Kids

February Break at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Sign up for one or all days of February Vacation Activities at IRWS in Topsfield

Winter is an exciting time for outdoor discovery. We have put together four sessions of hands-on, awesome, age-appropriate activities and games to explore the natural world in winter. Sharpen your observation skills as we locate and learn about winter animals and tap a sugar maple tree to make syrup. Sign up for the entire 4-day session, Tuesday-Friday from 8:30am-3:00pm. Separated into three age groups: ages 5-6, ages 7-8, and ages 9-12.

Family Owl Prowl

Join a Family Owl Prowl Campout at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: Scott Santino

People of all ages love owls, and many species of owls can be found right here in Massachusetts year-round. Experience the excitement of an owl prowl as we take a night hike to look and listen for Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, and Eastern Screech-owls. Before we head out on our nocturnal adventure, we'll learn fun owl facts in our cozy Barn using real owl mounts, feathers, talons, and a brief slide show. We'll end our evening with an owl-hooting lesson.

When: 
Saturday, February 8, 2025 5:30-7:30pm

Superbowl of Birding 2025

The Superbowl of Birding 2025 is a unique competition conducted in Rockingham County, NH, and Essex County, Massachusetts

The Superbowl of Birding 2025 is a unique competition conducted in Rockingham County, NH, and Essex County, MA. During a 12-hour period, teams of birders of all ages and abilities seek out the greatest number of avian species and amass the most points based on the rarity of the birds recorded. Teams compete this year for prizes in 11 categories. Enjoy spectacular winter birding and find out just how good you and your team really are!

When: 
Saturday, January 25, 2025 5am-5pm

DCR First Day Hikes on the North Shore

Explore a nearby state park on New Year's Day for a great start to the year!

First Day Hikes take place at nearby State Parks nationwide on New Year's Day. The annual hike originated more than 20 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation in Massachusetts. The program was launched to promote both healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year-round recreation at state parks. On the North Shore, there will be First Day hikes at Halibut Point State Park, Downtown Essex & Harold Parker State Forest.

When: 
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 10am

Kids New Year's Eve at Wenham Museum

Families have a blast celebrating New Year's Eve at Wenham Museum in Massachusetts!

Wenham Museum has a special New Year's Eve celebration planned just for kids and families!With music, movement, performance, and art we will welcome 2025 in a fun and family-friendly way. We’ll countdown to “midnight” at 12 p.m. with streamers and a balloon drop! All of the museum’s galleries will be open as well, for you to enjoy. 

When: 
Saturday, December 31, 2024 10am-1pm
Location: 

Hamilton-Wenham Holly Days Farmers' Market

Hamilton-Wenham Community House hosts a Thanksgiving and Holiday farmers market

The Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham is pleased to offer a holiday farmers market just in time for the holidays, to provide you with the very best ingredients and treats for your holiday feasts! Vendors are required to offer goods grown, produces, raised or harvested within 100 miles of Hamilton, Massachusetts.

When: 
Friday, December 6, 2024 3-8pm

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Adirondack Leadership Program at Gordon College’s La Vida Center

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

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!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Trails & Sails

Explore the North Shore with over 150 Free Events in Essex National Heritage Area's Trails & Sails celebration in Massachusetts.
Essex National Heritage Area sites will offer over 150 free family fun events from September 14-29, 2024 for the annual celebration of TRAILS & SAILS. Discover special places in your backyard and be guided through unique landscapes on land and sea, explore historic properties, and take in...
7:00 am to 10:00 pm

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Crescent Farm Corn Maze

Crescent Farm corn maze in Haverhill Massachusetts
Imagine the biggest puzzle you’ve ever seen. Now imagine a day in the sunshine with your friends or family. Now add an adventure that takes teamwork and memory skills. All these things and more can be found at Crescent Farms Corn Maze. Crescent Farm Corn Maze trails cut into 9 acres of corn. Inside...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Gloucester Gratis Days at Hammond Castle

Bring your kids to the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts during April Vacation
In keeping with John Hays Hammond, Jr's original vision for his seaside castle-home to serve as a museum offering the Gloucester community access to ancient works of architectural art, Hammond Castle Museum will offer Gloucester residents free, self-guided tours each Tuesday throughout the regular...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Paddle Around Historic Rockport Harbor

Paddle around Rockport Massachusetts Harbor for FREE as part of Trails and Sails
Come join North Shore Adventures and Outdoor Center for some fun on the water! No experience necessary. Depart from our private beach in one of our safe, stable kayaks or paddle boards and paddle around the historic Rockport Harbor for 30 mins. See lobster boats, Motif #1, the Rockport Break water...
10:30 pm

Saturday, September 20

Crescent Farm Corn Maze

Crescent Farm corn maze in Haverhill Massachusetts
Imagine the biggest puzzle you’ve ever seen. Now imagine a day in the sunshine with your friends or family. Now add an adventure that takes teamwork and memory skills. All these things and more can be found at Crescent Farms Corn Maze. Crescent Farm Corn Maze trails cut into 9 acres of corn. Inside...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

ECTA Run for the Trails

Annual Run for the Trails Essex County Trail Association ECTA
Sign up for the 20th Annual Run for the Trails! Don't miss out on this great course over some of the North Shore's best trails!
9:00 am

AtlAtl Days in Danvers!

See an ancient weapon demonstration at the Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Danvers Massachusetts as part of Trails and Sails!
Come to Rebecca Nurse Homestead to try your hand at ancient hunting practices! The technique of using an atlatl, or spear throwing stick, is an ancient global technology. Join us, along with the Eugene Winter Chapter of Mass Archaeological Society, as they teach you the finer points about hunting...
9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Open Boarding on the Hannah (AKA the Fame)

Board Schooner Fame at the waterfront in Marblehead Massachusetts as part of trails and sails!
The Hannah, the first of several schooners commissioned by General George Washington, began her career as an armed cruiser in September 1775. To commemorate that important part of Marblehead’s history, the Fame – similar in size and appearance to the Hannah (aka Schooner Fame)– will be docked at...
9:00 am

Maritime Adventure Days

Maritime Adventure Free Days at Custom House Maritime Museum Newburyport Massachusetts
Maritime Adventure Free Days offers families and kids a unique opportunity to explore maritime history through interactive activities, guided tours, and hands-on workshops. A day of fun and discovery at the Custom House Maritime Museum for the family.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Step Inside the Historic Custom House

Take in the views of this prominent building where Nathaniel Hawthorne once worked and the U.S. Custom Service operated. This Custom House was built in 1819 and housed offices for the officers of the U.S. Customs Service, as well as an attached warehouse, the Public Stores, used for the storage of...
9:30 am to 4:30 pm

Marini Farm Corn Maze

The 2025 Marini Farm Corn Maze in Ipswich Massachusetts is themed for The Wizard of Oz
Come to Marini Farm for a fun journey through our corn maze! The Maze Park, corn maze, farm stand, bakery and other attractions provide a great destination for kids birthday parties, school trips, corporate team building, scout outings, and family activities. Marini Farm is located in beautiful...
10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Plum Island Lighthouse Tour

Be prepared to climb a steep ladder to get a view from this iconic Light House. Photo: Plum Island Light House ©2015 Bill O'Connor
Step inside the historic Plum Island lighthouse! Sign up for a free, 15-minute tour by visiting www.friendsofplumislandlight.org. The Trails & Sails tour date is on Sept 20th by appointment. Tours are dependent on weather and rain dates are not available.
10:00 am to 12:45 pm

Fairy House Festival at Veasey Park

Fairy House Festival at Veasey Park Groveland Massachusetts Trails and Sails 2023
Walk the trails to see the handcrafted houses at this year’s enchanted Fairy House Festival. Cast your People’s Choice Award vote for your favorite Fairy House. Stay awhile for magical fun, arts and crafts, food, raffles, live music, and more. Rain or shine. Anyone is welcome to submit a house.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Touch Tank Time

You can look at and touch the creatures in Joppa Flats Educations Center touch tank in Newburyport, Massachusetts
Spend some quality time at our touch tank where you can see and hold hermit crabs, moon snails, sea urchins and more!
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
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