North Shore Kid Stories, Events, Activities, Camps and Recipes

The Great House at Castle Hill isn't just a big mansion for adults to explore. It was once the summer home (and playground) of the Crane children, Florence and Cornelius. On this special, 45-minute guided treasure hunt created especially for families with children ages 4 to 8, you can sharpen your sleuthing skills as we search for treasures, both large and small, throughout the Crane family mansion.

Maudslay State Park has one of the best shows of flower bloom in the Commonwealth. Come and join the beginning of this cycle with a look at the two varieties of trilliums that bloom at Maudslay with the park interpreter. This month, we enjoy the bloom of Lily-of-the-Valley, Ghent/Exbury Azalea, Columbine, and Ox-eye Daisy. Wear comfortable shoes and appropriate warm clothes. Meet at the park headquarters at 74 Curzon Mill Rd

What kid doesn’t like playing in the water? There’s many creatures that live there that we may not know about. Come join the interpreter for this interactive exploration into the pond and its many denizens. Appropriate for families with children. Wear clothes that can get wet and appropriate shoes. Meet at the park headquarters on Curzon Mill Rd.

Spring is a great time to look at Shore! Hallways are full of art and culminating curricular projects. Our fields are filled by recess games and athletic contests, and Shore's Center for Creativity is quickly nearing completion.

Particularly in grades Pre-K -2, enrollment is flexible, and we welcome interest from new candidates. Come for a tour and a conversation about exploring the admissions process.

For students looking for more challenge, stretch, creativity, and engagement, Shore has the faculty and peer groups to match. For families seeking a community where education and character are priorities, we welcome you into a strong partnership with the school.

Explore Shore's website. Call for a conversation - 978-927-1700, ext. 204. Schedule a visit. Discover Shore!

See, learn, find, create! Young artists are invited to enjoy drawing, painting, print making, and sculpture using the Museum's shipyard and artifacts for inspiration. All materials are provided for projects. All ages are welcome. Those seven and younger must be accompanied by an adult. A public exhibit of the art work produced will take place at the museum. This program is supported in part by the Essex Cultural Council, a local agency, through the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information and to reserve a spot email or call.

Got milk? We do! On this special program designed especially for our toddler friends, we'll enjoy calf close encounters, a cow story and costume, milking in the dairy barn and more! For ages 2-5 with an accompanying adult. Please pre-register. For older kids, check out Meet the Cows at Appleton Farms.

Daisy Nell, children's book author of Rocky at the Dockside and Stowaway Mouse, will read her stories and lead a sing-along with her husband and musical partner Captain Stan Collinson. This program is a free family event made possible by the Goldhirsh Foundation.

The Abbot Public Library invites preschoolers to their National Chocolate Ice Cream Day celebration! Join us for a quick bout of summer, snack-time stories & then enjoy a cold, tasty treat. We bet you can guess what it is! (No craft today)

We will be exploring the tide-pools of Sandy Point to learn about the relationships between the water, plants, and animals that live in this habitat. We will learn how to search and handle a wide variety of intertidal animals including  snails, mussels, crabs, and other small invertebrates. We plan to play a game that shows what life in a tide-pool is like, sing some songs and get a little wet too!

As part of the Lowell Summer Music Series, a special series of kids performances takes place on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Activities include make-and-take art at 10 a.m., a performance at 11 a.m., National Trolley Park rides at noon, and natural and organic snacks for the kids.

Annisquam Arts announces summer photography workshops for kids ages 11-17 with all levels of experience welcome.

Four-day and three-day workshop dates are available.

Space is limited. Email simonesalvo@gmail.com for more information & registration.

Enjoy ongoing activities throughout the day at our 14th Annual Audubon Nature Festival. The entrance fee for the festival is $12 per car (members and nonmembers). Save a tree and get $2 off at the gate if you mention that you saw this online - no need to print out a coupon!