Science

All Family Field Trip: Gather, Gorge & Store!

Visit Maudslay State PArk in Newburyport Massachusetts to learn about how animals prepare for the winter

Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the north shore with Joppa Flats Education Center . Our engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors. Sign up for one, some, or all!

When: 
Friday, December 15, 2023 10am-Noon

Star Party with the NSAAC

Join the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club in a Star party at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport Massachusetts

Join the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club (NSAAC) at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge to experience the wonders of the night sky. NSAAC Volunteers will set up telescopes for viewing stars, planets, nebula, and more. Participants will be aided by members of the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club in viewing the wonders of the night sky, and learn about the importance of dark skies for migratory wildlife from refuge staff.

When: 
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 7-9pm

CraneExplorer: Keeping a Nature Journal

Families are invited to a nature journaling workshop Castle Hill grounds in Ipswich Massachusetts

Calling all budding naturalists! Take inspiration from the beautiful landscape at Crane Estates and join us for a special session of creativity and observation. Families will create nature journals using a book-binding technique demonstrated by our coastal educators. Afterwards, participants will hike to inspiring parts of the estate where they can draw and document observations in their newly created journals. Our coastal educators will lead everyone through observational exercises and offer guidance as you make your first journal entry.

When: 
Saturday, November 11, 2023 1-3pm

Tuck's Point COASTSWEEP Cleanup

Join Seaside Sustainability for a COASTSWEEP clean up of of Tuck's Point's shoreline in Manchester Massachusetts

Join Seaside Sustainability for a COASTSWEEP clean up of of Tuck's Point's shoreline from 9-11am on Saturday, October 14thWhat to Bring: Appropriate clothes for being on the coast, hat, sunscreen, water, snack, thin gloves optional, hand sanitizer, and a friend or two! Seaside Sustainability will supply everything you’ll need for the cleanups.  

When: 
Saturday, October 14, 2023 9-11am
Location: 

CoastSweep: Gloucester

CoastSweep volunteers catalog marine debris collected at Cripple Cove in Gloucester Massachusetts

As part of COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup, volunteers are encouraged to come to Gloucester to help in the statewide effort to keep our coastline clean along the Gloucester beaches and shoreline. Trash collected will be measured and analyzed, and the data will be sent to Washington DC to aid the government in creating legislation to minimize trash in our oceans! This specific cleanup is coordinated by Michael Mitchell and the Community Church of East Gloucester, and will cover up to 8 beaches in Gloucester.

When: 
Saturday, October 14, 2023 9am-Noon

Dirt Detectives

Come to Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm and give your kids a shot at archaeology!

October is Massachusetts Archaeology Month! Participants become archaeologists as they excavate a mock pit with actual tools of the trade and process reproduction artifacts in a field lab. Inside the museum, they explore building archaeology via trap doors. They analyze objects to learn about daily life at the farm over the last three hundred years.

When: 
Monday, October 23, 2023 10am-12:30pm

Star Party! Stargazing at Maudslay

Join the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club in a Star party at Maudslay Park

Join the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club for an evening of stargazing at Maudslay State Park. The night sky is spectacular when you can view it from the middle of a state park, where our street lights don’t spoil the view! Maudslay State Park teams up with the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club to highlight the spectacular night sky.

When: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 7-9pm

Fun in the Field at IRWS

Learn about butterflies and other field creatures at the MassAudubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary!

Fields are alive with animal activity on warm, fall days. Spend an early October day chasing butterflies, grasshoppers, and crickets with nets while taking some time to closely observe these amazing insects. We may also encounter predators of the field, such as Blue Birds, Leopard Frogs and Garter Snakes! This will be a hands-on experience the entire family can enjoy.

When: 
Saturday, October 7, 2023 10-11:30am

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Shore School in Beverly Massachusetts offers a host of Summer programs for kids aged 5-12

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

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

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...
7:00 am to 8:00 pm

Salem Heritage Days Festival

Salem Heritage Days is a week long celebration of Salem's history and tradition.
Celebrate the past and the present with neighbors, friends and visitors at the Annual Salem Heritage Days Festival. Events are scheduled around Salem throughout the week, kicking off with the annual Salem Maritime Festival and concluding with the Essex Street Fair, produced by the Salem Chamber of...
7:00 am to 9:00 pm

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...
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Beverly Homecoming Dog Party

Join fellow animal lovers at the Beverly Homecoming Dog Party in Massachusetts
Come to a furry fun-filled morning at the Beverly Dog Park! Bring your  four-legged friends for a delightful time featuring exciting raffles, adorable on-site painted pet portraits ($), and more. Don’t miss out on the chance to make new friends—both two-legged and four-legged!
9:00 am to 11:00 am

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...
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

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.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

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...
9:00 am to 12:00 pm

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 4:00 pm

Family Fun Day at Clay Dreaming Pottery Studios

Family Fun day at clay dreaming studios.  Part of Beverly Massachusetts Homecoming
Looking for an indoor Homecoming activity? In the spirit of Beverly Homecoming you can enjoy 1/2 price Studio Fees for Paint Your Own Pottery - all day at Clay Dreaming, 186 Cabot Street. Tour the studio and gallery. Pottery for sale. For more information contact the studio at 978-927-1414.
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

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.
10:30 am to 12:00 pm

Rockport Illumination & Fireworks

Rockport Massachusetts lights up the night with a mid-Summer fireworks show!
Come to Rockport Massachusetts for a day of family fun! After a day of events including a lobster dinner fundraiser, childrens activities, live music, art demos, printmaking and an art walk, a fireworks display will light up the sky over Rockport Massachusetts! The Show begins at 9pm, and will be...
11:00 am to 10:00 pm

Hospital Point Lighthouse Open House

Take a tour of this historic Beverly landmark thats usually closed to the public as part of Trials and Sails!
One of Beverly's most familiar landmarks, this lighthouse commands a spectacular view of Salem Sound, and 3 other lighthouses. An enduring monument to Beverly's nautical heritage, it is one of 5 Massachusetts lighthouses that still retains its original Fresnel lens.
11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Salem Maritime Festival

Celebrate 400+ Years of Maritime History at Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!
Join us for the annual Salem Maritime Festival on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Salem Maritime National Historical Park on Derby Street. This event is free and open to the public. Salem Maritime Festival will feature a cardboard boat race, free tours and programs at historic buildings and the...
11:00 am to 6:30 pm

Boat Tour to Misery Island

Journey on Essex Heritage’s landing craft Naumkeag to Great Misery Island in Salem Sound Massachusetts
Journey on Essex Heritage’s landing craft Naumkeag to Great Misery Island in Salem Sound. Along the way, hear stories about the rich history of the harbor and how the Misery Islands acquired their unique name. When you arrive, you’ll have 2 hours to explore the trails, open meadows, rocky shoreline...
11:00 am to 2:00 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

Long Hill Garden Tours

Tour the Gardens at the Trustees of Reservations Long Hill Gardens in Beverly, Massachusetts!
The Trustees of Reservations invite you to join our expert guides for a tour around Long Hill’s stunning Sedgwick Gardens and learn more about the special plants. Visit Long Hill’s breathtaking gardens and stately historic house for a guided tour. Enjoy the rich history of this grand country estate...
11:00 am to 12:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: Choate Island Kayak and Hiking Adventure

Take a guided kayak paddle and hike to Choate Island with the Trustees of Reservations!
Join The Trustees of Reservations for a paddle and a hike – what better way to spend an afternoon? Kayaking the pristine, sheltered waters of the Essex River Basin offers one of the top on-the-water experiences to be had in Northeast. Add to that a hike on the area’s largest island and you have the...
1:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Tiny Tots Day at Beverly Homecoming

Kids will enjoy an afternoon of fun activities at Beverly Homecoming Tiny Tots Day.
Tiny Tots Day 2025 is a fun, free, family event put on by the fantastic Bev Rec Staff at beautiful Lynch Park! Bring your children ages 1-5 for all sorts of cool activities and crafts.
Where: Lynch Park
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

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

Rockport Lobster Fundraiser for the Fireworks

Enjoy lobster at in Rockport Massachusetts to help fund the annual fireworks show!
What could be better than enjoying a lobster dinner in downtown Rockport with your family while helping a worthy cause? Rockport Lobstafest is a great way to get a taste of the freshest lobster possible while helping raise funds for the Annual Rockport Fireworks Show!
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Downtown Gloucester Block Party

Food, music, live entertainment, dance, craft and fun come together for a great
Main Street, Downtown Gloucester Massachusetts comes alive when the Street is closed off to allow live music, street performers, kid activities, non-profits, food vendors and more! Many of shops and businesses on Main Street will be open for business and will welcome partygoers. Other Gloucester...
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Fireworks and Beach Concerts at Salisbury Beach

Fourth of July Fireworks at Salisbury Beach include a campfire and marshmallow roast on the beach.
Join us at Salisbury Beach for an unforgettable family night out! Every Saturday through the summer, enjoy spectacular fireworks (weather permitting) that light up the sky. Before the fireworks, there's a live concert starting at 7:30 PM on the Salisbury Oceanfront Stage, perfect for families with...
7:30 pm to 11:00 pm

Beverly Commons Walking Tour

Learn about the area once called the "witches' woods" while enjoying forrested greenery in Beverly Massachusetts.
Beverly Commons, once part of a colonial-era common land, was known as Sheep Pasture. This area holds great stories of the past. Join us for a walk into history as we explore this wooded area and discover the stories hidden inside including that of an early 20th century immigrant settlement and the...
9:30 pm to 11:30 pm

Saturday, August 16

Low-Sensory Play at North Shore Children's Museum

Low-Sensory Play at NorthShore Children's Museum in Peabody Massachusetts
Join us for a low-sensory play session. For some children, visiting places like NSCM can be over-stimulating. This special play session will have reduced noise, crowds, and stimulation. While medical diagnosis is not required, we encourage that these limited tickets be used for families with a...
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Summer Concert Series at Stage Fort Park

Compaq Big Band is just one of the perfromers in the Summer Concert Series at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester Massachusetts!
Come enjoy a Summer evening sea-side concert at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester Massachusetts! The Cape Ann Community Band under the direction of David Benjamin, plays their annual summer concerts Sundays at the at the Antonio Gentile Bandstand, Stage Fort Park, Hough Avenue, Gloucester MA.
6:30 pm

Fireworks and Beach Concerts at Salisbury Beach

Fourth of July Fireworks at Salisbury Beach include a campfire and marshmallow roast on the beach.
Join us at Salisbury Beach for an unforgettable family night out! Every Saturday through the summer, enjoy spectacular fireworks (weather permitting) that light up the sky. Before the fireworks, there's a live concert starting at 7:30 PM on the Salisbury Oceanfront Stage, perfect for families with...
7:30 pm to 11:00 pm

Sunday, August 17

Todd Farm Market

Come to Todd Farm on Sunday - A classic New England Fleas Market in Rowley Massachusetts!
From early Spring to late Fall, Todd Farm is a great Sunday destination for families!  Head to the farm and explore the outdoor award-winning Market featuring up to 240 vendors from all over New England and New York!
5:00 am to 3:00 pm

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...
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

Newburyport Farmers' Market

Newburyport Farmers find organic locally grown produce, meat, dairy Newburyport
The Newburyport Farmers Summer Market celebrates local fresh produce every Sunday morning rain or shine!  Start your Sunday browsing fresh North Shore local produce, meats, cheeses, and seafood in an open air market atmosphere! Food and beverage vendors offer fresh hot coffee, breakfast treats and...
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

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...
9:00 am to 6:00 pm
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