Hands-On

Maritime Adventure Days

Maritime Adventure Free Days at Custom House Maritime Museum Newburyport Massachusetts

Maritime Adventure Free Days offers families and kids a unique opportunity to explore maritime history through interactive activities, guided tours, and hands-on workshops. A day of fun and discovery at the Custom House Maritime Museum for the family. These free Saturday events include experiencing a traditional Wampanoag dugout canoe being made by a team of craftsmen. Part of Trails & Sails

When:

Saturday, September 13, 2025 9am-1pm

Saturday, September 20, 2025 9am-1pm

Saturday, September 27, 2025 9am-1pm

Location:

Custom House Maritime Museum

Read more about Maritime Adventure Days

Girls in STEM Session at Acera School

Acera Schools Girls in STEM Hands-On Science Event for K-8 Kids in grade K-8

Do you know a girl who is curious about science? Join Acera School on Saturday, April 5th from 10AM to 12PM for an exciting – and FREE – morning of interactive STEM! The event will be held at Acera School, located at 5 Lowell Ave in Winchester. Free on site parking is available.

When:

Saturday, April 5, 2025 10am-Noon

Location:

Read more about Girls in STEM Session at Acera School

Brookwood School Sustainable Future Fest

Brookwood School Future Fest sustainability festival in Manchester Massachusetts

Join Brookwood School in Manchester, MA, for the Sustainable Future Fest—an event bringing together North Shore families, eco-advocates, and local businesses in the spirit of sustainability and community fun! Designed for families and kids aged 3-14, the festival will feature:

When:

Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 10am-1pm

Location:

Read more about Brookwood School Sustainable Future Fest

Plankton Safari

Come to Maritime Gloucester and discover what lives near the bottom of the oceanic food chain using digital microscopes! Join Maritime Gloucester’s education and aquarium staff as we take a deep dive into some of the ocean’s smallest, yet most important, organisms. Learn about plankton’s vital role in the marine ecosystem, and look under our microscopes to see what local species you can identify!. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

When:

Tuesdays & Thursdays through August 22, 2024 10:30-3:30pm

Location:

Read more about Plankton Safari

Snowy Owl Whooooo?

Teens are invited to come craft amigurumi snowy owls at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newbury Massachusetts

Teens are invited to the Parker River Wildlife Refuge to learn about owls! Join Parker River Staff to crochet a snowy owl. Using amigurumi, the Japanese practice of crocheting small stuffed yarn, we will crochet a small stuffed snowy owl that's great for desk decoration, keychain, or dangle. Beginners welcome!

When:

Saturday, January 13, 2024 10am-12:30pm

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Read more about Snowy Owl Whooooo?

Free Admission & Fall Workshop with Kelly Slater

The Lynn Museum Will offer free admission and a workshop with artist Kelly Slater during Trails and Sails in Massachusetts!

Come to the Lynn Museum and Historical Society enjoy complimentary admission! View our latest exhibitions, buy locally made goods in our shop, take advantage of our virtual tour, or read a book in our courtyard.

When:

Saturday, September 23, 2023 10am-2pm

Location:

Lynn Museum and Historical Society

Read more about Free Admission & Fall Workshop with Kelly Slater

Tinker Time at Amesbury Carriage Museum

Tinker Time at Amesbury Massachusetts Carriage Museum For kids Aged 6-12.

Join Amesbury Carriage Museum for a FREE monthly drop-in time at the Industrial History Center for 6 to 12 year olds. Drop in for family Tinkertime and try your hand at weaving!

When:

Saturday, August 19, 2023 1-4pm

Location:

Amesbury Carriage Museum

Experiential Learning

Instruction

Demonstration

Read more about Tinker Time at Amesbury Carriage Museum

Hands on History

Each weekend in July and August the House of 7 Gables invites young (and young at heart!) guests to explore different elements of colonial life through hands-on activities. These drop-in programs will run 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. Saturdays and Sundays and are free with the purchase of admission. This summer, we will be exploring traditional children’s games and the art of calligraphy. Stop in for some hands-on fun!

When:

Weekends through August 2023 11am-3pm

Location:

House of Seven Gables

Read more about Hands on History

Broom Decorating for Kids at the Witchery

The Witchery is hosting a ‘Broom Decorating for Kids’ class each Saturday in Salem Massachusetts

Kids are invited to decorate their own broom with pendants, charms, plants, ribbons & more. Our 20" kids' brooms are assembled by The Witchery and ready for your little ones to customize! Broom decorating is a hands-on, friendly activity in a relaxed setting. Kids will browse our tables to select their items and then customize your broom. Parents may need to assist with tying and fastening, etc. Appropriate for ages 3-10. Activity will be outdoors whenever possible. Kits to go also available.

When:

Saturdays through August 6, 2022 9am

Location:

Read more about Broom Decorating for Kids at the Witchery

Art in the Shipyard!

Kids will create art at the Essex Shipbuilding Musem each Wednesday afternoon!

See, learn, find, create! Young artists are invited to enjoy drawing, painting, print making, and sculpture using the Museum's shipyard and artifacts for inspiration. All materials are provided for projects. All ages are welcome. Those seven and younger must be accompanied by an adult. A public exhibit of the art work produced will take place at the museum. This program is supported in part by the Essex Cultural Council, a local agency, through the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

When:

Wednesdays, April 17 to June 5, 2013 3:30-5pm

Location:

Essex Shipbuilding Museum

Read more about Art in the Shipyard!

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

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 →

Saturday, March 21

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

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 →

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike

Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us this season. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place…

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Maple Sugaring Saturday at IRWS

Experience the age-old tradition of maple sugaring at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary! The warm days of late winter awaken the flow of sap in the maples resulting in sweet-smelling, billowing clouds of steam rising from the sugarhouse. On a naturalist-guided walk, learn how to identify a sugar...

Where: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

10:30 am to 3:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Low-Sensory Play at North Shore Children's Museum

Join us for a low-sensory play session. For some children, visiting places like NSCM can be over-stimulating. This special play session will have reduced noise, crowds, and stimulation. While medical diagnosis is not required, we encourage that these limited tickets be used for families with a...

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Sunday, March 22

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

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 →

Gloucester Education Foundation's Power of Play Festival

Gloucester Education Foundation hosts the annual Power of Play Festival in Gloucester Massachusetts. GEF’s annual “Day of Play” is back for an 8th year on Sunday, March 22! This FREE community event draws hundreds of Gloucester families to the GHS Field House to participate in dozens of fun...

Where: Gloucester High School Field House

11:00 am to 2:00 pm

♦ Read More →

CraneOutdoors: Family Winter Wildlife Walk

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 3:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Sunday STEAM Club at 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 →

Symphony by the Sea | Winter Dreams

Symphony by the Sea performs a special Winter Concert inspired by Slavic fairytales and the beauty of the Russian landscape, our program explores the rich synthesis of Western musical tradition and Russian folk melodies. Tchaikovsky’s energetic and tuneful Serenade, Arensky’s touching tribute to...

Where: The Cabot

3:00 pm

♦ Read More →