Moms Can-Do’s: Toys, Museums + More

Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Michelle Johnstone, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

There are few things in this world that children love more than toys, so why not take your youngster to the LEGO KidsFest national tour when it stops in Hartford Dec. 6 through 8. Photo: Bill Ward/Flickr

Hey, moms! Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday—and snagged plenty of Black Friday deals. We’ve got this week’s line up of kid-friendly outings that you and the little ones will be sure to enjoy. Stay tuned weekly—we'll bring you our 5 favorites in the region every Tuesday all within an hour's drive of home. Check out this week's fun!

Toys!

Bring the kids to nearby Hartford for Lego Kidfest 2013! There are still tickets available for the Friday session, so jump online and grab them today before they’re gone. Highlights of the event include life-size Lego models, Lego building workshops, Lego challenges, Lego races and so much more! 100 Columbus Blvd., Hartford, CT. Click here for more details.

Movies!

The Providence Children’s Film Festival is hosting a FREE movie screening on this Thursday, December 5! Head over to the Seven Stars Bakery parking lot in Providence Thursday evening for a mid-week family outing. The event will feature a screening of family friendly film shorts that are sure to be enjoyed by all. Make sure to pack a hot chocolate and a snuggly blanket, because this is an outdoor event! December 5, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Click here for details.

Holidays!

Photo: sapienssolutions/Flickr

The Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston is going all out for the holiday season! Take the kids on a mid-week trip to check out all of the sights and sounds of Holly Days: Woodland Magic. There will be thousands of lights to look at, beautiful handcrafted decorations and trinkets to see, and more. Make sure to check out the “Crafts for Kids” if you happen to head over on a Saturday during the event. The kids will be sure to enjoy the “Woodland Magic” theme, which incorporates all of their favorite creatures! 11 French Drive, Boylston, MA. (508)869-6111. Click here for more information.

Art!

Head to the Worcester Art Museum this week to enjoy some holiday magic. Beautiful holiday decorations will adorn the museum, inside and out. There will be children’s programming that the little ones will love, and everyone at the museum will be in the holiday spirit! Check the museum website for details on concerts during the event as well. 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA. (508)799-4406. Click here for more information.

Stories!

This Thursday, head to Books on the Square for a special Chanukah story time! The Jewish Community Day School of RI is sponsoring this great story hour at 11 a.m. to help celebrate the holiday. The story will be geared to kids aged 3-5! 471 Angell Street, Providence, RI. (401)331-9097. Click here for more information.

Related Slideshow: 6 Delicious New England Bakeries

The Daily Meal has compiled a list of America's 50 Best Bakeries; which New England hotspots made the list?

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#35

Seven Stars Bakery, Providence

Seven Stars Bakery is a staple for any Providence foodie. With breads and pastries made from scratch with local ingredients, the top-notch Seven Stars Bakery strives for quality. Can't decide what you're in the mood for? Try the lemon pound cake, olive bread filled with Kalamata and Moroccan oil cured olives, or ginger biscuit scones.

820 Hope Street, Providence
342 Broadway, Providence
Rumford Center, 20 Newman Avenue, East Providence

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#34

A & J King, Salem, MA

A & J King Artisan Bakers serves traditional, artisanal bread and pastries. Along with the bakery's regular menu selections, A & J King features rotating weekly specials like semolina apricot fennel and asiago chile. Have their tried-and-true sticky bun or the caramel bourbon pecan bread pudding for another gooey treat.

48 Central Street, Salem, MA

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#23

Mike’s Pastry, Boston, MA

For the best cannoli in Boston, it's all about Mike’s Pastry. But while you're in there make sure to check out the rest of what it has to offer; you won't regret it. From boozy rum cakes to red velvet whoopie pies to ricotta pie to lobster tail, a flaky pastry filled with either white cream or yellow custard, there’s something to suit every sweet craving. And of course, don't forget the classic Boston cream pies!

300 Hanover Street, Boston

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#17

Clear Flour Bread, Brookline, MA

Clear Flour Bread has been a Brookline fixture for more than 30 years and has the awards to show for it! Clear Flour Bread prides itself on its Italian and French pastries being made from scratch, shaped by hand, and baked in a stone hearth. The morning buns will pick you right up on those sluggish Mondays, and their croissants, cranberry currant scones, and molasses cookies are to die for.

178 Thorndike Street, Brookline, MA

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#4

Standard Baking Co., Portland, ME

The Standard Baking Company in downtown Portland has every bread you could possibly want. Rosemary focaccia, pain de mie, brioche, boules, epi bread? Check. Morning buns? Check. Croissants? Take your pick: almond, chocolate, plain, or ham and cheese? Whatever you're in the mood for, owners Allison Bray and Matt James have got you covered.

75 Commercial Street, Portland, ME

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#3

Flour Bakery + Café, Boston, MA

A trip to Flour Bakery and Café is the kind of thing that will easily make your day. Be sure to try the amazing sticky buns, the banana bread, granola bars, or brioche with raisins. And for those with a sweet tooth, check out the lemon curd cakes with raspberry preserve, Milky Way tarts, and chocolate cupcakes with Crispy Magic Frosting. Is your mouth watering yet?

12 Farnsworth Street, Boston
1595 Washington Street, Boston
190 Mass. Ave., Cambridge
131 Clarendon Street, Boston