Audrey

There’s plenty of fun and free things to do in and around Boston this weekend. From EarthFest at the Hatch Shell, the Franklin Park Kite Festival, and the Hot Dog Safari on Saturday to the Japan Festival Boston and the Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle on Sunday, the weekend is filled with festivals and celebrations. Read on for more of our weekend picks, and be sure to check our Events Calendar for more ideas.

Looking for more things to do? Rachel, our newest contributor, recently took her two year old to the Arnold Arboretum and has five simple ways to occupy a toddler (or two) and connect with nature in one of the city’s most beautiful and peaceful green spaces. Kristin describes her “love affair” with Baby Wiggle Little Groove - great classes, fun birthday parties and more. Plus, the Highland Street Foundation's Free Fridays schedule is out - Tara has chosen five to highlight, taking into consideration whether other significant discounts (such as library museum passes) are available at another time, how much money is saved, proximity to Boston, and whether the place is good for young children.

Finally, a big thank you to all the families, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped make last week’s One Family Music Festival such a success - thanks to everyone’s generosity, we were able to raise over $23,000 for the One Fund Boston. We also brought the families of Boston together to sing, dance, create art, and celebrate the strength and beauty of our great city. It was a day that allowed many families to begin healing from the pain caused by the tragic events surrounding this year’s Boston Marathon, and to reclaim the city for our children.

Enjoy the weekend!

Our weekend calendar is packed with fun and free things to do in and around Boston this weekend. From the return of the Birds of Prey at the Stone Zoo and the Open Arts Day at Arsenal Center for the Arts on Saturday to the Harvard Square May Fair on Sunday, the weekend is filled with festivals and celebrations. Read on for more of our weekend picks, and be sure to check our Events Calendar for even more ideas.

What else will you find on Mommy Poppins Boston this week? We’ve rounded up some of the great learn to sail programs that are available for kids in and around Boston. And Kristin shares some tips for planning a toddler birthday party at home in Boston. Yes, you can bring a bouncy house into your living room! Mother’s Day is only a week away; you may want to consider a special meal at home (giving you plenty of time to get to The One Family Music Festival to support The One Fund!). And for families looking for more ways to volunteer and help out those in need, Tara has some insights in her family volunteering post.

Enjoy!

We’re feeling festive this month! While the events of April 15 remain vivid in the forefront of our minds, as we turn over a new page (virtually or literally) of our calendars, we’re reminded of the beauty that is Boston in springtime. For this month’s edition of the Go List, we’re highlighting five fabulous festivals - all free! - that capture all that is good in our special town.

Of course, our Events Calendar is filling up with plenty of other special events for kids all month long, and we’re adding to it every day. Read on for 5 of our favorite things to do with kids in Boston this May. Click through to the full listings and you can add them to your calendar. We'll still send our weekend event roundups each Thursday, but we want to give you enough notice to plan for some of these in advance.