The Gardner School is opening in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this winter! The City of Squares has quickly captivated us with its history and charm, and we’ve already made note of several educational excursions and adventures for families during the fall season.
Below, you’ll find our list of family-friendly fall activities that encourage curiosity, creativity, community engagement, and intellectual growth—much like our own approach to early childhood education!
This blog’s featured photo is courtesy of Rose Lincoln/Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University.
Paint a Holiday Gift
With fall in the air, the holidays are just around the corner. Get a head start on this year’s gifts with a D.I.Y. experience at Made-By-Me. Children can choose from mugs, vases, cookie jars, flowerpots, pet dishes, sushi plates, party animals, and more. Even new pottery painters can confidently try their hand with support from their grown-ups.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Let your child choose their own carving pumpkin right from the source at Connors Farm. Located about 25 miles outside Cambridge, the farm offers hay rides, ropes courses, jumping pillows, pedal carts, and play areas. Visit the pumpkin patch to choose the perfect orange pumpkin, then pick up some farm-fresh apples to bake with your child!
Meet the Dinos
Young dinosaur lovers will be surprised by what they see at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. From larger-than-life dinosaur skeletons to prehistoric mammals, there are a lot of exciting exhibits to take in! Download a Gallery Guide before your trip to help your budding scientist focus, look more closely, and develop meaningful observations about the exhibits.
Explore the Outdoors
The fall foliage really shows off in Massachusetts. Enjoy the changing colors—and encourage physical activity—at North Point Park. The park’s playground equipment is perfect for climbing and sliding, which helps build motor skills and encourages other key areas of child development. There are also walkways and a pedestrian bridge, which make it possible to enjoy an urban nature walk!
Fall in Love with Reading
Porter Square Books is an independently owned bookstore with a robust selection of books for all ages. Because reading has many benefits for growing minds, we love the special children’s corner created for young readers. There is also an on-site coffee shop so parents can grab a quick cup to enjoy while perusing the newest picture books.
Climb a Bean Sprout
We love fall weather in Massachusetts, but we will have our share of rainy days—which can be the perfect time to head to It at Beantown for a climbing adventure. What sounds like a nod to Jack and the Beanstalk is a ropes course featuring a special section for climbers under 48” tall. Dubbed the BeanSprout, children can safely enjoy hours of inventive exploration.
Get Creative
Encourage your child’s inner scientist, artist, or engineer with time well spent at Boston Children’s Museum. Their creative exhibits span three floors, with so many opportunities for hands-on play, like dinos in space, bubbles, a child-sized construction zone, an art lab, a workbench, a performance stage, and more.
Take a Bike Ride
Enjoy the feel of the crisp fall air with a ride along Minuteman Bikeway. As one of the most popular and successful railroad-turned-trails in the United States, locals come here to enjoy riding, walking, and skating. Whether on a balance bike or with training wheels, bike riding is a great way to build gross motor skills and keep children physically active.
Continue the Adventure at The Gardner School
Experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity, community engagement, and intellectual growth are crucial to a well-rounded education that helps children flourish in all aspects of life. We welcome you to reach out to us today and learn more about how The Gardner School can enhance your child’s educational journey through an intentional curriculum that includes music, art, language learning, and outdoor play.