Moms Can-Do’s: Music Classes + More

Tuesday, January 07, 2014

Michelle Johnstone, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Budding rock stars can show off their pipes this week at The Rhody Center. Photo: Randen Pederson

Moms of little ones—from toddlers to elementary schoolers—looking for fun things to do during the week? Creative spots for last-minute outings? Fun events, especially for little ones? We'll bring you our 5 favorites in the region every Tuesday, and they're all within an hour's drive of home. Checkout this week's January fun.

Music!

If you want to get your kiddos involved in music or dance but want to try before you buy, look no further than The Rhody Center in Pawtucket. From January 5-January 11, they will be hosting their first annual January drop-in week. For $10, your little ones will have the chance to try out one of the center’s classes, ranging from musical theatre, to music for toddlers, and more!

172 Exchange Street Unit 201, Pawtucket, RI. (401) 475-5995.

Puppets!

Take your kids to a family friendly show at Ocean State Theatre in Warwick this Saturday! The Toe Jam Puppet Band out of New Bedford specializes in completely hands-on entertainment for kids and kids-at-heart. Enjoy a fun-filled day of dancing, song, puppetry, and so much more.

1245 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, RI. (401) 921-1777.

Garden!

Check out winter's feathered friends at the Garden Discovery Program this week!

There is no better place for Central MA moms and their little ones to spend their Wednesday mornings than Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston. This is because of their Garden Discovery Program, which is designed just for kids ages 3-5. Kids will enjoy a draft with a story-time before they venture outside for a nature walk. This Wednesday, the theme is “Winter Birds”!

11 French Drive, Boylston, MA. (508) 869-6111.

Animals!

Every Wednesday, head over to the EcoTarium to enjoy some hands on fun—just for kids under 3! Preschool and Toddler Wednesdays feature a story-time, a supervised craft, and best of all: the opportunity to meet a live animal!

222 Harrington Way, Worcester, MA. (508) 929-2700.

Winter Fun!

Celebrate the chill of winter and all of the snowy fun that comes with it! This Thursday, take the trip to Weaver Library in East Providence for a winter celebration complete with song, dance, and more! Sing and dance the snow out of the sky, and enjoy wintery stories...perfect for kids under 8.

41 Grove Avenue, East Providence, RI. (401) 434-2453.

Related Slideshow: Post-Holiday Activities

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Ice Skating

Celebrate the beauty of the winter season and head out to do some ice skating. Every Thursday until February, take a trip to the Worcester Common Oval from 12:00-2:00 pm for a $2 lunchtime skate. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, head to the indoor Buffone Skating Arena on Friday night for their Lights out DJ Skate from 8:10 pm.

Buffone: 284 Lake Avenue, Worcester, MA. (508) 798-3674.

Worcester Common Oval: 455 Main Street, Worcester, MA. (508) 929-0777.

Photo: Mass Office of Travel & Tourism/Flickr

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Winter Farmer's Market

Head to the Crompton Collective on Green Street for a winter-style farmer’s market. The market is spread out over 8,000 square feet and includes fresh produce, coffee, beautiful antiques, handmade items, and so much more. If you haven’t checked it out yet, definitely do!

138 Green Street, Worcester, MA. (508) 753-7303.

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Woodland Magic

Escape the sometimes dreary days of winter with a trip to Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston. Up until January 5 (excluding New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day) check out Holly Days: Woodland Magic at Tower Hill Botanic Garden. Even after the holidays have passed this great exhibit is still a must-see, featuring thousands of colorful lights and lots of woodland themed, nature inspired ornaments.

11 French Drive, Boylston, MA. (508) 869-6111.

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Sledding

What says winter more than a good old fashioned sledding session? Worcester and surrounding areas are blessed with several great hills to slide down—so much so that they have become family traditions. Try Worcester’s Green Hill Park for fun free sledding, or Ski Ward in Shrewsbury for a steeper tubing experience.

Green Hill: 50 Skyline Drive, Worcester, MA. (508) 799-1190.

Ski Ward: 1000 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA. (508) 842-6346.

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Bowling

Escape the chill of winter and enjoy some candlepin bowling, which was invented in 1880 in Worcester. Try your hand at this true New England spin on a family classic at Colonial Bowling Center on Mill Street or Bayberry Bowling Center in Spencer.

Colonial Bowling: 248 Mill Street, Worcester, MA.

Bayberry Bowling: 326 Main Street, Spencer, MA. (508) 885-4876.

Photo: Lisa Clarke/Flickr

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Salisbury Mansion

Enjoy some wintertime peace today or tomorrow as you experience the Worcester treasure that is Salisbury Mansion by candlelight as part of their Home for the Holidays exhibit. From 4:30-6:30 pm, you and your family are invited to the mansion to see period rooms decked out in holiday cheer reminiscent of the 1860s-1960s for a chance to see the evolution of holiday celebrations at the mansion throughout the decades.

30 Elm Street, Worcester, MA. (508) 753-8278.

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Reminisce

Ring in the new year whilst not forgetting years gone by with the Worcester Historical Museum. Their current exhibit, Worcester in the 1960s, celebrates a decade of radical change in Worcester’s history. Learn about civil unrest, urban renewal, fashion, peace protests, and more that were so much a part of Worcester in the ‘60s.

30 Elm Street, Worcester, MA. (508) 753-8278.

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Indoor Games

Check out The Sprinkler Factory’s latest exhibit: Indoor Games! Every Saturday until January 28, head down for free hot chocolate and a look at some great local art. The theme, Indoor Games, pays homage to indoor creativity that erupts during the cold winter months when the outdoors is all but off-limits.

38 Harlow Street, Worcester, MA.

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Theatre

Get out of the house and enjoy a great theatrical performance at the Hanover Theatre. January 2-5, Sister Act will be making an appearance to be remembered. Use your WOO Card for a 10% discount!

2 Southbridge Street, Worcester, MA. (877) 571-SHOW.

Photo: Mass office of Travel & Tourism/flickr

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Winter Sports

Pack your snow shoes or cross country skis, grab a friend, and hop onto one of the sections of the 104-mile long Mass Central Rail Trail, with presence in 24 local communities. The Rail Trail is built atop an old railroad line that was destroyed by a hurricane in 1938, and today serves as an all season recreational hub.