Outdoor Activity

Youth Outdoor Survival: Fire Challenge

Youth Survival Fire Challenge at Mass Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

In this outdoor survival skills program, we will venture out onto the Ipswich River. Learn the In this outdoor survival skills program, older children will learn the basics of the ancient outdoor skill of fire-building. Participants will learn important safety steps, collect their own firewood, try different methods of fire-starting, and end with a roaring campfire and s'mores. No experience is necessary - just a willingness to learn and a respect for working with fire. 

When: 
Saturday, November 16, 2019 1:30-3:30pm

Beaver Moon Hike at IRWS

Families are invited to walk through the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary under the Beaver moon.

Find out why Native Americans call the November moon the Beaver Moon. Spend an evening walking in the crisp autumn air searching for fishers and racccoons and scanning the barren treetops for the silhouettes of owls. Smell the wood smoke and hear the crunch of leaves underfoot, reminding us that winter is just around the corner. We'll stop in the wetlands to observe beavers making their final winter preparations. What a perfect way to spend a quiet evening with your family before the rush of the holidays begins.

When: 
Friday, November 15, 2019 7-8:30pm

Ipswich Chowder Fest

Sample some of the best chowder in the world at the Ipswich Chowder Festival!

This popular fall classic is one of the North Shore’s most anticipated events. Folks on the North Shore and beyond will flock to Ipswich for its famous fried clams, seafood and of course delectable clam chowder. What better way to round out the season than with an opportunity to, not only samples some of the best chowder around, but also become judge for a day?

When: 
Saturday, October 19, 2019 12-2pm
Location: 

Autumn Feature Story Walk

Join DCR’s Autumn Feature StoryWalk® at Maudslay State Park, featuring One Small Place in a Tree, written by Barbara Brenner and illustrated by Tom Leonard

Join DCR’s Autumn Feature StoryWalk® at Maudslay State Park  Walk a trail and read the story One Small Place in a Tree, written by Barbara Brenner and illustrated by Tom Leonard.  Come and participate in this self Guided StoryWalk for Pre-K kids with adults!  Autumn is a perfect time to enjoy the magic of reading together outdoors!

When: 
Daily, October 1st - October 20, 2019

Family Hike - Hills and Bogs

Families with school-aged children are invited to join The Trustees in the great outdoors on this 2 mile hike at Ward Reservation.

Come hike at Ward Reservation with The Trustees. Families with school-aged children are invited to join The Trustees in the great outdoors on this 2 mile hike at Ward Reservation. This guided hike on the property's Yellow and Blue Trails will offer scenic vistas of Boston and the unusual solstice stones arrangement at the top of Holt Hill, as well as a bog habitat and carnivorous plants!

When: 
Saturday, October 12, 2019 10:30am-Noon
Location: 

Fall Colors Paddle for Families

Come see fall foliage from a different perspective on the Fall Foliage Paddle.

Mid-October is an excellent time to take in the spectacular and stunning colors provided by the Ipswich River. The riverside silver maples will be showing off their yellow-gold, while the cattails and other marsh grasses will provide beautiful greens and browns, all set against the winding blues and blacks of the river. Have your family join us for a few hours as we explore this pristine habitat via a gentle paddle in canoes. With a little luck we might encounter a beaver, otter, or muskrat as well!

When: 
Saturday, October 12, 2019 1-3pm

TitO presents Poe in Salem

Theater in the Open presents the works of Edgar Allen Poe at Gedney and Cox Houses in Salem Massachusetts!

Join Theater in the Open for a special presentation of Poe! Using music, movement and macabre pageantry, Theater in the Open will explore the emotional tension and otherworldly atmosphere that underscore the work of Edgar Allan Poe. Your favorite fearful Poe poems and stories — including The Raven and The Fall of the House of Usher — come to life at this all-ages show. We'll perform by lantern light in the historic GEDNEY HOUSE at 21 High Street, Salem.

When: 
Friday, October 4, 2019 7-8:30pm or 9-10:30PM
Location: 

Monarch Migration Celebration

Kids will learn about monarch butterflies at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate in North Andover!

You spent the summer watching them flit about your gardens, now it’s time to wish them well on their trip down to Mexico – it’s the Monarch Migration Celebration at Stevens-Coolidge Place! This celebration will kick off with a children’s pollinator parade around the property (costumes encouraged!) bringing all visitors to an afternoon of demos, crafts & stories, seed bomb making and gardening tips to bring these orange friends to your yard in the spring.
Butterfly release at 2:30pm

When: 
Saturday, October 5, 2019 10am-3pm

Flower Crown Making

Come to the Stevens-Coolidge Estate to learn how to make flower crowns with flowers picked from the gardens!

Join the The Trustees of Reservations at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate, cut your own flowers at our Flower Fields Cutting Garden and then use them to create a beautiful flower crown. We will have all the supplies and instructions you need to learn how to make a beautiful floral crown of your own design. Participants of all ages and genders encouraged to attend! Leave feeling fabulous and with the skills to craft future headpieces from your own garden blooms.

When: 
Saturdays & Sundays, September 7-29, 2019 12-3pm

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Summerquest Camp for kids aed 5-14 at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

Todd Farm Market

Come to Todd Farm on Sunday - A classic New England Fleas Market in Rowley Massachusetts!
From early Spring to late Fall, Todd Farm is a great Sunday destination for families!  Head to the farm and explore the outdoor award-winning Market featuring up to 240 vendors from all over New England and New York!
5:00 am to 3:00 pm

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

“Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser Storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! “Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser is featured in this StoryWalk Series. Younger kids will love this gentle, richly illustrated children’s nonfiction book aimed at preschool–third grade...
7:00 am to 8:00 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

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

Pancakes in the Pines

Come join the fun of a delicious morning pancake breakfast in the pines at Amesbury Town Park
Come join us for a delicious morning at Amesbury Town Park as our local service clubs bring back the much loved Pancakes at the Pines event! Indulge in fluffy pancakes, juice, and freshly brewed coffee while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the park in the company of friends and neighbors. Tickets...
8:00 am to 11:00 am

Crane Outdoors: Kayak Adventure on the Castle Neck River

Take a guided kayak paddle adventure on the Castle Neck River with the Trustees of Reservations!
One of the best was to enjoy the natural beauty of the Massachusetts North Shore is kayaking the placid waters of the Great Marsh—the largest continuous stretch of salt marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. The Castle Neck peninsula on the Crane Estate is a vast barrier...
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Newburyport Farmers' Market

Newburyport Farmers find organic locally grown produce, meat, dairy Newburyport
The Newburyport Farmers Summer Market celebrates local fresh produce every Sunday morning rain or shine!  Start your Sunday browsing fresh North Shore local produce, meats, cheeses, and seafood in an open air market atmosphere! Food and beverage vendors offer fresh hot coffee, breakfast treats and...
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Interpretation Station at Maudslay

Learn about the bloom cycles at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Join the park interpreter at this station to discover the many park perks at Maudslay! Each week a different feature and area will be highlighted. Check the board at each entrance to find the location of the Interpretation Station. For all ages.
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Amesbury Days Celebration

Amesbury Days is a celebration of the onset of Summer and community.
Amesbury Days is a a 8-day celebration of all things Amesbury that kicks off the summer with fun and exciting community events in Amesbury, Massachusetts. Fireworks, a block party and a 5k walk/run will be just some of the highlights of this years' Amesbury Days celebration. There will be events...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

North Andover Farmers' Market

North Andover Farmers Market every Sunday Through October 2, 2022
The North Andover Farmers Market is the perfect destination for anyone living in the Merrimack Valley or the North Shore to shop and enjoy locally-sourced products. The market will take place in the center of town at the intersection of First Street and Main Street. The market has become known for...
10:00 am to 1:00 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 4:00 pm

Saint Peter's Fiesta | Sunday

Sunday at Saint Peter's Fiesta is focused on Ceremony and Tradition including the blessing of the fleet in Gloucester Harbor!
The Saint Peter's Fiesta is an annual festival in Gloucester, Massachusetts celebrating the city's fishing heritage, close-knit families, community, and religious traditions.  The five-day celebration includes a carnival, live entertainment, and unique traditional events like the infamous 'Greasy...
10:00 am to 11:45 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

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

CraneOutdoors: Choate Island Kayak and Hiking Adventure

Take a guided kayak paddle and hike to Choate Island with the Trustees of Reservations!
Join The Trustees of Reservations for a paddle and a hike – what better way to spend an afternoon? Kayaking the pristine, sheltered waters of the Essex River Basin offers one of the top on-the-water experiences to be had in Northeast. Add to that a hike on the area’s largest island and you have the...
1:00 pm to 4:30 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

Nice n' Easy Hike at Maudslay State Park

Take a nice n' easy stroll at Muadslay State Park with your family in Newburyport Massachusetts!
Take a nice n' easy stroll at Bradley Palmer State Park with your family! Join the park interpreter for a basic recreational hike to explore the diverse landscape on a variety of trails through different areas of the park. For all ages.
2:00 pm

Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum

Visit Peabody MA, NorthShore, North Shore Children's Museum
Join in on Sundays at 2:30 for STEAM Club for ages 5-11. Each week participants will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with our NSCM staff! Every STEAM club session will see your kids participating in hands-on activities while exploring a new topic. Space is limited, please...
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

Summer Concert Series at Lynch Park

Free Summer Concerts hosted by Bev Rec at Lynch Park in Beverly Massachusetts
Enjoy free concerts this Summer at Lynch Park in Beverly, Massachusetts!  Families are encourages to grab a chair and a blank and head to the park for a free concert at Lynch Park's ampitheater.
Where: Lynch Park
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Summer Concert Series at Stage Fort Park

Compaq Big Band is just one of the perfromers in the Summer Concert Series at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester Massachusetts!
Come enjoy a Summer evening sea-side concert at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester Massachusetts! The Cape Ann Community Band under the direction of David Benjamin, plays their annual summer concerts Sundays at the at the Antonio Gentile Bandstand, Stage Fort Park, Hough Avenue, Gloucester MA.
6:30 pm

Sunday, July 6

Sand Sculpture Competition

Marblehead FoA Sand Sculpture Competition on Devereaux Beach in Marblehead
Register to build a sandcastle or sculpture together! Entry is free and open to all ages and families at the start of the event. Please bring your own buckets, shovels, and building tools! Entries will be judged by a small team of local children, and prizes given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, as...
12:30 pm to 3:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: Choate Island Kayak and Hiking Adventure

Take a guided kayak paddle and hike to Choate Island with the Trustees of Reservations!
Join The Trustees of Reservations for a paddle and a hike – what better way to spend an afternoon? Kayaking the pristine, sheltered waters of the Essex River Basin offers one of the top on-the-water experiences to be had in Northeast. Add to that a hike on the area’s largest island and you have the...
1:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Art on the Avenue

Marblehead Festival of the Arts Art on the Avenue July 4th weekend in Marblehead MA
Young in Age or Young at Heart - All ages welcomed to Art on The Avenue located on Atlantic Avenue part of the Marblehead Festival of Arts. ​ Paint your own pottery with Hestia Creations, make jewelry with EOS studio, learn about plants from Marblehead Garden Center or connecting with mini horses...
1:00 pm to 4:00 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

Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum

Visit Peabody MA, NorthShore, North Shore Children's Museum
Join in on Sundays at 2:30 for STEAM Club for ages 5-11. Each week participants will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with our NSCM staff! Every STEAM club session will see your kids participating in hands-on activities while exploring a new topic. Space is limited, please...
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

Sundays in Patton Park

North Shore Free Concerts for North Shore Families at Patton Park in Hamilton Massachusetts
Come enjoy community and music each Sunday in Patton Park! Dust off your lawn chairs and bring your picnic down to the park on Sunday evenings. We have a fantastic line up of bands this summer ---presented by Institution for Savings Bank and sponsored by The Community House, Town of Hamilton, HW...
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

4th of July Celebration at Salisbury Beach

Fourth of July Fireworks at Salisbury Beach include a campfire and marshmallow roast on the beach.
Get ready for four fantastic days of family fun at Salisbury Beach! From patriotic pet parades and live music to Independence Day fireworks, here’s what’s in store:
6:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Summer Concert Series at Lynch Park

Free Summer Concerts hosted by Bev Rec at Lynch Park in Beverly Massachusetts
Enjoy free concerts this Summer at Lynch Park in Beverly, Massachusetts!  Families are encourages to grab a chair and a blank and head to the park for a free concert at Lynch Park's ampitheater.
Where: Lynch Park
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Summer Concert Series at Stage Fort Park

Compaq Big Band is just one of the perfromers in the Summer Concert Series at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester Massachusetts!
Come enjoy a Summer evening sea-side concert at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester Massachusetts! The Cape Ann Community Band under the direction of David Benjamin, plays their annual summer concerts Sundays at the at the Antonio Gentile Bandstand, Stage Fort Park, Hough Avenue, Gloucester MA.
6:30 pm

Monday, July 7

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

“Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser Storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! “Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser is featured in this StoryWalk Series. Younger kids will love this gentle, richly illustrated children’s nonfiction book aimed at preschool–third grade...
7:00 am to 8:00 pm
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