Here are some ideas from our members for local places to take your family for fun and entertainment, rain or shine. If you are looking for something to do without your kids, email us and we can give you some suggestions. 

• Playgrounds

  • Cross Street Tot Lot, Whitinsville

  • Grafton School, Rte 122, Grafton

  • Mendon, Taft Ave. off Rte. 16, has shade and picnic tables!

  • Cumberland, RI (on Blackstone line), Rte. 122

  • Auburn, near the high school

  • Bellingham, on the Common, Intersection of Rtes. 140 and 126

• Story Times

  • Libraries

    • Whitinsville, 508-234-2151

    • Uxbridge, 508-278-8624

    • Mendon

    • Sutton, 4 Uxbridge Rd., 508-865-8752

    • Milford (80 Spruce Street)- for babies and toddlers. Sessions are usually 6 weeks long and they pick by a lottery. Call them to get more information at 508-473-0651. 

    • Douglas, 508-476-2695

    • Auburn Library

  • Bookstores

    • Barnes and Noble, 470 Southbridge Street, Auburn- 10:30 Tuesdays and Fridays, 7 pm Fridays. 508-832-0855

    • Borders, Rte 9, Shrewsbury, 10 am Thursdays. 508-845-8665

    • Tatnuck Bookseller, 335 Chandler St, Worcester, 58-756-7644, story time plus craft, 11 am and 3 pm Wednesdays and Thursdays

    • Blackstone's Books and Gifts, Church Street, Whitinsville

• Music

  • Music Classes by Grace Notes- Pleasant Street Church, Whitinsville, MA. Classes for babies, toddlers and young children. 508-234-0615    

  • Swing and Sway- Joy of Music Program, 1 Gorham St, Worcester, 508-856-9541

• The Gymnastics Place, Bernat Mill, Uxbridge, 508-278-3220, one-time registration charge and class fees

• Museums

  • Explore and Discover Museum, http://world.std.com/`brd/, Uxbridge, MA- at the Bernat Mill, a donation can is at the door so you can give whatever you feel like giving. Exhibits are designed and explained by the high school students who design them. Open Saturdays, 10-2.

  • Acton Discovery Museums, Science and Childrens, 177 Main Street, Acton 01720, 978-264-4200,  walk-ins or membership fee, The Children's Museum is a house filled with theme rooms like a train room, jungle room, rainbow room and cafe. Great for children 1-4 or so. Science Museum is for children 5 and up. The Science Discovery Museum offers Brownie, Jr. Girl Scout and Webelo Badge workshops.

  • Providence Children's Museum- 100 South St, Providence, 401-273-5437.

  • Children's Museum- 300 Congress St, Boston, 10 am- 5pm Mon-Sunday, 10 am- 9 pm on Fridays,  617-426-8855. Check with your library for discount passes.

• Outdoor Activities

  • Purgatory Chasm, Northbridge, nice walking/hiking trails. Dogs are allowed. Playground and picnic facilities including outdoor grills. Clean restrooms too!

  • Riverbend Farm, Heritage State Park, Uxbridge., near the Tri-River Medical Center. Flat walking trails along canal. Rougher terrain across the street at Heritage State Park

  • Applepicking, there are several orchards throughout the area for this fun fall activity. Try Keown's Farms in Sutton or Stow's Apples in Millbury.

• Zoos

  • Southwick's Wild Animal Farm, 2 Southwick Street, Mendon, MA 01756, open 10 am- 5 pm, April 13th-Oct 28th. This zoo is very well kept, clean and fun for all. Many varieties of animals, childrens rides, animal rides, shows and more. Picnic tables are available if you bring your own picnic or buy food at the Zebra Cafe. Group rates and season passes are available. 1(800)258-9182

  • Roger Williams Zoo, Elmwood Road, Providence, RI

• Playgroups

  • Chutes-N-Ladders, Sutton, MA, 508-865-9300