Moms Can-Do’s: Summer Evening At The Park + More

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Monica White, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Music, movies, food, demos...are you convinced yet? After this evening in the park, you'll have no trouble getting your kiddo to go to bed.

Introducing Moms Can-Do's, a GoLocal weekly feature sponsored by Southwick's Zoo, for 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.

Check out this week's mid-summer fun.

Festival fun!

Spend a summer evening with your little one this Saturday at the Nathaniel Thayer Memorial Park. This free event for all ages will feature live music, Fireman's BBQ, an outdoor movie showing of crowdpleaser Madagascar 3, a mini-firetruck show, and more. Parents and families are encouraged to bring their favorite games and outdoor toys for open play. July 20th, 5pm. Nathaniel Thayer Park (behind Thayer Memorial Library), 39 Harvard Rd., Lancaster, MA.

The Fantastic Umbrella Factory!

Okay, so it's not actually a factory, and you're probably not likely to find any umbrellas around. But this South County treasure is perfect ground for a day of wandering. The eclectic property's features are sure to entertain both you and the kids. Enjoy several gardens of beautiful perrenial plants, flowers, and greenhouses. You can browse an array of fun little craft and apparel stores, and your child can make some new friends–the Factory is home to two goats, three emus, and a bunch of ducks! Getting hungry? Stop into the café for a dish for every palate. 4820 Old Post Rd., Charlestown, RI. (401) 354-1060. Click here for hours and more info.

Hot Air Balloons!

This Rhody favorite is a must-see. The South County Hot Air Balloon Festival will take place over three days–July 19, 20, and 21–and aside from (of course) featuring some super cool hot air balloons, the 35th annual festival will include a wild animal show, a carnival, train rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, "The Cannon Lady," an awesome display of kite-flying, and the RI State BBQ Championships, just to name a few of the myriad attractions. To top it off, there will be a fireworks display on July 20 at 9pm! Admission to the festival is $10, $5 for kids 14 and under, and $25 for families of four. URI Athletic fields, 500 Plains Rd., Kingston, RI.

Magic!

Watch magician and juggler Scott Jameson perform amazing feats before your eyes! This family show has received rave reviews, from having the audience laughing out loud to sitting on the edge of their seats in suspense. Umbrellas will be plucked from thin air, a drawing will come to life, basketballs will be spun and juggled, and the audience will travel through time. Check out the details here. Can't wait? Get a taste of the action here. July 21, 3-4pm. Gore Place, 52 Gore St., Waltham, MA. (781) 894-2798.

Pawtuxet Village!

Just looking to get out of the house for a bit? Head to the quaint Pawtuxet Village and explore! The town boasts water views at Pawtuxet Cove, small shops, restaurants, and cafés, the peaceful Pawtuxet Park, and of course, the newly-renovated Village Playground on Commerical Street. You can rest assured that it's fenced in, clean, and shady–lest you melt in the heat–but you might have to put in a little work to get your child to leave. The playground has more than enough play structures, swings, slides, and more to keep them busy for hours.