Join in the fun with old-fashioned family and children’s games at Codman’s Harvest Fair on Sunday, Oct. 1 from noon–4 p.m. Activities include bingo in the sugar shack, a pie-eating contest, rooster run, lots of games, (mostly) Codman-grown food, music, and more. Children’s admission bracelets are $20, which includes ice cream. Kids under 3 are free. Click here to skip the line and order in advance.
The Lincoln Public Library presents a music performance for children and families by Sulinha’s Trio on Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 10:30–11:15 a.m. in the Tarbell Room. Originally from Brazil, Sulinha Boucher’s trio plays bossa nova, baiao, and other styles on Brazilian instruments like berimbau and bandolin as well as acoustic guitar and percussion. No registration necessary. For all ages.
Reading Circle participants will read “The Wellfleet Oysterman” from Thoreau’s Cape Cod and come together for discussion with Walden Woods Project Curator of Collections and resident Thoreau Scholar Jeffrey S. Cramer. “The Wellfleet Oysterman” as well as discussion questions will be provided upon registration. “The Wellfleet Oysterman” (as well as the full Cape Cod text) is available to read on this Walden Woods web page.
The Reading Circle is an event in association with the Thoreau’s Cape Cod Readathon, a first-of-its-kind event sponsored by the Barnstable Land Trust, the Walden Woods Project, the town of Concord, and other partners in Concord and on Cape Cod. The Readathon will be held October 7 and 8 at Fuller Farm in Marstons Mills as well as live-streamed. Find out more here.
The fifth annual Brain Games cornhole tournament and family fun day on Sunday, Oct. 15 from noon–5 p.m. in Pierce Park. Live music, local beer, magician Ed Popielarczyk, raffle prizes, and the Clover food truck! There is no cost to attend the event. Food and beverages are available for purchase — everything else is simply whatever you would like to donate. Please spread the word, and invite your friends and family.
Brain Games is the Doo family’s annual fundraiser benefiting moyamoya research at Boston Children’s Hospital in honor of the care received by their daughter, who was diagnosed with the rare brain disease moyamoya in June 2019 and has had three surgeries since. Their goal this year is to raise $100,000 to continue funding her surgeon’s research, where 100% of the event’s proceeds go.
Join us for a reading, presentation, and Q&A with Lincoln’s Lawrence Buell about his forthcoming book Henry David Thoreau: Thinking Disobediently, the first concise account of Thoreau’s life, thought, and impact in more than half a century. Buell is the Powell M. Cabot Professor of American Literature Emeritus at Harvard University and has written and lectured worldwide on Transcendentalism, American studies, and the environmental humanities. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a wine and cheese reception. The book will be available for purchase at the event (address provided upon registration).
Tales of the Night, the annual family-friendly, nature-oriented spooktacular at Drumlin Farm, returns on Thursday and Friday, October 26 and 27 from 6:30–9 p.m. Activities range from “not so spooky” to “very spooky,” making Tales of the Night great for all ages. The wildlife sanctuary’s pathways will be candlelit to set the mood, so attendees will be able to spot the illuminated jack-o-lantern display. And don’t be surprised to wander into a story along the Nursery Rhyme Trail! Haunted Hayrides will explore Boyce Field. A variety of wildlife “ambassadors” will also be joining the party, including tarantulas and scorpions as special Halloween guests. Snacks will be available, as will secret “Witches Brew” for the (blood)thirsty. (This concoction may taste like apple cider to young attendees.)
Proceeds from the event ($17 members/$20 nonmembers) provide critical support for Mass Audubon’s nature education and conservation programs. Admission is free for children 2 and younger — and coming dressed in costumes is encouraged! Register and learn more here, or visit massaudubon.org/tales.
Tales of the Night, the annual family-friendly, nature-oriented spooktacular at Drumlin Farm, returns on Thursday and Friday, October 26 and 27 from 6:30–9 p.m. Activities range from “not so spooky” to “very spooky,” making Tales of the Night great for all ages. The wildlife sanctuary’s pathways will be candlelit to set the mood, so attendees will be able to spot the illuminated jack-o-lantern display. And don’t be surprised to wander into a story along the Nursery Rhyme Trail! Haunted Hayrides will explore Boyce Field. A variety of wildlife “ambassadors” will also be joining the party, including tarantulas and scorpions as special Halloween guests. Snacks will be available, as will secret “Witches Brew” for the (blood)thirsty. (This concoction may taste like apple cider to young attendees.)
Proceeds from the event ($17 members/$20 nonmembers) provide critical support for Mass Audubon’s nature education and conservation programs. Admission is free for children 2 and younger — and coming dressed in costumes is encouraged! Register and learn more here, or visit massaudubon.org/tales.
Come to the fourth annual Sinister Spectacular at Lincoln-Sudbury High School on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 1-3 p.m. Halloween-themed games and crafts will be hosted by our students (outside if weather permits; in the cafeteria if it doesn’t). This event is best for preschool through elementary kids. Costumes not required but encouraged. $5 entry and refreshments for sale. Email danielle_weisse@lsrhs.net with any questions.
Spend a crisp fall morning with your family in the Sculpture Park and complete a series of gently ghoulish activities designed for preschoolers and toddlers and their caregivers. Explore in the morning mist, create a creepy crawly park creature, and work with educators to explore spiders through a collaborative rope web installation and sculptures inspired by the eight-legged arachnids. Costumes encouraged and all ages welcome. Preregistration is required — click here for details.
Practice your pumpkin poses and skeleton stretches. This kid-friendly yoga class weaves a rich balance between the imaginative world of the child with the distinct aspects of yoga practice that support mindfulness, self-regulation, and joy. The instructor comes from the teaching team at On The Mat Yoga in Concord. For ages 3-12 with a caregiver; meet on the third floor of the museum and bring a water bottle and mat. Click here for details and registration.
“I Remember Abuelito” — A Day of the Dead Story
Enjoy bilingual storytelling with this Day of the Dead story. This Mexican holiday is a celebration where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink, and celebration. After the story, we will reinforce Spanish vocabulary from the story as we sing, play, and do a craft. This program is for those who speak Spanish and those who want to learn. No registration or previous knowledge required. Recommended for children ages 5+.
Join us for a smashing good time at the third annual Great Pumpkin Smash at Codman Community Farms on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. This family-friendly event is all about having fun while also making a positive impact on our planet. Bring your jack-o’-lanterns and decorative gourds to smash and feed to the Codman Farm pigs. Enjoy a Codman Farm breakfast sandwich or scoop of ice cream from Reasons to Be Cheerful and live music with Risa Lavelle and the Honeysteelers. Get tips on how to get started with composting in your home.
Prepare your pumpkins for composting by removing any stickers, candles, and other decorations, and please leave your painted pumpkins at home. Suggested donation of $1 per pumpkin. Want to make this event even greener? Arrive with your pumpkins by bike to receive prizes.
The Lincoln Garden Club presents “Leave the Leaves, Save the Stems” with landscape designer, writer, and educator Kathy Connolly on Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Why are fallen leaves and dead stems important? What are the practical concerns? How can we keep properties attractive? Organized by the Lincoln Garden Club in collaboration with Lincoln Common Ground and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust. Also available via Zoom; click here to register.
Go into the woods with Farrington Nature Linc Educator and Program Manager Meg Ito to look for “Signs of Animals” on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 2–3:30 p.m. Expect to see some real animal bones, skins, and other signs as part of this workshop (including an introduction to local wildlife and a 45-minute walk around the site) featuring animal track cards and a small piece of snake skin home. Click here to purchase tickets ($25–$45).
First Parish in Lincoln is hosting a movie night on Wednesday, Nov. 15 — get cozy and watch “Zootopia” with pizza at 5 p.m. and the movie starting at 5:30 p.m. with popcorn. Refreshments and cheese board for adults. We’ll have gluten-free options as well. We will also be collecting diapers for the Metro-Boston Diaper Drive — any and all unused diapers welcome, loose or in packages. Please RSVP so we have an accurate count for food (note: this is not a drop-off event). To make a suggested donation of $10/family to help cover food costs, click here, select Youth Programs and type “Movie Night 11/15” in the notes field.
Do you need holiday gift book suggestions for the young readers in your life? Join the children’s librarians as they review their favorite new books of the year as well as some perennial favorites. The event is open to all adults. Email dleopold@minlib.net for the Zoom invite.
Make holiday snacks and charcuterie plates with Happy Jars owner Jodi Gorman. For children 10+. Please email sfeather@minlib.net to register.
Come to Pierce Park on Friday, Dec. 1 from 6-7 p.m. for a flashlight candy cane hunt. Music, prizes, and hot cocoa. Free but preregistration required at lincolnrec.com.