North Shore Kid Stories, Events, Activities, Camps and Recipes

Free-flow learning at Joppa Flats is fun for the whole family. There's simple science fun with coloring pages, crafts, and toys for ages 2 to 6; science experiments and group challenges for ages 7 and up; and outdoor exploration, seasonal live animals, and scheduled family presentations for everyone. Fly by for an hour or stay all day for family time that suits your schedule. There's something different to see and do with every visit!  This week we're thrilled to have our touch tank back for the season. Come look AND touch the creature that live in our tank!

Rockport Music will host a FREE concert followed by a discussion of the creative process for young composers at the Shalin Liu Performance Center. Hear the music and words of four prolific, prize-winning, teenaged composers -- Nicholas Davies, Lev Mamuya, Christopher Staknys, and Matthew Woodard. Each will perform their own composition and will discuss their work and the creative process with composer Howard Frazin. Rockport Music Executive Director Tony Beadle moderates. Open to the public, no reservations required.

This 5k Road Race and Kid's Fun Run is a great way to kick off Motif #1 Day!  Run the race and then spend the day with your family enjoying the fun, food and entertainment of the day-log festival. The funds raised from the race go towards health and wellness programs at the Rockport Public Schools in Rockport, MA. Following the 5k race, kids are invited to participate in the the 1 mile Kids Fun Run. We wrap it all up with a great raffle with TONS of prizes.

Essex River Day is an idea that has been evolving for many years. Often when boaters are out on the River you hear the same question over and over again, "Wouldn't it be great if everyone in Essex could experience the beauty of the River?" The concept for the event is simple. Those who have a boat offer a neighborly boat ride to those in town who may not have a boat and don't have ready access to appreciating the wonders of the Essex River.

Bring the family to Rockport for a full day of activities on Motif No. 1 Day! Hosted by Rockport Festivals, this festival celebrates Rockport across the arts through the symbol of Rockport’s famous fishing shack, Motif No. 1, the subject of countless paintings and photographs throughout the last century.

Late spring is a great time to experience on-the-water ecology, and kayaking is the perfect way to capture every moment. From wading birds to waterfowl, the salt marshes provide the backdrop to sights and sounds that are uniquely available from the water. Kayaking quietly on the calm waters of the Plum Island Sound, we'll visit secluded areas where we can witness wildlife without disturbing their activities. We may even see horseshoe crabs mating!

The Trustees of Reservations invites kids and their families to opening day of the Children's Garden at Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens in Beverly! Kids will help plant colorful, annual flowers and organic vegetables in our magical Children's Garden. Plant one or as many as you can! You will be beautifying the garden for the season while learning how to plant. Great for families. Limited spaces available. Please pre-register. Rain date: May 24.

We'll hike to Rockery Pond and learn about the building of its famous rock grotto. While we're enjoying flowering shrubs in the beautiful woodland garden, we might get a glimpse of the pond's newest architect, the beaver!

Oceans Are Talking! is a musical call-to-action recorded and performed by Sam Lardner to enlighten kids in grades K-6 and their families about the most critical issues facing the world’s oceans. These live concerts are powerful educational drivers to help families take action in protecting the oceans. Students will leave with big smiles on their faces, but also with some new understanding about the challenging, real-time, environmental issues that will shape so much of their future.

Join the Gloucester Education Foundation in honoring the multi-faceted pool of talent that makes up the population of the Gloucester Public Schools. Kids of all ages make beautiful and amazing art and the creators of the citywide festival seek to celebrate GPS students, their art and those helping our students live, learn and create every day. Come to Downtown Gloucester for a full day of performances and exhibitions that cover a wide range of arts, from ballroom dancing to a day long community art project that is created by participants and visitors alike.