Tweens

Outdoor Adventures for Families: iNaturalist Nature Walk

Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary is part island, part forest and part marsh!

Fall is a fantastic time to explore our coastline with its rocky tide pools and sandy clam flats. Joppa Flats Education Coordinator Lisa Hutchings will guide families on the identification of creatures, provide small group challenges, and share her vast knowledge and joy for marine life. Sign up for one or all of these educational outdoor adventures.

Joppa Flats will provide all field gear and equipment. This is not a drop-off class; all children must be accompanied by at least one adult. Locations are subject to change.

When: 
Saturday, October 31, 2020 2-4pm

Little Woods Walk: Forest Walk for Families

Join Mass Audubon naturalists on a hike at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield!

Join a Mass Audubon teacher on a child-friendly walk to learn about the people and wildlife who call these forests home. Fall is a wonderful time to enjoy a hike with family and give thanks for the resources and beauty that nature provides for wild animals and people, too. The hike is set at a leisurely pace with stops to explore for birds, mammals, insects, and other interesting creature we'll see along the way.

When: 
Saturday, October 31, 2020 10am-11:30am
Saturday, October 31, 2020 1-2:30pm

Hunter's Moon: Night Hike for Families at IRWS

Walk through the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary lit only by the full moon

The sparkle of the Hunter's Moon will guide our way as we walk the trails of the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Led by a sanctuary naturalist, we'll explore fields, forests, and wetlands looking and listening for beavers slapping their tails on the river's surface, Barred Owls hooting, White-tailed Deer grazing, and Eastern Coyotes howling. Learn about the fascinating adaptations of these animals as they prepare for winter and hear some Hunter's Moon lore on this fun, fall, after-dark adventure.

When: 
Friday October 30, 2020 7-8:30pm

Adventure Camp at Gordon College's La Vida Center

La Vida at Gordon College offers summer adventure experiences for kids and teens on the North Shore

La Vida Adventure Camp provides outdoor adventure experiences in a safe environment that encourages youth to expand their horizons in healthy ways. Our mission is to build character and a positive self-identity. To foster this learning and growth, we use small groups with a high staff-camper ratio, personal discovery, team-building, experiential learning and adventure activities.

Each week-long session is held on the Gordon College campus and is for ages 10-15. Drop off is 9 a.m. and pick up is 4 p.m.

Observing Artificial Satellites

Come learn how to spot satellites at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: NASA

The program will begin with an indoor presentation that will provide you with the information needed to be able to find and observe artificial satellites like the International Space Station and other human-made orbiting objects. Topics to be covered will include the nature of artificial satellite orbits, the best time of year for observing them, and how to identify them in the night sky. Weather permitting, we'll step outside afterwards to seek out artificial satellites and gaze into the night sky through the telescopes of local amateur astronomers. Along with the early springtime constellations, a young crescent moon and the planet Venus will be visible.

When: 
Friday, March 28, 2020 7-9pm

Kids Minecraft Club at SFL

Kids Minecraft Club at Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester MA

Play Minecraft with other children grades 1-5 (ages 6 and up)  Learn new tricks from each other and explore and build in a world together. This group is for children in grades 1 and up. Due to our child safety policy, at least one parent per session will need to volunteer to stay in the room the entire time of the program, from 3:30-4:30. Please register for just one session per month. If registration is full, please sign up on the wait list and we will schedule you soon!

When: 
First & Second Mondays Monthly 3:30-4:45pm

Egg-cellent Garden Adventure & Egg Hunt

Join the fun of the egg hunt at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate in North Andover!

Springtime is a busy time in a garden. The bugs, birds and butterflies at The Stevens-Coolidge Place are ready to get to work planting seeds and spreading pollen, but first they need your help! In this program, participating children are on a hunt to find these garden workers resting inside their eggs throughout the property. Bring your own egg carton (sorry no bags allowed) to collect 12 eggs, then enjoy a craft time, story and seed planting to learn about how our garden grows and celebrate all things spring!

When: 
Monday, April 4, 2020 9:30am-3pm

Live Action CLUE for Families

Was it the butler in the pantry with the pipe wrench?  Come find out at the Crane Estate Family CLUE party!

Was it the butler in the pantry with the pipe wrench?  Come find out at the Crane Estate! You've been invited to Miss Florence Crane's birthday party in 1928. Everyone is having a good time until someone dies. Can you figure out who did it, in what room, and with which weapon?

When: 
Saturday, March 28, 2020 1-3pm

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Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts offers farm-based Summer Programs for kids ages 5-15

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

“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

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

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

Newburyport Yankee Homecoming Marketplace

Shop to your heart’s content in our open air bazaar-like market place right in the heart of historic Newburyport’s center. Covering two square blocks, this extravaganza of food and great finds is sure to tantalize all your senses.
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Yankee Homecoming Craft Show

Yankeee Homecoming Craft Show (formerly Market Square Day) has been a Newburyport tradition for over 50 years!
The Yankee Homecoming Craft Show (Formerly Market Square Day) features is a juried craft show offering unique, high quality, handmade items from artisans across New England.  Enjoy the free entertainment while you shop in historical Newburyport.
10:00 am to 4:00 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

Manchester by the Sea Summer Concert Series

Summer Concerts happen at Masconomo Park in Manchester by the Sea every Tuesday through the Summer!
Come to Manchester Tuesday nights all summer for the annual Music in Masconomo Summer Concert Series. Each week from 6:00 - 8:00 pm a variety of Oldies, Swing, Rhythm & Blues & Classic Rock music will fill the air! Bring your family and friends, blankets and chairs, and dinner to enjoy a...
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays

Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays includes great dining live music, dancing & extended shopping hours for shopping Downtown Ipswich Massachusetts Tuesday evenings!
Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays includes great dining, live music, dancing at the Take-Out Terrace Stage on the Riverwalk  & extended shopping hours for shopping Downtown Ipswich Tuesday evenings!  Each week will feature live entertainment on the Riverwalk, making for a fun evening out for the whole...
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Yankee Homecoming Road Race

The Yankee Homecoming Road Race has been a tradition Since 1960 and Running Strong through the heart of Newburyport
The tradition continues in 2025 on Tuesday, July 29th as we celebrate the 65th running of the NBPT Lions Yankee Homecoming Race. Imagine a beautiful Summer evening in the seaport town of Newburyport, MA.  Thousands of runners will enjoy our breathtaking 5K and 10 Miles courses along the ocean,...
6:00 pm

The North Shore Concert Band at Salem Willows

Kids enjoy the North Shore Concert Band performance at Salem Willows Park in Massachusetts
The North Shore Concert Band will perform its annual Summer Series of free outdoor concerts at the Robert Hayes Bandshell at Salem Willows Park beginning Tuesday, June 25th. 
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Wednesday, August 6

Mini Movers at North Shore Children's Museum

Things to do for children in Peabody MA
Mini Movers is an engaging dance and movement class for young children at the North Shore Children's Museum. Led by experienced instructors, the program introduces young children to the world of dance in a safe and nurturing environment.
10:00 am to 11:00 am

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

Beverly Homecoming Lobster Festival

Lobster, Chowder, Summer fun at Lynch Park - part of Beverly Massachusetts homecoming!
Make time for a Traditional Lobster Bake, Chowder, Chicken, etc. available all day at Lynch Park.  Dine at picnic tables under the tent while listening to local bands.  Local businesses, politicians, and non-profits will be set up around the park to share information with you.  Amazingly, 90% all...
Where: Lynch Park
12:00 pm to 8:00 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

The Backyard Growcery

Join Backyard Growers at Burnham's Field in Gloucester Massachusetts for a weekly Farmer's Market
Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by Backyard Growers. The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham's Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza...
2:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Topsfield HomeGrown Market

Come to Topsfield Massachusetts Common for a homegrown market on the Wednesdays through July
The mission of the HomeGrown Market is to provide the Topsfield community with a series of family-friendly events that emphasize supporting local and offer the opportunity for Topsfield and surrounding North Shore farmers, gardeners, artisans, creators, performers, musicians, nonprofits, young...
4:00 pm to 7:00 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

Thursday, August 7

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
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