Bring the Kids!

By Ann Claffie

So far, this has been a most unique winter season for the Berkshires, in fact, for all of New England! It’s safe to say that we are definitely experiencing “mercury in retrograde.” For the times it has snowed in the Berkshires, my son continues to show excitement. “Mom, it’s really snowing!” (Just not enough to build our snowmen or snow forts yet.) Our plan A does include snow tubing. I’m curious to test the new 5-Lane Tubing Park at Ski Butternut or spend an afternoon at Bousquet Ski Resort or Jiminy Peak's Snowy Owl tubing center. Since recent cold temperatures have produced lots of man-made snow, it looks like February will be a perfect time for a beginner’s ski lesson for my son. Maybe I’ll even plan a visit to see Catamount’s Junior Jib Park, a place for rider wannabees.

We also have plan B in motion, experiencing a culturally enriched winter. As February begins, our family’s monthly events calendar is ready to unfold, complete with not just things to do, but places to eat. I might even be tempted to overnight in one of the Berkshires lodgings with an indoor pool—water sports for the ‘boys’ and spa-a-ahhh services for me. Whatever we end up doing, the choices had better be enticing because I have to “sell it” to two experts – a nine-year old who doesn’t miss a trick and my husband, “who’s been there, done that.”

OK here goes: We’ll start with a pre-historic scavenger hunt through an amazing lost world of Savage Ancient Seas, available any time between 1-2 p.m. (until May 5) at the Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield. We can also experience winter like the Shakers did back in the 1800s (Feb. 17-19) with ice harvesting and maple sugaring, sorting and packaging seeds from Shaker gardens, baking and butter churning inside the Brick Dwelling at the Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield.

In Stockbridge, the Norman Rockwell Museum will present Picturing Health just for kids ages 7+. The fun-filled art workshops each afternoon (Feb. 19-23), include storytelling and games. Also in Stockbridge, on February 24, IS183 will have a free clay art class with artist Nancy Magnussen. Their week-long programs, for young explorers, Animals and their Habitats (ages 5 to 7) and Art Safari: The Wonderful World of Masks (ages 7 to 10) sound great.. Each day using clay, collage and papier-mâché, kids’ masks will become animals and creatures from our imaginations. “Mom, that’s way cool!”

A short ride for us to North Adams, will offer a mind-boggling experience (perfect for my crew) at MASS MoCA, when we visit their newest exhibit featuring tons and tons of rice. Huh? Rice you say? Yes, one grain for every person in North America and South America. As the statistics change by the second (through births and deaths), the artists arrange and rearrange the grains, creating an ever-changing landscape. The work constantly evolves. I think we’ll plan to make several trips there.

Oh! Guess who’s being “bugged by winter?” The Clark’s Family Day in February includes bug art projects and bug movies (remember The Fly?) on Wednesday, February 21, 12 to 4 p.m.

Finally, we’ll include a concert at the Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield, featuring Altan. This award winning band from Ireland will take to the stage at 4 p.m. on February 18. It’ll be a foot tapping time with music from old Irish songs to hard-hitting reels and jigs. I almost forgot, “Animagic” - the Museum of Animation, Special Effects and Art is promoting workshops for kids from 5 to 95 years old. Learn how to make your own animated movie that you can take home. My son, “Mr. Creativity” will really go for that. Just call for an appointment as there’s no set schedule.

Is there anything else? Yes, eating out is a must! Places with funky names and great kids’ menus usually grab our attention— such as Patrick’s Pub, Misty Moonlight Diner, brewhaha!, Kneebone’s Steakhouse, Freight Yard Pub and Luau Hale. Take-out from House of India or Ye Olde Forge will no doubt top our list, tantalizing our taste buds with different cuisines in the Berkshires.

As a parent, eating out is fun, but I also look for healthy, nutritional choices. “Awesome, Mom! I love the salad bar at Dakota.” (Hmm, that’s not bad for a 9-year old.)


About Ann Claffie
A Berkshires native, Ann grew up in Dalton as the oldest of five children who were encouraged to use their imaginations for fun and play. Today, married and living in Pittsfield, Ann and her husband enjoy family fun and adventure with their nine year old son. She has been on staff at the Berkshire Visitors Bureau for more than ten years.