Brookline & Cambridge

Farmers' markets are a great place for kids to learn – about the value of a dollar, where their food comes from (and how it looks in its natural state), money math, which fruits and vegetables are harvested during each season, how to conduct a financial transaction, and of course, making choices.

When we visit a farmers market, I give my kids a small amount of money to use as they choose, provided that they make the purchases themselves – it has built their confidence, composure, and decision-making skills.

Now that spring is here and summer is fast approaching, the local farmer’s markets are setting up their tents and filling their tables with local, whole, fresh foods. Read on for info about neighborhood institutions of hands-on learning (A.K.A. farmers markets) which are opening during the month of May.

If our 4 Homemade Mother's Day Gifts ideas have given your kids the crafting bug, or if you have your own ideas for making Mother's Day gifts with kids, read on for five great places to get the arts and crafts supplies you need to make something special.

For anyone who has spent time in Harvard Square over the last few months, it has been hard to miss the activity going on at 1 JFK Street. Large, colorful pictures of Curious George lifting up a curtain and peeking out the store window should have been enough to pique any child’s - or adult's - curiosity.

We were definitely curious to know what was behind the curtain, and were lucky enough to have a behind-the-scenes tour of the store. We also met with Adam Hirsch, who, with his wife, Jamie, is responsible for all the activity. Even though the grand opening was still three weeks away at the time of our tour, it was clear that the World’s Only Curious George Store, Harvard Square is going to be an exciting place for children, one that both local families and out-of-towners will want to visit frequently.