Free Family Friendly Events in MA (Boston Metro Areas): October Calendar Month

If you are looking to keep yourself and your family busy in the weeks leading up to Halloween, you are in luck. The cities of Boston, Cambridge and the surrounding areas offer plenty of things do to this month, all of them spanning over a very wide range of interest areas, so as to pretty much cater to everyone. This article will cover those events and activities occurring in the October Calendar Month before the Halloween holiday that are kid friendly in addition to being free of charge.

Free Admission to Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Monday, October 12, 2009
10am to 4:45pm
MFA, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA
FREE

In honor of Columbus Day, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston will offer free general admission to adults and children of all ages on October 12 from 10am to 4:45pm. A series of special events are planned throughout the day, which include dance performances, live music, poetry readings gallery discussions, museum tours and art making activities for families. The events will revolve around the theme of "Cultural Interpretation and Sensory Perception" and are free for all visitors to attend. For more details on scheduled programs, call (617) 267-9300 or visit MFA.org

Fenway Alliance's Opening Our Doors 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
10am to 4pm
Fenway Cultural District, 200-210 Mass Ave, Boston, 02115
FREE

To provide free access to art and cultural events for all members of the Boston community, not just in spite of the current economy, but especially in light of it.
This pretty much sums up The Fenway Alliance's Opening Our Doors free day of art, music and other cultural events while also defining the mission behind the collection of organizations behind it. The Fenway Alliance consists of 22 cultural and academic institutions that are all nationally and internationally recognized for their excellence in providing regular arts, cultural opportunities to the Boston area.

On October 12, Columbus Day, the affiliated institutions will open their doors for the 8th year to offer members of the public (children included) a full day of free access to fun and educational events such as live music concerts, dance performances, museum gallery admissions and more while additionally offering several hands-on, interactive activities in which visitors will have the chance to express their own inner artists. For more information call 617-437-7544 or visit FenwayCulture.org for a schedule of events.

3rd Annual Archaeology Fair at the Museum of Science
Friday, October 16, 2009 9am-2pm
Saturday, October 17, 2009 12pm-4pm
Museum of Science, One Science Park, Boston, 02114
FREE

The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) and Museum of Science present two full days worth of interactive fun and learning experiences that adults and children alike can take something valuable away from. Shipwreck mapping exercises, sand tray excavations and a mini-dig geared to uncover the histories and cultures of Native Americans are only a few of the many hands-on opportunities visitors will have to make their exploration of the science of Archaeology all the more unique and memorable.
The Archaeology Fair will take place at the Museum of Science October 16-17 and is free for all to attend. For more information call (617)353-8708 or visit the AIA website.

Head of the Charles Regatta Rowing Event
Saturday, October 17 and Sunday October 18
All Day
On the Banks of the Charles River
FREE

The Head of the Charles Regatta event features two full days filled with 19 different races between competing rowers from all over the world in the categories of Youth, Veteran and Lightweight. Each year, dating back to 1965, this event brings enormous crowds that now range in the thousands to the banks of the Charles River to watch the boats race each other and the clock for the desirable "Head of the Charles" title.

The Head of the Charles Regatta has become one of the world's largest rowing events and is free for all spectators to attend. Psst!!! Tip: According to the inside scoop, the areas along Memorial Drive between JFK Street and the BU Boathouse are the prime viewing spots. Get there early; this event is guaranteed to be packed. For more information visit the Head of the Charles official website.

John Winthrop Street Fair
Saturday, October 17, 2009
10:30am to 2:30pm
Back Bay, Boston (on Marlborough Street btwn. Berkeley and Clarendon)
FREE admission

The Annual John Winthrop Street Fair offers a great day of activities that families with kids of all ages can enjoy. The fair is free to enter and tickets can be purchased inside for train rides, pony rides, moon bounces, face painting, games with prizes, and more. Proceeds from tickets and food sales will benefit the John Winthrop Scholarship Fund. There will also be live music entertainment. For more information call (617)267-7159 or visit the John Winthrop School website.

Odaiko New England (for kids)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
2pm
Baldwin Elementary School, 28 Sacramento St, Cambridge
FREE

The "Culture for Kids" monthly multicultural program series by Club Passim and the Agassiz Baldwin Community's "Introducing the Art" series have collaborated to present an afternoon dedicated to the exploration of Japanese drumming traditions. This unique drumming performance and cultural lesson offers children a great opportunity to learn while also having fun in an upbeat musical setting. For more information contact 617-491-2382 or visit the Club Passim Culture for Kids event page.

German International School's Oktoberfest
Friday, October 23, 2009
12pm to 4pm
GIS Boston, 57 Holton Street, Allston 02134
FREE

Grab the family and head out to Allston on Friday, October 23rd for an Oktoberfest celebration offering favorite German traditions such as sausages, lots of beer, German pastries and live music. There will also be many activities for kids. Oktoberfest family event is free to enter with refreshments to purchase inside. Proceeds will go toward the German International School Boston's science lab. For more information call (617)783- 2600.

Weather Festival
Saturday, October 24, 2009
8am to 1pm
Clay Center for Science and Technology, 20 Newton Street, Brookline, 02445
FREE

The Blue Hill Weather Observatory will join the National Weather Service and The Clay Center for Science and Technology to offer an exciting lineup of both indoor and outdoor activities to educate and entertain adults and children alike about the various weather conditions that affect our environment. Weather Festival attendees can expect opportunities to experience electricity and lightning demonstrations, kite stunt demonstrations, planetarium shows, kite making lessons and hands on astronomy lessons with telescopes, and chances to ride a Segway, to name only a few.

General admission to the Clay Center for the Weather Festival event is free of charge but take note that some activities will require a ticket purchase. Also note that children under age 12 must be accompanied by a parent. For more information and updates on scheduled activities, visit the Weather Festival info site.

Boston Book Festival
Saturday, October 24, 2009
10am to 6pm
Copley Square (Back Bay, Boston)
FREE

If you have any interest in reading or writing whatsoever or have children to whom you wish to introduce the magical world of Literature, the Boston Book Festival is an event you will not want to miss. Between 10am and 6pm, the State Street Corporation presents a schedule of back to back workshops, book signings, discussions and more with over 75 renowned authors and presenters. There will also be live music entertainment, an open mic session, exhibitor tables and activities for children. The Book Festival will take place in Copley Square, Back Bay in Boston and with the exception of two writers workshops (prior registration required) the festivities are free of charge. For more information and full schedule of events, visit the Boston Book Festival official website.

Fort Point Channel Pumpkin Pageant
Thursday, October 29, 2009
12pm-4pm
Children's Wharf @ Boston Children's Museum, 300 Congress Street, Boston 02210
FREE

Friends of Fort Point Channel present the Pumpkin Pageant, an afternoon of family friendly Halloween festivities such as safe pumpkin carving and decorating, face painting and free refreshments. Adults as well as children are encouraged to attend this free Halloween event in costume. For more information call (617)451-9239 or visit the Friends of Fort Point Channel Website.