrate the Chinese New Year!
The event will be held in the Learning Center in the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Central Library.
*The first Tuesday of every month is Travel Tuesday at the Map Center.
For more information visit http://maps.bpl.org/events 

9) Drawing in the Galleries at the MFA (Feb 3)
When:
Wednesday, Feb 03, 2016 6:00p – 9:00p
Where:
MFA
465 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA
Admission: FREE
Every Wednesday evening the MFA hosts an opportunity to sketch from live models and/or from objects in their collections. A drawing instructor provides insights on drawing technique and the artist-model relationship as it informs the creation of artwork. Limited drawing materials are provided to encourage spontaneous participation.
Gallery location varies; ask at the Sharf Visitor Center.
Free with MFA Admission – AND GUESS WHAT – it’s free to get into the MFA on Wednesdays!
10) Public Open Night the BU Astronomical Observatory (Feb 3)
When:
Wednesday, Feb 03, 2016 8:30p – 9:30p
Where:
Coit Observatory at Boston University
725 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA
Admission: FREE
The Public Open Night at the Observatory is a chance for people to come observe the night sky through telescopes and binoculars and see things they otherwise might not get to see, and learn some astronomy as well. The Open Nights are held most Wednesday evenings throughout the year, weather permitting.
It is open to everyone. Starting times are 8:30pm during the spring and summer, and 7:30pm during the fall and winter. The program lasts about an hour.
For more information visit http://https://twitter.com/buobservatory<http://https:/twitter.com/buobservatory> 

11) Frog Pond Ice Skating (Feb 4)
When:
Tuesday, Dec 22, 2015 10:00a – Thursday, Mar 10, 2016 10:00p
Where:
Frog Pond
Boston Common
Boston, MA
Admission:
$5
The absolute best place to skate outdoors in Boston. Open to the public with skate rentals available. Weather permitting, ice skating returns to Boston Common Frog Pond mid-November of each year.
Open Daily starting Saturday, Nov 22, 2015:
Mon 10AM-4PM
Tue-Thu 10AM-9PM
Fri-Sat 10AM-10PM
Sun 10AM-9PM
Daily Admission:
Adult Admissions (14+): $5.00
Kid Admissions (13 & under): FREE
Rentals:
Adult Skate Rentals: $10.00
Kid Skate Rentals: $5.00
Locker Rentals: $2.00
Skate Sharpening
$8.00 per pair
#holiday
#NYE

12) ICA Free Thursday Nights (Feb 4)
When: Thursday, February 04, 2016, 4 ? 9pm
Where: The Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Ave
Boston, MA 02210
Cost: Free
FREE for all every Thursday from 4 to 9 PM during ICA Free Thursday Nights. Special hours: From Oct, 10, 2015 to Jan 24, 2016, Free Thursdays will start early at 4 PM in conjunction with Leap Before You Look: Black Mountain College 1933?1957.
For more information visit http://https://www.icaboston.org/visit<http://https:/www.icaboston.org/visit>