April Vacation Week at MFA - Boston

April Vacation Week at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston Massachusetts

All are invited to April Vacation Week for free activities exploring connections between the people, places, and art made in Massachusetts. All ages and abilities are welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. See Visiting with Kids and Family for more information.

Events and Activities

Drop-In Art Making

Miniature Baskets | Gallery LG36
Wednesday–Saturday, 10 am–4 pm (last entry 3:45 pm)

  • Baskets are functional objects that can also be elevated to an art form made with skill, imagery, and surprising material choices. Learn how to weave a small basket while discovering some of the techniques and materials New England–based artists have used.

Cross-Stitch Samplers | Galleries 137 and 138
Wednesday–Saturday, 10 am–4 pm (last entry 3:45 pm)

  • Join Museum educators in the meditative practice of cross-stitch! Stop by the galleries to pick up an art kit and learn to stitch your own sampler using a template or a design of your own.

Jewelry Inspired by Massachusetts Artists | Shapiro Family Courtyard
Wednesday–Friday, 10 am–4 pm (last entry 3:45 pm)

  • Design your own jewelry inspired by the Museum’s rich collection of local treasures. Use charms, pendants, jewels, and inscriptions to craft something that reflects your identity.

Candles in Massachusetts: Then and Now | Druker Family Pavilion, Room 159
Wednesday–Saturday, 10 am–4 pm (last entry 3:45 pm)

  • Candles have been providing light, warmth, celebration, ceremony, and comfort for more than 5,000 years. Join us in creating and decorating candles inspired by candle makers from the Massachusetts region.

Scrimshaw | Druker Family Pavilion, Room 160 | Ages 12 and up
Wednesday–Saturday, 10 am–4 pm (last entry 3:45 pm)

  • Scrimshaw is the art of engraving whale bone with intricate, often nautically themed, designs. People in Massachusetts have been making scrimshaw for hundreds of years. Stop by to try your hand at “scrimshandering” using a synthetic material to carve your own locally inspired design!

Story Hour | Riley Seminar Room
Wednesday–Saturday, 11:30 am and 1 pm

  • Drop by for an interactive children’s story program. Stay for one story or for the whole hour.

Family Tours | Meet at Sharf Visitor Center
Wednesday–Saturday, 11:30 am and 1:30 pm

  • Join us on a family-friendly tour that takes a closer look at the art of John Wilson and other innovative Massachusetts-based artists. Tours are 30 minutes and fun for all ages!
When: 
Wednesday–Saturday, April 23-26, 2025 10am-4pm
Location: 
Museum of Fine Arts
Phone: 
617.267.9300
Link(s): 
April Vacation Week at MFA
April Vacation Week
Museum
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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
♦ Read More →

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.
Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
7:00 am to 7:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour
Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....
Where: Downtown Salem
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Christmas at Castle Hill | A Nod to Nature
Christmas at Castle Hill | A Nod to Nature is a weekend of festivities hosted by the Trustees of Reservations at Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s event celebrating the beauty of the natural world. You’ll see birds, flowers, snowflakes, and more as you view 18 spaces decorated for the holidays.
Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
10:00 am to 8:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle
A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Travel back in time to a castle filled with lush, opulent textures inspired by the great medieval and Renaissance castles of Europe. Wander through rooms adorned with White Birch and Christmas trees, sparkling fairy lights, hydrangea-lace garlands, and elegant bows, each space transformed with its...
Where: Hammond Castle Museum
10:00 am to 8:00 pm
♦ Read More →

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...
Where: North Shore Children's Museum
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Monday, December 29

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.
Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
7:00 am to 7:00 pm
♦ Read More →

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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour
Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....
Where: Downtown Salem
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle
A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Travel back in time to a castle filled with lush, opulent textures inspired by the great medieval and Renaissance castles of Europe. Wander through rooms adorned with White Birch and Christmas trees, sparkling fairy lights, hydrangea-lace garlands, and elegant bows, each space transformed with its...
Where: Hammond Castle Museum
10:00 am to 8:00 pm
♦ Read More →

CraneOutdoors: Family Winter Wildlife Walk
Come explore the dunes on Castle Neck and Crane Beach in Ipswich Massachusetts to learn about winter wildlife.
A CraneOutdoors Family Winter Wildlife Walk will take you on a stroll through the Crane Beach dunes while learning about the plants and animals that call this special place home. You may be familiar with Crane Beach, but have you ever visited the dune trails? The dunes of Castle Neck are a much...
Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Tuesday, December 30

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.
Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
7:00 am to 7:00 pm
♦ Read More →

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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour
Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....
Where: Downtown Salem
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle
A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Travel back in time to a castle filled with lush, opulent textures inspired by the great medieval and Renaissance castles of Europe. Wander through rooms adorned with White Birch and Christmas trees, sparkling fairy lights, hydrangea-lace garlands, and elegant bows, each space transformed with its...
Where: Hammond Castle Museum
10:00 am to 8:00 pm
♦ Read More →

CraneOutdoors: Family Winter Wildlife Walk
Come explore the dunes on Castle Neck and Crane Beach in Ipswich Massachusetts to learn about winter wildlife.
A CraneOutdoors Family Winter Wildlife Walk will take you on a stroll through the Crane Beach dunes while learning about the plants and animals that call this special place home. You may be familiar with Crane Beach, but have you ever visited the dune trails? The dunes of Castle Neck are a much...
Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
♦ Read More →