New to Acton - Help with Things to Do!

The Chelmsford Mother's Club has a wonderful book called the Family Fun Book that lists many many many things to do with kids in the Greater Lowell Area and beyond. Definitely useful if you're in Acton. I know you can get a copy at The Paper Store in Chelmsford (it's near Walmart), or you might be able to get it at their website.

Hi Caroline - I don't live in Acton but I'm sure there is a Family Connection type town organization you could join, most towns have them. They run groups and get moms together to do fun activities, but also just to help you get to know your town. I also know there are a lot of fun indoor places not too far from you in Lowell and the surrounding area (a place called Perpetual Motion comes to mind) but again, I don't know all of the great places out there near you. You might also google "fun kid activities" and your town name, or "things to do with kids" in your area. I also think there are a couple of books out that have lists of these types of things as well, again, I don't know the exact titles but I know they exist! You're not too far from Boston as well, in case you didn't get there as much when you were in Salem, so you could always try the aquarium and the Science Museum. Have fun!

There is a playground in West Acton on Rt 111.

Hi C.,
Although this is a bit far for you (approx. 20-30 min.) try Noodle Noggin' 'N Bean in Northboro (www.noodlenogginnbean.com). We have a remarkable children's playplace. It is clean, innovative and designed for comfort and fun. Feel free to come in to play during any of our open hours. In addition, my husband just opened a kidstuff resale boutique around the corner from NNNB called Once Again Kids complete with a playroom for the kids. Please email me at ____@____.com and I will be happy to send you a coupon(s) flyer. The flyers are available for your friends as well, feel free to share them. We also have a meetup group feel free to join us!

Look into the Acton Family Network - they are a great resource

Good Luck

Hi Caroline,
I live on Concord, and our playground on Everett Street is great. Lot's of people from Acton come. I do know there is a gymboree on 2A in Acton next to rugged bear. There is also a great kids haircutting place there as well.
Good Luck!

Hi Caroline,
I live in Lexington and we go to Acton to the Museum. I just wanted to suggest coming to Lexington play grounds. We have a few of them. There is Lincoln, Central, Bridge school. Great library with lot of activities for kids and on Fridays LEXFUN at the Saint Bridget’s Church for kids under 5. I am not sure if that is helpful.

The Discovery Museums are great, as you've already found. Also check out local libraries. I haven't been to the one in Acton (I live in Littleton), but Littleton, Ayer, and Westford all have nice libraries with children's rooms that have various benefits. The Acton library is on a different library system, but you can of course hang out at libraries even if you don't have a card. You can also attend library programs -- some are free, some are not. I don't know what is available through the Acton library, but check out story times and other activities through the Littleton and Westford libraries, and see what is available in Acton. Every town also has a playground, and I like to visit different ones to add some variety. My mom likes to take my kids to one in Acton with a duck pond (is that the one you found already?). Westford has several playgrounds near the Roudenbush Community Center -- during the day often one or more of them is in use by a preschool, but if no class is out there, you can use it (despite the sign saying you can't) until a class arrives. You can also walk to these playgrounds easily from the Westford library, and your walk takes you right past the fire department. The firefighters are always happy to give tours of the trucks. Littleton has a nice playground (Castle in the Trees) off of Rt. 110 (more or less across from the fire station). Also look into parents groups in Acton. I don't know of any, but it's likely there is one. Littleton has a very active parents group that arranges activities as well as facilitates playgroups. Also check out rec department programs through Acton-Boxborough and Littleton.

Another mom mentioned Perpetual Motion in Lowell. That is indeed a lot of fun, although a bit far for frequent visits. There's also One Stop Fun in Littleton. I like Perpetual Motion a lot better, but One Stop Fun is at least close by. Both are indoor play areas. You can bring your own food to Perpetual Motion but not to One Stop Fun.

Another thing to check out is local apple orchards. Many have additional activities besides apple picking. There is also the Ecotarium in Worcester, and much closer to you there is the Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm, which is excellent. There are lots of animals to see (it's a real working farm) and trails to hike. You might be able to get a discount pass through your library (and check out other passes, too -- many libraries have museum pass programs; I know Littleton and Westford both do).

Littleton is also having a town fair on the common this Saturday. There should be lots of kids' activities.

If you're looking for programs to sign your kids up for, The Little Gym in Littleton is great. It's less expensive than Gymboree in Acton, and the instructors are wonderful.

I hope this helps. Good luck settling in and with the baby! (I've got a 3-year-old and a 23-month-old and am expecting my third in October).

Hi there, neighbor! I'm just next door in Maynard, and off the top of my head at 6:30am here are some places I've discovered with my 6 and 2 year olds:

* A small sand-covered playground on Reo Rd in Maynard
* Rideout Park in Concord includes a playground
* Playground near South Acton train stop
* One Stop Fun in Westford(?)
* Everett St playground in Concord
* Sudbury is re-doing their park on Fairbanks Rd, should open soon
* Couple different playgrounds in Framingham/Wayland I know from childhood, but may be too far out for you?
* Feeding ducks & geese at either the Mill Pond here in Maynard or down on Rt. 20 in Marlboro at the Sudbury Line
* Playground at the Marlboro recreation area

And I'm pretty sure Acton's group is the Acton Family Network, you can also check out First Connections which runs parenting programs for the area.

Welcome again!