Summer has gone, the kiddos are back in school, and the crisp breeze of autumn is just around the corner! Welcome, September!

In addition to this guide, our calendar has daily events listed to keep you active and entertained this month!

We’ve also included links to area libraries and recurring events. We know this is not a comprehensive list, so if you think of any fun family activities we missed, please share them with us in the comments.

If you are looking to connect with other moms near you, make sure to join our Community & Conversation Group!

August 31–September 8 :: Sunflower Festival 2019 :: Lanni Orchards, Lunenburg

There is nothing happier than a sunflower! Come enjoy the beauty of over four acres of blooms in a variety of colors! Use them as a cheerful photo backdrop, and bring some flowers home to enjoy!

August 31–September 2 :: Appleseed Country Fair :: Red Apple Farm, Phillipston

Come enjoy live music and all the country fair foods you can imagine! There will also be hot air balloons for photo opportunities, and the adorable dogs of Pups in the Air of New England will delight you with their amazing tricks!

September 1–October 6 :: Little Shop of Horrors :: Lyric Stage Company, Boston

Join Seymour and his love Audrey as everyone’s favorite conniving, carnivorous, singing plant promises to fulfill his every wish in this award-winning sci-pulp musical!

September 1 :: Back-to-School Bash :: Mt. Vernon Street, Lynn

Many organizations in Lynn have come together to form this community Back-to-School Bash! There will be music by a DJ, free hair cuts, free hair styles, backpack giveaways, and much more fun!

September 6 :: Norwood Day Fireworks :: Coakley Middle School, Norwood

This beautiful fireworks display kicks off the Norwood Day celebration! Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. at Coakley Middle School. Norwood Day will be held the following day, September 7, from 9–2:30. There will be a parade, carnival kiddie rides, pony rides, a stage with entertainment, and more!

September 7 :: Paint N Skate: Back to School! :: Chez Vous Roller Skating Rink Boston

Join Chez-Vous and Diane Vivian productions for a back to school themed Paint N Skate! There will be performances, giveaways, and much more during this day of family fun! Advance tickets are good for one skate rental and one canvas to paint. For more info please call 617-825-6877.

September 7 :: Litty Ligo Back-to-School Community Day :: Tobin Community Center, Roxbury Crossing

The goal of this back-to-school event is to teach children about community. There will be backpack, school supply, and hygiene product giveaways, as well as many activities for children of all interests, including exercise, art, meditation, video games, and much more. Please pre-register here.

September 8 :: Family Fall Kick-Off Concert with Ellen Allard :: Hill House, Boston

Bring along a donation of a new school supply or back-to-school item, and rock your socks off at this back-to-school concert featuring Jewish musician Ellen Allard. Welcome fall and celebrate the upcoming Jewish high holidays through music, movement, and fun.

September 8 :: Free Grandparents Day at Edaville Family Theme Park :: Edaville Family Theme Park, Carver

To celebrate Grandparents Day, grandparents will receive free admission to Edaville with the purchase of any regularly priced 4-and-over admission.

September 12 :: Jojo Siwa Dog or Unicorn Painting Event :: Barrett’s Ale House, Fall River

Unleash your inner Jojo! An artist will guide you through the steps to create your very own canvas painting of either Jojo’s dog or unicorn! Participants will also receive a cupcake and a glitter tattoo.

September 14 :: Apple Harvest Festival :: East Walpole

Head on over to this free festival to enjoy train rides, midway games, silent auction, homemade chowder, apple crisp, baby animals, and more!

September 14 :: Last Call Before Fall End-of-Summer Bash :: Titus Sparrow Park, South Boston

Come to Titus Sparrow Park in South Boston between 3 and 5 p.m. for this free family event! There will be balloons, bubbles, bounce houses, face painting, games, snow cones, and more to celebrate the end of summer! Hosted by Renewal Church. All are welcome!

September 16 :: Sensory Art for 12–36 Month Olds :: Little Happynest, Charlestown

Come get messy and learn about art through play and sensory exploration! Help your little one use their imagination as they play in sensory bins and create with paint, stamps, and more! Children will also learn some songs and baby signs, and get to play with exciting toys like parachutes and bubbles!

September 17 :: Drool Baby Expo :: Boston

Just welcome a new baby? Expecting a little one in your near future? Then this is perfect for you! This fantastic event allows you to interact with over 80 companies so that you can learn about the best baby gear and resources for you and your little one!

September 18 :: The Aquabats :: The Paradise Rock Club, Boston

Calling all kids! Are you ready for an adventure? Join this band of costume-clad crime fighters (made famous on the kids show “Yo Gabba Gabba!”) as they battle all things lame in the pursuit of ultimate radness! Who will win in the ultimate showdown between good and evil? Show up to find out!

September 21 :: Free Museum Day :: Various Museums

Participating museums and cultural institutions across the country will provide free entry during this exciting one-day event! Each ticket admits two people to any participating museum. One ticket can be downloaded per email address.

September 21 :: Annual Fall Festival :: Weir River Farm, Hingham

Visit with the adorable farm animals, climb aboard a tractor, paint your own pumpkin, learn about beekeeping, press your own apple cider, challenge your friends at the potato spoon, and make sure to enjoy an HKS Clydesdales wagon ride tour of the Weir River Farm! This fun day is not to be missed!

September 21 :: Berserk – A Viking Festival for All Ages :: The Scandinavian Cultural Center, West Newton

Interact with a live Viking encampment on the front lawn, and see traditional Viking-era crafts, games and combat demonstrations! Participants are invited to browse the goods of Nordic vendors, play Kubb and Molkky and even take a traditional Finnish sauna by Abundance Sauna (an extra fee applies to the sauna). There will also be a screening of Vinter Ravn, a short film centered on a female Viking warrior, which will be followed by a Q&A with the film maker and an opportunity to pose with the leather and chain-mail costumes from the set, as well as a book signing with the author Nancy Marie Brown.

September 21 :: Fepo’s Birthday Bash Fundraiser :: Don’t Forget Us PET US Animal Sanctuary, Duxbury

Fepo the rooster is turning 2! Come celebrate! Join Chippi the llama, Bandaid the minihorse, Turnip the goat, and lots of other animal friends at Fepo’s birthday bash! Guests are invited to participate in pony rides, visit the animals, play chicken bingo, and, of course, have birthday cake! Adults are welcome to donate a $5 scratch ticket for a chance to win the whole board of scratch tickets! All funds raised from vendor and raffle sales will go toward helping the animals at the sanctuary.

September 27 :: Ice Cream Boad SUP Social :: Peace Love SUP, Mashpee

Combine two great summer activities — paddle boarding and ice cream! This event meets up at Great River Boat Ramp in Mashpee and paddle boards over to the Kool Beans Ice Cream Boat, where guests choose their ice cream to enjoy on board! All skill levels are welcome, including beginners. Pricing includes all paddle board equipment and one tasty treat per person.

September 28 :: GameOn Day Boston :: King Oak Hill Park, Weymouth

Calling all childhood cancer heroes! Wear your best superhero costume, and come be part of this special day! This free event aims to connect the childhood cancer community, and show the kids how valued and loved they are. Invite your family and friends for music, inflatables, crafts, food, face painting, a teen corner, a raffle, and so much more!

September 29 :: Summer Scoops Pumpkin Painting :: Plainville

Celebrate the end of summer and welcome fall! Paint your own pumpkin during the last weekend that Summer Scoops is open for the season.

September 29 :: Cars & Critters Car Show :: Stone Zoo, Stoneham

Combine your love of cars and your love of animals and what do you get? The Mustangs of Massachusetts (MOM) presentation of Cars and Critters, of course! This car show will feature cars of all makes and models, and you can visit with the animals at the zoo while you are at it! There is a $25 entrance fee if you would like to register a car to participate, which includes admission to the zoo. All funds raised go to support the Stone Zoo.

Little Farmer’s Mornings :: Red Horse Farm, Hanson :: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. (June–October)

Little ones up to 4 years old will learn about farm chores with horses, chickens, and goats! They will also enjoy a farm-related story or craft.

Storytime at Showcase Cinema de Lux :: Patriot Place, Foxborough :: Tuesdays, 11 a.m.

This free weekly storytime takes place every Tuesday at Showcase Cinema de Lux. After a story reading, a special character makes a weekly appearance followed by a short movie.

Public Telescope Nights at New England Sci-Tech :: 16 Tech Circle, Natick :: Tuesdays and Fridays, 8–9 pm

The public is invited to join New England Sci-Tech for an evening of astronomy during the spring, summer, and fall months. Depending on staff availability, inside activities such as planetarium shows and visiting the astronomy classrooms may be available. Visitors are also invited to borrow smaller “starblast” telescopes to use on their own.

Recreation Sundays on Memorial Drive :: Memorial Drive, Cambridge :: Sundays, May–November

Every Sunday, from the last Sunday of April to the second Sunday of November, Memorial Drive is closed to traffic between Western Avenue and Mount Auburn Street — and open to recreation! Ride a bike or scooter, take a jog, or bring your baby on a leisurely stroll down this usually busy road while you enjoy the beautiful views of the Charles River!

Urban Air Sensory Friendly Jump/Play Time :: Bellingham :: Sundays, 9 a.m.

This event is specifically designed for children with autism and special needs to enjoy time at the park and have a lot of fun without loud music and flashing lights! The lights will be white and music/video games turned off for those with sensory challenges during this time.

Baby-Friendly Monday Matinees at the Capitol Theatre :: Arlington :: Mondays, 12–2 p.m.

The Capitol Theatre features a baby-friendly movie every Monday afternoon. Please check the theater’s Monday schedule to see what feature has been selected for parents and their infants.

Kids’ Art Club :: Dorchester :: Tuesdays, 4:30–5:30 p.m.

This club has a new art project at the library every Tuesday. Projects include collage self-portraits and artist’s books. Art Club projects are showcased in rotating displays in the library children’s room.

Nature Time at Blue Hills Trailside Museum :: Milton :: Thursdays, 10:30–11:30 a.m.

Introduce your preschool-aged child to nature with this fun program. Programs may feature a story, nature games, crafts, short walks outside, or meeting one of the museum’s animal residents. Meet, play, and learn with other area families. Each program runs for 45 minutes and meets most Thursdays. Museum admission is included with this program. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

JFN Free Friday Playgroup :: Natick :: Fridays, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

Bring the little ones and come join other parents and caregivers in the Metrowest area for a fun-filled morning of play and socializing. There are plenty of songs, activities, toys, snacks, and laughter, as both the children and their grown-ups build connections and lasting friendships.

Backyard and Beyond: Forest Fridays :: Acton :: Fridays, 10–11 a.m.

A great way for the whole family to enjoy time outdoors, the Forest Friday program is held outside, no matter the weather. Every Friday morning there is a nature-based activity based on the weather and season, either in Discovery Woods or out on the adjacent conservation land. All ages are welcome but activities are designed for 2- to 6-year-olds. Please note that the conservation land trails are not ADA or stroller accessible; please wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

Storytime at the Curious George Store :: Cambridge :: Fridays, 10:30–11 a.m.

Small children and their caregivers are welcome at these weekly storytimes, running throughout the year.

SaturPLAY :: Rose Kennedy Greenway – Chinatown :: Boston :: Select Saturdays, 1–3 p.m.

The Asian Community Development Corporation’s youth program, A-VOYCE, hosts a placemaking event monthly to activate and bring children to The Greenway’s Mary Soo Hoo Park. Each month features a different theme with games, activities, crafts, and more. Youth volunteers are on hand to engage children. SaturPlay is subject to weather conditions.

ImprovBoston Family Show :: Cambridge :: Saturdays, 4–5 p.m.

Improv Boston’s improv and music extravaganza is completely made up on the spot every week based on your suggestion. No two shows are alike! Best of all, children who want to participate have opportunities to be on stage and take part in the fun! The show is ideal for family outings, birthday parties, and school field trips. It’s fun for the whole family and best for children ages 4-12.

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Deanna Greenstein
Deanna is a mom of five (yes, five) children, who lives in Brockton with her small circus of kids, her husband, their dog Penny, and a few cats. Her life is loud, energetic, mostly fun, often gross (did she mention four of those kids are boys?), and she wouldn't have it any other way. In between carting kids to school, baseball, gymnastics, guitar, dance, track and field and every other kid activity known to mankind, she works as a school bus driver for the city of Brockton, and is the Director of Religious Education at the Unity Church of North Easton, a Unitarian Universalist congregation. Deanna also holds degrees in Elementary Physical Education and Dance Education, which she plans to put back into use one day. At parties, Deanna can often be found hanging out with family pets. She follows her children around with a camera like the paparazzi, is pretty sure that 97% of her blood stream is made of coffee, and her laundry is never done. You can also find her blogging at https://eighteenmoreyearsofburpsandfarts.wordpress.com