Crafts

Mason Jar Terrariums Appleton Farms

There's lots to do at Appleton Farms in Ipswich during April Vacation!

While Spring is the time of new growth, it may still be too cold for fresh flowers or green grass. Bring some green life inside with an easy and adorable mason jar terrarium. We’ll use glass mason jars, gravel, soil, mosses and plants to create a miniature natural world that can stay on your desk or windowsill. You’ll leave with a mini terrarium of your own, plus the skills to make bigger ones at home.

When: 
Tuesday, April 16, 2019 10-11am
Location: 

Vacation Week: Farm Felting

Learn about the process of making felt from wool at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts during February Vacation!

Warmer spring weather means its sheep shearing time on the farm. But what to do with all that wool? Learn about the time honored tradition of wool felting. We’ll start by learning how to “card” the raw wool into soft fiber for spinning or felting. Afterwards, we’ll try our hand making twisted wool bracelets and felt balls to be used for farm-fun necklaces. Wool, wood beads and decorative string will be provided, but feel free to bring anything special of your own to add to your necklace. Afterwards meet our three woolly sheep and feed them a snack! Recommended for ages 6-9 but all are welcome.

When: 
Thursday, April 18, 2019 10-11am
Location: 

Parent/Child Build a Bluebird House

Bring the kids and learn how to build a bluebird house at Mass Audubon's IRWS

Celebrate spring by building a bluebird house with your child. We’ll supply all the materials and instruction to build a nest box for bluebirds and tree swallows. These wonderful nest boxes also attract chickadees, tufted titmice, house wrens, and woodpeckers. A short slide presentation will introduce families to the natural history and behavior of birds in Massachusetts, and we’ll discuss where and how to place your nest box. Dress for the weather because we will take a short walk to look and listen for bluebirds.

When: 
Saturday, April 6, 2019 1:30-3pm

Explore Your Own Backyard ArtWeek Event

Celebrate Art Week and explore you own back yard with Essex Heritage

Did you know that all of Essex County is considered a very special place? Essex County is a National Heritage Area, which are regions known for having a lot of important natural, historic and cultural resources. With so many different things to do, see and explore, National Heritage Areas are pretty cool places to live! At Essex Heritage, we want to help people who live in Essex County get outside and discover new sites close to home, something we like to call…Exploring Your Own Backyard!

When: 
Saturday, April 27, 2019 1-3PM

Wind, Weather, Ice & Everything Nice

Come to Parker River Wildlife Refuge to learn about climate and weather and do some fun experiments! Photo: ©Bill O'Connor

Spend an hour with Jane Kelly, and several of her live birds of prey, in the refuge auditorium, while learning about the habits and habitats of these fascinating creatures.  Kelly, of On the Wing Raptor Rehabilitation, will reprise the hugely popular program that she delivered as part of last year’s Earth Day celebration.  No preregistration for this program.

When: 
Saturday, April 27, 2019 1-2:30pm

KidsFest 2019 - Haverhill

Kidsfest - A creative afternoon of great food and activities for all ages in Haverhill Massachusetts

A creative afternoon of great food and activities for all ages! Located in Downtown Haverhill the event will include a full day of live music, local theater, dance performances, and family-friendly entertainment. There will be lots of fun and interactive activities including face painting, sand art, martial arts and much more!

When: 
Saturday, May 4, 2019 11am-4pm

Sounds of the Night Hike

Come brave the dark of the night in the Dunes of the Crane Wildlife Refuge at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

Brave the dark of the night in the Dunes of the Crane Wildlife Refuge! We start with an introduction to night sounds, so you are prepared to identify the sounds you will hear, then we hike silently through the darkness, letting our ears make up for our lack of sight. What will you hear? Frogs? Owls? Foxes? Who knows! Debrief and relax with a drink around the campfire to wrap up the evening’s adventure.

When: 
Sunday, May 26, 2019 6:30-9:30pm

Open Studio at Art Haven

Art Haven hosts an open studio every Friday night in downtown Gloucester

Friday afternoons are a great time for families to drop-by fand enjoy Open Studio at Art Haven. Participate in a fun activity and access to the studio space to work on clay, painting, drawing or anything else you dream up. All ages are welcome with a parent.

Cape Ann Art Haven is a small nonprofit with the mission of providing a place for the community to have exposure to the arts.

When: 
Friday afternoons with instructors present from 3:30 - 5pm

Kids Night Out!

Kids night out at the Crane Estate is a night of mindful activities for kids ages 6-10

Kids Only! Adults, bring your kiddos ages 6-10 for an evening of outdoor yoga play, stories, creativity, and mindfulness. May include: singing bowl meditation, painting what peace looks like to us, painting with nature paint brushes, or other mindful fun! SoulSparks ignites the connection within so we may gather in sharing our wholehearted authenticity. Joining with small businesses & local communities north of Boston, we bring souls together to practice yoga, mindfulness, arts & herbalism.

When: 
Friday, June 28, 2019 6:30-8:30pm

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

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

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

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .
8:00 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

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....
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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

Paddle Around Historic Rockport Harbor

Paddle around Rockport Massachusetts Harbor for FREE as part of Trails and Sails
Come join North Shore Adventures and Outdoor Center for some fun on the water! No experience necessary. Depart from our private beach in one of our safe, stable kayaks or paddle boards and paddle around the historic Rockport Harbor for 30 mins. See lobster boats, Motif #1, the Rockport Break water...
10:30 pm

Sunday, September 21

Marbleheaders in the American Revolution

Glovers Regiment in Marblehead Massachusetts is just one stop on this Trails & Sails tour.
Pick up a program book and experience Revolutionary War-era Marblehead at various sites in the Historic District. Meet the wife of war hero, James Mugford; explore Fort Sewall with Glover’s Regiment; meet diarist Ashley Bowen portrayed by Donald Friary and experience an Anglican service at St....
11:00 am to 4:00 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 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

Vintage BaseBall at Spencer-Peirce Little Farm

Come see how baseball used to be played at Spencer Pierce Little Farm. Photo: Matthew Muise Photography
It’s Base Ball, 1864 style at Spencer Peirce Little Farm! These fun, historically accurate games feature underhand pitching and no gloves are allowed. A ball bounced once and caught is an out! Snacks, baseballs, and cards are available for purchase. Come and see for yourself how this game was...
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Fireman's Muster in Salisbury

Join the fun of the Fireman's Muster in the heart of Salisbury Massachusetts as part of Salisbury Days
The Town of Salisbury hosts a fireman's muster as part of Salisbury Days! Come join the fun with your family and watch the teamwork involved in this New England Tradition! As Part of Salisbury Days Celebration, on Sunday, in addition to the Muster event attendees can enjoy:
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Salisbury Days: Touch a Truck

Kids (and adults) can get up close and personal with all kinds of trucks in Salisbury Massachusetts
Salisbury Days are hosting a Touch-A-Truck event! Get up close and personal with all the trucks/unique vehicles you see on the road. Meet the people who drive them and learn about what they do!
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Brocklebank Museum Open House

Explore the Brocklebank Museum in Georgetown Massachusetts as part of Trails and Sails!
Visit the Brocklebank Museum, built in the late 1600s, with ties to the abolitionist movement and the famous Beecher family. tep back in time to the birth of our Nation. The Revolutionary War era in Essex County. Stop by and visit the Georgetown Historical Society in our tavern room at the...
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Step Aboard the Friendship of Salem

Permission to come aboard the Friendship of Salem is granted at Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!
Explore the FRIENDSHIP OF SALEM, a replica tall ship based on a 1796 Salem vessel at Salem Maritime National Historic Site.
1:30 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
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