How is it August already?
Open Streets Jamaica Plain closes Centre Street to cars this Sunday, so bring the bikes and scooters for a car-free afternoon. Also this weekend: dragon boats race through Fort Point Channel at the Beasts from the East festival, and baby goats show up at the Somerville library on Wednesday. There is plenty to do no matter waht the weather holds.
I hope you all are enjoying (and surviving) summer so far. Our first Boston summer has been wonderful and we are looking forward to soaking the fun out of the last month before back to school.
🌟 Picks of the Week
Jamaica Plain, Boston · Sunday, August 2, 10:30 AM–3 PM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
Open Streets closes Centre Street in Jamaica Plain to cars from 10:30am–3pm — kids can bike, scooter, skate, or just walk down the middle of the road. There is free programming and kid friendly stuff throughout the stretch of road.
Fort Point Channel, Boston · Saturday, August 1 at 8:00 AM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
Dragon boat teams race through Fort Point Channel at the Beasts from the East Classic — free to watch from the waterfront (atlantic wharf, childrens museum, and the boston harborwalk) with a cultural festival running alongside the races.
DCR Neponset II Park, Dorchester · Saturday, August 1 at 10:00 AM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
A free outdoor community day along the Neponset Greenway in Dorchester — kids activities (STEM activities, and environmental exhibits), free canoeing and kayaking, and more at DCR Neponset II Park (corner of Granite Ave and Hill Top St). Rain date is Sunday August 2.
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☔️ Bad Weather Backups
FableVision Studios, Boston (Seaport) · Thursday, July 30 at 5:00 PM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
A youth art showcase at FableVision Studios in the Seaport, built around this year’s theme, “A Matter of Scale.” Free, drop-in Thursday evening.
Meeting Room A, Acton Memorial Library · Monday, August 3 · Free · Registration required · All ages
Kids use library cameras, computers, and Lego minifigs to make their own stop-motion animation at Acton Memorial Library — the best videos get entered in a film festival on August 17. Registration required, Monday August 3.
☀️ Outside Adventures
Powisset Farm, Dover · Saturday, August 1 at 9:00 AM · Paid · Register · All ages
Every Saturday morning at Powisset Farm in Dover, staff lead a (free for under 3) barnyard meet-and-greet — kids can roll up their sleeves and get hands-on with the animals.
Memorial Drive (Western Ave to JFK St), Cambridge · Sunday, August 2, 11 AM–7 PM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
Memorial Drive in Cambridge closes to cars every Sunday through mid-November — a mile-plus stretch along the Charles opens up for biking, walking, and running with no traffic.
Central Library Lawn, Somerville · Wednesday, August 5 · Free · Drop-in · All ages
Baby goats from Chip-In Farm visit the Somerville library lawn on Wednesday August 5 for hands-on petting and photos, max 20 people at a time. Free, drop-in. Go and get your goat on
📚 Library Picks
West Branch Community Room, Somerville · Friday, July 31 · Free · Drop-in · Ages 6–12
Playful Engineers bring their Chain Reactions program to Somerville’s West Branch — kids ages 6–12 build and trigger chain-reaction machines. Free, drop-in, Friday July 31.
Patio, Watertown Free Public Library · Saturday, August 1 · Free · Registration required · Age 10-18
MassArt faculty and students come to the Watertown library patio for a live aluminum pour — kids can watch molten metal poured into molds. Free, registration required, Saturday August 1.
Bonsignore Hall, Medford Public Library · Monday, August 3 · Free · Registration required · Ages 8–12
Kids ages 8–12 make a snack while learning the science behind cooking at Medford Public Library. Free, registration required, Monday August 3.
🎉 Fun for the Whole Family
Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, Boston · Friday–Sunday, from July 31 at 9:30 AM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
A three-day marketplace and festival at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park near the North End — vendors, food, local artisans, entertainment, and community groups Friday through Sunday. Free, drop-in.
Cider Hill Farm, Amesbury · Saturday, August 1 at 9:00 AM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
Touch-a-Truck at Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury — kids can climb on a real fire engine and explore farm vehicles and other big trucks. Free, drop-in, Saturday August 1.
Mission Hill Playground, 60 Smith Street, Boston · Wednesday, August 5, 12–1 PM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
A free splash-pad dance party at Mission Hill Playground, noon–1pm Wednesday — music, sprinklers, and an easy way to cool off. Drop-in, all ages.
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⚡ The Full Rundown
Thursday, July 30
Stuffed Animal Sleepover at East — East Branch, Somerville · Free · All Ages
Summer Playtime for Babies and Toddlers (10:30 AM) — Hunneman Hall, Brookline Village · Free · Ages 0–5
Friday, July 31
Ice Cream in a Bag (ages 8–12) — Hillside Patio, Medford Public Library · Free · Ages 8–12
Saturday, August 1
Summer Scavenger Hunt at West — West Branch, Somerville · Free
Sunday, August 2
Summer Concerts at Spectacle Island (2:00 PM) — Spectacle Island, Boston Harbor · Free
Monday, August 3
Crazy Fun Headbands (ages 8–12) — Youth Services Room, Medford Public Library · Free · Ages 8–12
Tuesday, August 4
Seed Mosaics with Hands on Nature (4:00 PM) — Hunneman Hall, Brookline Village · Free · Ages 5+
Wednesday, August 5
East Branch Storytime with a Special Guest Storyteller — East Branch, Somerville · Free
See all 329 events this week → full calendar
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Have an awesome week. T signing off.
