Outdoor Activity

Discovering Nature Through Story, Music, and Art

Kids will explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary to connect with nature and learn about the creatures of the North Shore Massachusetts wilderness!

Preschoolers and young kids will explore the wonders of winter in the "enchanted woods" of Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in this four-session series. We'll begin in the Nature Center with story, poetry, and imagination. Next, we'll bundle up for a winter walk to awaken our sense of wonder to the silence, scents, and scenery of the sleeping winter woods. Along the way, discover how the trees, plants, birds, beavers, squirrels, chipmunks, and other wildlife spend the winter. We'll look for animal stories in the snow (tracking) and much more. After our walks, we'll create artwork that reflects the wonders of winter that we discovered, while listening to winter nature songs. These keepsakes will bring home winter's secrets and beauty as we await the signs of spring.

Joppa Flats Summer Solstice Celebration

Celebrate the Summer Solstice with Mass Audubon at the Joppa Flats Education Center

Celebrate the longest day of the year (and the first day of summer) with us! Learn why we have seasons and express your appreciation for the summer with sun-themed activities, crafts, and songs. We'll make cosmic suncatchers and flower-power crowns, conduct a human sundial experiment, and make sun-themed snacks.

When: 
Friday, June 21, 2019 3:30-5pm

Wee Farmers at Appleton Farms

Wee Farmers at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts. Photo: ©2011 Bill O'Connor

Wee Farmers is designed for our 3-5 year old friends who want to explore the farm, meet our animals, and get a taste of what Farm Camp is like at Appleton! You’ll get to dig into life on the farm and lend a helping hand brushing our goats, feeding our bunnies, making butter and taste testing in the education garden! Learn about how we grow our vegetables and see how good your senses are with Harvest Blanket. Meet our cows and learn how we milk them. We’ll start our morning with a quick craft before venturing out for some farm discovery and nature exploration.

When: 
Monday-Friday through August 2019 9-10:30am
Location: 

Summer Solstice Yoga Hike at Ward

Holt Hill at Ward Reservation is marked with Solstice Stones and has panoramic

Join HER Wellness & The Trustees to celebrate the summer solstice at Ward Reservation! Participants will enjoy hiking up to the solstice stones to practice an all-levels yoga flow under the sunset and glowing moon. There, we will embrace the sun reaching its highest peak and welcome the fruitful summer upon us, both inside and out! Handcrafted herbal tea and bath salts created for the astrological moment will be provided, along with self-care tips for the summer season.

When: 
Tuesday, June 21, 2022 6:30-8:30pm
Location: 

CAM on the Green: A Summer Celebration

Summer Celebration at the Cape Ann Museum Green in Gloucester Massachusetts

Enjoy inspired cocktails, creative bites, and the company of art aficionados as the sun sets over Cape Ann.  This special celebration encourages meaningful connection and community engagement while supporting CAM’s programs, exhibitions, and the inspiring and rewarding experiences offered throughout the year.

When: 
Saturday, July 30, 2022 6-9pm

Family Fishing at Breakheart Reservation

Come to Breakheart Reservation for a full day of family fishing fun!

Join the park interpreter for a drop-in fishing program! Learn how to fish, what fish live in our ponds, and how to catch and release responsibly. Bait and a handful of rods will be provided but feel free to bring your own gear and fish with us and share your tips! No license required if fishing in this program. Best Appropriate for children 5 years and up. Meet at the left side of
Pearce Lake Beach. Rain cancels.

When: 
Saturday, June 11 & 25, 2022 10-11:30am

Afternoon Adventures Drop-In Spring Series

Appleton Farms' popular Afternoon Adventures program now has a drop-in option on Wednesdays in Ipswich Massachusetts.

New this spring, the Trustee's popular Afternoon Adventures program now has a drop-in option on Wednesdays! Bring a friend, pick and choose the days you’d like to attend, or try it out for the first time. This 2.5-hour drop-off program on Wednesday afternoons provides your child with immersive, farm-based play and chores that foster social-emotional learning, wellbeing, and a love of nature. Skilled educators with a flair for fun and a knack for outdoor skills supervise your young farmers as they explore the barnyard, garden, and trails. This entirely-outdoors program uses our historic Carriage Barn (where the goats live!) for shelter in severe weather.

When: 
Wednesdays, May 4 - June 8, 2022 2-4:30PM
Location: 

Free Ferry Day on Boston Harbor

Boston Harbor Free Ferry Day departs from Long Wharf in Boston Massachusetts

Celebrate the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park Anniversaries and Park Opening Day with a FREE trip to Spectacle or Georges Island! Explore historic Fort Warren on Georges Island or walk Spectacle Island’s beaches and winding trails. Catch the ferry to either island right from downtown Boston’s Long Wharf North… for free!

When: 
Saturday, May 21, 2022 8am-5pm

Pages

Smileland Pediatric Dental Care Waltham Malden Massachusetts

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

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

It's Summer by Linda Glaser storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Its Summer by Linda Glaser is the subject of this STORYWALK Series.  Watch the world transform when Spring comes!Enjoy this preschool storywalk at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time outside in nature!
7:00 am to 8:00 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

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

Amesbury Days Celebration

Amesbury Days is a celebration of the onset of Summer and community.
Amesbury Days is a a 8-day celebration of all things Amesbury that kicks off the summer with fun and exciting community events in Amesbury, Massachusetts. Fireworks, a block party and a 5k walk/run will be just some of the highlights of this years' Amesbury Days celebration. There will be events...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Kidleidoscope at Bradley Palmer

Kidleidoscope is a programs designed for preschoolers at Bradley Palmer State Park
Kids ages 3-6 are invited to join this fun, engaging activity session where they will learn about nature through stories, craft and outdoor activitiies. Topics vary by week, so come for them all! Meets at the Nature Center at 40 Asbury Street.
10:00 am to 11:00 am

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 3:59 pm

Saugus Iron Works House Tours

Free Ranger guided tours of the Saugus Iron Works House in Massachusetts
Join National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a 30-minute tour of The Iron Works House.
11:00 am

Saugus Iron Works Tours

Free Ranger guided tours at Saugus Iron Works Colonial Industrial Site in Massachusetts
Join the National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a tour of the colonial industrial site. On select days, you may be able to stick around and witness pop-up molten iron pour, blacksmithing, waterwheel demonstrations, and take part in hands-on river stewardship activities.
2:00 pm

Ipswich Homegrown Market

Ipswich Homegrown Market on the Middle Green in Ipswich Massachusetts.
Every Thursday through the Summer, you will find fresh local produce and other foods from local vendors at the Middle Green in Ipswich Massachusetts! Come enjoy this weekly community event featuring local growers, makers, artists, and dreamers.
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Salem Farmers' Market

The Salem Farmer's Market bring the goodness of local farm to downtown Salem!
The Salem Farmers' Market brings fresh local produce and other foods from North Shore farms and other local resources to downtown Salem every Thursday at  Bentley Academy Charter School!
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Teen Super Smash/Mario Kart Tournament

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament with One Up Games at Ipswich Public Library Massachusetts.
We are going to all play many copies of Super Smash Brothers and Mario Kart at once (some on the Switch, some on the N64s provided), each player getting their name on a raffle ticket for every five minute round they win (SSB) or every 50cc course they win (MK). One prize for the most effectively...
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Saint Peter's Fiesta | Thursday

Wednesday night is the unofficial 1st night of Saint Peter's Fiesta in Glouceste
The Saint Peter's Fiesta is an annual festival in Gloucester, Massachusetts celebrating the city's fishing heritage, close-knit families, community, and religious traditions.  The five-day celebration includes a carnival, live entertainment, and unique traditional events like the infamous 'Greasy...
5:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Salisbury Farmers' Market

Salisbury Farmers Market is a great source of local produce.
The Salisbury Farmers' Market offers a vibrant community experience with a variety of fresh, locally sourced produce, unprocessed honey, farm-fresh eggs, and maple syrup. Enjoy music, local market creations, and engage with local farmers. The market also features monthly craft markets, cooking...
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

IPL | Plum Island Pans Summer Kick Off

Come to the Ipswich Middle Grean to Kick-Off the Summer with Ipswich Library and Zach Firld Drum Studios
Ipswich Public Library invites kids and families to kick off the Summer Reading program with the Plum Island Pans - a local steel drum band!
5:30 pm

Summer Concert Series at Lynch Park

Free Summer Concerts hosted by Bev Rec at Lynch Park in Beverly Massachusetts
Enjoy free concerts this Summer at Lynch Park in Beverly, Massachusetts!  Families are encourages to grab a chair and a blank and head to the park for a free concert at Lynch Park's ampitheater.
Where: Lynch Park
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Castle Hill Picnic Concert | The Far Out

The Far Out Thursday night picnic concert performance at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
Looking for a fun family outing on the North Shore of Massachusetts? Don't miss the Thursday Night Picnic Concerts at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich! These concerts offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time with your loved ones in a beautiful and exclusive setting on the North...
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Wednesday, July 3

Gloucester Horribles Parade and Fireworks

Gloucester Massachusetts hosts an annual Horribles Parade to celebrate Independence Day every year on July 3rd.
Gloucester hosts their annual Horribles Parade followed by a concert and fireworks over Gloucester Harbor! The parade will follow its traditional route out Centennial Avenue, left on Western Avenue to Washington Street at Tally’s Corner, right down Washington and left onto Rogers Street, left on...
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Manchester by the Sea July 4th Celebration

Part of Manchester by the Sea's July 4th celebrations kick off with a concert at Masconomo Park on July 3
Part of Manchester by the Sea's July 4th celebrations kick off with a concert at Singing Beach on July 3rd, followed by a Fireworks at 9pm.
7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

July 4th Fireworks in Lynn Massachusetts

Independence Day Fireworks and concert in Lynn, Massachusetts, July 3
Lynn's Fireworks Display Begins at 9 PM from Red Rock Park. Prior to the Fireworks, there will be a live music perform starting at 7pm. Lynn Shore Drive and Surrounding Streets Will begin at 6PM and remain closed until after the show. Parking restrictions go into effect at 3PM. The best viewing  is...
7:00 pm to 9:30 pm

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
7:00 pm

Gloucester Waterfront Concert & Fireworks 2024

The FREE Annual Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza Concert on Gloucester Harbor Fourth of July
Gloucester is gearing up for an exciting Independence Day celebration. Experience the beauty of Gloucester’s skyline with a mesmerizing fireworks display. Watch the night sky light up with vibrant colors over popular locations around Gloucester.  
7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Thursday, July 4

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

It's Summer by Linda Glaser storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Its Summer by Linda Glaser is the subject of this STORYWALK Series.  Watch the world transform when Spring comes!Enjoy this preschool storywalk at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time outside in nature!
7:00 am to 8:00 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

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

July 4th in Beverly Farms

West Beach Fireworks, Parades and More on July 4. Celebrate July 4th in Beverly Farms!
Beverly Farms has a lot going on for the 4th of July including cookouts, softball games, live music, a parade and, of course, fireworks! Come celebrate Independence Day filled with history and community tradition!
Where: West Beach
8:00 am to 10:00 pm
Subscribe to Outdoor Activity