North Shore Nordic Ski & Smores
![Join the Trustees for a snowy exploration of Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts on snowshoes. Join the Trustees for a snowy exploration of Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts on snowshoes.](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/appleton_farms_winter_scene_0.jpg?itok=y6aRXOvM)
Join The Trustees of Reservations for a snowy exploration of Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts on snowshoes. We'll loop through the pastures and woodlands and return to the farmstead to warm ourselves by the fire with hot cocoa and s'mores. All ages and abilities are welcome. No experience is necessary. If there isn't enough snow, we'll take a hike!
Open Gym Hours At NYS
![Open Gym each Saturday at the Newburyport Youth Services Rec Center Open Gym each Saturday at the Newburyport Youth Services Rec Center](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/nys_open_gym.jpg?itok=k3rbdA-e)
Join Newburyport Youth Services or open Gym hours every Saturday! The Rec Center gym is open on Saturdays for youth to come and hang in a free-play setting. Stop by to shoot hoops, play dodgeball, floor hockey, run free and use the gym.
Family Hike at Castle Hill
![Come to the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts for a hike with your kids! Come to the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts for a hike with your kids!](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/cedar_point_map.jpg?itok=WKsPz8mS)
The Trustees of Reservations invites you to get your little ones out of the house and build your family's outdoor confidence on a guided family hike! Meet up with your group of fellow explorers to learn a new nature tidbit and then hit the trails! We'll go at a comfortable pace for little legs and leave plenty of space for asking questions and stopping to observe something cool.
Learn to Skate and Play
![Learn to Skate Youth Hockey, Cape Ann Youth Hockey, Youth Hockey, Cape Ann Youth Hockey, Gloucester Rink Youth Hockey, Cape Ann Youth Hockey, Gloucester Rink Learn to Skate](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/capeannyouthhockeyanne.jpg?itok=qOBZsTOR)
Boys and girls from the ages 3-16 can learn to skate and develop hockey skills in Cape Ann Youth Hockey's various programs. Cape Ann Learn-to-Skate program is held at Gloucester's Talbot Rink and provides crates for the kids learning to skate for the first time. Kids will be amazed at how quickly they learn balance, turns, and the skills they acquire to raise themselves up after a fall. Coaches are there to support, care, and teach your children to skate. The rink is divided into three sections and as children progress, they begin playing mini games, and are introduced to basic hockey skills.
Gingerbread Cookie Decorating & Story Hour
![Come make gingerbread farmers and join the holiday fun at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts. Come make gingerbread farmers and join the holiday fun at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts.](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/appleton_farms_gingerbread_cookies.jpg?itok=inofXRAG)
It’s not the holidays without gingerbread cookies! Join us in the kitchen for a gingerbread cookie decorating workshop for kids. First we’ll learn how to make the dough from scratch – measure ingredients, learn about the science behind baking, work the dough, and cut out the shapes. Then we’ll provide gingerbread cookies, and icing and candies for decorating. Each child will take home five (5) decorated cookies. After our creations are complete, we’ll move into the dining room to enjoy treats, hot cocoa, and a gingerbread man story.
Holiday Community Sing Along
![The Holiday Sing-Along at Rockport Music's Shalin Liu Center is FREE Holiday fun The Holiday Sing-Along at Rockport Music's Shalin Liu Center is FREE Holiday fun](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/rockport_music_holiday_sing_2019.jpg?itok=FnLFmwLz)
Get in the holiday spirit and join Rockport Music’s annual holiday community sing-along. This year’s event will feature the brass ensemble Some Assembly Required, as well as sing-alongs of holiday favorites led by the Rockport High School’s Madrigal Singers. Free, no tickets required. First come, first serve on day of event.
Winter Solstice Celebration
![Come for a solstice hike at Ward Reservation to celebrate the Winter Solstice and watch a fire-themed performance by Tetra! Come for a solstice hike at Ward Reservation to celebrate the Winter Solstice and watch a fire-themed performance by Tetra!](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/tetra_performs_at_ward_reservation_during_solstice.jpg?itok=eQtLvoyr)
Celebrating the winter solstice goes back 5,000 years. Join us as we light up the night with a Solstice stroll and celebration at Ward Reservation. Participants will meet in the parking lot for a guided candlelit walk through the woods that will include presented passages from the story "The Shortest Day" by Wendy Pfeffer.
A Christmas Carol Panto
![Theater in the Open celebrates the holidays with their interpretation of Dickens' Christmas Carol at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport! Theater in the Open celebrates the holidays with their interpretation of Dickens' Christmas Carol at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport!](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/christmas_carol_panto_tito.jpg?itok=n1vmt_gx)
Bah, humbug! Theater in the Open celebrates the holiday season with this Dickens classic, presented in true TITO style. So be prepared for anything to happen!
Middle Street Walk at the Sargent House
![The Sargent House Museum in Gloucester offers free admission during the Middle Street Walk The Sargent House Museum in Gloucester offers free admission during the Middle Street Walk](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/sargent_house_middle_street_walk2_0.jpg?itok=gjXauaFY)
Come to the Sargent House to see Gloucester’s 18th century mansion in all its holiday splendor--and purchase exciting hand-made gifts. Free and open to the public. Music, tasty refreshments, and lots of fun at one of Gloucester’s most historic homes.
Lobster Trap Tree Lighting
![Lobster Trap Tree Lighting Party in at Cape Ann Art Haven in Gloucester Massachusetts Lobster Trap Tree Lighting Party in at Cape Ann Art Haven in Gloucester Massachusetts](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/gloucester_lobster_trap_tree.jpg?itok=nstNkdUf)
The annual Middle Street Walk 2023 wraps up every year with the lighting of the lobster trap Christmas tree in Gloucester Massachusetts! Stop by Cape Ann Art Haven for a Holiday Party with hot chocolate, sweet treats, kids' crafts, holiday photos, face painting live music. Caroling starts at 4:30pm, followed by the tree lighting across the street at 5pm. Come find your buoy hanging on the tree, enjoy caroling, seeing the star put on the tree join us for the countdown and celebrate the season with the lighting of our Lobster Trap Tree!