Outdoor Activity

Adventure Day: Amazing Mammals

Kids will learn about plant-eating mammals that make their home at the IRWS sanctuary.

Kids explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary during April Vacation Week! Spring is a time when many baby animals are born. Join IRWS to learn about the plant-eating mammals that make their home at the sanctuary. We hope to catch glimpses of them, and certainly we'll see signs that they are living here. Participate in a mammal obstacle course. Build a beaver and muskrat lodge as a group, and track deer and other mammals in the fields and forests of the sanctuary.

When: 
Tuesday April 16, 2019 8:30am-3pm

Adventure Day: Water World

Kids will get a close-up look at creatures and bugs that live in IRWS wetlands.

Wetlands are wonderful places full of fascinating animals and plants. Together we will discover the wetland habitats of the sanctuary. We'll hike to Hassocky Meadow and search for ducks, turtles, snakes, and more. We will continue our explorations at a real vernal pool and look for breeding salamanders, wood frogs, and their egg masses.

When: 
Thursday, April 18, 2019 8:30am-3pm

Nature Playgroup at The Stevens-Coolidge Place

Toddlers are invited to come play and discover nature at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate in North Andover!

Join The Trustees of Reservations at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate for a nature playgroup designed just for the little ones! To encourage outdoor play and familiarity with the natural world, a nature-based toddler playgroup will be held at the Stevens-Coolidge Place on every-other Tuesday, April through June.

When: 
Tuesdays 2, 16 & 30, 2019 9:30-11am

Bug Brigade

Explore the world of bugs in your backyard at the Stevens-Coolidge Place

It’s time for a good ol’ bug hunt! Did you know that insects are the largest group of animals? It’s true! About 75 percent of all the world’s animals are insects. During this April Vacation bug scavenger hunt, we invite you to bring your buddies to the Stevens-Coolidge Place or team up with new friends met on the property. Each group of explorers will be given field note handouts on which to record their observations and a magnifying glass-topped bug jar for getting a better look at our tiny friends in the gardens. What will you find today?

When: 
Thursday, April 18, 2019 10am-Noon

Young Naturalists

Young Naturalists at the Stevens-Coolidge Place in North Andover Massachusetts

There’s a lot to observe when the weather warms up. Spring is a time when migrating birds return from their wintering grounds and baby animals like deer and squirrels are born. During this April Vacation program, participants will put on their explorer hats and head out into nature to see what’s changing in the animal kingdom. Of course, you can’t head out without the proper gear, so we’ll be making binoculars together to help you better observe the world around you, and animal behavior handouts for sketching and/or writing about your findings.

When: 
Thursday, April 18, 2019 10am-Noon

Spring into Wellness Hike

Enjoy a Spring Wellness Hike at Ward Reservation in Andover, Massachusetts

Come hike at Ward Reservation with The Trustees.  Start your Spring off on the right foot with this brisk morning hike at Ward Reservation. This guided hike on the reservation’s Blue Trail will offer scenic vistas of Boston and the unusual solstice stones arrangement at the top of Holt Hill, as well as panoramic skyline views from a large clearing at Elephant Rock at Boston Hill. Your knowledgeable guides can answer questions about the history of the property and its surrounding habitats.

When: 
Saturday, March 16, 2019 10am-Noon
Location: 

Snowy Owl Prowl

Join the Trustees of Reservations at  the Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts in search of the Snowy Owl!

Join The Trustees of Reservations at Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate in search of the Snowy Owl! Wide-open coastal sites are the location of choice for wintering Snowy Owls; common perches are dunes and salt hay staddles. In winters past, the owls have been frequent visitors to the Crane Wildlife Refuge. Join us as we hike the dunes in search of these magnificent birds. Unlike most owls, snowy owls are diurnal (they hunt and are active both day and night) so we have a good chance of sighting one even in the daylight hours!

When: 
Saturday, February 16, 2019 1-3:30pm [Sold Out]
Wednesday, February 20, 2019 1-3:30pm
Saturday, February 23, 2019 1-3:30pm [Sold Out]

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

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

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

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

Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic

The Annual Hampton Beach, NH Master Sandsculpting Competition 2025
The fun starts when 200 tons of imported sand is dropped on Hampton Beach and the “Grady Bunch” starts pounding up the sponsor site. The entire area is illuminated for night viewing through June 23rd. Watch Greg Grady and “The Grady Bunch” build a mammoth Sand Demo Site. 
7:00 am to 11:00 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

Kidleidoscope

Kidleidoscope at Maudslay State Park is a chance for preschoolers to explore the park, enjoy a story and make a craft!
Maudslay State Park has created this program for their youngest crowd! The park interpreter will lead a weekly nature themed preschool aged program that involves a story time and outdoor exploration of Maudslay trails and gardens! 
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

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

Gloucester Juneteenth Festival

The Gloucester Juneteenth Festival is presented at the Cape Ann Museum by the North Shore Juneteenth Association
Join the Cape Ann Museum at Gloucester City Hall to celebrate Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. 
11:00 am to 5:00 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

Salem Farmers' Market

The Salem Farmer's Market bring the goodness of local farm to downtown Salem!
The Salem Farmers' Market brings fresh local produce and other foods from North Shore farms and other local resources to downtown Salem every Thursday at  Bentley Academy Charter School!
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Cow Connection at Appleton Farms

Join The Trustees of Reservations at Appleton Farms for Cow Connection in Ipswich Massachusetts
Immerse your family in the heartwarming experience of being up close and personal with one of our favorite farm animals – cows! Cuddle, brush, and sit with our hand-raised cows at Appleton Farms. Visit our scenic and historic farm and enjoy Family Cow Connection session with our two Jersey Dairy...
4:15 pm to 5:00 pm

Salisbury Farmers' Market

Salisbury Farmers Market is a great source of local produce.
The Salisbury Farmers' Market offers a vibrant community experience with a variety of fresh, locally sourced produce, unprocessed honey, farm-fresh eggs, and maple syrup. Enjoy music, local market creations, and engage with local farmers. The market also features monthly craft markets, cooking...
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Thursday, June 26

Salisbury Farmers' Market

Salisbury Farmers Market is a great source of local produce.
The Salisbury Farmers' Market offers a vibrant community experience with a variety of fresh, locally sourced produce, unprocessed honey, farm-fresh eggs, and maple syrup. Enjoy music, local market creations, and engage with local farmers. The market also features monthly craft markets, cooking...
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Saint Peter's Fiesta 5k

The Cape Ann YMCA Saint Peter's Fiesta 5k encourages kids to enter.
The Saint Peter's Fiesta 5k Road Race hosted by the Cape Ann YMCA is a healthy opportunity for families to be directly involved with this traditional community celebration in Gloucester!  Kids are encouraged to enter, and all funds raised by the race go to the Cape Ann YMCA Summer Camps program....
6:00 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

Castle Hill Picnic Concert | The Far Out

The Far Out Thursday night picnic concert performance at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
Looking for a fun family outing on the North Shore of Massachusetts? Don't miss the Thursday Night Picnic Concerts at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich! These concerts offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time with your loved ones in a beautiful and exclusive setting on the North...
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Friday, June 27

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

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
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