February Vacation

CraneExplorer: Shipwreck Scholars

Families learn about shipwrecks at Castle Hill and Crane Beach in Ipswich Massachusetts

Coastal views with a side of shipwreck! Families will be guided on a Castle Hill hike through the salt marsh, dunes, and beach, while learning about local nautical history, including the role of Fox Creek Canal and Robinson Boat Yard in the area’s shipbuilding legacy, and the fascinating tale of the schooner Ada K Damon, wrecked on Steep Hill Beach in 1909. Participants will have the chance to make observations and measurements of the shipwreck, to learn how marine archaeologists and the Trustees are working to research and protect such artifacts.

When:

Sunday, December 8, 2024 10am-Noon

Location:

Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

Ipswich

Trustees of Reservations

Read more about CraneExplorer: Shipwreck Scholars

Professor Bugman at NSCM

Professor Bugaman will be presenting at Children during at North Shore Children's Museum in Peabody Massachusetts

Join Professor Bugman to experience his Arthropod Petting Zoo! Kids learn all about Arthropods, the most diverse group of animal life on the planet, during this exciting show-and-tell-and-touch program! Learn, see, hear, touch, and even smell the incredible adaptations these creatures have that help them survive in the wild world.

When:

Sunday, June 22, 2024 10AM

Location:

North Shore Children's Museum

Read more about Professor Bugman at NSCM

Yoga for Kids at NSCM

Yoga for Children during at North Shore Children's Museum in Peabody Massachusetts

In Miss Shelleys yoga class for kids, the focus is on making the practice fun, interactive, and age-appropriate. The class includes warm-up activities, teaching yoga poses through storytelling and games, and incorporating music, props, and visuals. There are partner poses and group activities to encourage cooperation and teamwork. The class ends with a cool-down segment that includes gentle stretches and relaxation exercises. The overall goal is to promote physical fitness, mindfulness, and emotional well-being in a playful and joyful environment.

When:

Friday, June 21, 2024 10AM

Location:

North Shore Children's Museum

Read more about Yoga for Kids at NSCM

Story Walk |This Is the Nest Robin Built

Kids will enjoy this self-guided story based tour of the Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts! Photo by Bill O'Connor

Enjoy a story, fresh air and exercise at Halibut Point State Park ! Join us on the grounds of the for a self-guided StoryWalk® featuring the children’s picture book This is the Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming. Follow the path to book pages posted along the route. A wonderful story awaits! For pre-K-age 7 with adult.

When:

Daily February 17-25, 2024 8am-4pm

Location:

Halibut Point State Park

Read more about Story Walk |This Is the Nest Robin Built

DIY Birdfeeders at NPL

Kids are invited to come to NPL to make their own custom birdfeeders at the Newburyport Library in Massachusetts

Kids are invited to come to NPL to make their own custom birdfeeders. Make your neighborhood birds happy! We’ll create super-simple feeders with pipe cleaners & cereal.

When:

Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 3-4:30pm

Location:

Newburyport Public Library

Read more about DIY Birdfeeders at NPL

D&D (Tween Session) at Amesbury Library

Dungeons and Dragons for Tweens at the Public Library in Amesbury Massachusetts

Come play in a Dungeons and Dragons ongoing campaign! You'll create your own characters and build the story session to session. Come if you're a beginner or if you know the rules. All are welcome! Registration is required and is for all 7 weeks. The sessions take place every other Wednesday for 2 hours.

When:

Wednesdays Biweekly, April 10-June 5, 2024 4-6pm

Location:

Amesbury Public Library

Read more about D&D (Tween Session) at Amesbury Library

FC Academy Stop Motion Filmmaking Classes

Cabot Theater in Beverly Massachusetts hosts a stop-motion film making program for kids during April vacation week!

For our Stop-Motion Animation class students will learn the principles of Animation and create their own short film using various materials provided by FC Academy and objects found around the house. Students will learn to explore their creativity and storytelling skills while also implementing filmmaking techniques such as editing, camera use, and directing.

Location:

Read more about FC Academy Stop Motion Filmmaking Classes

School Vacation Week Fun in Salisbury!

Seaglass Restaurant, Joes Playland Arcade and the Salisbury Beach Carousel team up to bring affordable vacation week fun to North Shore Massachusetts families!

Dine at Seaglass Restaurant, buy the Seaglass Kids Lunch Deal and receive a Free Ocean Activity Booklet, a $5 Joe's Playland Arcade Gift Card and a ticket to Ride the Salisbury Beach Carousel. For kids aged 12 and under.

When:

Monday-Friday, February 19-March 1, 2024 11:30am-3pm

Location:

Seaglass Restaurant & Lounge

Salisbury Beach Carousel

Read more about School Vacation Week Fun in Salisbury!

Hip Hop Dance Party at NSCM

NorthShore Children's Museum hosts a dance party in Peabody Massachusetts during February Vacation Week!

Children will express themselves through dance and movement with Dance Movement. Kids will explore multiple styles of Hip Hop, learn and create dance routines, and build their dance vocabularies.

When:

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 11 am - 1 pm

Location:

North Shore Children's Museum

Read more about Hip Hop Dance Party at NSCM

Wild Winter February Break: Youth Drop Off at Parker River NWR

February Vacation Drop-off program for kids at the Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, Massachusetts

Join Parker River Staff for the week of February Vacation (Feb. 20-23) for our youth drop off program 9:00am - 11:30am. Participants will learn about the the wonderful wildlife that call Parker River home in the winter, including adaptations for survival, animal evidence, and winter habitats. Program includes in-class and outside learning.

When:

Tuesday-Friday, February 20-23, 2024 9-11:30am

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Read more about Wild Winter February Break: Youth Drop Off at Parker River NWR

Music Together - Tuesday in Marblehead

Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® of Salem classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45...

Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead

10:00 am to 10:45 am

♦ Read More →

Guided Tour | When Granite Was King!

Halibut Point State Park is also a granite quarry with a history that goes back billions of years! Over one hundred years ago, the Rockport Granite Company quarried granite stone here.

Where: Halibut Point State Park

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Wednesday, January 22

Music Together - Wednesday

Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...

Where: St. John's Episcopal Church in Beverly Farms

9:30 am to 11:15 am

♦ Read More →

Dungeons & Dragons Club at Essex Library

Enjoy a the role playing game Dungeons and Dragons on Mondays, 5:30-7pm with Student Dungeon Master, Gus Hall. Spaces are limited, register early!

Where: Hamilton-Wenham Public Library

5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Thursday, January 23

LEGO Club at Danvers Library

Peabody Institute Library - Danvers invites kids to an afternoon of building and fun! Activities will include free build, themes and instructional design. All structures will remain on display in the Children’s Room till the following weeks's session

Where: Peabody Institute Library - Danvers

3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Friday, January 24

Music Together - Friday

Where: Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham

10:30 am to 11:15 am

♦ Read More →

Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Where: Breakheart Reservation

10:30 am to 11:30 am

♦ Read More →

Animal Adventures Series: Inside & Out

Joppa Flats Education Center invites families for family fun about your favorite animals with hands-on science, songs, a take-home craft and outdoor time, weather permitting. This is a three-week series for young "naturalists" and their adventure-loving adult to learn about animals together. Please...

Where: Joppa Flats Education Center

1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Drop-In Family LEGO at HWPL

Put your imagination and building skills to the test at this self-directed drop-in program. All ages are welcome with a caregiver.

Where: Hamilton-Wenham Public Library

3:15 pm to 4:15 pm

♦ Read More →

Saturday, January 25

Superbowl of Birding 2025

The Superbowl of Birding 2025 is a unique competition conducted in Rockingham County, NH, and Essex County, MA. During a 12-hour period, teams of birders of all ages and abilities seek out the greatest number of avian species and amass the most points based on the rarity of the birds recorded....

Where: Joppa Flats Education Center

5:00 am to 5:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Music Together - Saturday

Where: Grace Episcopal Church in Salem

9:15 am to 11:15 am

♦ Read More →

Gloucester's So Salty 2024

Celebrate the fish city’s recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions and businesses during the 4th Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival on January 25 and 26, 2025 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm! Over 1,800 people came out last year to share their salty pride while enjoying free ice...