Moms Can-Do’s: Gingerbread House Workshop + More

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Michelle Johnstone, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Take your child to learn how to become a master of gingerbread house making this week at WPL. Photo: Kona Gallagher/Flickr

Hey, moms! Looking for fun things to do during the week? Creative spots for last-minute outings? Fun events especially for toddlers and elementary schoolers? We'll bring you our 5 favorites in the region every Tuesday, and they're all within an hour's drive of home. Check out this week's Christmas fun!

Gingerbread Houses!

This Thursday at 2:30pm, head to the Worcester Public Library’s Children’s Room for their Gingerbread House Workshop! Kids ages 6-12 are invited to make and decorate their very own gingerbread house to take home. Leave the mess at the library and still have fun together working on a holiday tradition! Pre-registration is required; call the library to sign up. 3 Salem Square, Worcester, MA.

Music!

Join other area families in a fun holiday sing-a-long in Johnston! The Marian J. Mohr Memorial Library is hosting “Holiday Songs with Mr. Rowland,” a drop-in, multi-denominational musical event this Wednesday at 10:30am. Kids of all ages are invited to come to the library and participate in the celebration of the holiday season by dancing, singing, and playing musical instruments. This is a free drop-In event that is sure to take the pressure off the stresses of the holidays for the kids—and you! 1 Memorial Avenue, Johnston, RI. (401) 231-4980.

Holiday Crafts!

Here's one for the Christmas tree! Create fun seaside treasures this week at the Biomes Marine Biology Center in North Kingstown.

Take the kids to Biomes Marine Biology Center in North Kingstown this Wednesday at 5:30pm for a fun seaside holiday craft! Make handsome shell impression ornaments and whimsical ornament bulbs filled with local sand and shells. Pre-registration is required, so reserve your spot today. Happy crafting! 6640 Post Road, North Kingstown, RI. (401) 885-4690.

Stories!

Every Friday from 11-11:45am, the Worcester Art Museum hosts a special Children’s Story Time for pre-schoolers—and it’s free with museum admission! This week, take your little ones to the museum for Yoko’s Paper Cranes by Rosemary Wells. After the story, explore the museum and grab a bite to eat at the Museum Cafe. 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA. (508) 799-4406.

Movies!

This Wednesday at 3:30pm, take the trip to the Riverside Branch of the East Providence Public Library for a free screening of a movie synonymous with the holiday season—the classic animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The event is open to all and will keep the kiddos laughing the whole way through. 475 Bullocks Point Avenue, Riverside, RI. (401) 433-4877.

Related Slideshow: 2013 Gift Guide: Local Gifts Under $25

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Educational Toys

Are you looking for an educational gift for that special child on your list? You need not look any further than the line of educational toys manufactured by HapeInternational, a leading maker of high quality wooden and environmentally friendly toys. From their clever balance boat to their color flutter butterfly magnetic maze toy, Hape offers a variety of educational toys to suit your child’s needs.

Price: $24.99

Buy it from: Button Tree Kids, 1102 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA.

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Artist Starter Kit

Do you have any budding artists on your Christmas list? Why not help nurture their gift by getting them Watercolor Button Blossoms Kit made by Faber-Castell. The kit includes five Art GRIP Watercolor Color Pencils, a black Multimark Pen to add details, six sheets of watercolor paper, and an assortment of buttons.

Price: $24.95

Buy it from: C.C. Lowell, 258 Park Avenue, Worcester, MA.

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Vinyl Albums

Do you have a music fan on your list who prefers analog over digital? Well, you’re in luck because Joe’s Albums in Worcester offers an array of vinyls to satisfy even the most discerning music lover—many of which are priced starting at $5.50.

Price: $5.50 and up

Buy it from: Joe’s Albums, 1124 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01602

Photo: Flickr/The Seafarer

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Pommes Frites Candles

Nothing says the holidays like the warm fragrance of a new candle. Handmade in California, Pommes Frites Candles come in a variety of scents that are sure please the senses.

Price: $20

Buy it from: Seed to Stem, 174 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, MA.

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Comic Books

That’s Entertainment in Worcester offers a huge selection of new comic books ranging from mainstream titles to harder to find independent ones—with most starting under $5. Perhaps that special someone on your list wants a rare back issue. Well don’t worry because That’s Entertainment has those too.

Price: $3.99 and up

Buy it from: That’s Entertainment, 244 Park Avenue, Worcester, MA.

Photo: Flickr/Sam Howzit

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Flowers

Buying flowers can often be an expensive ordeal, but it doesn’t have to be. Danielson Flowers offers a Poinsettia Christmas arrangement that looks beautiful and won’t break the bank.

Price: $25

Where to buy: Danielson Flowers, 660 Main Street Shrewsbury, MA.

Photo: Flickr/Marit & Tomas Hinnosaar

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Organic Baby Toys

Organic living isn’t just about food anymore. Thanks to Dandelion, your child can enjoy the benefits of organic living this holiday season with a new organic plush toy. Machine washable and made FSC certified bamboo, Dandelion’s line of plush toys will ensure that that special child in your life has a fun and safe holiday season.

Price: $19.99 to $24.99

Buy it from: Wild Orchid Baby, 490 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, MA.

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Boxed Chocolates

Who doesn’t like getting a box of chocolates for Christmas? Colonial Candies in Bolton offers a wide selection of boxed chocolates perfect for the holiday season. And what’s more, all of Colonial’s chocolates are handmade.

Price: $12.95 and up

Where to buy: Colonial Candies, 47 Sugar Road, Bolton, MA.

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Anne Taintor Coasters

Liven up your holiday party with some humorous paper coasters with just the appropriate amount of irreverence. Each pack comes with six coasters - two per style.

Price: $5.50

Where to buy: Bhadon Gift Gallery, 1075 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA.

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Handmade Ornaments

Make it a holiday that your family and friends will never forget by giving them a personalized ornament. Available through Rustic Craft of Fitchburg, these one-of-a-kind ornaments are carved from natural birch branch and can be customized to say whatever you wish.

Price: $14 to $18

Where to buy: rusticcraftdesigns.com

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Handcrafted Candles

Based in Sturbridge, Mole Hollow Candles makes beautiful hand-dipped taper candles, hand-poured votive candles, beeswax candles, pillar candles, and much more.

Price: $22.95 and up (sold in bulk)

Where to buy: Mole Hollow Candles, 208 Charlton Road, Sturbridge, MA.

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Personalized Chocolates

Based in Ashburnham, the Chocolate Canvas prints full color edible photos, logos and text onto delicious kosher certified milk and dark chocolate, or Belgian truffles. Not only are they delicious, but when they’re personalized, they’re unforgettable. Specialized chocolates are available for both Christmas and Chanukah.

Price: Starting at $0.99

Where to buy: thechocolatecanvas.com