Keep your kiddos entertained this Holiday season with Wendy Rouillard’s top tips.
NHA’S FESTIVAL OF TREES
The Nantucket Historical Association is excited to host its 28th annual Festival of Trees with more than 80 trees decking the halls of the Whaling Museum this holiday season. Designed and handcrafted by local merchants, nonprofit organizations, artists and children, the trees will be on display from December 3rd through the 31st. Marine Home Center has been graciously sponsoring this event since 2009, so admission is free to all Nantucket residents. This is an island tradition not to be missed! For more information, please visit nha.org or call 508-228-1894.
STEM AT HOME WITH THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
The Nantucket Boys & Girls Club offers a series of STEM programs ranging from Lego Robotics and Kids Science Labs to its Photo Club. Children can start a scavenger hunt “photo” journal at home. All they need is a notebook, colored pencils and tape. (Kids can also use a camera if one is available.) They can search for flowers, pets, insects, trees, windows in different shapes and sizes, and any other objects they would like to mention in their journal. Then, they can draw and color each item or simply take a photo and tape it on the page. Next to each item, children can put the number of that item to spot. The Nantucket Boys & Girls Club has more than 800 members. To support the club and programming like this, please visit nantucketboysandgirlsclub.org and consider making a donation.
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS AT BARNABY’S TOY & ART SHACK
Barnaby’s Toy & Art Shack at 12 Oak Street in downtown Nantucket is offering a variety of art classes for children ages two and up through Thanksgiving and Stroll. Classes includes Holiday Ornaments, Make Your Own Advent Calendar, Gingerbread Houses, Holiday Winter Wonderlands and more! The doors are always open to drop in and create works of art any time of day.
Toys have also been carefully selected for the holiday season to provide functionality, hands-on interactive play and entertainment. Also, don’t miss Barnaby’s Art Kits to Go! Visit the full calendar of programs at barnabysnantucket.com, or for more information, call 508-680-1553 or email barnabyack@gmail.com. Be sure to follow @barnabystoyartshack.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING AT PEACHTREE KIDS
Peachtree Kids, located at 19 Main Street, has you covered for all your holiday shopping needs this season, from Christmas pajamas and holiday outfits to winter clothing essentials. They offer a perfect selection for children ages 0-12 years. Peachtree Kids is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or visit them online at peachtreekidsnantucket.com or call 508-228-8555. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @peachtreekidsnantucket.
FAMILY ART IS BACK AT AAN
Create art together with the Artists Association of Nantucket this winter. Join AAN for its family art class at the Visual Arts Center, located at 24 Amelia Drive, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Each week this free workshop, led by one of the AAN art teachers, will explore various mixed media. No registration is required but space is limited. For more information, please visit nantucketarts.org and follow them @ackartists for up-to-date information about winter programming.
THE DREAMLAND THEATER
Head to the Dreamland theater this winter! The theater is open Monday through Saturday offering current screenings, theater productions and programs for adults and children of all ages. For up-to-date information, please visit nantucketdreamland.org and follow them @nantucketdreamland.