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

Hear a fun story and then paint and decorate a pre-made paper mache mask. Entering grades 1 and up. Sign up online at the Children's Room website or call to reserve a spot.

Come to the Maudslay Arts Center for a Sunday afternoon concert in a Tanglewood-like setting at Maudslay State Park .  The Maudslay summer concert series provides the perfect setting for family entertainment. This week's performance is by the Occidental Gypsy Jazz Quartet.

Summertime Story Hour at the Cape Ann Waldorf School for children ages 3 - 7. 
Guests will enjoy free play in the Kindergarten playground and a healthy snack. A Cape Ann Waldorf School teacher will then tell a story in the Waldorf tradition.

Bring the whole family and come decide which Salem restaurant has the best pizza. There are two awards for each category, kids pick and adult pick, so families are encouraged to bring their children to have their voices heard!

With instructor Deborah Cassady kids will explore the world of bugs and create a piece of art.  What are insects up to? Come take a closer look and create a colorful picture to take home!

Joppa Flats Education Center invites families to join them for a full day of free outdoor and indoor nature activities, art projects, and live insects! August is the time to see such winged wonders as American ladies, swallowtails, monarchs, skippers, and more. At Joppa Flats, you'll see wild butterflies and captive caterpillars, learn about environmentally friendly products and practices for the home and garden, enjoy a guided nature walk on the grounds, and take home a fun craft or two.

The Crane Beach Sandblast is an annual family event where participation is encouraged but not required!  Build a sand sculpture or just come to view the fabulous creations sculpted from the sands of Crane's Beach.

Competition categories include: Kid, Teen, Family, Adult, Corporate/Organization, and Master Builder.

Prizes will be awarded to the best creations.

Balers and bucket loaders and tractors, oh my! Stop by Appleton Farms during our Meet the Machines open house – learn about the different farm equipment, climb on tractors, and enjoy farming demonstrations. Bring your own picnic dinner. Cold drinks provided.

Tomatoes, basil, peppers and onions? Sounds like a recipe for success! Lend a hand in our vegetable plots and enjoy the rewards on your plate: pizza! For ages 7 and up.

Explore the Ipswich River at dusk. Bring your family and join us for an evening paddle in a canoe as we learn more about the river and some of its inhabitants. Being on the water is one of the best ways to explore and discover the wonders of wetlands. We will paddle through the winding backwaters lined with cattails and other marsh plants, looking for hidden wildlife. Using buckets and strainers, we'll stop and sample the rich aquatic life to learn more about what lives under the water.

Beachcombers is a guided walk for kids, where game play leads to fun ways to learn about the beach and dunes. Each week, the subject is varied to encourage weekly participation from beach goers. Join us this summer for a beach adventure!

Part of the Thursday Night Picnic Concerts at Castle Hill at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, this is a great way to get together and have fun with the whole family in an exclusive setting. You can pack a picnic dinner, bring the kids, and get ready to dance the night away under the stars on the Grand Allée. Explore the landscaped grounds and the family "Eye Spy."