Latest Stories, Events, Activities, Camps & Recipes

The Cape Ann YMCA Saint Peter's Fiesta 5k encourages kids to enter.
The Saint Peter's Fiesta 5k Road Race hosted by the Cape Ann YMCA is a healthy opportunity for families to be directly involved with this traditional community celebration in Gloucester!  Kids are encouraged to enter, and all funds raised by the race go to the Cape Ann YMCA Summer Camps program. The race starts at beautiful Stage Fort Park and ends in the heart of the Fiesta celebration in Saint Peter's Square.
Location: Stage Fort Park, Saint Peter's Square
The Gloucester Juneteenth Festival is presented at the Cape Ann Museum by the North Shore Juneteenth Association
Celebrate Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States with Cape Ann Museum! The 4th Annual Gloucester Juneteenth Celebration, presented by the Cape Ann Museum in collaboration with community organizations across the city, began as a grassroots initiative by Gloucester resident Toni Waldron in 2021 and became part of the museum's annual events calendar in 2022. Learn about the Juneteenth Holiday and its connection to Cape Ann history while celebrating Black history through music, dance, and food.
Location: Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester City Hall, Downtown Gloucester
The Annual Hampton Beach Master Sandsculpting Competition Viewing 2022 Winner Melineige Beauregard
The fun starts when 200 tons of imported sand is dropped on Hampton Beach and the “Grady Bunch” starts pounding up the sponsor site. The entire area is illuminated for night viewing through June 26. Watch Greg Grady and “The Grady Bunch” build a mammoth Sand Demo Site. View all entries online on this website or watch the process by visiting our website here. The competition has seen international attention and is by invitation only. The event is funded by the Hampton Beach Village District and Sponsors, in cooperation with The Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce and The NH Division of Parks.
Location: Hampton Beach
Hike the trails of Dogtown in Gloucester Massachusetts with Cape Ann Museum
"Dogtown" on Cape Ann offers families an intriguing blend of history and natural beauty. Known for its vast woodlands, trails, stone walls, and cellar holes, Dogtown is a place where proud people once lived and worked for nearly 150 years before it was abandoned. The area is rich with tales of witches, widows, and an ill-fated bullfighter, making it a captivating destination for children and adults alike. This two-hour, three-mile walking tour invites families to explore the main roads of this early settlement, meet some of its historical residents, and hear their stories. Visitors will learn how Dogtown got its name, why it was abandoned, and how it has evolved over the past 200 years.
Location: Dogtown
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 season which runs through the end of October.
Location: Hammond Castle
Join the Trustees on a journey up Holt Hill under the light of the full moon at Ward Reservation in Andover!
Join Within Wildlight in a mindful journey up Holt Hill under the light of the full moon. Together, we will gather for a meditative hike up the trail as night falls, and circle for a gentle guided meditation beneath the moon & stars. Enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and unique tastes of evening in the magic of Ward Reservation. May this practice nourish your being and settle your mind as you return for a peaceful slumber at the end of the night.
Location: Ward Reservation
 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 nineteenth-century gardens, scenic meadows, and towering pine forests.
Location: Maudslay State Park
Fathers Day Weekend Bash | BBQ, Beer and Bluegrass at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts
Bring Dad to Appleton Farms on Father’s Day weekend for our own seasonal wood-fired pizza, local beer, local BBQ, and live music! We’ll have Notch, and Rockport Brewing Co. on-site serving up some cold suds, and barbecue from Fat Belly Food Truck and Sweet Treats from the Whoopie Pie Wagon 
Location: Appleton Farms
Join The Trustees of Reservations at Appleton Farms for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
Every day has a full list of barnyard chores we need to accomplish to make sure our farmyard friends are happy and healthy. Let’s get to work! Join us for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays and Saturdays! Get on your muck boots – your whole family will get to be farmers together. Help feed the rabbits, Violet and Vanilla, the goats, Morgana, Maeve, Merlin, and Mordred, and the dairy cows, Gray and Jasmine. Collect eggs from our flock of chickens, muck and bed the stalls, scrub buckets, fill hay managers, and more.
Location: Appleton Farms
Walk the beach under the full moon with naturalists from Joppa Flats Education Center
Have you ever gone tide pooling as the sun is setting or explored a a sandy beach under the light of a full moon? Engage in on-the-beach nocturnal experiments about night vision, bioluminescence and more. Attract live minnows with your flashlight and watch barnacles open up to feed. For kids ages 4-11.
Location: Joppa Flats Education Center

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Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestras Summer Sessions

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

Salem Arts Festival 2024

The Salem Arts Festival is a joint project of Salem Main Streets and Creative Collective in Salem Massachusetts
For three days, this annual family friendly art festival transforms downtown Salem into an opportunity for the arts community to showcase their talents. The popular free event will feature many artists and performers, and includes a variety of art, music, dance, and theatre performances. The family...
9:00 am to 5:00 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 3:59 pm

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
10:00 am to 6:59 pm

Music Together - Friday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
10:30 am to 11:15 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

Kidleidoscope

Kidleidoscope at Maudslay State Park is a chance for preschoolers to explore the park, enjoy a story and make a craft!
Maudslay State Park has created this program for their youngest crowd! For the young set that loves nature, the park interpreter will lead a three-part preschool aged program that includes a story, craft & walk that involves outdoor exploration. A different nature topic each week so come every...
11:00 am

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

Ice Cream Social at the Magnolia Community Center

Come to an Ice Cream Social at the Community Center in Magnolia Massachusetts
Kick off summer at the Magnolia Community Center! Join us for our annual ice cream social and become a member of the community center! Help us bring more events like Porch Fest to our neighborhood! Free event, donations appreciated.
6:00 pm

Saturday, June 8

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Topsfield Strawberry Festival 2024

NorthShore Kids' and Parents' Events Calendar for Boston's North Shore families
The soil in the garden has barely been turned and already the first sign of Summer has appeared. Strawberries! With Strawberries comes the Topsfield Historical Society's 50th Strawberry Festival and Craft Fair in early June which offers a spectacle of strawberry fun for each and every one. The...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Turtle Time at IRWS

Kids and families will explore IRWS wetland in search of painted and snapping turtles.
As late spring transitions to early summer, one thing is for sure: it's turtle time! Join us to explore our wetlands in search of these fascinating reptiles.
10:00 am to 11:30 am

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
10:00 am to 6:59 pm

Second Saturdays at Cape Ann Museum

Second Saturdays mean free admission for local Families at Cape Ann Museum!
The Museum is free all day for Cape Ann residents* on the second Saturday of every month in 2021! The second Saturday of every month is free for Cape Ann families. Pre-registration and timed tickets are required.
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Second Saturday at Lynn Museum

Lynn Museum in Massachusetts offers free admission on the second Saturday of each month.
Join the Lynn Museum and Historical Society for FREE family fun. Join us the second Saturday of each month from 10 am – 2 pm for free admission to the Museum! View our latest exhibitions, grab a take-home art kit for the family, enjoy special activities, and purchase one-of-a-kind Lynn merchandise...
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Guided Tour | When Granite Was King!

Find out the story behind the history of granite quarrying at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport!
Halibut Point State Park is also a granite quarry with a history that goes back billions of years! Over one hundred years ago, the Rockport Granite Company quarried granite stone here.
11:00 am to 12:00 pm

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 it’s most known for. In addition to learning about what plants are in bloom as well as the rare and unique species in our collection, you...
11:00 am to 12:00 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

Salt Marsh Boat Tour with Parker River NWR

Learn how Plum Island and the Great Marsh were formed and how important they are on this boat tour of the estuary.
Pristine beauty, wide open space, gorgeous views, and the chance to float up and down the peaceful, winding creeks of the world's second most productive ecosystem. Learn how Plum Island and the Great Marsh were formed and how important they are. Boat tours are offered through a private outfitter. ...
11:30 am to 1:30 pm