7/29/13: McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center

I love having the kids learn about space.  I went to school for Aerospace Engineering because I wanted to be an astronaut so I love when my kids can get excited about Space Travel.  We recently went to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center.

 I have never been there before.  The museum is in Concord, New Hampshire so we decided to make the journey.  Here is what it looks like from the outside.

 I had pictures in my bedroom of Christa McAuliffe's Challenger crew and remember sitting in class when the Challenger blew up.

 Inside the museum.  This is a 1956 Vintage Crusader.

 The kids like the interactive areas the most.  Here are the kids trying their hand at landing the space shuttle.  This was their favorite part of the museum and they kept playing it over and over until they finally could successfully land it.

Here is Lauren landing.

Here they are changing the images on this globe.

 This one let them land the Lunar Module.

 A cool model of the Space Shuttle.

 Another Space Shuttle hung from the ceiling.  This was next to the Planetarium.  We went to see the Magic Tree House Space Exploration Planetarium Show.

 Another area the kids liked was a small spot where you could record your own weather forecast.

 Then play it back.

 Evan talking from behind the Podium.

 Lauren checking out the moon.

 It is a small museum but has two levels of some cool stuff and interactive exhibits.  Plus the Planetarium, a space gift shop and a place to get some food.

Like them on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MSDiscoveryCenter

Twitter: @nhstarhop

Disclosure:  No compensation was received for this post.  All opinions are my own.

7/28/13: Futures at Fenway and Kidz Bop

This past weekend we went to Futures at Fenway to see the Portland Sea Dogs play the Harrisburg Senators.  The Portland Sea Dogs won!  Plus we got to see a Kidz Bop concert.

Ticket prices are affordable which makes it a great way to take your kids to Fenway Park and enjoy the experience.  Here we are right behind home plate. 

 Plus they always have games going on in between innings.  Here is Wally helping out organizing a game of musical chairs with some children.

  Some concessions are also discounted.  Hot Dogs were discounted to $2.50 from $5 and drinks only $2.50.  Be aware though that adult drinks are not discounted so you will still pay over $8 for a beer.  

 You could also sign the kids up for Red Sox Nation.  A one year membership includes what is shown below plus access to watch Batting Practice from the Green Monster, access to purchase 2 discounted Outfield Grandstand tickets, 10% off at the Team Store, in game giveaways, opportunity to attend special events at Fenway, a Kid Nation Passport, and 3 issues of the Kids Club Newsletter.

It was a beautiful day to be at Fenway Park.

Even dogs were invited to come to the park.  We saw some and they were super cute and enjoying the game.

Also they had games for kids to play and a bouncy house.  Plus some people making balloon animals and mini-golf for the kids.

Fourty five minutes following the game was a Kidz Bop concert.  I love Kidz Bop as it takes pop songs that are on the radio and adjusts the lyrics and kids sing them.  They have been named “#1 Kids’ Artists of the Year” for the third consecutive year by Billboard.  They did the show right near the Red Sox dugout and after the game they gave people the chance to move their seats to be near the show.

They sang popular songs like Firework, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together and other hits that kids and adults love.

Pop Some Tags was my personal favorite complete with cool jackets.  They were really great.  

If you missed it this year make sure to head to Futures at Fenway next year.

Disclosure:  I received four tickets to Futures at Fenway to promote it.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

7/23/13: Futures at Fenway Giveaway

CONTEST CLOSED:  CONGRATULATIONS BROOKE FOR WINNING!
I have a really quick flash giveaway.  You have till July 25th at midnight to enter to win 4 tickets to Futures at Fenway on July 27th with first pitch at noon.  It is a wonderful way to take the kids to Fenway Park at an affordable price.  Plus see a Kidz Bop Concert!  You can read my post from last year here or my coverage here of how Fenway Park is Family Friendly.

Details for this year's event:

Families across New England will have the chance to see Major League Baseball stars of tomorrow when the 8^th annual “Futures at Fenway presented by Xfinity” returns to Fenway Park on Saturday, July 27. Family-friendly ticket and concession prices along with kid-friendly activities and entertainment highlight the day of minor league fun. 

This year's event invites fans to bring their dogs to the ballpark and features a post-game performance by the popular kids group “The KIDZ BOP Kids.”  We saw them last year at the Life is Good Festival and they are great.

After a one year absence from the event, Boston’s Double-A affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs, will make their fourth appearance at Futures at Fenway, taking on the Harrisburg Senators, the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Fenway Park gates will open at 11 a.m. for the noon game.

After the game, The KIDZ BOP Kids, a group of five kids from across the country that dance and sing today’s biggest hits, will perform. KIDZ BOP is the number one music brand for children ages 5-12 in the U.S. and have been named “#1 Kids’ Artists of the Year” for the third consecutive year by Billboard.

For the first time at Fenway Park, fans will have a chance to bring their dogs to the ballpark. Designated sections of the seating bowl will be available to owners and their pets where rest areas, water bowls, and activities will be provided. There will also be a photo station for dogs and their owners and the opportunity to participate in a pre-game dog parade around the warning track.

Concessions are also discounted.  Hot Dogs were discounted to $2.50 from $5 and drinks only $2.50.  Be aware though that adult drinks are not discounted so you will still pay over $8 for a beer.  You could also sign the kids up for Red Sox Nation.

There are also little games in between innings also to keep the kids entertained.  Plus there are on-field promotions, and autograph sessions with the stars.  Plus in the concourse there were people making balloon animals, games for the kids, face painters and other fun things to keep the kids entertained.

What a lot of fun for the kids.  Take them out to the Ballgame!  
ENTER BELOW TO WIN!  DO IT QUICK!

Disclosure:  I received four tickets to Futures at Fenway to promote it.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

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7/22/13: Blue Man Group High Energy Fun in Boston

We are always looking for cool shows to go to with the kids.  Honestly, nothing gets cooler than Blue Man Group at the Charles Playhouse.  I went to this show many years ago but now I wanted to take the kids and see what they thought.  They absolutely LOVED it!  Here are the blue men...oh wait that is Evan and Lauren waiting for the show.

Blue Man Group combines music, technology and comedy and is beyond explanation.  The show is more of an full experience that has you transported to a different type of theater experience than anything else.  No words are spoken during the entire show but through facial expressions and music and cool technology the Blue Men communicate with the audience.  I really don't want to share too much about the actual show as it is best to be surprised but I will say that they are lucky Twinkies are back on the market.

In the rows close to the stage there were plastic parkas on the seats so that these audience members didn't get sprayed with anything.  We were lucky to be a few rows beyond the splash zone.  Keep this in mind when buying tickets.  The theater is small so any seat is a great seat.  Who knows you might even get pulled up on stage to be in the show.

A huge highlight for the kids was the dance party at the end of the show.  This was the only time I could take out my camera and take a few pictures.  The party is all around you with glowing balls flying through the air and toilet paper flying.

Both kids were loving this part of the show.

The balls are huge and the kids were having fun hitting them around.

It is truly awesome and so much fun to go to this show.  I highly suggest taking the family.  We went to a 2:30 show and it was perfect.  The show has no intermission and runs about an hour and 40 minutes.

Here is a quick preview of what to expect:

Here is the band after taking donations for the Aids foundation after the show.

You can park at the Stuart Street Garage for up to five hours Monday-Friday after 4 PM, and anytime during the weekend.  It is only $10 and you just need to pick up a validated ticket at the Charles Playhouse box office.

Get your blue on and go see the show!

Give them some blue love online:

Like them on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/bluemangroup

Follow them on Twitter: @bluemangroup

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/bluemangroup/

Disclosure:  I was provided four tickets to the show for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

7/20/13: Win the Fun Pass NE

CONTEST CLOSED: CONGRATULATIONS JOE FOR WINNING!
I have posted before about the Fun Pass from Breathe New Hampshire, but I wanted to make sure you took advantage of this great discount booklet.  It has discounts to area attractions.  This is perfect for summer time.  We love to go to lots of fun places but it can get quite expensive to take a family of 4 to all of these attractions.  But for $30 you can get the Fun Pass from Breathe New Hampshire and get discounts to many places you already go.  This includes discounts worth over $1,500 at over 100 New England family attractions!  Plus when you purchase one you are contributing to the great work that Breathe NH does.  
Read on and you can win one! 

Below are some of our favorites that are included.  Note this is not all the attractions included, for a full list of attractions throughout NH, ME, and MA check out their website or the catalog here.  One cool one on the list is Boston Duck Tours which is a favorite of ours.

Amusement Parks:

Story Land in Glen NH:  This is a prefect Amusement Park for little ones to enjoy!  We have gone 6 years in a row.  If you only went here it would cover the price of the book!

Canobie Lake Park:  Another Amusement park that has expanded quite a bit since I was a kid.  I love it here and we go every year.

York's Wild Kingdom in Maine:  A combo Zoo and Amusement Park, plus a lovely Beach within walking distance!

Train:

Conway Scenic Railroad: We love going on this train ride every year.

Animals:

Davis Farmland:  We LOVE this place!  Tons of animals and water play, what is not to like?

Franklin Park Zoo:  A great Zoo.  Zoo Keeper was filmed there.

Southwick's Zoo:  Another one of our favorite Zoos to go to. 

The Butterfly Place: We recently went there and the kids loved it.

Again this is just a sampling of area attractions listed.  For just $30 you will receive incredible discounts at amusement parks, ski mountains, zoos, museums, and more.  (Note that ski mountain discounts are already expired for this book however I will be promoting the 2014 book).  You can go here to purchase one for 2013 or call their office at (800) 835-8647.

In most cases, the discount coupon offers a child, 12 and under, a free or discounted admission when accompanied by a paying adult. Offers vary by attraction.

When you purchase a Fun Pass you are also contributing to the critical work of Breathe New Hampshire.

Disclosure: I received the FunPass books for review and Breath NH is also providing these books for the prizing as well.

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