April School Vacations in Boston 2017

While we were busy with college touring for our older child, April school vacations came upon Boston and we are hurrying to make plans for our youngster Vi, who is seven. Here is OUR APRIL SCHOOL VACATION plan for the week. I invite you to add your own ideas in the comments!

1. CHARLOTTE’S WEB at Wheelock Family Theater

Adapted by Joseph Robinette from the beloved children’s book by E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web it is a delightful tale of friendship and loyalty with many important life lessons (let’s just say I almost teared up at the end). As always in Wheelock’s productions, there are both professional and child actors on stage, but everyone and everything – the acting full of comical details, imaginative stage set, the script with simple philosophical wisdoms – works smoothly for a lighthearted performance that will surely leave you and your kids happy (Here is a helpful study guide to discuss the play with your kids).

Aerial acrobatics from Caroline Lawton (Charlotte) was a pleasant surprise!

Charlotte’s Web. Photo Courtesy: Wheelock Family Theater

April 2017 in Boston — Interacting with the cast following **Charlotte’s Web** Performance last Sunday

For more information, go to theater’s webpage (discounted tickets are available via bostix.org). April 14-May 14 (with daily shows during the school vacation week).

For older kids (14+), Boston Children’s Theater has put together a thought provoking production of One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest (April 15-29, at the Boston Center for the Arts at 539 Tremont street).

Younger kids will enjoy Brookline’s Puppet Showplace Theater daily programming (some shows are suitable for kids as young as three).

2. MFA Vacation Week

For our “fix” of visual arts, we always plan to partake in the art making activities during vacation week at the Museum of Fun Arts Boston (Tuesday – Friday, April 18-22). As members, we enjoy unlimited access throughout the year, but for occasional visitors, Wednesday “pay what you can” deal is very popular (Museum stays open until 8pm on Wednesdays so working parents could have their school vacation night on the town too!). And while you visit, enjoy Matisse in the Studio Exhibit of special artifacts from the artist’s studio (April 9- July 9).

3. Play with Science

For science lovers, Cambridge Science Festival (through April 23) offers hands-on events for kids (and adults) of different ages. Museum of Science is partaking in the Festival with their own events – check out their offerings here. Vacation week programming at the Museum of Science will culminate with the Earth Day celebration on April 23.

4. Good Old Fun

For good old fun times, we are taking Vi to Six Flags New England in Agawam, MA this week (they just opened for the season).

If you have not yet visited our Boston’s own Legoland Discovery Center, their vacation week programming (April 15-23) offers medieval days with LEGO^® NEXO KNIGHTS™ adventure. There will be special vacation week Playmakers around the attraction to interact with quests and spark creativity.

February 2017 Vacation Week Activities in Boston — Vi and Sasha during recent visit to Legoland Boston

5. Day Tripping to the Cape

If you are in the mood for a day trip, Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich (just over the Cape Cod bridge) opens its 2017 season in time for school vacation week with special outdoor art creation for the kids to compliment Painted Landscapes: Contemporary Views Exhibit currently on display. There are 100 acres of nature trails, woodlands and gardens to explore at this indoor/outdoor museum, and when you get tired of the outdoors, you can step inside for their unique collection of historical cars. An outdoor tree adventure park opens for the season on April 13.