Gloucester

Family Fun Free Day

Albert Alcalay (1917-2008), Night Fleet (detail), 1956. Oil on canvas.

The second Saturday of every month is free for families with school-aged children. Families are invited to the Activity Center to participate in art, history, and cultural activities, and explore the museum using a Seek and Find. Each month has a different theme, from exhibitions to special celebrations. With September 2013's theme 'Four Winds' families are invited to the Children's Activity Center to participate in themed art, history and cultural activities that explores the Gloucester's Rocky Neck Art Colony, its artists and sculptors. This program is free and open to the public.

When: 
Second Saturday of Every Month
Location: 

Family Collagraphy Printmaking Project

Participants will crerate collograph 'blocks' used for printing on textiles

Camilla MacFadyen is back at Maritime Gloucester to produce another community art project using collography print making techniques! Families are invited to a three day workshop, where participants will create textile prints and printed silk fish to be used in the construction of an environmental art piece on the docks for public viewing during the Gloucester Schooner Festival 2025! This years' planned project will result in an environmental art piece that will consisit o f a series of floor-to-ceiling 'sails' on display at the Maritime Gloucester Boat Shop.

When: 
Monday, August 19, 2013 10am-3pm
Wednesday, August 21, 2013 10am-3pm
Friday, August 23, 2013 10am-3pm

Build It Break It at Maritime Gloucester

Using toothpicks, kids wil learn about structures and their limits at Maritime G

Maritime Gloucester invites kids in grades 2-5 to a vacation week session about the structures and their limits - part of a week full of educational sessions during April vacation! What's the biggest structure you can build using toothpicks and styrofoam?  Can you construct a sturdy fort from newspaper?  What's the heaviest thing a bendy straw structure can support? 

When: 
Friday, April 25, 2014 1-3pm

Floating Boats at Maritime Gloucester

Kids preK-1st grade will learn about boats during this February Vacation program

Maritime Gloucester invites kids in pre-k through first grade to a vacation week session about boats that float - part of a week full of educational sessions during February vacation! Foam floats, but does it make a good boat? How about a popsicle stick raft? We'll explore why boats float through building projects using a variety of household materials. We'll learn about the different types of boats in Gloucester Harbor and read some fun boat books as well.

When: 
Monday, February 17, 2014 10:30am - Noon

Recycled Boats at Maritime Gloucester

Kids preK-1st grade will learn about boats during this February Vacation program

Maritime Gloucester invites kids to a vacation week workshop on recycled boats - part of a week full of educational sessions during February vacation! We’ve all heard of a ship in a bottle, but what about a ship made from a bottle?  Students will build their own boats using recyclable materials.  What makes a better boat, a water bottle pontoon boat or a juice carton skiff?  As we discuss the importance of recycling, we’ll learn about real boats that have been built from recycled materials.

When: 
Monday, February 17, 2014 1-3pm

Costumed Crabs at Maritime Gloucester

Kids will learn about crabs and their ability to disguise themselves at this Glo

Maritime Gloucester invites kids to a vacation week session about crabs - part of a week full of educational sessions during February vacation!. Did you know that some crabs like to play dress up?  We’ll learn all about decorator crabs by making some fancy crab crafts decorated with shells and sea glass.  We’ll also explore the different types of crustaceans as we study tiny horseshoe crabs, gigantic lobster claws, and an unusual Caribbean spiny lobster. We’ll end the day with a story about our favorite costumed crustaceans!

When: 
Wednesday, February 19, 2014 1-3pm

Fish Facts and Shark Socks at Maritime Gloucester

Kids will learn about what makes a fish a fish at Maritime Gloucester!

Maritime Gloucester invites kids in pre-k through first grade to a vacation week session about fish and the similar traits all fish have in common - part of a week full of educational sessions during February vacation! What makes a fish a fish?  You might be surprised by just how much a great white shark and a guppy have in common!  By hearing a story and looking at models and pictures, kids will learn all about the fishes that live in Cape Ann and beyond.  Using ordinary socks, children will craft their own toy sharks and colorful fishes to take home!

When: 
Friday, February 21, 2014 10:30am - Noon

Jellies and Coral at Maritime Gloucester

Kids will learn about coral and jellyfish, then make their own at Maritime Glouc

Maritime Gloucester invites kids in pre-k through first grade to a vacation week session about Jellyfish and Coral - part of a week full of educational sessions during February vacation! Did you know that the biggest jelly is found right here in Massachusetts and can have tentacles longer than four school busses?  Found in every ocean, from the dark depths to the sunny surface, jellies are amazing animals!  We will learn about jellies and corals and make jelly crafts to take home. We’ll highlight our adventure with a story about Jenny Jellyfish and the challenges she faces in her ocean home.

When: 
Thursday, February 20, 2014 10:30am - Noon

Spaghetti Skeletons at Maritime Gloucester - Canceled

Kids will get up close and personal with fish skeletons at Martime Gloucester

Canceled due to weather. 2/17/2014

Maritime Gloucester invites kids in pre-k through first grade to a vacation week session about marine skeletons - part of a week full of educational sessions during February vacation! What supports a fish, whale, or sea turtle as it swims through the ocean?  Its skeleton!  We will learn all about the skeletons of sea creatures working with some fun pasta shapes. Kids will create their own sea creature skeletons to take home!  We’ll learn about more about skeleton sizes by comparing fish and giant whale bones.

When: 
Tuesday, February 18, 2014 10:30am - Noon

Ice and Snow Science at Maritime Gloucester

Kids will learn about the unique properties of ice and snow at Maritime Gloucest

Maritime Gloucester invites kids to a vacation week session about the unique properties of ice and snow - part of a week full of educational sessions during February vacation! Does this time of year have you thinking of ice and snow?  Students will learn all about ice through a variety of icy experiments, challenges, and projects.  After looking at how salt affects ice, students will create saltwater paintings to take home.  We’ll also learn about how arctic and Antarctic sea creatures have adapted to survive at extreme temperatures.

When: 
Thursday, February 20, 2014 1-3pm

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Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts offers farm-based Summer Programs for kids ages 5-15

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

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...
7:00 am to 9:00 pm

Read to a Dog at APL

Kids are invited to read to a dog at Amesbury Massachusetts Public Library. Image generated with AI.
The Amesbury Public Library invites kids to come read to a dog at the Library! Read to a dog to help improve reading skills and get comfortable with reading aloud with only a very cuddly dog to hear you! This program will have Gus, a certified reading dog, and his caretaker at the library in our...
3:45 pm to 4:30 pm

Dungeons & Dragons at the G.A.R. Library

Dungeons and Dragons at the GAR Memorial Library in West Newbury Massachusetts
Come to this ongoing campaign using The Dragon of IceSpire Peak. Bring your own character, play one of ours,  or we can help you create one. All are welcome.
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

Mendel Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night
The Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night (weather permitting) starting at dusk or 7:30 pm, whichever is later.  When special astronomical events of interest occur (total lunar eclipses, etc.) the Obs
7:00 pm

Thursday, February 26

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

Afterschool Chess Club at Abbot Library

Kids can play clocked chess matches against each other each Wednesday at the Abbot Public Library in Marblehead Massachusetts
Students in grades 2-5 are welcome to come to this informal chess club to practice by playing with others also interested in developing their skills and sharing an interest in chess. The class will be held on Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. with facilitator Ben Konoff and his daughter,...
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

LEGO Club at Danvers Library

LEGO club at Danvers Library Massachusetts
Peabody Institute Library - Danvers invites kids to an afternoon of building and fun! Activities will include free build, themes and instructional design. All structures will remain on display in the Children’s Room till the following weeks's session
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Friday, February 27

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...
7:00 am to 9:00 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

Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Saturday, February 28

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...
7:00 am to 9:00 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

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us this season. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place…
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Maple Stroll at Appleton Farms

Appleton Farms has their own sugar maple syrup production facilities to service their abundant suplly from their many sugar maples
Visit the historic maple stand and sugar shack at Appleton Farms and learn all about maple sugaring, its history at the farm and in New England, and how you can try your hand at it at home!
11:00 am to 2:15 pm
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