Nantasket Beach: Park All Year for $35!

Nantasket Beach Goers - Don't pay $8 - $12 to park every time you want to soak up the sun!  Get a season pass for only $35!

If you don't know, Nantasket Beach in Hull is actually a MA owned DCR park.  What does this mean?  If you have a MA DCR Parks Pass, you can park there for free whenever.  The pass costs you $35 if you are a MA resident.  If you are aged 62 or older - the pass is FREE!  All you have to do is ask for it!

Internet purchasing should premier this spring, but if you want to be ahead of the game, you can mail in your application.  It's easy.  It's quick.  I mailed my in about a month ago and got it the following week.  You can get all the information by CLICKING HERE ON THE DCR PARKS PASS PAGE.

You can also get "free" parking at the following MA state parks and beaches which charge a parking fee.  While you are out exploring all these great state parks this summer with your parking pass, be sure to check out the Parks Passport program.  This is a free program that lets you get a stamp at various state parks.  Kids get a big kick out of "stamping their passport" all over creation.

MassParks Facilities where parking fees are charged and MassParks Passes are available. (Fees listed apply to cars without a ParksPass)

Greater Boston –

Nantasket Beach $7 Get your MassParks Pass at Nantasket Beach Headquarters, 215 Nantasket Avenue, Hull, MA  02045.  (Monday through Friday) beginning May 1, 2013 thru September1, 2013 between 8am and 2pm.
Nahant Beach $3  Get your MassParks Pass at the Eliot House, 1 Eliot Circle in Revere, (Monday through Friday) between 9am and 3pm. 

Southeastern Massachusetts

Borderland SP $2 Parking fees charged Jan – Dec
Demarest Lloyd S.P. $7
Horseneck Beach S.R. $8
Myles Standish S.F., College Pond Area Only $5
South Cape Beach S.P. $7
Scusset Beach S.R. $7

Watson Pond $5

Northeastern Massachusetts

Bradley Palmer S.P. $5
Cochituate SP $5
Great Brook Farm S.P. $2 Parking fees charged Jan – Dec
Halibut Point S.P. $2
Hopkinton S.P. $5
Maudslay S.P. $2 Parking fees charged Jan – Dec
Pearl Hill S.P. $5
Salisbury Beach S.R. $9
Walden Pond S.R. $5
Willard Brook S.F. $5

Central Massachusetts

Blackstone District: 
Douglas S.F. $5
Quinsigamond S.P., Regatta Point $5
Rutland SP, $5
Streeter Point R.A. $5
Wells S.P. $2

Connecticut Valley District
Chicopee S.P. $5
Hampton Ponds S.P. $5
Robinson S.P. $5
Mt. Holyoke Range S.P. $2
Mt. Sugarloaf S.R. $2
Mt. Tom S.R. $2

Quabbin District
Dunn S.P. $5
Erving S.F. $5
Lake Dennison R.A. $5
Lake Wyola S.P. $5
Leominster S.F. $5
Otter River S.F. $5
Wachusett Mtn. S.R. $2
Wendell S.F. $5

Western Massachusetts

Beartown SF, $5
Clarksburg S.P. $5
D.A.R. S.F. $5
Gardner C M $2
Mohawk Trail S.F. $5

Mt. Greylock S.R. $2
Natural Bridge S.P. $2
Pittsfield S.F. $2
Sandisfield S.F. $5
Savoy Mtn. S.F. $5
Tolland S.F. $5
Windsor S.F. $5

Free/Cheap Stuff at Derby Street Shoppes in Hingham

February Vacation on the Cheap: Massachusetts DCR Events

Mass DCR has a bunch of free or cheap (well the Boston Harbor Islands event is a little pricey...) events coming up for February vacation.  So get those kids off the computers and TV and head out for real fun:  NATURE!

Here's all the South Region events:

South

Boston Harbor Islands

30 Shipyard Drive, Hingham

February 16th, 10:00am-2:30pm

Winter Cruise: An Island Fortress at Georges Island

Looking for an outdoor adventure for the whole family?  Look no further!  Come check out Georges Island in the winter.  If it gets too cold outdoors, warm up in the new Visitor Center and enjoy our short film as well as exhibits about the history of the island.  Reservations are strongly recommended, as space is limited.  Visit www.bostonharborislands.org for information and to make reservations.  Groups 10+, call 617-770-0040 x102 for special rates.  Cruise leaves from Quincy Shipyard at 10am, returning at 2:30pm.  Cruise leaves from Long Wharf in Boston at 11:00am, returning at 2:00pm.  All ages welcome.  Tickets cost $20/adult and $15/child.  For accessibility and information, call 781-740-1605 x202.

Waquoit Bay Reserve

149 Waquoit Highway, Waquoit

February 19th, 10:00am-11:30am

Skeletons Inside and Out

Learn all about exoskeletons and skeletons by examining, skulls, bones, X-rays and molts and discover fun facts about arthropods, crustaceans, birds, mammals and more. Together we will explore the beach and woods in search of animal artifacts then create a skeleton craft to take home and share.  Dress for indoor/outdoor exploration.  Program suitable for most ages.  Please meet at Reserve visitor center.  Reasonable accommodations upon request.    For more information or directions, please call 508-457-0495.

February 21st, 10:00am-11:30am

Bunny Trails and Cotton Tails

Meet a live bunny and enjoy stories, crafts and hands-on activities to discover the secret lives of local rabbits. Discover the rare New England Cottontail that researchers are studying within the Reserve and learn how you can help.  Dress for indoor/outdoor exploration.  Program suitable for most ages.  Please meet at Reserve visitor center.  Reasonable accommodations upon request. For more information or directions, please call  508-457-0495.

Borderland State Park

259 Massapoag Ave, North Easton

February 21st, 1:00pm-2:30pm

Animal Tracks, Scat, and Nests

Animal signs tell stories if we know how to read them.  Watch an interactive slide show in the Visitor Center and guess who made the signs.  Afterwards, we will enjoy a hike outdoors searching for wildlife and the signs they left behind for us to discover.  Please dress in warm clothes and winter boots.  Rain, snow storm, or very icy conditions will cancel the outdoor portion of the program.  Please call (508) 866-2580 x 162 for more information.  All ages welcome.  Program meets at the Visitor Center at 259 Massapoag Street in N. Easton.  Program is free; there is a $2 per car parking fee.  For accessibility, program information and for weather cancellation, please call 508-866-2580 x162. 

Massasoit State Park

1361 Middleboro Ave, East Taunton

February 23rd, 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Winter Greens Walk

Join a DCR interpreter for a fun and frosty trek exploring our winter trees, shrubs, and groundcover (if they’re not covered by snow!). We’ll take a hike through the forest, along fields, and near wetlands to learn about Massasoit State Park’s winter greens.  Weather and ground conditions will determine route.  Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy winter footwear. Rain, snow, or icy trails will cancel. Call (508) 866-2580 x162 for more information and for weather cancellation.  All ages welcome.  No strollers, please.  Program meets at the main parking lot at 1361 Middleboro Ave in East Taunton.  For accessibility, program information and for weather cancellation, please call 508-866-2580 x162. 

Things to know before you go!

• All programs are free unless noted. 
• Please be aware parking fees may apply – visit www.mass.gov/dcr/parkspass for applicable parking fees or www.mass.gov/dcr/librarypass  to borrow a ParksPass from a community partner.
• Be season smart and safe.  Dress for the weather.  Bring water and snacks.  Have a map and cell phone.
• Seasonal weather and storms affect parks and trails.  All events, programs and activities are subject to change.  Please take a moment to call ahead to confirm.

Check them all out by CLICKING HERE.  Thanks Mass DCR for all the FREE FUN!

Why I Love Underachievers (and further proof as to why I hate the Boston Red Sox)

Recently, our family visited the Pawtucket Red Sox.  Let's give a big Holla for our friends out in Rhode Island!  Why was this experience a good one?  Because of the price, of course!

I reserved a library pass which allowed us to get 4 tickets for $18 (or $4.50 a ticket).  Since the place was pretty dead, we got to move up and have pretty decent seats.  Had we gone to a Boston Red Sox game, similar seats would have cost us $396 ($99 a ticket).

We got free parking in Pawtucket.  Had we gone to Boston, we probably would have taken the T, which would have cost us $7 to park at the T station about about $8 for both the husband and I to ride back and forth (kids are free on the T).  So $15 for transportation.  But to keep it even with Pawtucket, it would cost about $30 to park in the city.

Hot Dogs at Pawtucket were $2.50 each.  They are $7 in Boston.

A soda cost me $2.50 in Pawtucket.  We got 2.  I can only assume this would cost about $4 or more at Fenway.

We got 2 hot cocoas for the kids at $1.50 each.  Again, not sure if Fenway even sells hot cocoa and if they did, it would probably be $3 or more.

Total cost of our Minor League excursion:  $36 


Total approximate cost had we gone to Boston:  $468

Picking Minor League over Major League is an approximate savings of 92%.

There are Minor League teams all over Massachusetts to enjoy baseball fun, but at reasonable prices:

Lowell Spinners
Brockton Rox
Pittsfield Colonials
Worcester Tornados

If you are near the Cape or will be traveling there this summer, the Cape Cod Baseball League provides FREE games!  For real.  They ask for donations, so yeah, throw a few bucks in there.

There is also the New England Collegiate Baseball League.  I think their games are free.  My heart belongs to the Keene Swampbats.

So go!  Support the underachievers - your wallet will thank you.

Cheap Book Alert: Library Book Sale!

Have you ever been to a Library Book Sale?  They are awesome.  Books range from .10 cents to $2.  Weymouth's Tufts Library is having one today from 9am-4pm.  I think this one is just paperbacks.  Anyways, the library sells off old books and donations to make money for their "Friends of the Library" fund that help do something or other for the library.

Other towns have them from time to time.  I think Weymouth usually has one about every 3 to 4 months.  I once picked up about 22 books at one of these events and it was like $3 for all of them.  Craziness I tell you.

Free & Cheap Things to Do During February Vacation

It's February Vacation!  Yahoo!  Need some free/cheap things to do?  I know there are a ton of other things to do with the wee little ones around the South Shore - but I tried to focus mostly on the free/really cheap ones.  

General

Visit a Library

Visit a State Park

Check out the USS Constitution

Go Ice Skating at a DCR Rink

Go Ice Skating at Hidden Pond at Derby Street Shoppes (Free)

Try out the Commuter Ferry! ($6 each trip, kids 11 & under ride free)

Sign the kids up for Weymouth Recreation's Day Camp ($14 per 4 hour time slot or $28 for 8+ hours - go 1 day, go all 5 - the choice is yours!)

Visit Bass Pro Shops in Foxboro - this place is amazing!  They're having a free Boat Show the weekend of the 18th & 19th.  Free kids activities from 1pm-3pm. 

Visit Ikea!  Usually there are some events during vacation.  They aren't posted yet. 

Go to a Playground!  Snowing?  Just put the snowsuit on the kids - they'll have a blast.

Stay at home and RELAX!


Date Specific

2/17,  5pm-9pm  -  $1 Friday Nights at the Boston Children Museum

2/21, 11:00am  -  Storytime (& mini movie) with SpongeBob at Showcase Cinema de Lux at Patriot Place in Foxboro

2/21, 10am-12pm  -  Kid skating at Quincy Youth Arena.  $5 per person.  Must have own skates & helmet.

2/21, 10:30 am  -  Malik the Magician at the Crane Library in Quincy.  Free.

2/21 - 2/24, 1:00pm-2:30pm  -  Adams National Park:  "PRESIDENTS, PATRIOTS, AND PASTIMES"

2/21, 2:00pm  -  Dolphin Tale movie at Hingham Library.  Free.

2/22, 10am-8pm  -  Tabletop Game Day.  Board Games out all day at the Crane Library in Quincy.  Free.

2/22, 2:00pm  -  Tangled movie at Hingham Library.  Free.

2/22, 2:00pm  -  Magic Show at Tufts Library in Weymouth.  Free (register online)

2/22, 7:00pm  -  PJ Storytime at Hingham Library.  Free.

2/23, 1:00pm  -  Winter Wildlife Meet & Greet with the DCR & Mass Audubon

2/24, 2:30pm  -  Kung Fu Panda II at the Crane Library in Quincy.  Free.

2/24,  5pm-9pm  -  $1 Friday Nights at the Boston Children Museum

2/25, 10am  -  Lowe's Build & Grow

Most of my more "specific" events are in Quincy, Weymouth & Hingham.  365 Things to Do South Shore, South Shore Mamas & South Shore Kids offers a lot more info for towns south of us up here in "Great Northern South Shore".   If you're looking for other ideas check out these sites/blogs:

365 Things To Do South Shore - February Vacation

South Shore Kids 

South Shore Mamas

Family Friendly Boston

Boston Central

Free & Cheap things to do February Vacation (with the kids)

**This is a little updated.  Reposting in case you are starting to fill your calendars for next week.  Will repost on Friday with more stuff.""


Need some ideas to entertain your kids during February vacation?  Well I provided some for you.  I live in Weymouth - so this is probably going to be a little "northern South Shorey".  Whatever.  South Shore Pride!  I'll add to this during the week the republish later in the week. 

February Vacation starts around 3pm on February 17th so here are some things you can do that are cheap or free with the kids.

General

Visit a Library

Visit a State Park

Check out the USS Constitution

Go Ice Skating at a DCR Rink

Go Ice Skating at Hidden Pond at Derby Street Shoppes (Free)

Try out the Commuter Ferry! ($6 each trip, kids 11 & under ride free)

Sign the kids up for Weymouth Recreation's Day Camp ($14 per 4 hour time slot or $28 for 8+ hours - go 1 day, go all 5 - the choice is yours!)

Visit Bass Pro Shops in Foxboro - this place is amazing!  They're having a free Boat Show the weekend of the 18th & 19th.  Free kids activities from 1pm-3pm. 

Visit Ikea!  Usually there are some events during vacation.  They aren't posted yet. 

Go to a Playground!  Snowing?  Just put the snowsuit on the kids - they'll have a blast.

Stay at home and RELAX!


Date Specific

2/17,  5pm-9pm  -  $1 Friday Nights at the Boston Children Museum

2/21, 11:00am  -  Storytime (& mini movie) with SpongeBob at Showcase Cinema de Lux at Patriot Place in Foxboro

2/21, 10am-12pm  -  Kid skating at Quincy Youth Arena.  $5 per person.  Must have own skates & helmet.

2/21, 10:30 am  -  Malik the Magician at the Crane Library in Quincy.  Free.

2/21 - 2/24, 1:00pm-2:30pm  -  Adams National Park:  "PRESIDENTS, PATRIOTS, AND PASTIMES"

2/21, 2:00pm  -  Dolphin Tale movie at Hingham Library.  Free.

2/22, 10am-8pm  -  Tabletop Game Day.  Board Games out all day at the Crane Library in Quincy.  Free.

2/22, 2:00pm  -  Tangled movie at Hingham Library.  Free.

2/22, 2:00pm  -  Magic Show at Tufts Library in Weymouth.  Free (register online)

2/22, 7:00pm  -  PJ Storytime at Hingham Library.  Free.

2/23, 1:00pm  -  Winter Wildlife Meet & Greet with the DCR & Mass Audubon

2/24, 2:30pm  -  Kung Fu Panda II at the Crane Library in Quincy.  Free.

2/24,  5pm-9pm  -  $1 Friday Nights at the Boston Children Museum

2/25, 10am  -  Lowe's Build & Grow

KidToons: Dino Dan ($3.50 tickets - FREE for Popcorn Club Members)

Dino Dan is coming to Kid Toons this weekend (January 14-15).

South Shore locations in Randolph, Foxboro & Dedham.

Show times are 12pm on both Saturday and Sunday.  All tickets are only $3.50!  But if you are a Popcorn Club member (I am!), then tickets are FREE for the Popcorn Club members.  Well my kids are members, I am not.

Adams National Park: Quincy (get in FREE!)

This coming weekend is Free Entrance Days at National Parks.  Now there are about 100 national parks that charge fees to get in.  Then there are just under 400 parks that NEVER CHARGE FEES.  Get your cheap butt to a National Park today!

Well Adams National Park in Quincy (South Shore representing!) is usually $5 a pop to get in.  But this weekend, go for Free!  All the details of Adams National Park are on this LINK HERE.

Free Entrance Days are valid January 14-16 this year.

FREE FUN REMINDER: LIBRARIES!

Libraries rock.  They are free - well only if you pay by the rules.  I'm always a day or late over due with books so I usually have to cough up anywhere from .40 cents to about 2 bucks every now and then.

They are chocked full of events these days, are starting to expand their Kindle downloads (which are free), and usually have more than just books to entertain the wee little ones.

Find your local South Shore Library by visiting THIS LINK at the Old Colony Library Network site.

$4 off EACH ticket at Edaville with Canned Good Donation

Christmas is right around the corner, so why not bring the whole family down to Edaville USA and enjoy some holiday fun. Enjoy a magical 2 mile train ride with Christmas lights strewn around the route, 12 amusement rides, kids play area's and most importantly meet Santa! Open daily now through January 1st (Closed Christmas Day). December 23rd, 26th-30th and January 1st we are open from Christmas Festival of Lights. Polar Express is sold out except for December 31st. With over 7 million Christmas lights, Edaville has one of the largest light displays in New England. From now until January 1st you can enjoy the enjoy the following special promotions.

Check out these great Specials!

$4 off each ticket when your bring a canned good

Valid Monday through Thursday only

The Christmas season is a time for giving, and the Carver Food Pantry is having one of its busiest seasons ever.

As it has in the past, Edaville USA has decided to pitch in this year by reinstating its food drive for 2012. Just bring a can of food to donate to the Carver Food Pantry and receive $4 off admission to the park. This offer is valid Monday through Thursday, Dec. 26-29.

Ticket prices are $18 pp for people 2-64.  Kids and seniors are free!

Go See a Movie - $5 All Day in Hingham!

Want to see a movie?  Don't pay an arm & a leg! 

The Hingham Shipyard's Patriot Cinemas offers $5 movie tickets ALL DAY on Tuesdays.  Just a little tidbit if you are thinking of checking out a movie with the kids this summer before the whole back to school frenzy starts.

Can't do Tuesdays?  Go early!  EVERY show before 6 pm on ALL DAYS are only $6. 

For more information, go to their website HINGHAM SHIPYARD PATRIOT CINEMAS!

Free Fun Tonight: Quincy Wollaston Beach 6pm-8pm

Taken from the Friends of Wollaston Beach Facebook Page:

Dancing in The Park is this Tuesday (TONIGHT) from 6-8pm at the Park on Quincy Shore Drive @ Sachem St/E Elm Ave. Radio Disney DJ K9 will be playing music and games, giving out prizes, having fun.... Free Slush and FacePainting... Hope to See You There and Please Help to Spread the Word. Thanks! Neil McCole FWB President


Many thanks to the FWB for putting on great events for the kiddies in the summer!

Family Fun Day - July 23 1pm-3pm in Weymouth!

Family Fun Day

Saturday, July 23

541 Main Street, Boston Children's Physicians South at Stetson Medical Center

For more information, go to:  www.childrenshospital.org/south

Free Family Fun Day at the new specialty care center in Weymouth!

Activities will include:

- Teddy Bear Clinic - kids bring their teddy bears for check-ups

- Carnival games

- Bumper boats

- A giant inflatable slide

- Radio Disney

- Car sear fittings

- Free bike helmets and fittings (while supplies last)

- Face painting

- Refreshments



Thanks for the info Lynne!

FREE SUMMER EVENT: Bookworm Wednesdays at National Amusements!

Every Wednesday from July 6 - August 10, National Amusements has free movies for kids who complete a book report.  I have no idea if parents get in for free - I read the fine print - but couldn't see anything. 

National Amusements has locations in Dedham, Randolph, Lowell, Lawrence, Attleboro, Foxboro, Worcester, Woburn, Revere, & Millbury.  For a complete list of participating theaters - including those in CT, RI, NY & OHIO - CLICK HERE. 

I guess all the book reports get put into a drawing and the grand prize is a movie pack filled with tickets (8 to be exact) - with 26 grand prizes - one at each theater. 

The first one starts tomorrow - so get cracking at reading some books and filling out the report!  For more information, CLICK HERE.  Thanks National Amusements!

Boston Harbor Islands FREE Events!

The Boston Harbor Islands are sponsoring some "free" events this summer for the kids.  You do have to pay the ferry fee to get there - but a small price to pay to enjoy the nature and beauty that is the Boston Harbor Islands. 

Toddler Tuesdays On Grape Island -  Every Tuesday at 11am in the months of July & August.  Leave the Hingham Shipyard at 10:10.  Arrive at Grape Island in time for the hour long program designed for toddlers.  You can bring lunch and catch the 1pm ferry home.  The MBTA site for the fare is a little confusing.  Usually a trip from Hingham to Boston is $6.00.  But they say the inner island ferry ticket is $1.70.  I would think the fare to Grape Island is $1.70 - but it could be $6.00.  I have zero idea.  Maybe someone reading this who knows could comment.  Boston Harbor Islands also has a detailed list of how to get where you need to go by clicking HERE.  You can transfer to Spectacle Island from Grape Island if using the Quincy line. 

Toe Jam Puppet - On Georges Island.  Sunday 7/31 at 12pm & 2pm. 

Toddler Tuesdays on Spectacle Island -  Every Tuesday in July & August at 10:30.  Ferry departs from Boston's Long Wharf. 

ReadBoston Storymobile - Wednesday June 29th and Wednesday, August 17th at 12:30 on Spectacle Island.  Every kid receives a free book!

Make A Mosaic - 6/22, 6/23, 6/29, 6/30 at 2pm on Spectacle Island.  Join their recyclable art program, where they use materials found on the Island's beach to create pictures, portraits, mosaics, and murals. Your creation could end up on display in our Visitor Center!


Catch the Science Bug - Thursday July 14th at 11am on Spectacle Island.  Catch the Science Bug Programs feature hands-on activities and/or interactive presentations that involve the audience through demonstrations, quiz games, and questions.



So those are just some of the events going on there this summer.  Check out the entire schedule by clicking HERE. 
Many thanks to Mass DCR and the Harbor Islands for these events!

Summer Sensation at Patriot Place - FREE Events all Summer Long!

Starting June 27th, join Patriot Place this summer for FREE family activities each day!  The have button making, charactatures (spelling?), and lots more! 

Check out the entire schedule HERE.

I have added this to my Free Summer Fun post as well - so if you are looking for free summer fun in the Northern South Shore area - check THIS POST out!

The Discovery Museums in Acton! FREE ADMISSION THIS FRIDAY!

Hey there!  I've come out of the blogging hole to let you know about a FREE Museum night at Acton's Discovery Museums! 

The Discovery Museums is located on Main St. in Acton, MA.  They are having FREE admission this Friday (June 18th) from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm. Can't make it this Friday?  They are having 1/2 price Friday nights for the month of June!  Starting every Friday night at 4:30, bring along a picnic dinner and put the kids in their PJs - the museum will stay open until 9 pm and you get in for 1/2 off!  Wooohooo! 

While there, if you really love it, you can buy a family membership for only $110 a year (there is a 2 person membership that is only $80 as well).  The best part of the membership (besides getting into The Discovery Museums any time you want) is that you can visit Boston's Childrens' Museum, the Children's Museum in Easton and the one in Mashpee.  There are also like 165 other Children's Museums on the reciprocal list all over the country - but those are the noteworthy ones in the area. 

So go!  Have some free fun with your kids this Friday night!

Want a Valentine's Day Bargain? Start a New Tradition!

So with Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I just wanted to share something we do that's a little different, probably a little impersonal, but extra fun and sort of a bargain.  Instead of giving everyone hearts for Valentine's Day, we go up to CVS on the 15th (Hearts are 50% off) and we all pick out our own heart (well I don't - because I'm not a big chocolate fan and I just mooch off my family).  The kids get excited because they get a heart with a cartoon on it.  The husband is excited because he just grabs the biggest heart he can find.  Sentimental and all nice?  No.  Fun?  Heck yeah!