Visitors and local in western Massachusetts can find many family activities and attractions throughout the year. Families can visit the Ioka Valley Farm for strawberry picking and pumpkin carving, the Six Flags amusement park or the zoo in Forest Park. Children can enjoy a round of miniature golf at the Sand Trap at Twin Silos, learn about special effects at AniMagic or go on a zipline tour with Deerfield Valley Canopy Tours.
The Children's Museum at Holyoke, just north of Springfield in western Massachusetts, offers interactive exhibits designed to teach children about science and art. Children learn about optical illusions, climb through mazes, assemble giant dinosaur puzzles, visit the SitAround Theatre and an imitation veterinary hospital, and play on the Curvy Climber.
A separate play section provides learning opportunities for children less than 2 years of age. For preschool children, the museum offers a Think and Play program every Friday morning that involves music, arts and crafts and exhibit exploration. Families can host a children's birthday party at the museum for groups of up to 30 children. Every party includes invitations, museum admission and a complimentary voucher for a return visit and a gift for the birthday child.
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort & Adventure Park, at Hancock on Masschusett's border with New York, has 45 ski trails and three terrain parks spread out over 170 acres for wintertime day or longer-stay vacations. Skiing and snowboarding programs and lessons for children are offered in the SKIwee program for children between 4 and 6 years old and the Explorers program for kids between 7 and 12 years old. For children 3 and under, the resort offers a program that combines skiing lessons with activities at the indoor Cub's Den playroom.
During the summer, families have mountain biking and hiking and children at least 6 years old can use the resort's has an aerial adventure park with five courses comprising ladders, rope bridges and ziplines. The park has an enormous trampoline with bungees and swivel harness, inflatable bouncers, a rock climbing wall and a chairlift that brings riders to the top of Jiminy Peak.
Kid Stuff is an indoor and outdoor play and activity center with daytime, after-school and summer programs. The facility has giant play structures, arcade games with prizes, laser tag, a toddler's play area and on-site dining. Children can climb, slide and bounce on the play structures while parents grab a bite to eat at the food court and relax in the Wi-Fi connected lounge area.
For family dining throughout the day, Kid Stuff serves organic and whole grain menu items. Every month, Kid Stuff hosts a laser tag tournament for children and youth between 7 and 18 years old. The Kid Care Program at Kid Stuff provides an alternative to traditional daycare, with structured physical and educational activities and healthy lunches and snacks. Three party rooms are for both birthday and company parties, with decorations, catering and access to the facility throughout the party.
