Norman Bird Sanctuary: Just got voted as one of the top places to visit in New England in the Boston Globe.  Think nature and beach.

Lloyd Center for the Environment: Another nature program but they also have week long specialty programs for kids.

Soule Homestead:  Farm animals, crafts, gardens.

The most inexpensive camping experience is probably offered by your town.  I live in Somerset, MA and the area rec department offers a day camp for a nominal fee.  If you have multiple children, you may be able to negotiate for a further discount.  The camp is mainly run by teens so there is no formal programming.  The day consists of games and going to the playground. 

Next up is the Y.  Fall River is the closest but doesn’t offer the best facilities.  There is a bus that picks up your camper and brings them there.  They list the schedule on-line.  For Somerset/Swansea residents that makes Dartmouth the preferable choice.  Traditional camp is about $185 per week so more expensive but may be worth for a week long change of pace.  I’ve been hounding them for a while to get them to give a multiple child discount — no luck so far.

Some other ideas include the Environmental Ed Center in Bristol, RI.  It may be a bit of a drive but we did the Family Camp week and had a great time (I think I was having as much fun or maybe more than the kids).  Again a bit pricey. 

Teamworks in Somerset, MA offers sports programs for children of mutiple levels.  They even have a “try-out-different” stuff for the little ones. 

to be continued….

Down to Jamestown, RI this past weekend.  We were out hiking at the state parks and doing some geo-caches.  If you haven’t heard about geo-caching it’s basically hiking with a GPS (global positioning system) and using the coordinates to find designated spots.  They can just be a certain place and often they have a hidden container where you can sign your name and take a small prize.  You need to replace the prize with something too.

Anyway we found four geocaches in Jamestown, one at the Beavertail lighthouse.  It’s been a great incentive to get the kids outside hiking.  Plus we’ve found some really beautiful remote spots that we would have never known about.  Check out the official geocaching website if you’re interested.

Here’s the kids at the Soule Homestead Sheep Shearing Festival.

If you’re really cheap like we are, Home Depot has their family craft workshop every first Saturday.  They do a wood working craft for free.

What’s up for Mother’s Day?  We’re off to Jamestown.  I’ll keep you posted.

Just so you know I went and picked up library passes for everything — so don’t forget to check that out first.

Started out with the Audobon in Bristol, RI.  If you jump on East Bay bike path you can get in free — Then catch bugs, dig in the mud and thank your local environmentalists. 

Next day we did RW Zoo Party for the Planet.  Lots of great information booths on earth day stuff coming up plus tons of free gifts.  It was crowded though so get their early or go on a weekday.

Off to the YMCA in Fall River on Monday — free swim in the afternoons.

Wednesday was Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester.  A bit of a hike but well worth it.  Lots of armor and swords, their was a great presentation, and they now have a kids area with costumes, crafts, and games.  You’ve got to go.

Seekonk Public Library had a great performance by award winning singers and storytellers Davis Bates & Roger Tincknell on Thursday night.  Here’s their website: http://www.davisbates.com/davisandroger.html so you can get to see them some time this summer.

Ended up at the Y in Mattapoisett on Saturday where we geo-cashing with Tricia.  Check out YMCA Southcoast to see their family events this Spring. 

More stuff to come.  Share if you find a cool little niche.