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Hello Families!
Winter is here and we have lots of programs to keep your family busy
and connected during the cold and snowy months!
The Center for Families offers programming for Cambridge families and their children ages birth to 8 years old. We offer parent/child activities, playgroups, parenting workshops, infant support, family fun events, programs just for dads, and more!
If you have not subscribed to this newsletter and would like to receive it, please email centerforfamilies@cambridgema.gov.
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The Department of Human Service Programs' Community Schools Summer Camps and Cambridge Youth Programs (CYP) Pre-Teen / Middle School Summer Programs offer safe and fun summer programming to Cambridge children and youth in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. Community Schools Summer Camps and CYP Summer Programs are filled through a lottery process.
The online application will be open from February 1 - March 3, 2024.
The application, plus more information on tuition rates, camp locations, and schedules can be found on the website, linked below.
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Infant Programming
For Cambridge parents and caregivers with babies from birth - 15 months
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Infant Support Group/Baby Time Playgroups
We are offering two playgroups in two locations (please choose one location).
North Cambridge Series:
Mondays, from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
The Center for Families (Peabody School, 70 Rindge Ave).
*Dates listed on flyer
East Cambridge Series:
Tuesdays, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Frisoli Youth Center (61 Willow St.).
*Dates listed on flyer
To register, email Christine Doucet, Infant Program Coordinator, at cdoucet@cambridgema.gov.
*Once you have registered, you don't need to come to all of the sessions*
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Nurturing Touch/Baby Massage Series
Massaging your baby helps develop strong relationships between you and your child, helps your baby relax, decreases gas and constipation, increases body awareness and maturation, and regulates sleep.
Join this 6-part series for Cambridge families with a baby 5 weeks old through pre-crawling.
Dates: Wednesdays, 2/7, 2/14, 2/28, 3/6 and 3/20 from 12:30 -1:45 p.m. at The Center for Families (Peabody School, 70 Rindge Ave).
This is a hybrid group. Parents can join virtually on Zoom or in person.
Registration required. To register, email Christine at cdoucet@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-3003.
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Parent/Child Activities for Cambridge Families | |
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Providers Drop-In Playgroup
For Cambridge childcare providers, nannies, and the children they care for only.
This winter, meet other childcare providers in the Cambridge community and engage in fun activities and games with the children you care for! Playgroups are facilitated by CFF staff.
Where: Moore Youth Center (12 Gilmore St)
When: Thursdays, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/29, 3/7, 3/14
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
For more information, call Cynthia at
617-349-6327.
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Pajama Story Time!
CFF and the Cambridge Public Library invite Cambridge children from birth through age 8, and their grownups, to join us in person for songs, stories, and rhymes to wind down the day.
Where: O'Neill Library (70 Rindge Ave.)
When: Tuesdays, 2/27, 3/26, 4/30, 5/28, 6/25 at the
Time: 6:45 - 7:30 p.m.
No registration needed; just come if you can!
Contact Cynthia at 617-349-6327 or email cwoodward@cambridgema.gov for more information.
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Events and Parent Workshops! | | |
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Moms' Discussion and Craft Activity Group
Friday, February 16th from 10 - 11:30 a.m. at the Center for Families (Peabody School, 70 Rindge Ave).
Join the Center for Families and other mom as we talk about parenting and share our experiences while doing a craft activity together. Limited childcare available for children who are walking. Activity kits and snacks will be provided.
All mothers must register. To register, email Kim at ktran@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-7252.
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Postpartum Support Series: Exercises and Stretches for Mothers in their Postpartum Year (Virtual)
A workshop for mothers with babies birth-15 months old.
Learn from physical therapist Sybille Bosslet, who specializes in postpartum, how to take care of your body after birth. This workshop will give you tools to strengthen your whole body safely, especially the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles. Sybille will also share tips for preventing injuries.
Thursdays February 1st and February 15th from 10 - 11:30 a.m. on Zoom. We encourage you to attend both sessions.
Registration required. To register, contact Christine at cdoucet@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-3003.
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Febuary Activity Calendar | |
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Hey Cambridge Families! Looking for some new, engaging and fun activities to do with your child at home during February? Check out the February At-Home Activity Calendar! The activities are designed for Cambridge children aged 0-4, but everyone is welcome to join in!
You can change the ideas and activities to match your child's age and interests. The goal is to have fun! Check out the calendar below!
| Sponsored by The Center for Families and Let's Talk Cambridge. | |
Talking About Race with Young Children
Virtual series for white parents raising white children.
This 5-part virtual series is for families who live or work in Cambridge. Join us, and other parentsfor a presentation and discussion each week. Each session will include an activity to practice between sessions.
Sessions run from 8 - 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays March 7th, 14th, 21st, and April 4th and 11th.
Registration required. Space is limited! We will send a confirmation that you have a spot.
Have questions, or need help registering? Contact Cynthia at cwoodward@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6385.
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Cambridge Dads is a partnership between the Center for Families and the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative. Cambridge Dads connects with fathers and father figures and provides information on how a dad can get involved with Cambridge Dads.
Our programs include:
* Events for Dads and kids
* Events and workshops for Dads only
* Connection one-on-one
* Information on community resources
* Information on child development
Connect with Cambridge Dads!
Call or text us at 857-209-4964
Follow us on Facebook (@CambridgeDads), Twitter (@CambDads), and Instagram (@CambridgeDads)
Join our Fatherhood Text Campaign!
A great way to stay connected and informed! Recevie a text once a week about fatherhood, events, and activities to do with your kids in Cambridge
To sign up: Text the word "father" to 877-936-3237
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Dads & Kids At The Gym!
Join us at the Gately Youth Center (behind Peabody School, 70 Rindge Ave), for fun, games, and activities with your child! All dads, uncles, male caregivers, grandfathers, step-dads, godfathers, etc. who have at least one child aged birth to 8 are welcome. Light breakfast provided!
This series runs from 10 - 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays, February 10th, and March 9th.
More dates coming soon!
Registration required. To register, email cambdads@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6385.
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Dads Basketball!
Join other Cambridge dads, male caregivers, uncles, step-dads, grandfathers, etc., for a weekly evening of basketball!
Series runs from 6 - 8 p.m. at Fletcher Maynard Academy (225 Windsor St., enter through Harvard St. entrance) on Tuesday February 6th, 13th, and 20th.
Registration required. To register, contact Matt at mdottin@cambridgema.gov or call 617-453-8725.
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Ages and Stages Questionnaire | |
Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) with The Center for Families
The ASQ online tool helps you to better understand all your child's different stages of development from one month up to 5 years old with activities you can do at home. It only takes about 10 - 15 minutes to complete the questionnaire!
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Center for Families Help In A Bag! | |
Are you looking for some ideas on how to support your little one? The Center for Families offers free resource bags families can borrow on the following topics:
- First Time Dads
- Getting Ready to Share
- Biting Hitting
- Fun with Language
- Starting Childcare or School
- A New Baby in the Family
- Death of a Loved One
- Potty Training
- More topics coming soon!
Each bag is filled with engaging books for toddlers and preschoolers as well as articles and resource lists, including websites for parents.
If you are interested in borrowing any of the resource bags or have any questions, please contact Kim Tran at 617-349-7252 or email ktran@cambridgema.gov.
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More Resources and Supports for Families
Center for Families staff can connect you to local agencies in Cambridge and surrounding communities for assistance ranging from education, food, housing, and much more.
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The Center for Families is funded by the City of Cambridge, the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC), Children’s Trust, Cambridge Public Schools, and the Cambridge Health Alliance. | | | | |
