WPG Resources
Great Summer Resources for Wheaton Parents, by Wheaton Parents
Please note: The links and resources throughout the WPG web site are contributed by members of the Wheaton Parent and Care giver Group and do not reflect endorsement by Wheaton College or anyone employed by the College.
Animals! Farms, Aquariums, Zoos, and More...
- Jane and Paul's Farm, 33 Fruit Street Norfolk, MA 02056 Phone: (508) 528-0812. Offers farm tour, hayride, petting zoo and pick-your-own pumpkin.
- Ward's Berry Farm, Sharon, MA
- Casey Farm, Saunderstown, RI (http://www.spnea.org)
- Morino Lookout (U-Pick hours, 89 Pleasant Street in South Natick, MA (http://www.lookoutfarm.com)
- N.E. Aquarium
- Mystic Aquarium
- Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens at Magic Wings in South Deerfield, MA
- Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo
- Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, RI
Art Activities
- Make some pasta art and jewelry
- Create a "Museum in your Bedroom"
- Local arts stores have activity guides (A.C. Moore) and in-store classes for children (Michael's).
- Be an informed Culture Vulture. Subscribe to the Massachusetts Cultural Council's free, monthly email list featuring arts, sciences and humanities activities - and exciting cultural news from around the state - by sending a blank email to mcc_calendar-on@lists.massculturalcouncil.org.
- The Kids Place in Newton (http://www.kidsplaceforfun.com/) is a drop-in art studio, toy store, and party place. Children three and older can create a variety of art projects in wood, plaster, or beads. Staff members are on hand to help with a project, plan a party, or answer your questions.
Camps
Entertainment, Misc.
- Make popsicles.
- Plant a flower or tend your garden.
- Follow an ant.
- Storytime at local libraries and bookstores (Border's, Barnes and Noble both list local store events)
- Movies (drive-in's and free movies in various towns)
- Summer theater (including outdoor theatre)
Environment and History
- State and town forests
- Audubon sanctuaries, including Drumlin Farm, Moosehill, Stony Brook (http://www.massaudubon.org/)
- Trustees of Reservations (http://www.thetrustees.org/) More than 49,000 gorgeous acres to explore. Great property search tools with guides for family-friendly events.
- New England Wild Flower Society at Garden in the Woods (http://www.newfs.org/garden.htm), Framingham, MA
- Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has many chapters throughout NE (http://www.outdoors.org/)
Guides
History
- Battleship Massachusetts, Fall River, MA
- Minuteman National Historic Park, Lexington and Concord, MA
- Plimouth Plantation
- Sturbridge Village
- Mystic Seaport, CT
Museums Please note: Wheaton's Library has passes for the Museum of Science and Museum of Fine Arts.
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston - passes and free day
- Ecotarium, Worcester, MA - free day
- Children's Museums in Boston, North Easton, MA and Providence, RI - free day
- Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield, MA
- The Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, Springfield, MA
- Eric Carle Museum of Picturebook Art, Amherst, MA
Music
- Make you own musical instrument
- Free local concerts. Many communities have "Concerts on the Common" series, including Walpole, Norwood, Sharon, Foxboro
People!
- Talk with other WPG members.
- Take advantage of WPG resources and please add your own:
Radio Fun
- "The Playground" from WERS, 88.9 FM. Every Saturday and Sunday evening 5-8pm. Children's music for the whole family to enjoy. The Playground offers new and classic tunes from Disney, Sesame Street, your favorite cartoons and much more. You don't have to be a kid to enjoy this show, just a kid at heart. They take requests over the phone (617-578-8890 for requests; 617-931-1072 for contests) or by email: Playground@wers.org
Sports & Recreation
- Backyard sprinkler
- Parks and playgrounds
- Swimming at town pool
- College and university sports programs
- Baseball: The PawSox at McCoy Stadium (http://pawsox.com/). Lots of events for kids and families. Great stadium. Reasonable prices (unlike Fenway!).
- Indoor rock climbing
- Franklin. GRAVITY ROCK GYM. 260 Fisher, Franklin, MA 02038; (888) ROCKGYM (762-5496); www.gravityrockgym.com
- Woburn. Boston Rock Gym. (781) 935-PEAK.