My parents-in-law are coming to visit this July. Our son will be 2-1/2 at that time and our second child is expected in the middle of June. My in laws are coming from Holland and don't speak much English. I'm looking for some interesting (preferably low cost) entertainment ideas. They are interested in animals, so I was thinking about Drumlin Farm in Lincoln. What about a place to swim locally? Any other ideas?
Thank you for all of your great suggestions. Little Eva was born on June 14th, and her grandparents are coming in just about a week. This past weekend my husband, the kids and I tried out Weezy's garden at the Mass Hort Society. We took a picnic lunch and Alex, our son, loved the gardens and the trails! He climbed the tower and really enjoyed the fish in the pond. I think we'll try out Dug pond for swimming and some of the other suggestions - these ideas will keep us plenty busy!
Try Wayland beach - -great beach for young families! Bathrooms, snack bar, picnic tables and playground all in same area. There are a certain # of non-resident passes they sell each summer...sales just began: $75 for adult $45 for child 3 & up for a full summer pass.
Hi J. B. -- There is lots of stuff to do! The town of Natick has music on the common every Friday night, you will have to check the paper or if you go though the center of town they have a board up. The Natick Collection has an area up in the Food Court that has a great play area for toddlers and there is no charge, plus if it's hot it will be nice and cool. There are also activities that the mall is putting on, not sure if it goes through the summer but you should check out thier web site. Also, Dug Pond in Natick which is located near the High School, you could get season tags since you live in town and I am sure your son would be free. There is the Audobon Society on Rte. 16 in South Natick -- if they like the outdoors and can handle your son in a great stroller on a walking path that's nice. Most of the public schools have playgrounds, not sure where you are located but I always enjoyed that when I lived in Natick. If I can think of anything else I will let you know!
P.S. I am originally from Natick and lived in the town when my oldest was little. AND don't forget to check out the library, they may have some group activities during the summer.
Walden Pond, the Discovery Museum (you can get passes at your local library), in June you might be able to start going Strawberry picking.
J.,
There is a great swimming pond in Sherbourne. Call the town hall to get the exact name. You may want to get a membership there for the summer. Better hurry because it fills up fast. My sister in law loves it. Try going to the Ecotarium in Worcester for a morning trip. The gardens are pretty and the few animals they have are perfect for the age of you first born. The museum inside is air conditioned and full of neat things to look at. Good luck.
Memorial Beach at Dug Pond is a great place to swim in Natick. You can buy passes for the summer, or just pay each time you go. It's right off of West St., near Natick High School. We're there often with our son (he'll be 3 in May), and he loves it there.
The Petting Farm at Belkin Lookout Farm - it's free. Great place to visit for a while, and then you can grab lunch/snacks at the Farm store next door. Or, you can pay the admission and ride the train around the orchard and see the bigger petting farm and use the Children's Play area.
Drumlin Farm is great, we love it there, too!
Good luck!
Davis Farmland would be great if your in-laws are interested in animals (you can search Davis Farmland to find their web page and location). There are alot of different farm animals to look at and to pet. They have very rare breeds of cows, chickens, etc..
In addition, they have so much for little children. There is an incredible sprinkler park, pony rides, a giant sand box that even has buried dinasour bones, a peddle go cart track, food, a miniature town for pretend play and dress up, etc...
I love it there, my kids love it there...we even plan to buy season tickets this year. Check it out and I hope you have a great summer...gabby
J.,
I am a Natick resident with 2 toddlers and can make the following suggestions: 1) Belkin farm in South Natick has a petting zoo near the entrance that's free (and they make real gelato there which is always a hit with both kids and grown-ups), then they have an electric train that takes you through the orchards to a really nice picnic area/playground ($5/person, but the train ride is pretty nice in the summer) and there are MORE animals there to look at). Also, you may want to check out the South Natick Organic Farm, on Rte 16 next to Memorial Elementary School - they have lots of animals for the kids to look at - that's free, too.
As for swimming, there is Dug Pond by the high school - you can get a beach pass at the Parks & Recreation office ($25/person) or you can pay as you go - $5/person for residents and $7/person for non-residents. There are other areas where one can go swimming, up on Rte 30 by the TJX complex, but I am not sure about the cost. Hope this helps.
I don't live in Natick anymore, but there used to be a summer evening concert series on the town green geared toward kids (& free).
The community organic farm in S. Natick is also free-you can visit pretty much anytime, though they do also have camp in the summer and depending on the time you choose to go, it can get crowded.
You can swim at Dug Pond if you purchase resident/guest tags. Farm Pond in Sherborn is nicer and I think they have a limited number of non-resident tags available every year.
"Weezie's Garden", a child's interactive garden/play area at Elm Bank in S. Natick (entrance is technically Wellesley) is also fun and free. There are walking trails through the woods, and one can stroll around the gardens and picnic, etc.. It's leased by the MA Horticultural Society and is open daily. You can bring bikes or ride-on toys too. Except for special programs held there, it's all free.
If your parents are nature lovers, they can take walks through Broadmoor Audubon Sanctuary also in S. Natick.
It's always fun to grab a snack at the coffee shop by the S. Natick Dam, sit and watch the water fall and the canoes on the Charles River and eat your picnic.
There is a small but interesting museum in the basement of the S. Natick library that includes a lot of local history. Check their hours. I think it's under the jurisdiction of the Natick Historical Society. I think they ask for a small donation.
Summer in S. Natick was always my favorite time of the year, because so many residents desert it for the cape and islands!
how about southwick zoo in Mendon? not too far and great for all ages. We love it so much we go abt 3-4 times each summer.
Also there is strawberry picking at Sunnyside farm. There is also a farm in South Natick with i think has a hay ride. Davis' Farmland also has animals and a water area for kids to play. Suggest doing this early in the day as it gets quite hot and little shade.
good luck
J., there's so much you can do that won't cost too much. I LOVE going to Tougas Farm in Northboro. They have pick-your-own fruit all summer. A little petting zoo area with a playground. And a kitchen that makes light lunches, fresh smoothies, slushies and baked goods. Go to www.tougasfarm.com. There is also Southwick Zoo in Mendon. The libraries sometimes have discount passes, also the paper sometimes has coupons.
I'm not a huge fan of Lookout Farm, despite them being under new ownership. I would much rather make the drive up to Tougas Farm. Davis Farmland is also good, but a drive. However, they do have a sprinkler park the kids can run around in.
There is a great playground in Southboro, right between routes 30 and 9. I want to say that it's on Central St. There is a ball field, running track great for riding bikes around, a basketball court, picnic gazebo, fenced in toddler playground and also a "big" kids playground.
Hi J.
I have a few suggestions for you. Broadmoor, an Audubon Sanctuary is right in your backyard. Also the sculpture park at DeCordova is pretty, can be combined with a visit to Walden Pond for beach/water play.
Look into purchasing a MA State Park pass for $35-40, for the year, most state parks charge $5 per car, so the pass pays for itself quickly, I believe Walden Pond, Hopkinton State Park and another local one, Great Brook, where there are trails, duck pond, cows and a duck pond are.
A great website for family events is www.whofish.org
Also try the library to see what free/discount passes they offer. Davis' Farm in Sterling is terrific. Southwick Zoo in Mendon wonderful as well. As with many activities in New England in the summer, arrive early to avoid crowds and heat, pack food to avoid costly and unhealthy fare.
Have fun and enjoy!
A. in Ashland
There is a great farm in South Natick that seems like it fits the bill! Take a look at www.lookoutfarm.com. They have a train that takes you all around the orchards and vineyards,a few farm animals, and a place for ice cream. :)
Also, try Doug Pond for swimming. It's right next to Natick High School. Wellesly College (right off 135) has a great campus for walking and picnicing. Also, check out Hopkinton State Park for fun outside, as well as the Garden in the Woods for a nice easy walk.
Good luck with all.
H. (my mom still lives in Natick, where I grew up)
Broadmoor Sanctuary is another wonderful place to visit for nature walks, but be careful of tics.
Biking at Elm Bank is fun and visiting weezy's garden at Elm Bank. In the summer they usually have free activities for little kids. Also, the Bacon Free Library and Morse Inst. Library have great programs for kids (FREE).
go to the library and get whatver free and low cost passes you can. Davis Farmland and Marino Lookour farm in Natck are great for small fries! The passes from the library are usually buy one admit get one free or something like that!
