APRIL 2016 SCHOOL VACATION WEEK TO DO’S IN BOSTON

There is always so much to do in and around Boston – whether you are having a staycation or visiting the area for the first time.

Here are my picks for April 2016 vacations:

CELEBRATE

The week starts off with Patriots’ Day celebrations around the state to commemorate the battles of the American Revolutionary War.  Check out this guide of reenactment activities in Concord-Lexington area during the Patriots’ Day weekend (biggest events are happening on Saturday and Sunday April 16 and 17).

The oldest marathon in the country, Boston Marathon is on Monday, April  18 (here is the link with all the event information).

Check out the largest collection of US preserved ships in the world during the Liberty Week at Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA (Mon-Fri April 18-22).

Plymouth Plantation in Plymouth, Ma, also offers a week of special activities for families on April 16-20.

PLAY

Lego Discovery Center Boston has added a new interactive space-themed area where guests can build their space rockets (another update is a new 4D Lego Movie adventure which- with special effects- is always fun!).  Entire place still looks well kept and well stock (despite being somewhat busy on a recent Saturday when we visited).  My 6-year old daughter’s favorite thing to do is just playing around on different play areas throughout the center.

 

Note special vacation week hours (Monday-Saturday 10 am-9 pm and Sunday 10 am-7 pm (last admission is two hours prior to close; advance  online tickets recommended to guarantee admission).

On Sunday, April 24, 2016 from 8:30am – 10:00am the center will hold a special sensory-friendly event to raise autism awareness. For this event, they will make special modifications around the center, including designating quiet areas, turning down the music, and adjusting the lights throughout. (the center opens to general public at 10:00 am that day; guests attending the event can stay after 10 during “regular” set up.)

 

PLAY AND LEARN

 Museum of Fine Arts Boston offers a week of drop-in artistic adventures on April 19-22 (free with admission; remember that admission is always voluntary on Wednesday afternoons).  This year’s theme is – celebration (and preservation) of our planet to honor upcoming Earth Day.

Old Sturbridge Village is hosting a Family Festival  celebrating spring and arrival of baby animals and learning about history through fun and play. There will be expanded hands-on interactive activities, family friendly music performances and storytelling (including by Laura Ingalls Wilder “herself”,  the author of  “Little House”).

On April 15, Giant Pacific octopus returns to New England Aquarium as part of the renovated Exhibit buzzing with creatures from the Pacific Northwest.

I am still fresh off my week covering the Figure Skating Worlds 2016 in Boston, so the Sports Museum at TD Garden with its interactive exhibits and collection of artifacts sounds like a lot of fun (check the website for schedule; $10/adults, children under 10 free; $5/older kids)

 

WALK

 

 

Now that the sun is finally out is a great time to go on a family walk in one of the Massachusetts many parks.  Check out this list of 20 Kid-approved Nature Walks in Massachusetts from a fellow family blogger (and see if you can find our picture in the line-up).

My nearby “out of state” favorite is Colt State Park in Rhode Island.  If the weather cooperates, it might even be time to open biking season at the nearby East Bay Bike Path (13.8-mile path starts in Bristol, RI and connects 8 state parks offering beautiful water views along the way).

 

 

Another option for a nice day is a visit to one of the area’s zoos. Special vacation week programs are happening in Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo in Stoneham, MA.

On Friday, April 22, don’t miss the Earth Day celebration (10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m) at the Franklin Zoo in Boston with opportunities to meet the zookeepers and learn all about the Zoo’s eco-friendly initiatives.

Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon opens for the season on April 12 .

 

WATCH

All-time favorite classic Wizard of Oz is coming to Boston’s Wang Theater on April 12-24 in a new musical production (tickets starts at $35; there are some remaining discounted tickets via bostix).

 

Boston’s own Wheelock Family Theater presents a Year with Frog and Toad, a make-believe musical celebration of friendship on April 15-May 15; recommended for ages 4+ (discounted tickets here).

 

For the littlest vacationers (ages 3+)

Puppet Showplace Theater of Brookline offers two daily shows Tuesday April 19 through Sunday April 24. Check out performances’ details here (for discounted bostix deal click here).

Big Apple Circus is in town through May 8 at the City Hall Plaza (here is a link to discounted tickets at bostix).

 

HAVE FUN!

 

We thank Lego Discovery Center Boston for inviting us to explore their updates. We received no compensation for recommending any of the aforementioned attractions and events.