Fun & Free Things To Do This Weekend for Boston Kids: Film Festival, Kids' Concerts and More, Nov 2-3

10/31/13 - By Audrey Trieschman

Happy Halloween! It may be down to the wire, but if the kids don't have costumes, there’s no need to scream - we’ve found some cheap, easy and fast costumes to make yourself. And after the treats, we have a few tricks for making all that Halloween candy disappear. See our Halloween Guide for these and other seasonal favorites.

Our weekend roundup of events includes concerts by Billy Jonas in Arlington, the Charlie Hope Family Show in Cambridge and the Boston International Kids Film Festival in Somerville. Read on for details, and remember, you can find more things to do by checking out our Event Calendar.

Also this week, we’ve rounded up seven places that offer kids’ cooking classes and workshops in and around Boston. Get ready for your kids to get cooking!

Enjoy the extra hour of sleep on Sunday with Daylight Saving Time!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Boston International Kids Film Festival - Somerville Theatre, Somerville
Fri 11/1-Sun 11/3
$7 and up        

The Boston International Kids Film Festival is a new initiative that aims to expose children in a variety of developmental stages, and their caregivers, to thought-provoking films from around the world that are by, for or about children, and to offer workshops that show kids how to use the media so it doesn't use them.

Films are shown at the Somerville Theatre. Workshops take place on the Tufts University campus from 11-2 on Saturday, and at the Somerville Theatre on Sunday afternoon. [Details]


World Series Rolling Rally - Boston
Sat 11/2
FREE

Go Red Sox! Boston Duck Tours, among others, is organizing the 2013 World Series championship parade, which will include its famous "duck boats" in the rolling rally through town. [Details]


Billy Jonas in Concert - Regent Theatre, Arlington
Sat 11/2
Adults $10; Children $8        

Billy Jonas’ music is percussion-based, making use of found objects (buckets, broom handles, bottles, key chains and more) as well as traditional instruments. He tailors both his song selection and its presentation to vibe of each audience, so every Billy Jonas concert is a unique experience. [Details]


Try Hockey for Free Day - Various Locations
Sat 11/2
FREE

Kids can come to a local participating rink and try youth hockey as part of the NHL's Come Play Hockey Month. All locations have a limited amount of equipment available for use. To find the closest location to you, please search by zip code or city, state in the lower right-hand corner of the map. Then click the pinpoint for event details and to register. [Details]


Charlie Hope Family Show - Club Passim, Cambridge
Sat 11/2
Tickets $10        

Join Charlie for her hometown CD Release concert for her 4th album, Sing As We Go! It celebrates traditional songs and finds a new spark and melody within them. [Details]


Wunderle's One-Man Circus - Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline
Sat 11/2
Tickets $8 children, $10 adults        

The circus show features the rich and time-treasured delights of expert juggling, astounding ladder balancing, sensational plate spinning, teetering rola bolas, daring unicycle antics, mesmerizing bubble routines, magnificent magic and hysterical comic buffoonery. [Details]


Families Connect - Boston Center for the Arts, Boston
Sat 11/2
FREE; pre-registration preferred

Storytelling, parades, dance and eco-architecture inspire the BCA's Families Connect program this fall. Join in on Saturday morning art-making and movement workshops and explore current exhibitions and performances. [Details]


Arts & Nature Center Celebration - Peabody Essex Museum, Salem
Sat 11/2 & Sun 11/3
Included with admission        

In the museum's redesigned and expanded Art & Nature Center, explore the new art studios, meet artists, enjoy a puppetry spectacle and check out Beyond Human: Artist-Animal Collaborations. [Details]


The Tobin School Family Volunteer Fair - The Tobin Family of Schools, Natick

Sat 11/2
Free; suggested donation of new fuzzy socks, jar candles, and activity books for Christopher's Haven and/or Halloween Candy for the troops via Operation Gratitude        

The fair is a fun-filled day of child-friendly, participatory activities to support great non-profit organizations. Lots of food, fun, and a great chance to work together as a family. [Details]


A Look Ahead

Our calendar is filling with plenty of things to do over the three-day Veterans Day (11/11) weekend, but if you’re looking for more, we have some special programs for kids:

  • Einstein’s Workshop: A full day of drop-off activities. Moving from room to room, children rotate through many of its most popular activities throughout the day - math, science, Lego, Minecraft, artistic pursuits, and more. Register via the website.
  • Puddlestompers Veterans Day Vacation Program: Kids investigate mammals and learn how they prepare for winter. Drop off program.
  • BKB Somerville Veterans Day Program: Participants take part in climbing, team-building activities, and arts and crafts. Reserve at least 24 hours in advance; drop off program, but parents are invited to stay and watch the fun.

Image Source: City of Boston/Boston Public Library