Exploration

Kimball Farm Corn Maze

Kimball Farm corn maze in Haverhill Massachusetts

At the Kimball Farm Corn Maze all are welcome to come and enjoy the challenge of finding your way through the winding corn field maze. Our originally designed CORN MAZE  is full of Crazy angles and is sure to be a fun challenge. Have no fear, there will be clues along the way.  Be daring and try the maze on a Saturday Night with a Flash Light  (TBD). 

When: 
Weekends, September 8-October 29, 2023 10am-5pm

Drop in Station | Explore the Pond at Bradley Palmer

Here is your chance to go inside the Willowdale Mansion (willowdaleestate.com) for a unique guided tour. Now an event and wedding venue, this over 100 years-old Arts and Crafts style home has been beautifully restored. The second floor is not accessible. Best for ages 8 years & up.

What kinds of fascinating creatures live in or visit the ponds? Come and visit with the Park Interpreter to see if any creatures are stirring, and if any plants are flowering. Best for ages pre-K and up. This is a great family activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

When: 
Fridays through October 6, 2023 9-11am

Crescent Farm Corn Maze

Crescent Farm corn maze in Haverhill Massachusetts

Imagine the biggest puzzle you’ve ever seen. Now imagine a day in the sunshine with your friends or family. Now add an adventure that takes teamwork and memory skills. All these things and more can be found at Crescent Farms Corn Maze. Crescent Farm Corn Maze trails cut into 9 acres of corn. Inside the tall field of corn, we have cut several walking paths, creating a Maze with only one way in and one way out. Visitors can enjoy getting lost in the maze’s twisting turns and dead ends trap!

When: 
Daily, September 2-October 31, 2023 Hours Vary
Location: 

All Family Field Trips: Study Between the Tides

Explore the tide pools of Sandy Point Reservation with Joppa Flats Educators in Ipswich Massachusetts

Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the North Shore. Joppa Flats' engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors. Sign up for one, some, or all!

When: 
Friday, October 6, 2023 10am - 12pm

Visit the Saugus Iron Works Museum

Visit the Saugus Iron Works Museum and learn about the history of iron making in Massachusetts

Learn about the history of iron making at the Saugus Iron Works Museum. Exhibits include artifacts excavated during the archaeological dig performed on-site in the 1940s-1950s. See the original 17th century blast furnace waterwheel, an anvil base and hammer head from the original forge, and other tools and items from the 1600s. The museum also includes Native American artifacts that predate European settlement by thousands of years. This is a Trails & Sails event.

When: 
Friday-Sunday, September 15-24, 2023 9am-4pm
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 9am-4pm

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. Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site preserves and interprets the first sustained, integrated iron works in British Colonial America, which operated on the Saugus River from 1646 to 1670. Explore the place where European iron makers brought their special skills to a young Massachusetts colony. Saugus Iron Works is a twelve-acre National Historic Site that includes working waterwheels, forges, mills, a historic 17th century home, and a lush river basin.

When: 
Thursday-Sunday, June 3-October 29, 2023 11am

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.

When: 
Saturdays & Sundays, June 3 - October 31, 2023 2pm

Annual Salem Merry-Time Fest

Celebrate 400+ Years of Maritime History at Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!

Presented by the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, the annual Salem Maritime Festival in August hosts an exciting array of free family fun festivities, including live music, traditional craft demonstrations and seaport trade exhibits, story-telling, and family fun! Each year, music, demonstrations, exhibits, and children's activities are available throughout the park and on Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!

When: 
Saturday, August 19, 2023

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Adirondack Leadership Program at Gordon College’s La Vida Center

Historic Beverly Scavenger Hunt at Lynch Park

Historic Beverly April Vacation Scavenger Hunt at Lynch Park in Beverly Massachusetts
NEW for April school vacation week this year! If you loved our Independence Park Scavenger Hunt you’ll love this one even more! More space to roam and much more to find!
Where: Lynch Park
9:00 am to 11:00 am

A Whale of a Time at Maritime Gloucester

Kids will learn all about whales at this Maritime Gloucester April Vacation drop off program in Gloucester Massachusetts
Here in Massachusetts we are lucky enough to host some of the largest animals on earth - whales! Join us in learning more about these majestic mammals! Particitpants learn all about whale behaviors and observe their food source under our microscopes. Create your own unique whale tail design to take...
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

CraneExplorer: Shifting Sands

The Trustees' Crane Estate hosts a beach-centric science learning experience for kids in Ipswich Massachusetts
The beach is much more than just sand! In this family education program, participants will learn about the diverse habitats of the sandy beach and dunes. Learners discover shells, seaweed, plants, animal tracks, and other signs of life on the beach and in the dunes, get an up-close look at sand to...
10:00 am to 12:00 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

Yoga for Kids at NSCM

Yoga for Children during February Vacation at North Shore Children's Museum in Peabody Massachusetts
In Miss Shelleys yoga class for kids, the focus is on making the practice fun, interactive, and age-appropriate. The class includes warm-up activities, teaching yoga poses through storytelling and games, and incorporating music, props, and visuals.
10:00 am to 11:00 am

April Vacation at PEM 2024

PEM has a great lineup for kids and families during April Vacation 2024
Looking for things to do during your April Vacation on the North Shore? Peabody Essex Museum has a fabulous line-up of fun activities, performances, and tours for kids and families. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the cultural exchange project that brought Yin Yu Tang to Peabody Essex Museum !...
10:00 am to 3:59 pm

April Vacation at CAM | Celebrate Spring

Cape Ann Museum has some great April Vacation programs for school aged kids! Photo: Still life by Harold Rotneberg
Celebrate the return of spring with a visit to the Cape Ann Museum during April School Vacation Week! The Museum will be free for school-age children, 18 and under, and their guardians from Tuesday, April 16 – Friday, April 19. Explore the galleries with a scavenger hunt and family-friendly...
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Aleppo Shriners Circus

Aleppo Shriners Circus in Wilmington Massachusetts is a great time for the whole family!
Fun for the whole family! Let us help you make memories this April Vacation with a show they won't forget!The all-new Aleppo Shriners Circus thrills during April school vacation week. Enjoy elephant rides, clown photos, and all sorts of exciting acts - right up close.
10:00 am to 10:00 pm

April Vacation Week at Ipswich Library

sapring Vacation Activities at Ipswich Public Library in Massachusetts
Come to Ipswich Public Library during April Vacation week for family fun. We'll have 4 days of family activities from Tuesday - Friday! Schedule as follows:
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

HWPL: Wish

Hamilton Wenham Library in Massachusetts shows Disney's 'Wish' during April Vacation
Come to the library for a Friday morning movie series for a popular hit movie! This weeks movie is Disney's "Wish". Water and movie snacks will be served. No sign up required.
10:30 am to 1:00 pm

Cape Ann Symphony Concert | Katy and the Big Snow

Sawyer Free Library hosts a family friendly concert based on Katy and the Big Snow in Gloucester Massachusetts
Vacation week free fun for families! Cape Ann Symphony, along with the Sawyer Free Library, presents Katy and the Big Snow. Enjoy the beloved story by Gloucester's own Virginia Lee Burton read aloud by local actress Heidi Dallin, and set to music for this ensemble performance. Musicians will also...
10:30 am to 11:15 am

Friday Family Farm Chores at 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...
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Salisbury Beach Carousel - Free Friday Hours

Carousel at Salisbury Beach MA. Parties, Family Reunions, Weddings, Showers, Birthday Parties
Salisbury Beach Carousel Hours: Friday: 4 pm to 8 pm Saturday: 12 pm to 8 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 6 pm Hours of operation are to change.
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Friday, April 26

Salisbury Beach Carousel - Free Friday Hours

Carousel at Salisbury Beach MA. Parties, Family Reunions, Weddings, Showers, Birthday Parties
Salisbury Beach Carousel Hours: Friday: 4 pm to 8 pm Saturday: 12 pm to 8 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 6 pm Hours of operation are to change.
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Saturday, April 27

Tree Planting at Veasey Park

Help reforest/rewild Veasey Park in Georgetown Massachusetts by volunteering to plant seedlings! Image AI Generated
We need many hands to help us in planting THOUSANDS of trees at Veasey Park in April! Any amount of time you can donate to this project will be much appreciated. Please use the this link to sign up.
8:00 am to 5:30 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

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

Annual Sheepshearing Festival

Gore Place Sheep Shearing Festival Waltham MA for North Shore Children Families
Since 1987, this annual event has entertained guests with music, 100+ craft and fiber artists, demonstrations of traditional shearing and herding dogs, and historic re-enactors on the beautiful grounds of this historic, 50-acre estate. People often tell us that spring doesn't begin until the...
Where: Gore Place
10:00 am to 5:00 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

Early Spring Birds at IRWS

Come learn what birds are returning to the North Shore at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary! Image: Mass Audubon
Come learn what birds are returning after spending the winter months in the warm south. Equipped with binoculars, let's see how many different colors, sizes and sounds of birds we can find. We'll observe nests and attempt to build one of our own!
10:00 am to 11:30 am

Whiz Kid at North Shore Children's Museum

Visit Peabody MA, NorthShore, North Shore Children's Museum
Join in on the excitement on Saturday at 10 am for a foam-spewing, rocket-launching, mummifying, vortex-making blast of fun! Children are awed and amazed. Whiz Kidz provides science-themed entertainment for children aged 5-13.
10:00 am to 11:00 am

LEGO Club at Salem Public Library

Come to the Salem Massachusetts Public Library for an afternoon of LEGO and fun!
Salem Public Library hosts a morning session of LEGO fun! We provide the LEGO, you provide the imagination.  Stop by the library on Saturday mornings (every other Saturday) to play and build.
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Earth Day Live Animal Demo at Halibut Point

Earthday Frog Turtle and Salamander Demo at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport, Massachusetts
DCR hosts a live animal demonstration at Halibut Point State Park to celebrate Earth Day! Live frogs, turtles, and salamanders, our vernal pond ambassadors, will visit Halibut Point with Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team.
11:00 am to 12:30 pm
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