Outdoor Activity

Sense of Wonder Walk: Let's Talk Turkey

Learn about turkeys at Mass Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield Massachusetts

Did you know that the wild turkey was Ben Franklin’s nominee for our national bird? Once driven nearly to extinction in much of the United States, the wild turkey has returned. Come learn about this large bird that represents our first American holiday, Thanksgiving. We’ll make a turkey craft and take a walk to catch, with luck, a glimpse of this elusive bird.

When: 
Sunday, January 12, 2017 1:30-3pm

Haunted Hike

Walk through the Crane Wildlife Refuge Ipswich Massachusetts with the Trustees of Reservations on Halloween!

Join The Trustees of Reservations for a harrowing Halloween Hike through the haunted trails of the Crane Wildlife Refuge! All Hallow’s Eve is a night when the creatures of the woods roam the paths and the dunes, silent and scary. Bring someone you can hold on to – and be prepared to hike through soft sand up and down hills for approximately 1.5 miles! We’ll finish our adventure with witches brew and pumpkin bread around a campfire on the beach.

When: 
Tuesday, October 31, 2017 7-9pm

Sea Shanty Sing-a-long

Come to Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Rowley Massachusetts with the Mass Audubon under the full moon.

Join naturalists from Joppa Flats Education Center on the deck in the salt marsh at Rowley's Rough Meadows for a sing-a-long of sea shanties and maritime poetry, and learn how music was used to entertain, focus on work, and tell stories of nautical life. Bring your blanket and dinner and plan to stay for a picnic under the rising full moon. Instruments and shanty singers are welcome.

When: 
Friday, October 13, 2017 4-5:30pm

Family Nature Photography

Introduce your family to the basics of digital nature photography at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: ©2011 Bill O'Connor

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary hosts a family nature photography workshop! Photography is a wonderful way to take your memories of the wildlife and landscapes of our sanctuary home. Introduce your family to the basics of digital nature photography and practice those skills while exploring some trails. At the end of the program each child will take home a print of their favorite photo!

When: 
Saturday, September 9, 2017 1:30-3:30pm

Mayor's Cup Schooner Race

The Mayor's Cup Race at the Gloucester Schooner Festival is just part of the fun

Note: Due to the weather, these events have been postponed to Labor Day Monday. The Mayor's Race is a major part of the Gloucester Schooner Festival 2024, where participating schooners in the weekend activities compete for for the Esperanto Cup, Ned Cameron Trophy and Betty Ramsey Trophy off Eastern Point and East Gloucester.

When: 
Rain Date: Monday September 4, 2017 1pm

Waterfront Movie: Beauty and the Beast

Join the fun at Waterfront Park in Newburyport as you watch Disney's live action remake of Beauty and the Beast

What could be better than a free movie viewed outside at Waterfront Park on a warm summer night?  Singing with the Oompa Loompas of the classic 'Willy Wonka an the Choclate Factory' satrring Gene Wilder! Based on Roal Dahls book, join the adventures of the golden ticket winners to see who ends up with the greatest prize of all!

When: 
Wednesday, August 23, 2017 ~8pm (Dusk)
Location: 

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

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 Heritage Days Festival

Salem Heritage Days is a week long celebration of Salem's history and tradition.
Celebrate the past and the present with neighbors, friends and visitors at the Annual Salem Heritage Days Festival. Events are scheduled around Salem throughout the week, kicking off with the annual Salem Maritime Festival and concluding with the Essex Street Fair, produced by the Salem Chamber of...
7:00 am to 9:00 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

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

Marine Society Outings on the Schooner FAME

Schooner Fame's Marine Society Outings are designed for children ages 8-14 out of Salem Massachusetts
Marine Society Outings are designed for children ages 8-14. Each outing is five hours on the water, 9:00-2:00, usually with a stop at the islands to swim off the boat (swimming is optional). Participants raise and trim the sails, learn knots, steer the boat, and play silly camp games.
9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Mini Movers at North Shore Children's Museum

Things to do for children in Peabody MA
Mini Movers is an engaging dance and movement class for young children at the North Shore Children's Museum. Led by experienced instructors, the program introduces young children to the world of dance in a safe and nurturing environment.
10:00 am to 11:00 am

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

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

Beverly Homecoming Lobster Festival

Lobster, Chowder, Summer fun at Lynch Park - part of Beverly Massachusetts homecoming!
Make time for a Traditional Lobster Bake, Chowder, Chicken, etc. available all day at Lynch Park.  Dine at picnic tables under the tent while listening to local bands.  Local businesses, politicians, and non-profits will be set up around the park to share information with you.  Amazingly, 90% all...
Where: Lynch Park
12:00 pm to 8:00 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

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

Topsfield HomeGrown Market

Come to Topsfield Massachusetts Common for a homegrown market on the Wednesdays through July
The mission of the HomeGrown Market is to provide the Topsfield community with a series of family-friendly events that emphasize supporting local and offer the opportunity for Topsfield and surrounding North Shore farmers, gardeners, artisans, creators, performers, musicians, nonprofits, young...
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Salem's Ice Scream Bowl

What could be better on a hot summer night than an Ice Cream tasting!  Come to S
The Salem Ice Scream Bowl is a chance to taste some classic favorite flavors, as well as a few new ones, from the area’s best ice cream shops, and is a great time for children as well as adults. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children, CASH ONLY. Spoons and napkins will be supplied with...
6:00 pm to 7:30 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

Movies on the Common | Toy Story

Come see Toy Story at under the stars on the Common in Salem Massachusetts!
Bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy a family-friendly movie. The Salem Common Neighborhood Association will host this screening of the beloved film Toy Story.
7:45 pm

Wednesday, August 13

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

Topsfield HomeGrown Market

Come to Topsfield Massachusetts Common for a homegrown market on the Wednesdays through July
The mission of the HomeGrown Market is to provide the Topsfield community with a series of family-friendly events that emphasize supporting local and offer the opportunity for Topsfield and surrounding North Shore farmers, gardeners, artisans, creators, performers, musicians, nonprofits, young...
4:00 pm to 7:00 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, August 14

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

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

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
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