Fun and Free Things to Do in Boston with Kids - Spring Sing, Karen K and More, 3/23-3/24

3/20/13 - By Audrey Trieschman

Happy spring! Maybe it’s the season, but if your kids love music, this is the weekend for them! From the annual Revels Spring Sing in Watertown to a concert at Barefoot Books in Concord by Rolie Polie Guacamole, from Karen K and the Jitterbugs in Belmont to Debbie and Friends in Arlington, the choices are numerous. Read on for information about these and other weekend events. And be sure to visit our Events Calendar for even more things to do.

We welcome spring with not just music, but with crafts. Tara brings crafting inspiration from around the world (the walnut nests are just too cute!). And speaking of nests, with Easter just around the corner, we have some ideas for filling baskets and eggs without going overboard on the sweets.

Finally, in the March edition of Poppins Parents, our series highlighting local parents who make a difference in the lives of Boston families, we talked to Joy Olaes Suprenant, founder of Catching Joy. Read on to find out her organization, one of her favorite places plus her tips for getting your family involved in volunteerism and giving.

Enjoy!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Kids' Shows: Lunch Money - Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline
Sat 3/23
Tickets $8 children, $10 adults        

Lunch Money brings the indie rock experience to family audiences with an energetic, musical salute to the stuff of childhood: blowing bubbles, pushing buttons, going to the library and getting dizzy. The Columbia, South Carolina-based band has songs in regular rotation on SiriusXM Radio and has been reviewed on NPR's "All Things Considered." Their most recent album Spicy Kid was released in June 2012. Come bark, roar, hop, and dance along with Lunch Money!


Rolie Polie Guacamole Family Concert - Barefoot Books, Concord
Sat 3/23
Tickets $8 ($25 family max)        

Celebrate National Nutrition month with Brooklyn, NY's hippest kindie band, Rolie Polie Guacamole. The high-energy, interactive show is a mix of funk, rock and folk music mashed into original tunes about natural living, healthy eating and staying active. Kids can dance and sing along, and parents can appreciate the positive influence the songs have on trying new and healthy foods.

Ticket reservations strongly recommended. Drop-ins encouraged to call before coming to ensure seating.


David Grover and Grover's Gang - The Center for Arts, Natick
Sat 3/23
Tickets Adults $10; Children $8        

David Grover, former lead guitarist for Arlo Guthrie, uses his songs to teach children about the important things in life: holidays with family, planet preservation and respecting each other.


Karen K and the Jitterbugs - Chenery Middle School, Belmont
Sat 3/23
FREE

Karen K & the Jitterbugs celebrate the release of their new album Big Ol’ Truck with a concert full of genre-swirling, retro-rock tunes. The happy, humorous, well-crafted and totally catchy tunes make the band one of the rising stars in the “kindie” music world.


Revels Spring Sing - St. John’s Church, Watertown
Sat 3/23
Tickets $20 adult; $5 children under 12        

Revels hosts a celebration of the arrival of spring amidst forsythia blossoms and sprigs of green at a joyful family event featuring community singing, refreshments, and entertainment by children from Revel's Spring Workshop.


Debbie and Friends - Regent Theatre, Arlington
Sat 3/23
Tickets Adults $10; Children $8        

Debbie brings an interesting array of musicians to her show, including keyboard, all sorts of hand percussion, energetic and sometimes zany backing vocalists, saxophones, banjo, fiddle, flute, whistles, plus puppets and performance cartoons. Kids are active participants in every song, and the audience is as much a part of the show as Debbie and her band.


Kidville Grand Opening Celebrations - Kidville Wellesley
Sat 3/23
FREE

Kidville in Wellesley is celebrating its opening with a full weekend of spring-themed activities, including:

  • Special performances by Rockin’ Railroad (10:30am and 1pm);
  • Open play in the playspace area;
  • Spring-themed arts and crafts;
  • Cupcakes, cake pops and more!

RSVP to Wellesley@mykidville.com with your name, address and number of adults and children attending and check in at the front desk the day of the event to be entered into a raffle for a Grand Prize. (RSVP not required for attendance.)


Watertown Cooperative Winter Circus - United Methodist Church, Belmont
Sat 3/23
Tickets Adults $8; Children $6; Family max $20        

The Watertown Cooperative Nursery School's annual winter event features live music with The Ethan Rossiter Band, plus face painting, balloon animals, arts and crafts, games, and great food for sale. Tickets available online or at the door.


Wayne Martin presents Spring into Easter -Watertown Mall, Watertown
Sat 3/23
FREE

Join in on a fun and colorful production starring the Easter Bunny, a trumpet jazz playing bullfrog, a classical singing “Diva Chicken,” Eggbert Easter Egg, The Little Bald Bunny, break dancing flowers and others in a musical spectacular for the whole family!


Lights Off for Earth Hour - Citywide Boston
Sat, 3/23
FREE

People and businesses around the world extinguish all non-essential lighting during this one hour. Boston is among over 5,000 cities and towns world-wide that have pledged to shut off lights for Earth Hour.