STORY TIME

Barnes & Noble Story Times
Mon 10AM Peabody
Tues 10:30AM Burlington
Thurs. 10:30AM Saugus
Friday 6:30PM Burlington & Saugus
Friday 7:00PM Peabody
Call stores for character dates as they change monthly.

Borders Story Times
Every Saturday the Borders on Route 114 in Peabody and at Wayside Commons in Burlington offers a children’s story at 10:30AM.

Pottery Barn Kids, Burlington Mall
Story time every Tuesday from 10-10:30

Reading Public Library
Peter Sheridan shares his repertoire of children’s music. No sign up is necessary. Infant & toddler sing-a-long will be offered at 10:15AM

Children ages 2 - 4 can drop in for story time Monday from 9:30-10am.  You can also register your child for age specific story times, or "Mother Goose lapsits" for kids under 2 years old.  Registration is required.  Please call the Children's Room at 781-942-6705 for more information, or visit the Reading Public Library website: www.readingpl.org.

 

INDOOR PLAY PLACES

IMAJINEthat is a unique 12,000 square foot interactive educational playspace. At IMAJINEthat, families can create and learn together in a safe and educational way. IMAJINEthat's "Imajination Stations" include a child sized grocery store, a stuffed animal hospital, a HUGE dinosaur climbing structure, and an arts and crafts area, just to name a few!  Visit their website for additional information or call 978.682.5338 or www.imajinethat.com.

Jump On In in Woburn offers open play every Monday from 10:30 – 12PM. Admission is on a first come first serve basis with a maximum of 25 children. Cost is $8 per child and parents must stay. For more information, call 781.939.5867 or www.jumponinfun.com/

Gym Street USA, Rte 38 in Wilmington offers open play every Thursday and Friday from 9:30 – 11AM. They have two rooms of bounce houses for all ages and an on sight snack bar. Cost is $7.00 per child. For more information, call 978.694.9678 or www.gymstreetusa.com.

The Klubhouse is located in Woburn and is geared towards kids newborn through 10 years of age.  Bounce houses, riding toy race track, craft room and separate toddler room will keep your children entertained and free wi-fi and food and drink may be brought in.  There is also an on-site snack shack.  Website: www.theklubhouse.com.

Mall tots program for kids 0-5 from 9am to 8 pm everyday, Sundays 10-6 at the Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers.  The cost is $8 for a child, $3 each additional child per family for an all day pass.  Website: www.malltots.com

Reading Gymnastics is located on 172 Woburn Street, Reading, MA.  They offer playgym for tots 1-3 years of age, and have the Jr. Gymnast program for ages 3-5.  For schedule and pricing call 781-944-2277.  www.readinggymnastics.com

 

Burbank YMCA: Drop-In-Gym on Wednesdays from 11:00 - 11:45am.  Cost is $5 for non-members, and $3 for members (per child). www.ymcaboston.org/burbank

 

 

ENRICHMENT

Michele's Music School provides Music and Movement for Toddler, Pre-School and Elementary Children.  Music and Movement classes include: singing; movement; music theory; sound stories; and instrument workshop.  Piano, flute, voice and recorder lessons are also available for ages 4 through adult.  For more information about class offerings contact the school at 781.944.1457 or www.michelesmusicschool.com.

 

Create and Celebrate, 471 Essex St, Saugus offers drop in play every Friday from 10AM – 1PM. Perfect for families with children ages 0-5, spend quality time creating and socializing! They provide smocks and a variety of age-appropriate supplies to explore: collage material, clay, paints, brushes, stamps, stencils, chalk, beads, legos and more. $ 5.00 per family drop-in charge per session.

Home Depot Kids Clinic - Designed for kids 5 - 12, these free workshops teach do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while instilling a sense of accomplishment.  Offered on the first Saturday of EVERY month between 9AM and noon at The Home Depot.

Lowes Build and Grow Clinics designed for kids 5 - 12.  Offered the second Saturday of every month between 9AM and noon at Lowe's.  Call store for details.
 

DINING OUT IDEAS

DAY TRIPS

• The Stone Zoo, located at 149 Pond St., Stoneham, features a new Touchable Barnyard, with domestic farm animals including sheep, goats and miniature horses. Former zoo exhibits have been replaced with new updated habitats. Hours: Oct. 1-March 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for children ages 2-15 and $2.50 for senior citizens. For information call (781) 438-5100.
• Endicott Park in Danvers offers a large playground, animal farm and nature hiking path. Picnic tables are available throughout the grounds. Bathrooms and soda machines can be found in the main building. Parking is $2 to $3 for non-Danvers residents.
• The Boston Children's Museum, 300 Congress St., Boston, is open Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday until 9 p.m. Exhibits include Construction Zone!, for children ages 4-10; the New Balance Climb, and Kidstage, featuring participatory plays. Kidstage shows take place Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m., Friday, 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 6:15 and 7:15 p.m.; and Saturday/Sunday, 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. For more information call the museum's What's Up? line at (617)426-8855; or visit online at www.BostonKids.org.
• Minute Man National Historical Park, 174 Liberty St., Concord. (978) 369-6993, (617) 484-6156, North Bridge Visitor Center; Minute Man Visitor center and "Minuteman", statue; North Bridge, where "the shot heard 'round the world" was fired;, exhibits, tours, and talks.
• Explore Walden Pond and its surroundings with a park interpreter Saturdays at 9 a.m. through Nature Walks for Families. Walks are approximately 1 hour, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Wear walking shoes and bring insect repellent. Meet in front of headquarters building, Walden Pond State Reservation. For information, call (978) 369-3254. Walks are free, but parking is $2.
• The Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Drumlin Farm allows the whole family to experience life on a working New England farm, complete with pigs, horses, cows, and more. Take a hayride along the farmyard trail and enjoy the sights and sounds of farm animals and baby animals in season Stop by the Audubon Shop before you leave and pick up something special to remind you of your visit. Special programs held daily. Hours March through October: Tuesday through Sunday, and Monday holidays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drumlin Farm is located on South Great Road, Lincoln. Call -781-259-9807
• The Butterfly Place in Weston, MA is an indoor living environment which has been carefully designed for the propagation and development of some of nature’s most colorful living creations. This wonderful man-made habitat is contained within a 3,100 sq. ft. glass atrium building towering to a height of over 27 ft. at its peak. Within this atrium’s living butterfly environment can be found a variety of colorful plants and shrubs, each of which has been selected as a source of nectar for the butterflies.
• The Freedom Trail in Boston - See the historic sites that make Boston one of the most interesting historic cities in the country. Visit their website to take a virtual tour before you go and to find out about guided tours.

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