Military Heroes Garden of Flags on the Boston Common 

Museum of Fine Arts – Memorial Day Open House
Come to the MFA for a day of celebration with free general admission for all, including drop-in art activities for all ages. 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston.
Monday, May 27, 2013

Community Boating’s Summer Open House 
Looking for a cool activity for this summer? Always wanted to check out those sailboats on the Charles River? This is your summer to learn to sail! Tours and classes every hour. Food, snacks, & drinks. 21 David Mugar Way, Boston.
Saturday, May 25, 2013

Boston Calling Music Festival
Boston Calling Music Festival is a two-day, two-stage festival featuring some of the biggest and best acts in live music. The event will be one big party with easy access to both stages, food, services and more. City Hall Plaza, Boston.
Saturday, May 25, 2013 - Sunday, May 26, 2013

Okra Dance Company: JFK Library’s Celebrate Series 
Embark on an exciting voyage though the evolution of American popular dance from its African roots and European influences to soft shoe, tap, minstrel, and social dancing. Our journey ends with today’s lively Broadway and contemporary dances. Columbia Point, Boston.
Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day Parades in MA 2013 
Memorial Day is a day to remember all the brave people past and present who serve to protect our nation and local communities and to celebrate the freedoms that we all enjoy. Click this listing to access a list of parades & times for Memorial Day 2010. In your town.
Monday, May 27, 2013

Commonwealth Avenue: Boston by Foot Walking Tour 
The grand dame of avenues, Boston’s Grand Boulevard features 19th-century urban architecture at its finest. With blocks of stately brownstones lined with splendid memorial statues, Commonwealth Avenue captures the elegance and pride of Victorian Boston. 1 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston.
Sunday, May 26, 2013

Memorial Day Weekend Family Fun at USS Constitution Museum 
Learn about the life of a Marine and Sailor at sea by learning to march, using the tools of the seafarer’s trade, exploring everyday life on board the Constitution, and making an Officer’s Hat. Navy Yards, Charlestown.
Saturday, May 25, 2013 - Monday, May 27, 2013

Puppet Showplace Theatre: Yankee Peddler
In a whirlwind tour of New England’s lesser-known folklore, you will discover a giant sailor, a fashionable bear, and the world’s largest wheel of cheese. 32 Station Street, Brookline.
Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun from May 23, 2013 - May 26, 2013

Photo by Rebecca Deaton

I know. I have been neglecting the blog. And I feel really bad about it. But the last six months have brought so many changes for me and my family, it has been a little hard to keep up with all the things demanding my time.

When we decided to start homeschooling in the fall with our two oldest kids, I had no idea how the transition would go. For nine years, I had put a massive amount of energy into Magic Beans. Would it even be possible to step back at this point? But with the unwavering support of my incredible team (headed up by my amazing husband and my brilliant brother-in-law), it went smoothly.

The talented, wonderful people in my office could not have been any more understanding. They figured out how to best utilize my time, they helped me prioritize, they communicated beautifully, and they showed me over and over again that they were good enough to do everything I used to do, only better and faster. It has been humbling and magnificent.

Tomorrow night, we will be hosting the third annual Drool Baby Expo. This enormous event has always been my project to run (with lots and lots of help), but not this year. This year, I passed the baton, and our team was more organized than ever, they sold more tickets than ever, and they are going to produce our best event ever, I am sure.

After Drool, I’ll be taking my girls on an extended field trip to Japan and Israel. This trip came together out of an odd set of circumstances, dreams, interests, educational objectives, and frequent flyer miles. And it is another endeavor that is only possible because of the team we have right now. And because of Eli, who insisted we go and never once balked at staying behind. Saying good-bye to him and Zev will be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

So if you’re at Drool tomorrow night, look for me. I’ll be the one beaming with pride, full of gratitude (and probably trying not to cry). But please don’t congratulate me. Congratulate Emily, Jill, and Vanessa. Congratulate Robert, Jesse, and Dana. Congratulate Matt, Eli, Isaac, and the rest of our team. Just tell me how lucky I am to work with all these fabulous people (like I don’t know that already).

But really, while the robotics are what make 4Moms products newsworthy (and get them given away on the Ellen DeGeneres Show), they’re incidental to the true mission of 4Moms: “Develop dramatically better juvenile products and build a great company.” By “dramatically better products,” they mean products that “redefine the most important attribute in their category.”

That is to say, every 4Moms product endeavors to do what it does a little better than any similar product. Take the Mamaroo, for instance. Your average swing or bouncer has one or two motions, with little to no option to increase or decrease the speed or intensity; it might give you one or two sound options, or vibration. The Mamaroo not only gives you more motions, but it gives you better motions: the engineers at 4Moms studied the natural ways that real moms bounced their babies, and then programmed the Mamaroo to duplicate them.

If your baby loves a side to side and around motion? Mamaroo does it. If your baby will only sleep in a running car? Mamaroo imitates it. If your baby prefers slower or faster motion? You can adjust it. Baby loves a particular song? Plug in your MP3. Baby loves white noise? The gentle hum of Mamaroo’s motor is soothing, and you can augment it with white noise or nature sound settings. Oh, and no batteries are necessary – Mamaroo plugs into the wall.

The true test of the Mamaroo, of course, isn’t when your baby is happy: it’s when your baby is crabby, colicky, teething, or just generally freaked out, and really needs a hand getting to sleep (so you can get to sleep). That’s when the Mamaroo goes from being a nifty gadget to a true lifesaver. A few testimonials from the 4Moms Facebook page:

“Look who LOVES his new Mamaroo!!! Thank you so much for helping soothe my little guy between heart surgeries. He is a slow moving ocean movement kinda fellow. He’s really cranky tonight so we didn’t score a smile, but not crying is improvement enough for this mamma!”

“Our mamaroo is working like new, and it’s absolutely helping our colicky baby!!! She LOVES the new speeds. You all completely made an exception for me and my baby, and I truly appreciate your customer service!!!!”

“I have preemie twins born at 28 weeks this August and it has been great for their reflux issues. We put them in it after feedings and position them upright and they have slept in them also since when on their backs flat they choke a lot on reflux at night (and we get less sleep). We got two of them and they have been awesome.”

From the Apartment Therapy review:

“Baby Alex and I had hung out a couple times before we brought over the MamaRoo, but this was the first time his parents had left him alone with babysitters (My wife and I). He’s a fairly amiable little guy but once he realized his parents were gone, he wasn’t thrilled. After doing some prescribed soothing and bouncing of our own, we tucked him into the MamaRoo (With his parents permission, of course!) and turned it on the Car Ride setting. Almost instantly, he fell asleep!”

And finally: a video is worth a thousand words. Watch this very sweet dad strapping his teeny baby into the Mamaroo – and watch the baby fall instantly asleep!

Not convinced that you need a Mamaroo yet? Come see it in person, and meet representatives from 4Moms at the Drool Baby Expo, on May 21.

But one stroller is absolutely inescapable in every part of Boston, from Southie to Somerville and everywhere in between: the Vista, made by UPPAbaby, whose headquarters are just a stone’s throw away in Hingham, MA. Walk down any city block in the afternoon, and you can count a dozen UPPAbaby Vista Strollers in half an hour; they’re easy to pick out from the pack, with their tall profile, which boosts baby up high, and the inward V of their elegant frame. Go to the Aquarium on a Friday, and you’ll be surrounded by Vista Strollers, with their cozy bassinets occupied by snoozing babes, or eager toddlers pointing at the penguins from their Piggyback boards. Promenading in the Public Gardens, frolicking at Fenway, hobnobbing in Harvard Square – Vistas, Vistas, and more Vistas!

The Vista wins on all-in-one capability, along with its obvious beauty: in a single purchase, you get a stroller that you can use from birth through the toddler years, and add capacity for up to three children. And that’s not all that UPPA has to offer, of course: there’s the cool and compact Cruz, and the G-Luxe and G-Lite umbrella strollers (which are, by our entirely unscientific observations, the UPPAbaby strollers you’re most likely to see on a Boston subway).

And when UPPAbaby discovered that fully 60% of Vista owners were purchasing infant car seat adapters so they could use the Vista as a travel system, they set to work on conquering a whole new product category, creating the ultra-safe, ultra-easy Mesa Infant Car Seat, which we profiled in detail in our new spring issue of Surprises. Not only does the Mesa have superb crash-test ratings, fantastic ease of installation, and great Side Impact Protection, but it can ride on your Vista or Cruz stroller without a single additional purchase – it includes the adapters for the Vista, and requires no adapters for the Cruz.

While you can certainly get an eyeful of UPPAbaby just by leaving your apartment, if you’re looking to purchase, you’ve got a unique opportunity to get a closer look coming up soon. You can meet Boston’s most popular stroller at Boston’s best baby expo on May 21 – get your tickets for the Drool Baby Expo today!

With the tremendous popularity of the Chicco Keyfit 30, Chicco probably doesn’t need to worry about this issue quite as much as they did in 2011, when they launched an ad campaign having babies pronounce the name from a billboard in Times Square. The Keyfit is so ubiquitous that nearly every major stroller brand offers a Chicco car seat adapter, so you can pop this light n’ lovely seat onto your stroller to form the perfect travel system – a quick survey of our selection brings up multiple adapters for Bugaboo, UPPAbaby, BOB, and more. Why we love the Keyfit:

• It’s light – during the early months of baby’s life, you’re going to be toting her around in her car seat a lot, so it’s a good thing the Chicco Keyfit 30 only weighs 9 pounds! The ergonomically designed handle helps too;

• It’s ever so safe – it’s lined with energy-absorbing EPS foam with great side impact protection, and it’s easy to install (which is a must, because in order for your car seat to protect your baby properly, you have to install it correctly);

• The canopy provides excellent protection from the elements when you need it!

There’s more to Chicco, of course: the NextFit Convertible Car Seat is the perfect follow-up to the Keyfit, carrying your child in safety and comfort up to 65 pounds, and the Lullaby LX Playard is so versatile we’re surprised it doesn’t change diapers for you.

And then there’s, well, everything else: Chicco really does make virtually every single item babies and toddlers need. You can meet their broader range of baby gear and toys at the upcoming Drool Baby Expo, our annual baby shopping extravaganza! Chicco reps will be on hand to answer every single question you could possibly ask about their products (and of course our experts will be there too). But at least there’s one question that’s already settled now – you’ve got the name down!

* Check out these great pronunciation guides at Babble and be the coolest mom in your playgroup – Part 1, Part 2 . They missed one of our favorites, though: Diono is pronounced “dee-OH-no.”

Nuna of the Netherlands has rocketed onto the baby gear scene with their own signature item: the Nuna Leaf Floating Baby Lounger. It looks like nothing we’ve ever seen; it works like nothing we’ve ever seen. And… you can try it out for yourself. Find another baby bouncer that does that!

Here’s the rundown of why we love the Leaf:

• The motion: Instead of rocking, bouncing, or vibrating, the Leaf floats gently from side to side. There’s no motor; just unlock the latch in the base and give it a gentle nudge, and the Leaf uses baby’s weight to sway soundlessly from side to side. Just watch any of the videos of the Leaf online, and you’ll see: the slow swaying mimics the motion of a falling leaf, a motion that’s instinctively restful.

• The look: The asymmetrical Leaf seat, available in a variety of stylish neutral colors, is perched atop a shiny metal base. Compare the Leaf to more typical bouncers with blaring bright colors and toy bars, motors and music, and it looks like it belongs in a modern art museum (or, your tasteful modern living room).

• The weight limit: The Nuna Leaf is the only baby bouncer that’s still useful beyond babyhood! The exceptionally high weight limit (130 pounds) means that toddlers and older kids can continue to enjoy the rocking motion of the Leaf, using it as a fun rocking chair until… well, pretty much forever, since rocking never stops being fun.

But that’s not all: when Nuna does trade shows, they bring the deluxe Leaf along, sized specifically for grownups! So, if you come to the Drool Baby Expo on May 21, you don’t have to imagine what it feels like for your baby to be soothed to sleep in the Leaf – you can give it a try yourself! Just don’t doze off in the adult Leaf, because we expect that the line to try it out will be long.

And while you’re waiting for your turn in the adult-sized Leaf, you can check out the rest of Nuna’s terrific assortment of beautifully designed Euro-baby gear. Not everything that Nuna sells is as visually striking as the Leaf, but they all boast a clean, ultra-modern style and long-lasting function that gives you terrific value for your baby gear dollar:

• Zaaz High Chair: Featuring a hidden pneumatic lift and a crevice-free design that makes cleaning incredibly easy, the Zaaz is also made to last – right up to adulthood! Simply put: it’s a high chair that will never cease to be useful. And it’s sleek and lovely to boot.

• Sena Travel Crib: The clever zigzag leg design makes this cozy travel cot amazingly easy and fast to set up and break down. It’s light, it’s cute, and Nuna says it’s the only travel cot with an upper cot that folds with the frame. Also available as the petite Sena Mini.

• Pipa Infant Car Seat: The Pipa isn’t out yet, but the buzz is gathering; carseatblog.com praised it when they saw it at the 2012 ABC Expo, emphasizing the rigid LATCH, the load leg, the robust canopy, the “dream drape,” and “a really nice lock-off on the base for seatbelt installations.” It’s also rated all the way down to 4 pounds, making it a great choice for teeny preemies.

• Pepp Stroller: How much function can you fit into 19 pounds of stroller? The upcoming Pepp really packs it in – it’s rated for use from birth up to toddlerhood, you can perform multiple functions with just one hand (unfolding, pushing, etc), it has a height-adjustable handle, and it folds down to backpack size for easy travel.

Like our other favorite Euro brands, Nuna is so much more than their signature product. Explore them all and chat up their charming representatives at the Drool Baby Expo!

Boston Kite & Flight Festival
A family tradition with thousands of Bostonians of all ages, the Annual Boston Kite Festival, will take place at Franklin Park Playstead. Bring your kite or make one in the park, “rent” a bike for free, play games, and have a spring picnic.  Franklin Park, Seaver Street, Dorchester.
Saturday, May 18, 2013

Hot Dog Safari on Lansdowne Street
This indoor and outdoor event offers parties inside all the bars/restaurants, plus food and fun all over Lansdowne Street. Proceeds to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Joey Fund. Lansdowne Street, Boston.
Saturday, May 18, 2013

Kids Planet Family Music & Activities: WBOS Earthfest 2013
This year’s WBOS Earthfest will feature an impressive family area including a stage with live music & entertainment all day, face painting, crafts, the famous Super Mercado, and more. The Charles River Esplanade, Boston.
Saturday, May 18, 2013

National Astronomy Day: Clay Center
The Clay Center holds Astronomy Day events in collaboration with the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston (ATMoB). Many activities have been planned for families and children of all ages. Registration encouraged. 20 Newton Street, Brookline.
Saturday, May 18, 2013

Radio 92.9 EarthFest at the Hatch Shell 2013
The Annual Radio 92.9 EarthFest will return to DCR’s Hatch Memorial Shell in Boston on May 18, with a stellar line-up that includes Vertical Horizon, Cracker, Fastball, Gentlemen Hall, and Camper van Beethoven. Storrow Drive, Boston.
Saturday, May 18, 2013

Japan Spring Festival
Enjoy a traditional Japanese-style festival showcasing Japanese culture with lots of crafts, food, performances, and more. Boylston & Clarendon Street, Boston.
Sunday, May 19, 2013

Crimson Sailing Academy Open House
Want to learn how to sail? Come for a short sail, meet the instructors, and see the facilities. 45 Memorial Drive, Cambridge.
Saturday, May 18, 2013

Heath School Mayfair
Heath School’s Mayfair is a fun day full of games and activities for kids and adults. 100 Eliot Street, Brookline.
Saturday, May 18, 2013

May Family Design Day @ BSA Space – Boston
Learning By Design in Massachusetts presents May Family Design Day, a hands-on program where you learn about play spaces and then design your own. 290 Congress Street, Boston.
Saturday, May 18, 2013

Puppet Showplace Theatre presents “Sleeping Beauty”
The princess Aurora has been asleep for almost one hundred years when our hero, Prince Steffon, learns of her story. He resolves to find the sleeping princess and rescue her from the evil fairy Belladonna. 32 Station Street, Brookline.
Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun from May 16, 2013 - May 19, 2013

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
With talented dancers featured in electrifying performances, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is sure to put on an entertaining show for audience members of all ages. 270 Tremont Street, Boston.
Thursday, May 16, 2013 - Sunday, May 19, 2013

The AMAZING JP Moms Yard Sale
An amazing indoor/outdoor yard sale with more than 40 families selling everything under the sun for babies, kids, and families, at great prices. 207 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain.
Saturday, May 18, 2013

Madeleen Klaasen, chief marketing officer Bugaboo International told the Daily Mail: “With every new collection we look to further unfold the authenticity, style and originality of Andy Warhol’s extraordinary legacy.”  The “Flowers” and “Cars” prints are on sale now, and more designs are expected later this year.

Our only question is: what’s the deal with the flowers? Where are the soup cans, and Marilyn? We did a little research, and it turns out that this somewhat more obscure choice works because Warhol meant it to. The background story: Warhol’s 1964-65 Flowers series was built on a 1964 photograph of seven hibiscus flowers, printed in Modern Photography Magazine. Warhol cropped the photograph into a perfect square with four asymmetrically placed flowers, giving Warhol “complete freedom with orientation.” The panels of flowers are never upside-down, and can be displayed singly, in giant grids – or, adapted to a canvas of any shape or size, including stroller upholstery!

While the subject matter, bright colors, and simple arrangement of the “Flowers” paintings may seem like a sentimental departure from Warhol’s typical work, his collaborators maintain that there’s a continuity. His assistant Ronnie Cutrone wrote that the early Flower paintings were about “life and death”:

“Don’t forget, at that time, there was flower power and flower children. We were the roots, the dark roots of that whole movement. None of us were hippies or flower children. Instead, we used to goof on it… And as decorative art, it’s pretty dense. There is a lot of depth in there… You have this shadowy dark grass, which is not pretty, and then you have these big, wonderful, brightly colored flowers. It was always that juxtaposition that appears in his art again and again that I particularly love.”

We know the pictures look great, but you really should experience the Bugaboo Warhol collection up close – and you’ll have your chance in less than two weeks, at the Drool Baby Expo, coming up on May 21. Get your tickets today at droolbabyexpo.com.

The devil is in the details: there are hundreds upon hundreds of car models, each brand and model different from each other, and each model year is just a little different. So, finding the right car seat to fit your car and your kid can require some guidance. Our expert customer service reps are trained to pinpoint your needs, match you with the right seat, and even teach you how to install it, but when it comes to the everyday use of your car seat, day in, day out, we’re so glad that Diono offers such fantastic customer service.

For a few quick examples, we checked out Diono’s Facebook page, where you can get product updates, advice, and the occasional generous giveaway (and a convertible car seat/booster that your child can use for ten years is no small freebie!). Questions that were fielded in the comments section included easy, universal questions like:

• At what age should my seat go from rear-facing to front-facing? (Answer: as old as possible – rear-facing is always safer!)
• Can I fold my R120 with the infant insert pillows attached? (Answer: sorry, no.)
• Will my RXT fit both my infant and my 4 ½ year old? (Answer: yes, if the older child is shorter than 57”.)

But they also included some tougher and more specific questions, like:

• When rear-facing my car seat, can it safely touch the front seat? (Answer: check your vehicle manual to see if pressure against the back of the seat will affect the airbag sensor.)
• Will the GTX or RXT fit well rear-facing in my 2007 Toyota Camry? (Answer: call us, and we’ll help you figure it out.)
• My 3 year old weighs 36 pounds and my 15 month old weighs 19 pounds. What Diono car seat should I get? (Answer: the R120 and the RXT will both work – see if you can find the RXT on sale!)
• Can I install an RXT in my Corolla? (Answer: Diono provided the name and personal phone extension for their staff CPS advocate, for specific guidance.)
• My independent child uses the flexible side panel of his car seat to hoist himself in – is he going to break it? (Answer: now, that’s a toughie! We’ll ask our engineer and get back to you.)

We were especially impressed by a story from a mom named Sara, who was experiencing issues with a retired Sunshine Kids seat (Diono changed their name from Sunshine Kids in 2011). When she contacted Diono, she sent pictures and a video clip, demonstrating how the seat’s cam/nose lock broke, rendering the seat unusable.

To her surprise and delight, not only did Diono offer to ship a brand new seat to replace it, but they also offered to pay to have the damaged seat sent back to them, so that their engineers could examine it for research purposes. Sara writes:

“If for some reason they can find something that can help save a life or keep a kiddo from being injured then bravo to them for caring enough to do this! Thank you Diono for standing behind a product you didn’t even manufacture and helping us keep our kiddo safe and sound on the roads!”

If you’re trying to find the perfect car seat for your new baby, your chance is coming up next week: Diono will be exhibiting all of their seats at our Drool Baby Expo on May 21. You can compare, contrast, and ask all those tough car seat questions in person, and get familiar with our other top baby gear brands, too. Many manufacturers will be offering fantastic one-night-only deals, and we’re going to be raffling off some of our most popular items, as well. Don’t miss it – get your tickets today!

Here are a few qualities to remember when you meet your first Orbit Baby stroller:

It spins.

This is the single Orbit Baby feature that no other stroller company can boast: complete 360-degree rotation for your stroller seat and infant car seat. You can dock your car seat on the SmartHub™ at nearly any angle, letting you rotate it into the safe rear-facing position. Your baby can ride in the stroller facing you, facing the world, facing away from the sun, facing your café table (no need for a high chair!). It’s completely unique.

This excellent overview from Dadlabs puts the Orbit Travel System G2 through its paces – watch company co-founder Vivian Chiang casually demonstrate how easy the system is to use. Our favorite moment? Watch Vivian at 3:50 into the video as she collapses the frame and tucks it under her arm in one single, smooth movement, like it’s no big deal. Oh, but it is a big deal! Especially when you’re navigating airports, which takes us to the next point:

It travels.

With a name like Orbit, this stroller had better be prepared to explore the world – and it is. In this feature from PopSugar, Vivian talks about what makes the Orbit G2 Travel System the ultimate stroller for international travel:

“Before she was ever pregnant, Vivian and her husband, Joseph, his design partner, Bryan White, and his wife, Farrah, all realized that transportation could be made easier for families. As the four came together to create the Orbit system, they spoke to parents around the world to see what they would want in the ultimate travel stroller.

“Among the ideas they heard (and incorporated): car seats with side carrying handles so navigating narrow airplane aisles would be easier, one-handed folding so you can quickly gate-check a stroller, and a frame the folds down small so it can easily fit through the X-ray machine. Those features, along with using eco-friendly fabrics and placing the baby at table height, have made the Orbit stroller a favorite among globetrotting families.”

Speaking of globetrotting families: for the next feature, we’ll hop across the pond for a review from the UK:

It doubles!

In 2012, Orbit unveiled the Double Helix, which turns your Orbit Baby stroller into a modular single-to-double tandem. Could twice as much buggy be just as easy? The reviewer at Bestbuggy.co.uk says yes:

“The first thing I noticed was how amazingly easy the Double Helix was to steer. The show stand had various obstacles (tables, chairs etc) which most tandem pushchairs would have required reversing and a shunt to get around. The Double Helix simply wove easily in and out and around them all! That was my first surprise – the handling was great. Mr BB was very impressed and talked all the way home about how it was genius to have swivel wheels at both the front and rear, with the fixed wheels acting as a pivot point in the middle!”

But don’t take her word for it. At Magic Beans, we believe in hands-on experiences that give you all the information and confidence you need to make the best purchases for your family. So, on May 21, come meet the entire Orbit collection in person, and talk to Orbit representatives at the Drool Baby Expo – and get fabulous deals, freebies, and some pampering, too. Get your tickets today!

Lilac Sunday at Arnold Arboretum
This beloved Boston tradition celebrates the lilacs as well as many other special collections at their peak at this lovely time of year. Come celebrate spring at the Arnold Arboretum. 125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain.
Sunday, May 12, 2013

Handcut Silhouettes
Handcut original silhouettes by third generation artist Erik Johnson at Tiny Hanger. Great Mother’s Day gift! 14 Pleasant Street, Brookline.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Pirates of Penzance
An eighty-minute exotic excursion featuring bathing beauties, philosophizing pirates, and grown men in remarkably short shorts. Warning: this experience will cause immense joy and the compulsion to spontaneously sing along. 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge.
Sunday, May 12, 2013 - Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Ducklings Day Parade
Each year, over a thousand children dressed as their favorite characters from the story gather on the Common to enjoy face painting, music making, clowns, and other entertainment before marching through Beacon Hill behind the Harvard Band to the Public Garden. Boston Public Garden, Boston.
Sunday, May 12, 2013

Boston Ballet Next Generation 2013
Come to the Boston Opera House on Wednesday for the annual Next Generation performance featuring students of Boston Ballet School’s Pre-Professional Program. 539 Washington Street, Boston.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013

17th Annual Mother’s Day Walk For Peace
The Mother’s Day Walk for Peace began in 1996 for families who had lost their children to violence. A place for those who pledge their commitment to peace. 1520 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester.
Sunday, May 12, 2013

JP Bikes Spring Roll 2013
A special Mother’s Day version of Boston’s largest family friendly celebration of bikes, with decorations, snacks, activities, and a group ride around Jamaica Plain. 14 Carolina Street, Jamaica Plain.
Sunday, May 12, 2013

Puppet Showplace Theatre presents A Woodland Cinderella
The King of all Woodland Fairies wants his son to marry a fairy princess, but he knows that they are very hard to find. Can he find her? 32 Station Street, Brookline.
Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun from May 9, 2013 - May 12, 2013

Old State House 300th Anniversary
Join the community for a special day of celebration as the Old State House turns 300 years old! Experience three centuries of history through family-friendly activities, special tours, and a chance to meet our Revolutionary Characters. 206 Washington Street, Boston.
Saturday, May 11, 2013

Boston Children’s Chorus Auditions
Calling all Boston area singers ages 7-18 – get vocal! BCC will begin their 11th season with 450+ singers in 12 choirs from 5 neighborhood locations. 112 Shawmut Avenue, Boston.
Friday, May 10, 2013 - Saturday, May 11, 2013

Samurai Saturdays at MFA
Enjoy fun samurai-inspired activities for children and adults: films, art-making activities, performances, tours, bento boxes, and more. Samurai Saturdays are free with Museum admission; no reservations are required to participate in most of the programs. 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston.
Every Saturday from May 4, 2013 - May 25, 2013

Return of the Swans to The Public Garden Lagoon 

Wake Up the Earth Festival & Parade 
Enjoy a great event for families, with lots of activities and performances for kids of all ages. Stonybrook T-stop Park, Jamaica Plainb
Saturday, May 4, 2013

Mayfair: Harvard Square 
Mayfair features six main performance areas, with art attacks, dance distractions, and curious clowning. 200 artisans and merchants fill colorful tents with handmade, vintage, recycled, costume, antique, and sidewalk sale items. Harvard Square, Cambridge.
Sunday, May 5, 2013

Brookline Reservoir Family Fishing Festival 
On the shores of Brookline Reservoir, cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. Rte. 9 at Sumner Road, Brookline.
Sunday, May 5, 2013

Annual Girls on the Run® 5K 
Join us for the family-friendly run/walk – welcoming all from competitive runners to families with strollers. Proceeds from race entry fees will benefit Girls on the Run® of Suffolk County, an organization dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and self respect for pre-teen girls. DCR HATCH SHELL, Boston.
Saturday, May 4, 2013

SoWa Open Market 
At the SoWa Open Market you’ll find original art of all mediums, gourmet food trucks, indie designer clothing and accessories, ceramics, glass, photography, jewelry, handbags, housewares, baked goods, local farmer’s produce and much more every week. 460 Harrison Avenue, Boston.
Every Sunday from May 1, 2013 - Oct 31, 2013

Schoolhouse Rock Boston Children’s Theatre 
SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK is an entertaining and educational journey into the worlds of multiplication, science, government, and grammar (and for Mom and Dad, a bit of Saturday morning nostalgia). 572 Tremont Street, Boston.
Every Saturday from Apr 27, 2013 - May 4, 2013

Open House at Boston Lyric Opera 
From backstage to the balcony and everywhere in between, BLO’s Open House gives you an all-access pass to experience opera in an exciting, kid-friendly way. 265 Tremont Street, Boston.
Saturday, May 4, 2013

Puppet Showplace Theatre presents: ‘A Woodland Cinderella’ 
The King of all Woodland Fairies wants his son to marry a fairy princess, but he knows that they are very hard to find. Can he find her? 32 Station Street, Brookline.
Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun from May 9, 2013 - May 12, 2013

Ben Rudnick and Friends Benefit for One Fund Boston 
Ben Rudnick and Friends, Catching Joy, and TICO restaurant will join together to raise funds for One Fund Boston. This Family Works event will raise funds to help. 222 Berkeley Street, Boston.
Saturday, May 4, 2013

Newtowne Annual Spring Fair 
Saturday May 4 is the Newtowne Annual Spring Fair and Rummage Sale! Enjoy bouncy houses, a live animal show, live bands, fishing, face painting, and more. 11 Garden Street, Cambridge.
Saturday, May 4, 2013

PALS Children’s Chorus Presents The Tale of Moby Dick 
PALS Children’s Chorus presents the American premier of the children’s opera The Tale of Moby Dick. Through music, movement, and evocative sets, the 185 choristers of PALS will bring the story to life on stage. 400 Heath Street, Chestnut Hill.
Friday, May 3, 2013 - Sunday, May 5, 2013

Alphabet Rockers – Get UP and GO 
Children ages 2-7 (and parents) will thoroughly enjoy Alphabet Rockers, an award winning educational and rhythmic performance of spirited upbeat new and nostalgic music with audience participation. Not to be missed. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard Street, Brookline.
Saturday, May 4, 2013

Free Comic Book Day: Comics Stores 
Free Comic Book Day is a single day – the first Saturday in May – when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their stores. Locations throughout New England.
Saturday, May 4, 2013

Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby
Families and fans have their chance to ‘fly into the Wang Theatre for this magical production of Peter Pan, a unique, family friendly attraction of spectacle and fantasy. Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont Street, Boston.
Wednesday, Apr 24, 2013 - Sunday, Apr 28, 2013

Annual Boston College Arts Festival
Come explore exhibitions and demonstrations in photography, ceramics, painting, and drawing. Enjoy performances from Shakespeare to contemporary theater as well as ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, Irish dance, swing dance, and much more. 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill.
Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 - Saturday, Apr 27, 2013

Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race
The biggest and best canoe and kayak event in New England! The Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race celebrates the Charles River Watershed Association’s improvements to the health, beauty, and enjoyment of the Charles River and its tributaries. Soldiers Field Road, Brighton.
Sunday, Apr 28, 2013

ICA Play Dates: DIY Performance-Become an ICA ‘Idol’
Calling young performers and families! Ready-made short musical, dance, and storytelling acts get their chance to shine in the Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater. 100 Northern Avenue, Boston.
Saturday, Apr 27, 2013

Schoolhouse Rock at Boston Children’s Theatre
BCT rounds out the season with Schoolhouse Rock: an entertaining and educational journey into the worlds of multiplication, science, government, and grammar. Calderwood Pavilion, 572 Tremont Street, Boston.
Sat, Sun from Apr 24, 2013 - May 5, 2013

Meteors, Moon Rocks, and Music
A free concert in honor of Aaron Copland with a performance by Copland House of New York – and meteorite door prizes! Clay Center Observatory, 20 Newton Street, Brookline.
Saturday, Apr 27, 2013

Anansi: Spiderman of Africa
Come enjoy a side-splitting selection of famous folktales from Africa starring Anansi the Spider, whose appetite always overrules his intellect. 32 Station Street, Brookline.
Thursday, Apr 25, 2013 - Sunday, Apr 28, 2013

Independent Film Festival of Boston
The annual Independent Film Festival of Boston is set to be the biggest and best festival yet. Screenings at the Somerville Theatre, Brattle Theatre, Coolidge Corner Theatre and Institute of Contemporary Art Boston.
Wednesday, Apr 24, 2013 - Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013

BSO Family Concert: A Cheerful Earful
Featuring Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras at Symphony Hall, with Young People’s String Orchestra and members of the Intensive Community Program. Plus conductor Marta Zurad and the magician Matt Roberts. 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston.
Saturday, Apr 27, 2013

BC Race to Educate – a 1k Kids Fun Run & 5k road race
Make running a family event – come out for a 1k kids fun run and 5k walk/run! Includes post-race face painting, balloon designing and more. 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill.
Saturday, Apr 27, 2013

Healthy Kids Day at the Boston YMCA
Healthy Kids Day is the Y’s national initiative to improve the health and well-being of families and to help them get a jump on creating a healthier summer and lifestyle. 316 Huntington Avenue, Boston.
Saturday, Apr 27, 2013

Elmo’s Super Heroes
Come join Elmo and his Super Hero friends! Elmo and his famous monster friends go on a quest to put the super back in Super Grover. Agganis Arena, Boston University, 925 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston.
Friday, Apr 26, 2013 - Sunday, Apr 28, 2013

Lag Ba’Omer Community Celebration
Enjoy this community celebration at Brookline High School featuring Chinese acrobats, a stilt walker, rock climbing, bubbles galore, balloon fun, an animal exhibit, and more. 115 Greenough Street, Brookline.
Sunday, Apr 28, 2013

ICA April School Vacation Week Activities
Visit the galleries to see works by contemporary artists including Barry McGee. Then, visit the Bank of America Art Lab for drop-in art-making activities. 100 Northern Avenue, Boston.
Tuesday, Apr 16, 2013 - Thursday, Apr 18, 2013

Family Fishing Day at Jamaica Pond
Mayor Thomas M. Menino welcomes anglers of all ages to Jamaica Pond for a Family Fishing Day during school vacation week, sponsored by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and Bass Pro Shops. Jamaica Pond, Jamaica Plain.
Thursday, Apr 18, 2013

School Vacation Week: Celebrate National Poetry Month
Explore the poetic history of Old South Meeting House, Boston’s famed museum and national historic landmark, during National Poetry Month. 310 Washington Street, Boston.
Apr 15, 2013 - Apr 19, 2013

Fenway Park Open House
An opportunity for fans of all ages to explore Fenway Park at their own pace. Discover behind-the-scenes locations and learn more about “America’s most beloved ballpark”. 4 Yawkey Way, Boston.
Wednesday, Apr 17, 2013

Magician Matias performs at Cambridge Public Library
Magician Matias will perform a free magic show and balloon twister at Cambridge Public Library. Let him amaze you! 449 Broadway, Cambridge.
Wednesday, Apr 17, 2013

April School Vacation Week: Come Play at Franklin Park Zoo
Looking to start your family’s spring off to a great start? Throughout April school vacation week, connect with incredible wildlife and spend a memorable day with family and friends exploring Franklin Park Zoo. One Franklin Park Road, Boston.
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri from Apr 15, 2013 - Apr 21, 2013

Earth Day at Franklin Park Zoo: Party for the Planet
Don’t miss the Earth Day celebration at Franklin Park Zoo. The Zoo has teamed up with Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts and the Cambridge Science Festival. One Franklin Park Road, Boston.
Sunday, Apr 21, 2013

The Chicken Show
Come to the Puppet Showplace Theatre to see the story of the singing chicken, Henrietta. With the help of her friends, she learns to believe in herself and make her dreams come true. 32 Station Street, Brookline.
Tuesday, Apr 16, 2013 - Thursday, Apr 18, 2013

Circle of Songs with Hugh Hanley
Join our community in a morning of music and fun activities. Snacks and coffee will be available. Open to children 0-12, and fun for the whole family. Hill House, 127 Mount Vernon Street, Boston.
Sunday, Apr 21, 2013

Schoolhouse Rock
Schoolhouse Rock is an entertaining and educational journey into the worlds of multiplication, science, government, and grammar. Fun for the whole family. 527 Tremont Street, Boston.
Saturday, Apr 27, 2013 - Saturday, May 5, 2013

MIT Museum Presents 7th Annual Cambridge Science Festival
The MIT Museum celebrates the start of the seventh annual Cambridge Science Festival with a variety of hands-on activities and demonstrations for the whole family. 265 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge.
Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 - Sunday, Apr 21, 2013

Aladdin Jr. at Riverside Theatre Works
Take a magic carpet ride to “Aladdin Jr.,” the 31st annual youth production at Riverside Theatre Works. Directed by musical theater professionals, showcasing talented kids and teens from around the region. 45 Fairmount Avenue, Hyde Park.
Friday, Apr 12, 2013 - Sunday, Apr 21, 2013

Battle Stations: April School Vacation Events
Prepare yourself for battle against the British in the War of 1812 with fun, hands-on activities. Fire a cannon, build a ship to outrun and outgun the enemy, learn to march like a Marine, and more. Navy Yards, Charlestown.
Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 - Sunday, Apr 21, 2013

Story Time with Big Joe at Life is Good Boston
Tall tales come to life at the Life is Good Boston store. Stop by Jake’s for some great stories with Big Joe, arts and crafts for all, and yummy snacks. 285 Newbury Street, Boston.
Thursday, Apr 18, 2013

Kids Week at Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group, Unreal Candy, Orange Leaf, New England Revolution, and Boston Breakers are offering free family fun—. Face Painting, photos with Blue Men and select NE Revolution and Boston Breaker players, food and candy sampling, and more. Charles Playhouse, 74 Warrenton Street, Boston.
Wednesday, Apr 17, 2013 - Friday, Apr 19, 2013

The Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is one of the city’s biggest events of the year, featuring 25,000 elite runners from around the world competing in a route made difficult by rolling terrain and features such as Heartbreak Hill. Downtown Boston.
Monday, Apr 15, 2013

Eth-Noh-Tec: JFK Library’s Celebrate
Nancy Wang and Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo perform contemporary presentations of traditional folktales from the many countries and cultures of Asia through storytelling, theater, dance, and music. Columbia Point, Boston.
Tuesday, Apr 16, 2013

Ice Chips Show of Champions
The Skating Club of Boston presents the annual Ice Chips Show of Champions. Ice Chips is now the longest continuous club skating carnival in the world. 79 North Harvard Street, Allston.
Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 - Sunday, Apr 14, 2013

ICA April School Vacation Week Activities
Visit the galleries to see works by contemporary artists including Barry McGee. Then, visit the Bank of America Art Lab for drop-in art-making activities with a focus on identity. 100 Northern Avenue, Boston.
Tuesday, Apr 16, 2013 - Thursday, Apr 18, 2013

Brookline Commission for Women Childcare Forum
Panelists will speak on the benefits and challenges of various types of daycare options that are available for families with children in the birth to 5 age range, including daycare centers, family daycares, au pairs and nannies. Representatives from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Brookline Health Department and the Brookline Police Department will discuss safety, proper licensing and background checks. There will be a question and answer period following the panel discussion. For more information, please email BCW@brooklinema.gov or call 617-730-2734. This event is free and open to the public, and begins at 6pm. Brookline Main Library, Hunneman Hall, 361 Washington Street.
Wednesday, Apr 17, 2013

John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo
The John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo, the official number pick-up of the Boston Marathon, is open to the public and admission is free. Voted Best Runner’s Expo in the Country by Runner’s World Magazine. Hynes Convention Center, Boylston Street, Boston.
Friday, Apr 12, 2013 - Sunday, Apr 14, 2013

Boston Youth Symphony Spring Concert
BYSO’s 55th Season opens with the Spring Concert, featuring Federico Cortese, Conductor and Music Director. Experience the future of classical music. 30 Gainsborough Street, Boston.
Sunday, Apr 14, 2013

Gustafer Yellowgold’s Rock Melon Tour
Equal parts pop rock concert and animated storybook, Gustafer Yellowgold’s Rock Melon Tour is a truly different multimedia experience that entrances children and adults alike. 290 Harvard Street, Brookline.
Sunday, Apr 14, 2013

Aesops Fables
There will be three wonderful Aesop’s Fables all weekend long. Come join WonderSpark Puppets as they present their hilarious performances on these timeless moral stories. 32 Station Street, Brookline.
Thursday, Apr 11, 2013 - Sunday, Apr 14, 2013

Pippi Longstocking: Wheelock Family Theatre
Pippi Longstocking’s wonderful adventures will delight audiences of all ages. Determined to live life as she sees fit, Pippi teases, surprises, and exasperates the pompous and condescending adults who wish to rein her in. 200 The Riverway, Boston.
Friday, Apr 12, 2013 - Wednesday, May 12, 3013

Fox and Branch – Family Folk Music
Award-winning musicians Dave Fox and Will Branch bring their high-spirited, participatory family folk music show to Harvard Square’s Club Passim, in a concert for the whole family. 47 Palmer Street, Cambridge.
Saturday, Apr 13, 2013

MIT Museum Presents 7th Annual Cambridge Science Festival
The MIT Museum celebrates the start of the seventh annual Cambridge Science Festival with a variety of hands-on activities and demonstrations for the whole family. 265 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge.
Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 - Sunday, Apr 21, 2013

Volunteer Expo – The Shops at Prudential Center
Mix, mingle and meet with community groups from the Boston and Greater Boston areas. With over 50 groups participating, this forum will have something for everyone. 800 Boylston Street, Boston.
Thursday, Apr 11, 2013

Grand Opening of Captain Jackson’s Colonial Chocolate Shop
Grand Opening of Captain Jackson’s Colonial Chocolate Shop at the Old North Church! Explore the exciting history of chocolate with demonstrations and free samples of 18th century chocolate. 21 Unity Street, Boston.
Saturday, Apr 13, 2013

Opening Day for Swan Boats
Mayor Menino will be joined on the first ride of the year with students from several Boston Public Schools. Families and residents can come and take a ride immediately following the Mayor and winners, and enjoy face painting at 10am. Boston Common.
Saturday, Apr 13, 2013

Street Theater Spring Showcase & Sidewalk Sale @Faneuil Hall
Are you done with snow days and indoors activities? On Saturday and Sunday, Faneuil Hall Marketplace will transform into a heaven of non-stop entertainment for all ages. Quincy Market Colonnade, Boston.
Saturday, Apr 13, 2013 - Sunday, Apr 14, 2013

Red Sox Annual Open House at Fenway Park
Red Sox fans are invited to Fenway Park to tour the stadium, meet Red Sox Alumni, explore Fenway Park: A Living Museum, and much more. 4 Yawkey Way, Boston.
Wednesday, Apr 17, 2013

Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s
Around the world, participating Scoop Shops are opening their doors from noon to 8pm to serve you up a scoop of your favorite flavor, free of charge! Participating locations throughout Massachusetts.
Tuesday, Apr 9, 2013

CityStep Annual Performance
The culmination of each year of CityStep is the annual CityStep performance, which is a theme-driven show featuring dance-theater pieces choreographed and performed by each CityStep class. 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge.
Friday, Apr 5, 2013 - Saturday, Apr 6, 2013

Saturday Open Gym at BCYF’s Recreation Center
Open Gym is a play program for families with children ages 3-8 to get up, out, and moving together on Saturday mornings from 10am-11:30am. 55 Malcolm X Boulevard, Roxbury.
Every Saturday from Feb 2, 2013 - Apr 13, 2013

KidsBuild 2013
KidsBuild is nonprofit event that introduces children and families to architecture and urban design. This event is held once every two years. 290 Congress Street, Boston.
Saturday, Apr 6, 2013

Sea Squirts: Rainbow Ocean Part 1
Sea Squirts classes introduce your child to the wonders of the aquatic world while focusing on their developing motor and language skills and encouraging the development of early science skills such as observation and exploration. New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston.
Thursday, Apr 4, 2013

Diaper Lab Cloth Diapering Workshop
Cloth diapering can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. Learn everything you need to know at Diaper Lab’s 90 minute Cloth Diaper 101 Workshop for Expectant or New Parents. 200 Elm Street North, North Cambridge.
Friday, Apr 5, 2013

6th Annual BEEP Family Concert
Fantastic music show for families with young children starring local celebrities Vanessa Trien and Philip Alexander. Children can dance and sing, and there will be several great items for raffle. Quality fun for everyone. 1187 Beacon Street, Brookline.
Sunday, Apr 7, 2013

Storytime with Big Ryan
Enjoy an afternoon of family fun including stories with acclaimed storyteller Big Ryan at The Bilingual Montessori School of Boston. All are welcome. Bilingual Montessori School of Boston, 61 Rockwood Street, Jamaica Plain.
Saturday, Apr 6, 2013

The Carrot Salesman
Come enjoy the original story of a door-to-door carrot salesrabbit who finds a way to help his animal friends with his job. Performed with beautiful two-dimensional table-top puppets and fun audience interaction, too. 32 Station Street, Brookline.
Thursday, Apr 4, 2013 - Sunday, Apr 7, 2013

A Musical World Recaptured: Klezmer and Yiddish Music
Yom HaShoah Commemoration Concert – A Musical World Recaptured: Klezmer and Yiddish Music Before the Holocaust. Celebrate the living heritage of the music that has survived and now thrives again. Vilna Shul, 18 Phillips Street, Boston.
Saturday, Apr 6, 2013

Karen K & the Jitterbugs Concert
Newtowne School is hosting their Annual Benefit Concert on Saturday at 11am (doors open at 10am). Pizza and other lunch items will be sold. Newtowne School, 11 Garden Street, Cambridge.
Saturday, Apr 6, 2013

Eric Herman Kids Concert
Popular kids’ music performer, Eric Herman brings his high-energy interactive concert for kids and families to the Coolidge Corner Theatre. 290 Harvard Street, Brookline.
Saturday, Apr 6, 2013

ICA Play Dates: If This Art Wall Could Talk
Learn about Haegue Yang’s installation on the Sandra and Gerald Fineberg Art Wall. Then, collaborate with a visiting artist to create custom wallpaper. 100 Northern Avenue, Boston.
Saturday, Mar 30, 2013

Watson Adventures Wizard School Scavenger Hunt
Join Watson Adventures on a unique scavenger hunt for Harry Potter Fans ages 10+, at the Museum of Fine Arts. It’s fun for both wizards and muggles. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston.
Saturday, Mar 30, 2013

The 3rd Annual Cambridge Community Easter EggStravaganza
A family friendly Easter Egg Hunt and festival with games and prizes. Meet the Easter Bunny. Free! Cambridge Common Park, 1667 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge.
Saturday, Mar 30, 2013

Roslindale Village Main Street’s Annual Egg Hunt 2013
Children ages 2 to 6 hunt for 6,000 treat-filled eggs hidden throughout Roslindale’s Adams Park. Older kids can join egg toss and bunny hop races. Free and open to all. Adams Park, Washington Street at Cummins Highway, Roslindale.
Saturday, Mar 30, 2013

Brer Rabbit Tales by Magical Moonshine Theatre
Enjoy Brer Rabbit’s wonderful antics at this hilarious show where the floppy-eared trickster keeps trying to outwit Brer Fox & Brer Bear. Puppet Showplace Theatre, 32 Station Street, Brookline.
Thursday, Mar 28, 2013 - Saturday, Mar 30, 2013

Blizzard Bunny Easter Egg Hunt
Hop on over to the Blizzard Bunny Easter Egg Hunt hosted by StoryHeights Church. There will be egg hunts, family games, hot chocolate, face painting, live music, and family portraits with the Easter Bunny. Pine Manor College, 400 Heath Street, Chestnut Hill.
Sunday, Mar 31, 2013

Maple Days at Old Sturbridge Village
Historians at Old Sturbridge Village demonstrate early New England maple sugar-making at the village’s own working “Sugar Camp”. Visitors can experience the entire sugar-making process, from tapping the trees to “sugaring off.” Old Sturbridge Village, Route 20, Sturbridge.
Sat, Sun from Mar 2, 2013 - Mar 31, 2013

Tonight marks the first night of Passover, and Jewish families all over the world will be gathering to celebrate by having a “Seder”: a special meal that follows a very specific order of operations designed to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt. Children are supposed to be an integral part of the Seder. In fact, one of the most important objectives of the Seder is to pass along the story from one generation to the next. But it’s hard to follow the traditional “Haggadah” text and still keep the kids engaged, especially the younger ones.

Here are five things you can do to jazz up your Seder and get the kids more involved.

1. Avoid hunger. One of the biggest challenges of the Seder is the race against the clock. There’s a lot of interesting content to cover, and you can’t eat dinner until after you’ve finished most of it. It’s hard to have a meaningful conversation when everyone is hungry. In Rachel Kobrin’s excellent post on MyJewishLearning.com, she elaborates on a long-standing Rabbinic custom: dipping. During Karpas, an early part of the Seder, you are supposed to dip parsley in salt water and eat it. She suggests using the blessing on the parsley as license to eat all kinds of fruits and veggies and dips (even chocolate-covered strawberries — I think I need an invite to her Seder).

2. Deviate from the text. Instead of reading about Rabbinic debates, you can simply tell the story of the Exodus. Go around the table and each person at the Seder can tell a little bit of the story. Or download this awesome PDF, compiled by my friend Meg Lederman. She’s a 3rd grade Judaic Studies teacher, and also a mom of two young children. She designed this “Magid” (the section of the Haggadah where the Exodus story is told) especially for children, complete with an easy-to-follow storyline and lots of fun songs set to familiar tunes.

3. Add some dramatic flair. This lively Passover skit by Stan J. Beiner looks like a fun way to start things off. It’s about the different parts of the Seder plate getting organized before the night’s festivities. It’s very clever and well-written, and will get kids ready for what’s coming up next.

4. Learn some new songs. Last week, a friend introduced my daughters to a Passover parody of The Twelve Days of Christmas — The Ten Plagues of Pesach — and they’ve been singing it ever since. They are so excited to teach the song to our whole family. There’s a ton of parodies (and many of them inspired by Christmas songs) at kosher4passover.com (the Ten Plagues song is the 6th one down).

5. Role play. Rachel Kobrin has several nice suggestions for kid-friendly Seder modifications in her aforementioned post, but I especially like two of them: to wear costumes to the table and to make believe you are actually experiencing the Exodus, telling the story in first person and improvising details as you go.

Finally, remember that most young children can’t sit for a 30 minute meal, much less one that lasts 2-3 hours (or more). Set realistic expectations for your child based on his/her age and attention span. Try to squeeze in a little prep time before the meal to practice some of the songs and review what you’ll be doing (and why!). If you’re traveling to a Seder, bring along some books and quiet games and let the kids take a break when they need one. Most of all, have fun. And don’t eat too much matzah.