How To Cure Toddler Condoitis in Boston, MA

What’s A City Mom To Do? How to cure Toddler Condoitis in Boston by Kristin Quinn, Author of “Misadventures in Mommyhood: The Truth & Nothing But The Truth (so PLEASE help me God!).  Kristin’s daughter, “Little Miss P” is 16 months old.

You’ve just picked your head up from playing "Horsey" and realized you can’t see your hardwood floor underneath the blocks, pots, pans, and puzzle pieces.  Your arms start to shake from the 20 rounds of itsy bitsy spider when the walls start to cave in.  Sounds like it’s time to strap your toddler in the stroller and get out.  There are so many wonderful things to do with kids in Boston, many of which are unknown because mothers are too busy to put on deodorant let alone truck kids around the city to find entertainment. 
Here are some of my favorite little city gems to cure what I call, Toddler Condoitis:

The Museum of Science Infant Room & Butterfly Garden1 Museum Of Science Driveway  Boston, MA 02114The Infant Room features lots of little tunnels to climb in and out of as well as different discovery stations for little ones. There is a huge stuffed bear that Little Miss P could play with and jump on forever and a water station at the perfect level to play pretend boats.  Make sure to grab the conveniently placed smock behind the water table.  The Butterfly Garden is extra but it’s worth it.  It’s a small room with 100’s of butterflies flying all around.  One may even land on your toddler’s nose if you’re lucky.   Bonus: the flowers and fish make for excellent toddler conversation. 

Northpoint Water Park & PlaygroundI LOVE this playground nestled in between Cambridge and Charlestown.   It’s truly an oasis in the city for kids. 

Charlestown Yoga Family Yoga Classes 191 Main Street, Charlestown Sundays starting September  16^th 4-5pm Sundays around 4pm seem to be the “witching hour” at our house.  Check out Family Yoga at this studio for an hour of fun with your child (you can even bring Hubby).  For mobile children and their caretakers (mom, dad, grandparents, you name it).  Participate with your kids as they turn into favorite animals and objects: Cat, Cow, Dolphin, Tree, Mountain, Triangle, etc.  Learn the meaning of Sanskrit words like "OM" and "Namaste", Create Mala Art and Learn poses to do together at home!  The whole family is invited to this fun and playful one hour class with musician and certified kids yoga teacher, Colleen Kleya of BlissKids Yoga.  Purchase online in advance or at the studio.  $16/adult, $8/kid.  No yoga experience necessary.

Children’s Museum of Boston308 Congress Street, BostonNo duh.  But check out the included-with-admission-price “Music & Movement” class put on by the folks of Baby Wiggles on Wednesdays from 11-11:45am on the second floor.

Babycakes of Charlestown – New!330 Main Street, CharlestownCatering to the many young families of Charlestown and its surrounding communities, BabyCakes of Charlestown offers classes for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and young children to help them reach developmental milestones. New mom and dad support groups and classes are also offered as are play group activities and birthday parties.

The Rose Kennedy Greenway: Water Sprinklers & Carasoul RidesIf at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.  Two months ago we tried putting Little Miss P on a carasoul horse but she screamed bloody murder.  When we tried again a couple of weeks ago, she was skeptical at best, holding on for dear life
But once the carousel made a full circle, she was loving life, holding on with only hand and blowing kisses to adoring fans with the other.   

Grannary Tavern170 Milk  Street, Boston

Not exactly a place for kids, granted, but definitely kid-friendly.  The owners must be parents.  Instead of handing out crayons to kids (which inevitably get dipped in butter and eaten) they give out Etch-A-Sketches.  Brilliant.  Because you can’t easily eat an Etch-A-Sketch and it keeps them entertained for much longer than crayons and paper.   Plus they actually have real snack food for kids.  Forgo the fried chicken fingers and nasty hot dogs for veggies and pretzels with hummus or a fruit bowl at this new establishment across from the Greenway.

The New England Aquarium Curious George Discovery Corner1 Central Wharf, Boston

Insider Tip: Go at 9am and you’ll own the place.  The New England Aquarium has a small alcove room – dubbed the Curious George Discovery Corner – where young children can go to play, get a private view of the Aquarium’s giant ocean tank, and learn more about the wonders of the sea from the aquarium staff. On Friday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon the Aquarium offers activities especially for families with young children.

Legal Seafood Harborside

On weekends from 11am -1pm, kids under 12 are invited to try “catch and release” fishing in their lobby trout pond.  Grab an afternoon drink at the bar and maybe pop in an oyster or two while your child watches this free-for-all event.


Worth the hike:
Mama and Me 284 Amory St, Jamaica PlainClasses designed for parents to engage in their child's learning experience, drop-off based classes to help children gain autonomy, and open playtime where families can play together
Franklin Park ZooOne Franklin Park Road, Boston Endless animal entertainment
Inside Playground        100 Parker Street, Watertown A kid’s dream

Last but not least, check out THE PINK LIST  http://thepink-list.comThe best boutiques and services around Boston (many of which are on this list)... At up to 30% off.Join for only $6.25 a month.  PS: They just added Bella Sante Spa to their list of merchants and I don’t know about you but this horsey sure could use a massage.

Check out Kristin Quinn's blog: www.misadventuresinmommyhood.com