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Boston's Best Unique Holiday Experiences For Kids

Boston winters bring to mind the Boston Ballet's "Nutcracker," Macy's "Winter Wonderland," Edaville Railroad's festival of lights and, of course, Boston's Symphony Orchestra as we hum along to "Let it Snow" or Handel's "Messiah." This year is one opportunity to attend all of those wonderful events and so much more. As we bundle up and take along a warm thermos of hot chocolate, think outside of the box with these unique holiday experiences for the whole family in the Boston area.
The Heart of Robin Hood
The Heart of Robin Hood (Photo from A.R.T. Oberon Theater)

The Heart of Robin Hood
A.R.T. Oberon Theater
2 Arrow St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 496-8004
www.americanrepertorytheater.org

Dates: Dec. 11, 2013 through Jan. 19, 2014

This epic adventure of the legendary Robin Hood and his hearty group of merry men steal from the rich at the Oberon Theater. Heart-warming antics aside, a bold heroine named Marion educates this troupe of misinformed criminals in a twist that will delight each and every patron in the audience. Of course, there is romance, sword fights to chew your finger nails over and plenty of loot given back to the peasants. This notoriously fresh rendition of the English legend explodes with flavor complemented by the Folk music of Britain. It's a winter tradition of a new variety.

Travel & Outdoors – A Guide to Boston Area Figure Skating – 12.31.11 -FrogPond_Leslee Masten
Photo Credit: Leslee Masten

Frog Pond Skating Spectacular
Boston Common Frog Pond
84 Beacon St.
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 635-2120
www.bostonfrogpond.com

Date: Dec. 31, 2013

There is something unique and quite special that happens when we don skates and down jackets with furry mittens and skate in the open air. Each year, to mark the opening of the outdoor rink at Boston Common's Frog Pond, an ice skating event of spectacular proportions is celebrated for one day of the holiday season. Give the imagination of your youngster a boost by watching these performers on ice weave their magic on skates. In full costumes and beautiful scenic designs, these artists turn the Frog Pond into a winter wonderland. Leaving magic in their wake, young and old alike can make a few of their own dreams come true by lacing up a pair of skates, rented or brought from home, for the rest of the winter season at this outdoor arena.

clayroom
(Photo Credit: The Clayroom)

The Clayroom
Coolidge Corner
1408 Beacon St.
Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 566-7575
www.clayroom.weebly.com

Warm up little hands by forming a mountain of clay into a masterpiece during winter vacation. The clayroom at Coolidge Corner is one of the newest and most popular destinations for youngsters in Boston. Designed for all ages, this wonderful opportunity to create and explore tactile arts takes its patrons from the beginning stages of the clay making process to the finished product. Bring home your newest collection of fine art, designed by the youngster in the family as the most precious keepsake of the season. All of the necessities are already provided and the cost is free during vacation times.

Related: Top Holiday Events Your Kids Shouldn't Miss

Arnold Arboretum
Photo Credit: Kristen Fenton

Arnold Arboretum
125 Arborway
Boston, MA 02130
(617) 524-1718
www.arboretum.harvard.edu

One of the newest exhibits at Arnold Arboretum is the art of "Finding Your Way." Citizens in Boston make use of the arbor mainly during the gorgeous spring and summer months of the year. It's easy to assume the largest home and collection of trees in the city would be closed during the colder months. But, did you know that there are trees and plants that only come to life when the fall and winter seasons hit New England? Making the trip is not only an educational jewel, but a great opportunity to put the vast fields and hills along the property to use by adding a family outing of sledding and hot chocolate.

Mosselbaai and Jutten the Penguins
(credit: New England Aquarium)

Little Blue Penguins Exhibit
New England Aquarium
1 Central Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 973-5200
www.neaq.org

What makes this exhibit so unique? The first floor exhibit allows these little blue penguins to be seen from everywhere in the building. The Little Blue Penguins are a joyous bunch and almost 100 are housed within the New England Aquarium. Our very own Boston aquatic museum has delighted youngsters each and every year with new and exciting ways to view underwater nature and sea creatures. Penguins like to eat at all times of the day, add some fish feeding to the adventure and maybe a future park ranger or 'Jacque Cousteau' has been born into the family.

Related: Boston's Best Holiday Events And Celebrations

Freelance Writer Corinne Costantino brings the "Best of Boston" to New England. Her work can be found on Examiner.com
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