Outdoor Activity

North Shore Kids' PMC Bike Ride

Kids are encouraged to ride their bikes to raise money for the Pan Mass Challenge in Manchester

The Pan-Mass Challenge North Shore Kids' Ride will be one of many PMC Kids Rides held in neighborhoods throughout New England and beyond. Kids from Gloucester, Rockport, Beverly, Salem, Ipswich, Manchester, Hamilton-Wenham and other North Shore Towns will be riding in this event. Through the PMC Kids Rides program, nearly 6,000 cyclists between the ages of two and 15 will ride between one and 26 miles in mini-bike-a-thons to raise money for cancer research.

When: 
Saturday, June 1, 2025 9am-Noon
Location: 
Masconomo Park
Manchester
Outdoor Activity
Fundraiser
Charity
Bicycle
Face Painting
Bouncy House
Music

"Lilac Sunday" at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

Educational Program for Families North of Boston Arnold Arboretum Harvard

Take part in a beloved Boston tradition! Of the thousands of flowering plants in the Arboretum, only one, the lilac, is singled out each year for a day-long celebration. Tours of the lilacs, dance performances, picnicking (allowed on this special day only), and family activities make for a memorable, family day.

When: 
Sunday, May 11, 2025 10am-3pm
Location: 
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
Boston
Outdoor Activity

Tulip Festival at Cider Hill Farm

Come cut your own tulips at Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury Massachusetts

A gorgeous, fan-favorite variety of 100k tulips are scheduled to bloom in early May. Welcome spring with this multi-weekend festival featuring free live music, self-guided blooming orchard walks, outdoor hard cider bars, food trucks, fitness n' family activities and cut-your-tulips. General entrance is free but online tickets for tulip cutting is required. Walk-in tickets will not be sold upon arrival on the farm.

When: 
Saturdays, May 3 & 4, 2025 8:30am-4:30pm
Sundays, May 10 & 11, 2025 8:30am-4:30pm
Location: 
Cider Hill Farm
Amesbury
Farm
Tour
Flowers
Outdoor Activity
PYO
Pick Your Own

CraneExplorer: Mother's Day Coastal Crafts

Make a Mother's Day gift from nature the Trustees of Reservations Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts!

This Mother’s day, give a gift from the sea! From seaweed pressings to shell collages, beach treasures make beautiful greetings and keepsakes. Join this workshop to make a gift for Mom, OR bring Mom along for a fun coastal art-making outing! This program will start with a beach walk to collect coastal treasures, and then we will head inside for crafting. Materials and inspiration provided.

When: 
Saturday, May 10, 2025 10am-12:30pm
Location: 
Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
Ipswich
Discovery
Art
Outdoor Activity
Mother's Day
Craft
Gift
Gifts
Trustees of Reservations

Revere Beach Kite Festival

The Annual Revere Beach Kite Festival is a great excuse to hit the beach in Massachusetts!

On Saturday, May 10th, Revere Beach  hosts their Annual Kite Festival on Revere Beach. This is our way of kicking off beach season with fun for the whole family! Children will have the opportunity to build, decorate, and fly their kites. The event also features professional kite flyers, live music, and other family-friendly activities! This event brings in people of all ages to enjoy a beautiful Spring day on the beach and have family fun! We are excited to be back on the beach for the season and want you to join us.

When: 
Sunday, May 10, 2025 11am-2pm
Location: 
Revere Beach
Revere
Festival
Kite
Beach
Outdoor Activity

Annual Art in the Barn Exhibit and Sale

Art in the Barn is a fundraiser for the Essex County Greenbelt Association Essex Mass

Art in the Barn is recognized as one of the North Shore’s premier art events, showcasing the work of some of the most talented artists in the region. An annual fundraising event for over 30 years, the show takes place at Greenbelt’s headquarters, Cox Reservation in Essex, an iconic plein air painting location, conserved forever by Greenbelt.Paintings, Photographs, Collages, Pastels, Sculpture, Ceramics, Blown glass, Fine woodworking, Stonework and more! All purchases support Greenbelt’s conservation work in Essex County!

When: 
Friday, June 13, 2025 10am-3pm & 5-8:30pm
Saturday, June 14, 2025 10am-5pm
Location: 
Cox Reservation
Essex
Fundraiser
Art
Sculpture
Outdoor Activity

Vernal Pools | Family Nature Series

Vernal Pools - Family Nature Series with Essex County Greenbelt and North Shore Nature Programs

Greenbelt and North Shore Nature Programs team up for this event for all ages! What sound do frogs make? Turns out, they make a lot of different sounds! Come meet the residents of the vernal pools to learn who says ribbit, quack, chirp, peep and more!​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We recommend all participants wear waterproof boots, as the woods can be quite soggy this time of year!

When: 
Saturday, April 5, 2025 10-11:30am
Location: 
Farnsworth Reservation
North Andover
Hike
Walk
Exploration
Outdoor Activity
Field Trip
Science
Live Animals
Amphibians
Vernal Pool

Spring Bloom Fest at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate

Spring Bloom Fest at the Trustees Stevens Coolidge Estate in North Andover!

Join The Trustees of Reservations  for the start of Spring at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens with a celebration of bulbs at our Spring BloomFest weekend! Stroll through our beautiful gardens with budding tulips, daffodils, and other spring bulbs while enjoying the crisp spring air and soundscape serenades. During this festival style event, visitors will have access to the gardens and the opportunity to participate in our daily activities included as part of your admission. This includes:

When: 
Daily May 1 - 4, 2025
Location: 
Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens
North Andover
Walk
Hike
Outdoor Activity
Gardening
Tour

Family Day at the Bird Banding Station

Kids will learn about local and migrating birds at Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport Massachusetts

There's nothing like a visit to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge for wonderful family nature experiences, and seeing the bird banding station in operation is at the top of the list. See Mass Audubon scientists evaluate and release migrant songbirds while you learn about migration and habitat use. Don't miss this chance - the bird banding station operates only during the height of migration in spring (April and May) and fall (September and October) and is very weather dependent.

When: 
Saturday, April 26, 2025 9-11:30am
Saturday, May 24, 2025 9-11:30am
Location: 
Joppa Flats Education Center
Newburyport
Workshop
Outdoor Activity
Birding
Presentation
Mass Audubon
Live Animals

Pages

Summerquest Camp for kids aed 5-14 at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

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.
Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
7:00 am to 7:00 pm
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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...
Where: Maudslay State Park
7:00 am to 7:00 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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StoryWalk Series at Maudslay
“Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser Storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! “Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser is featured in this StoryWalk Series. Younger kids will love this gentle, richly illustrated children’s nonfiction book aimed at preschool–third grade...
Where: Maudslay State Park
7:00 am to 8:00 pm
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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,...
Where: Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham
10:00 am to 10:45 am
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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.
Where: Boston Common and Boston Public Garden
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
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Beverly Farmers' Market
Get fresh local produce at the Beverly Farmers Market in downtown Beverly Massac
The Beverly Farmers’ Market supports local agriculture while making healthy food available to all members of the Beverly community at affordable prices; the market promotes sustainable living practices and fosters community connections through our vendors, free activities and events. The market...
Where: Odell Park
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
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Saturday, August 16

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
♦ Read More →

Haverhill Farmers' Market
Haverhill Farmers Market, North Shore Farmers Market, Cape Ann Farmers Marke
The vibrant, colorful Haverhill Farmers Market is where local farmers and food producers meet to sell directly to the community. Established in 1978, the Haverhill Farmers Market mission is to provide access to farm-fresh products and promote local agriculture, as well as serve as a social...
Where: Haverhill Farmers' Market
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
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Marblehead Farmers' Market
Find fresh local produce and other foods at the Marblehead Farmer's Market!
The Marblehead Farmer's Market boasts 15+ local farms, and booths with an educational spin nutrition, vendors and farms selling homemade prepared goods and craft vendors that are switched up in a rotation basis week to week. Additionally there are entertainers and exhibits by environmentally...
Where: Marblehead Farmers' Market
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
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Gloucester Waterfront Festival
Come to Stage Fort Park in Gloucester Massachusetts for the Annual Waterfront Festival.
Get ready for a weekend of art, flavor, and seaside charm as the 44th Annual Gloucester Waterfront Festival returns to the historic Stage Fort Park on August 16 & 17, 2025. Set against the stunning backdrop of Gloucester Harbor, this beloved festival invites visitors to explore an extraordinary...
Where: Stage Fort Park
9:00 am to 6:00 pm
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Andover Farmers' Market
Find Fresh Local Produce at the Andover Massachusetts Farmers Market North of Boston
The Andover Farmers Market is a vibrant hub connecting local farmers, artisans and the community through the joy of local food. Whether you come for carrots or conversation, it is a place to nourish the body, mind and spirit.
Where: South Church in Andover
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
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Rockport Farmers' Market
The Rockport Farmers' Market runs every Saturday at Rockport Music in Downtown Rockport!
The Rockport Farmers Market offers a variety of locally-grown produce, hand-crafted products, baked goods, and live music. It provides a community space to support local farmers and artisans.
Where: Harvey Park - Rockport
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
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Crane Outdoors: Kayak Adventure on the Castle Neck River
Take a guided kayak paddle adventure on the Castle Neck River with the Trustees of Reservations!
One of the best was to enjoy the natural beauty of the Massachusetts North Shore is kayaking the placid waters of the Great Marsh—the largest continuous stretch of salt marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. The Castle Neck peninsula on the Crane Estate is a vast barrier...
Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
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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.
Where: Boston Common and Boston Public Garden
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
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Kids Sail Free on the Schooner Lannon
Kids ride free on the 10:30am an Noon Saturday Cruise on the Schooner Lannon through Summer
Schooner Thomas E. Lannon is a fixture on the Gloucester Harbor vista throughout the day in the warm months, but to really experience the Lannon, you need to come aboard and go for a cruise!  Sail and see lighthouses, castles, scenic beaches, and magnificent waterfront homes.
Where: Schooner Thomas E. Lannon
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
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Salem Jazz & Soul Festival
Salem Jazz and Soul Festival in Salem Massachusetts - Salem Massachusetts Common.
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival has always been about bringing great music to the people of Salem, so we are bringing the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival downtown this year with a special one day event at Salem Willows Park. Enjoy live performances, vendors market, educational workshops, and more!
Where: Salem Willows Park
11:00 am to 7:00 pm
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