Latest Stories, Events, Activities, Camps & Recipes

Get outside for a nature hike at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge during Febrary Vacation!
Get outside for February School Vacation Week! Join a refuge ranger for a guided nature program at the Hellcat Trail. Learn about refuge wildlife, winter adaptations, and more. This program is entirely outside. Dress warmly! Parking instructions will be sent with registration confirmation via email.
Location: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
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Come celebrate the return of the Eagles to the Merrimack Estuary! Photo: Eagle on Ice by Bill O'Connor
When winter returns to the lower Merrimack Valley, so do Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls and other exciting winter wildlife. Every year Mass Audubon hosts a grand event marking their return.  Come to Newburyport on Saturday, February 14, 2026, for a full day of fun indoor and outdoor activities that celebrate the return of the Bald Eagles! Learn about these magnificent eagles and other amazing raptors, and why our local habitat is so important to them. 
Location: Joppa Flats Education Center, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Downtown Newburyport
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Best Sledding Hills and Slopes on Boston's North Shore of Massachusetts
When it snows, we love to slip and slide the afternoon away. It's always a lot of fun, and it's a great way to get out and explore some new places. Local parks, golf courses, schoolyards, libraries, parks and even the backs and sides of buildings. If it doesn't make sense to drive around in the car, break out the shovels and start making your own hill by forming huge pile of snow in your own yard!
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Beginning winter birding is held on the 3rd Sunday of each Winter month at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts
Halibut Point State Park, along the Atlantic migratory path, is an excellent locale for winter birding species you rarely see anywhere else.Winter brings birds and ducks from frozen ponds up north to our seashore. See Harlequin ducks and loons among the winter visitors at this rocky coastal water’s edge. Bundle up and join us for a short, leisurely walk while learning about bird sounds, habits, and flight patterns. 
Location: Halibut Point State Park
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Kids will have a blast at the MIT Museum in Cambridge Massachusetts during February Vacation Week!
Come on your own, with friends, or bring the whole family to the museum for a special week of programming. The museum has a number of activities planned for the week of February 14-22, including extended Maker Hub and Learning Lab hours, tours, gallery cart demos and family workshops. With the exception of family workshops, all activities are free with museum admission. Take a look at the full schedule below, then plan your visit.
Location: MIT Museum
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CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us this season. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place…
Location: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
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Ipswich Massachusetts public library hosts a giant Candyland suring February Vacation Week.
Ipswich Public Library invites kids and families toto take part in some February Vacation Fun!  Play a Giant Candy Land game throughout the library! Work your way with your group of family and friends throughout the library on the giant gameboard. Hopefully you won’t spin and land on the black dots but will keep moving forward to the Candy Land Castle. Register for half hour slots available from 2-6pm.
Location: Ipswich Public Library
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Table Top Role Playing Games (RPG) at Newburyport Massachusetts Public Library
For Grades 7-12. This program is registration only. Space is limited so register right away! This D&D club is for new players as well as experienced ones. We are using the D&D 5e system. Join the adventure guild and explore the Roaming Realms! Did you murder Dorian Heartwood? Maybe, but probably not with the list of other suspects involved. It's up to you to figure out who did it and clear your names!
Location: Newburyport Public Library
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February vacation week programs at the Danvers YMCA in Massachusetts
Looking for fun plans during February vacation week? The Danvers YMCA is hosting Vacation Break Adventures from February 16–20, offering a full week of engaging, hands-on activities for kids. There are themed days full of arts & crafts, science fun, gym games, swimming, and more. Highlights include animal encounters, bounce house fun, and a movie trip to the Gloucester Cinema.  Registration required.
Location: Danvers Community YMCA
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Dungeons and Dragons for Teens and Tweens at Rockport Massachusetts Public Library
Have you always wanted to play D&D? Are you already an avid D&D player? Whether you have been playing for years or are new to the game the library invites you to join our new club. For those of you who may be unsure of what D&D is, no problem. Below you will find brief overview of the game provided by D&D Wizards:
Location: Rockport Public Library
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Landmark Skills+ Summer Course at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts

Valentine's Day
12:00 am to 11:59 pm
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Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive
Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...
7:00 am to 9:00 pm
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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point
Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
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LEGO World: Wonderealms
Drop in at LEGO World: Wonderrealms at Wenham Museum in Wenham Massachusetts
This all-new experience invites visitors to explore an extraordinary LEGO world where creativity knows no bounds. From enchanted forests and futuristic skylines to pirate coves and steam-powered frontiers, each realm is packed with intricate details, playful surprises, and clever touches you won’t...
Where: Wenham Museum
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
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The Merrimack River Eagle Festival
Come celebrate the return of the Eagles to the Merrimack Estuary! Photo: Eagle on Ice by Bill O'Connor
When winter returns to the lower Merrimack Valley, so do Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls and other exciting winter wildlife. Every year Mass Audubon hosts a grand event marking their return.  Come to Newburyport on Saturday, February 14, 2026, for a full day of fun indoor and outdoor activities that...
Where: Joppa Flats Education Center, Where: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Where: Downtown Newburyport
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
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CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike
CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us this season. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place…
Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
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Quarry Quest Treasure Hunt
Kids will enjoy this treasure hunt at the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry in Rockport Massachusetts
Enjoy an outdoor treasure hunt at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations during February Vacation! Halibut Point State Park invites kids and families to follow clues then unscramble to find a treasure box!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
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Discover Saturdays at Cape Ann Museum
Discover Saturdays for Families at Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Enjoy a FREE guided activity (ages 4+) in the gallery. Learn about Cape Ann’s Granite Industry, try a fun art making activity, and join in gallery tour designed for kids and their caregivers, led by a CAM Educator. Afterwards grab a scavenger hunt to explore the property and enjoy the lawn.
Where: Cape Ann Museum Green
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
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StoryWalk at Halibut Point
StoryWalk®! Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming - a self guided reading tour at Halibut Point in Rockport Massachusetts
Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! StoryWalk®! Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming. Self-guided reading pages posted along a lovely Park trail near the visitor center. Connect with nature and each other while enjoying the...
Where: Maudslay State Park
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
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February Vacation at MIT Museum
Kids will have a blast at the MIT Museum in Cambridge Massachusetts during February Vacation Week!
Come on your own, with friends, or bring the whole family to the museum for a special week of programming. The museum has a number of activities planned for the week of February 14-22, including extended Maker Hub and Learning Lab hours, tours, gallery cart demos and family workshops. With the...
Where: MIT Museum
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
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CAM Kids: Be Mine Valentine
CAM Valentine Workshop for kids at Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester Massachusetts
Drop into the Teen Room at the Sawyer Free Library for a Valentine’s Day card-making activity inspired by the Folly Cove Designers.
Where: Cape Ann Museum
10:30 am to 1:00 pm
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Maple Stroll at Appleton Farms
Appleton Farms has their own sugar maple syrup production facilities to service their abundant suplly from their many sugar maples
Visit the historic maple stand and sugar shack at Appleton Farms and learn all about maple sugaring, its history at the farm and in New England, and how you can try your hand at it at home!
Where: Appleton Farms
11:00 am to 2:15 pm
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Wednesday, February 25

Read to a Dog at APL
Kids are invited to read to a dog at Amesbury Massachusetts Public Library. Image generated with AI.
The Amesbury Public Library invites kids to come read to a dog at the Library! Read to a dog to help improve reading skills and get comfortable with reading aloud with only a very cuddly dog to hear you! This program will have Gus, a certified reading dog, and his caretaker at the library in our...
Where: Amesbury Public Library
3:45 pm to 4:30 pm
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Dungeons & Dragons at the G.A.R. Library
Dungeons and Dragons at the GAR Memorial Library in West Newbury Massachusetts
Come to this ongoing campaign using The Dragon of IceSpire Peak. Bring your own character, play one of ours,  or we can help you create one. All are welcome.
Where: The G.A.R. Memorial Library
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
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Stargazing at Mendel Observatory
Mendel Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night
The Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night (weather permitting) starting at dusk or 7:30 pm, whichever is later.  When special astronomical events of interest occur (total lunar eclipses, etc.) the Obs
Where: Mendel Observatory at Merrimack College
7:00 pm
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Thursday, February 26

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive
Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...
7:00 am to 9:00 pm
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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point
Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
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Afterschool Chess Club at Abbot Library
Kids can play clocked chess matches against each other each Wednesday at the Abbot Public Library in Marblehead Massachusetts
Students in grades 2-5 are welcome to come to this informal chess club to practice by playing with others also interested in developing their skills and sharing an interest in chess. The class will be held on Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. with facilitator Ben Konoff and his daughter,...
Where: Abbot Public Library
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
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LEGO Club at Danvers Library
LEGO club at Danvers Library Massachusetts
Peabody Institute Library - Danvers invites kids to an afternoon of building and fun! Activities will include free build, themes and instructional design. All structures will remain on display in the Children’s Room till the following weeks's session
Where: Peabody Institute Library - Danvers
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
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Friday, February 27

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive
Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...
7:00 am to 9:00 pm
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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point
Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
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Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation
Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Where: Breakheart Reservation
10:30 am to 11:30 am
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