All Ages

Toy Stores of the North Shore

The North Shore offers a variety of local toy stores for finding just the right gift for kids of all ages!

Kids love toys, and the North Shore has some great toy stores where you find more than just current assorment of toys that you'll find at the big box stores!  From Marblehead to Newburyport, the locally owned and operated stores offer a great array of unique, fun and educational toys that make memorable gifts for kids of all ages.  Local toy shops offer a fun excursion for families to explore the world of toys outside of the warehouse setting.  Some of our fondest memories ad greatest discoveries with our kids happened in local stores! 

Nature's Gifts Free for All

Use what nature has to offer tomake toys at the Joppa Flats Education Center!

This program was canceled due to the Winter Storm! Season's greetings! Come to Joppa Flats during this festive time of year to create clever and whimsical gifts, toys, and ornaments for the holidays using natural materials. We'll make everything from hand puppets and animal masks, to jewelry and frames, to sculptures and mobiles with simple, easy to follow instructions. Or use our materials to create your own original gift of nature. We'll provide sand, seashells, twigs, stones, bark, driftwood, pinecones, and more at our age-appropriate stations. Bring your imagination and enjoy a day of hand-crafting with your family.

When: 
Canceled! Sunday, December 15, 2013 10am - 3pm

The Secret Life of Pets at Newbury Town Library

Come to Newbury Town Library for a free showing of Illumination's 'The Secret Life of Pets'!

The Newbury Town Library invites kids to a showing of Illumination's 'The Secret Life of Pets' as the half-day movie for town kids. A Jack Russell Terrier named Max lives with his owner Katie in a Manhattan apartment. While she is at work during the day, he hangs out with other pets in the building: tabby cat Chloe, pug Mel, dachshund Buddy, and budgerigar Sweetpea. One day, Katie adopts Duke, a large and shaggy mongrel from the pound, leaving Max jealous because of her divided attention between him and Duke. Enraged by Max's attitude towards him, Duke tries to abandon Max in an alley, but they are both attacked by a gang of alley cats led by Sphynx cat Ozone. The cats remove both dogs' collars and leave them to be caught by Animal Control. Hilartiy ensues, and we lear a little about the way pets live their lives while we are all attending to other matters.   

When: 
Friday, January 13, 2016 12-2pm

CAM Kids: Cape Ann Improv

 Cape Ann Museum hosts a family friendly performance by Cape Ann Improv!

What happens when history and fine art meet improv and silliness? Bring the kids and find out for yourself when Cape Ann Improv performs at the Cape Ann Museum. The arts and objects on display in the galleries will provide the inspiration for scenes and characters for interactive improvisational games throughout the Museum. Discover the art, history and culture of Cape Ann and have a good laugh with the talented and witty Cape Ann Improv performers.

When: 
Saturday, January 14, 2017 11am
Location: 

The Nutcracker Panto - Matinee

Come enjoy a Nutcracker Panto performed by Theater in the Open at the Firehouse Center for the Arts!

The tree is lit up and the stockings are hung and Clara’s Christmas is perfect…except for her Uncle Drosselmeyer sitting up on that clock and the sudden rat infestation…sounds like panto time!Edward Speck and Joshua Shack return to direct another cracking holiday panto, this time seizing on Tchaikovsky’s classic holiday tale to do what panto does best: make a favorite old story new and particular to our place and time again. What does Clara’s magical journey have to teach us? How many nuts would a nutcracker crack if a nutcracker could crack nuts? Let’s find out! Come with us as panto and ballet collide in a delicious mix of sugar plums and pies-in-the-face, dance and comedy, fairies and snowballs, in A Nutcracker Panto!

When: 
Saturday & Sunday, December 10, 11, 17 & 18, 2016 at 3 pm
Friday & Saturday, December 9,10, 16,17 & 23, 2016 at 7 pm

Gloucester Stage Holiday Delights 2016

Students participating in the Gloucester Stage Youth Acting Program perform in this wonderful seasonal show about the importance of family and friends.

Gloucester Stage Company Youth Acting Workshops proudly presents Holiday Delights! Students participating in the Gloucester Stage Youth Acting Program perform in this wonderful seasonal show about the importance of family and friends. The show features a cast of 35-40 student actors and a crew of 6-8 student technical interns whose ages range from 6 to 16 years old. Any student who completed a class session during the calendar year of the production is invited to join the cast. Holiday Delights affords the YAW students an opportunity to collaborate harmoniously on a professionally-run, large-scale theater project resulting in a three-performance run at the Gorton Theater, home of the Gloucester Stage Company.

When: 
Friday, December 9, 2016 7:30pm
Saturday & Sunday, December 10 & 11, 2016 2pm

Gloucester Stage Holiday Delights Matinee

Students participating in the Gloucester Stage Youth Acting Program perform in this wonderful seasonal show about the importance of family and friends.

Gloucester Stage Company Youth Acting Workshops proudly presents Holiday Delights! Students participating in the Gloucester Stage Youth Acting Program perform in this wonderful seasonal show about the importance of family and friends. The show features a cast of 35-40 student actors and a crew of 6-8 student technical interns whose ages range from 6 to 19 years old. Any student who completed a class session during the calendar year of the production is invited to join the cast. Holiday Delights affords the YAW students an opportunity to collaborate harmoniously on a professionally-run, large-scale theater project resulting in a three-performance run at the Gorton Theater, home of the Gloucester Stage Company.

When: 
Friday, December 11, 2016 7:30pm
Saturday, December 10, 2015 2pm
Sunday, December 11, 2016 2pm

Holiday Candy Making Demonstrations

Come to Tuck's Candy in Rockport and see how they make candy canes by hand!

Ever wonder how ribbon candy is made, or how candy canes get their stripes? Tuck's Candy Factory is having free candy making demonstrations of candy-cane, ribbon candy, and satin stick making. Visit, watch and sample! Bring the whole family for an old-fashioned holiday treat, and don't forget to enter the drawing for a 6-foot candy-cane!  No demonstrations on Christmas Eve!

When: 
Every Saturday between Thanksgiving and December 17, 2016 9:30am-4pm
Friday after Thanksgiving 9:30am-4:30pm

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Shore School in Beverly Massachusetts offers a host of Summer programs for kids aged 5-12

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

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

The Lady of Salem: Maritime Art

Learn about the history of Salem Massachusetts through this unique public art installation self-guided tour!
Discover Salem’s Golden Age of Sail as you uncover clues! Celebrate America’s Maritime History! The Ladies of Salem will have you looking up at whimsical and beautifully designed figureheads gracing lampposts downtown. “What is a figurehead ?” you may ask? It’s a large carved wooden decorative...
8:00 am to 10:00 pm

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...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Marblehead Farmers' Market

Find fresh local produce and other foods at the Marblehead Farmer's Market!
The Marblehead Farmer's Market boasts 15+ local farms, and booths with an educational spin nutrition, vendors and farms selling homemade prepared goods and craft vendors that are switched up in a rotation basis week to week. Additionally there are entertainers and exhibits by environmentally...
9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Andover Farmers' Market

Find Fresh Local Produce at the Andover Massachusetts Farmers Market North of Boston
The Andover Farmers Market is a vibrant hub connecting local farmers, artisans and the community through the joy of local food. Whether you come for carrots or conversation, it is a place to nourish the body, mind and spirit.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Rockport Farmers' Market

The Rockport Farmers' Market runs every Saturday at Rockport Music in Downtown Rockport!
The Rockport Farmers Market offers a variety of locally-grown produce, hand-crafted products, baked goods, and live music. It provides a community space to support local farmers and artisans.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Haverhill Farmers' Market

Haverhill Farmers Market, North Shore Farmers Market, Cape Ann Farmers Marke
The vibrant, colorful Haverhill Farmers Market is where local farmers and food producers meet to sell directly to the community. Established in 1978, the Haverhill Farmers Market mission is to provide access to farm-fresh products and promote local agriculture, as well as serve as a social...
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Music and Movement at North Shore Children's Museum

North Shore, North Shore Childrens Museum in Peabody MA
Music and Movement with Marybeth Maes is an engaging music and movement class for young children at the North Shore Children's Museum. Marybeth brings her guitar and instruments for the children to use while they sing, dance, and play.
10:00 am to 11:00 am

Doggy Maze Daze at Marini Farm

Marini Farm in Ipswich is teaming up with the Ipswich Humane Group to host a Doggy Maze Daze Fundraiser.
The Ipswich Humane Group is teaming up with Marini Farm in Ipswich to host a Doggy Maze Daze Fundraiser to support the Ipswich animal shelter. One weekend only Marini Farm will open the corn maze for pet owners and their four legged friends! Guests can bring their canine companions and get lost in...
10:00 am to 6:00 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

Boat Tour to Misery Island

Journey on Essex Heritage’s landing craft Naumkeag to Great Misery Island in Salem Sound Massachusetts
Journey on Essex Heritage’s landing craft Naumkeag to Great Misery Island in Salem Sound. Along the way, hear stories about the rich history of the harbor and how the Misery Islands acquired their unique name. When you arrive, you’ll have 2 hours to explore the trails, open meadows, rocky shoreline...
11:00 am to 2:00 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. Visit Long Hill’s breathtaking gardens and stately historic house for a guided tour. Enjoy the rich history of this grand country estate...
11:00 am to 12:00 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

Tuesday, September 16

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

Wednesday, September 17

Trails & Sails

Explore the North Shore with over 150 Free Events in Essex National Heritage Area's Trails & Sails celebration in Massachusetts.
Essex National Heritage Area sites will offer over 150 free family fun events from September 14-29, 2024 for the annual celebration of TRAILS & SAILS. Discover special places in your backyard and be guided through unique landscapes on land and sea, explore historic properties, and take in...
7:00 am to 10:00 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

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

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...
9:00 am to 9:00 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

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

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
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