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

Come to the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary to join in the reading of a children's nature story followed by an exploration in the woods, fields and wetlands of the sanctuary.

Late spring is a great time to experience on-the-water ecology, and kayaking is the perfect way to capture every moment. From wading birds to waterfowl, the salt marshes provide the backdrop to sights and sounds that are uniquely available from the water. Kayaking quietly on the calm waters of the Plum Island Sound, we'll visit secluded areas where we can witness wildlife without disturbing their activities. We may even see horseshoe crabs mating!

This spring Bright Horizons will host a Well Aware Open House for current & prospective families that focuses on on building the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits. Activities at the events will highlight how Bright Horizons fosters attitudes toward healthy living and incorporates this learning in children’s daily routine.

Beverly Public Library  hosts their annual party on the library lawn at the Beverly Farms Branch.  Come for a fun afternoon that features entertainment by “Mike the Hatman”, lawn games for all ages, balloon hats and activities  for children, and cool summer refreshments. Learn about the  Summer Program for Children, “Dig Into Reading”. Fun for the whole family.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Beverly Farms Library. *The Lawn Party goes on rain or shine.*

Although reading a comic book isn’t everyone’s idea of fun, the expressive Pop Art, comic theme of this art show is sure to draw you in. The Class of 2013 has worked diligently throughout many years of studio art classes, and is pleased to show the community their greatest works of art through the Senior Art Show.

Moms and families are invited to Maudslay State Park to celebrate Mother's Day! This flower walk is a perfect after-lunch walk with Mom and the park interpreter to learn about the fabulous flowers at Maudslay, one of the premier viewing locations in Massachusetts. Meet at the park headquarters on Curzon Mill Rd. Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes.

The beloved annual Duckling Day Parade has become Boston’s most adorable Mother’s Day tradition, and that’s no lie. Children (and sometimes parents too) don duckling attire and retrace the route taken by Mama Mallard in Make Way for Ducklings (Viking Kestrel picture books) by Robert McCloskey. Each year our little ducklings flock to the Boston Common ready for an adventure. They are greeted by a magician, a juggler a face painter and others who are there to celebrate this special occasion. When the time comes the ducklings line up with their families and the parade begins. They march out of the Common down Beacon Street and take a stroll through Beacon Hill. If you haven’t seen it in person, just imagine waking up on Mother’s Day to hundreds of children dressed as ducks parading past your home. Did we mention this is Boston’s most adorable Mother’s Day tradition? It may even be the most adorable Mother’s Day tradition in the world. Others seem to agree.

Join watercolorist Brenda Sloane in a monthly program that combines nature and art. We will start with a walk on the sanctuary to observe the topic of the month. We will then return to the Nature Center to create a follow-up work of art.

Come for an exciting visit to the Joppa Flats Bird Banding Station on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. See Mass Audubon scientists capture, measure, weigh, examine, and release migrant songbirds. Learn about migration, habitat use, and scientific research at a real field station. The station operates only during the height of migration in spring (April and May) and fall (September and October).

Ipswich Public Library is hosting a Manga Workshop with Andy & Veronica Fish. Manga is a form of Japanese story telling created in the late 18th century, that has transformed into a style of comic art. Learn about Comics, draw characters, learn about story-telling or how to make your own! Event is free and open to teens ages 12 and up. Reservation required. For more information contact Paula Grillo, Young Adult Librarian, at 978.356.6648.

Generous Gardeners has a great fundraising idea for gardeners this Spring that helps the gardener, the garden, the environment and the Gloucester Education Foundation! If you're an avid gardener like we are, you know that the time to split your perrenials is now, and you'll also be in the process of raising seedlings for planting after the last frost. So split your perennials and plant some extra seedlings, because now there's a place to send them! Donate your split perennials with Generous Gardeners, and they'll end up in a garden sale on May 18 at Stage Fort Park that will raise funds for the Gloucester Education Foundation.

The Open Door will hold its annual Empty Bowl Dinner on Thursday, May 9 from 4-8 pm at Cruiseport Gloucester.  Share in a simple meal of soup, bread and a cookie and take the dinner bowl home as a reminder of someone in need of a meal. Empty Bowl events are held nationally to generate awareness concerning hunger and to raise money for local hunger-relief programs.