Play

Gloucester Education Foundation's Power of Play Festival

Gloucester Education Foundation is proud to host Power of Play Festival, a day of play for Gloucester Massachusetts families and kids of all ages. Gloucester Education Foundation's Power of Play Festival

Gloucester Education Foundation is proud to host the 6th Power of Play Festival, a day of play for families and kids of all ages. Play is an important learning tool that promotes creative and innovative thinking. Play also helps kids develop skills that are a foundation for life-long success, including critical thinking, communication, problem solving, and collaboration. All are welcome to come experience interactive, hands-on, inclusive, low-tech activities in six areas: MOVE, CREATE, GAMES, TOUCH, BUILD, and DISCOVER!

When: 
Sunday, March 24, 2024 11am-2pm

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!

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

The Tree of Care + Wonder at Salem Heritage Days

The Tree of Care + Wonder at Salem Heritage Days at Peabody Essex Museum in Salem Massachusetts

Join us for an immersive installation in celebration of Salem Heritage Days! Following three special PEM Pals collaborations, Salem’s Public Artist in Residence Claudia Paraschiv continues to explore how children can contribute to culture. “The Tree of Care+Wonder: Through a Child’s Lens” imagines how a future city might take care of and bring wonder to its residents.

When: 
Saturday, August 12, 2023 11am-3pm

Afternoon Adventures Drop-In Spring Series

Appleton Farms' popular Afternoon Adventures program now has a drop-in option on Wednesdays in Ipswich Massachusetts.

New this spring, the Trustee's popular Afternoon Adventures program now has a drop-in option on Wednesdays! Bring a friend, pick and choose the days you’d like to attend, or try it out for the first time. This 2.5-hour drop-off program on Wednesday afternoons provides your child with immersive, farm-based play and chores that foster social-emotional learning, wellbeing, and a love of nature. Skilled educators with a flair for fun and a knack for outdoor skills supervise your young farmers as they explore the barnyard, garden, and trails. This entirely-outdoors program uses our historic Carriage Barn (where the goats live!) for shelter in severe weather.

When: 
Wednesdays, May 4 - June 8, 2022 2-4:30PM
Location: 

TitO presents Poe in Salem

Theater in the Open presents the works of Edgar Allen Poe at Gedney and Cox Houses in Salem Massachusetts!

Join Theater in the Open for a special presentation of Poe! Using music, movement and macabre pageantry, Theater in the Open will explore the emotional tension and otherworldly atmosphere that underscore the work of Edgar Allan Poe. Your favorite fearful Poe poems and stories — including The Raven and The Fall of the House of Usher — come to life at this all-ages show. We'll perform by lantern light in the historic GEDNEY HOUSE at 21 High Street, Salem.

When: 
Friday, October 4, 2019 7-8:30pm or 9-10:30PM
Location: 

TitO presents Poe

Theater in the Open presents the works of Edgar Allen Poe at Oak Hill Cemetary in Newburyport Massachusetts

Join Theater in the Open for a special encore presentation of Poe in The Ellen T. Brown Memorial Chapel at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Newburyport. Using music, macabre pageantry and shadow puppetry, Theater in the Open’s ensemble will explore the emotional tension and otherworldly atmosphere that underscore Poe’s works.

When: 
Friday-Sunday, September 20-29, 2019 6-7:30pm

The Lion King Jr. at HW Community House | Matinee

The African savannah comes to life with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters at the Community House of Hamilton Wenham

The African savannah comes to life with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle… and back again, in this inspiring, coming-of-age tale.

When: 
Friday, May 17 & 23, 2019 7:30pm
Saturday, May 18 & 25, 2019 3pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, May 19 & 26, 2019 3pm

The Wizard of Oz - Matinee

Ipswich Middle School performs James and the Wizard of Oz at the Ipswich Performing Arts Center

The Ipswich Middle School theatre department hits the yellow brick road to celebrate the 80th anniversary of this beloved classic musical, presented to you by award winning Ipswich Middle School Theatre Company. These shows have sold out to the walls the last two years! This full length musical featuring a cast of 60 accompanied by a live orchestra, brilliant light and sound engineering, and vivid set pieces will surely make you feel like you aren't in Kansas anymore!

When: 
Friday, March 15, 2019 7pm
Saturday, March 16, 2019 7pm
Sunday, March 17, 2019 2:30pm

The Wizard of Oz

Ipswich Middle School performs James and the Wizard of Oz at the Ipswich Performing Arts Center

The Ipswich Middle School theatre department hits the yellow brick road to celebrate the 80th anniversary of this beloved classic musical, presented to you by award winning Ipswich Middle School Theatre Company. These shows have sold out to the walls the last two years! This full length musical featuring a cast of 60 accompanied by a live orchestra, brilliant light and sound engineering, and vivid set pieces will surely make you feel like you aren't in Kansas anymore!

When: 
Friday, March 15, 2019 7pm
Saturday, March 16, 2019 7pm
Sunday, March 17, 2019 2:30pm

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Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestras

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

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

It's Summer by Linda Glaser storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Its Summer by Linda Glaser is the subject of this STORYWALK Series.  Watch the world transform when Spring comes!Enjoy this preschool storywalk at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time outside in nature!
7:00 am to 8:00 pm

Explore the Pond at Bradley Palmer

Join the park interpreter exploringt he ponds of Bradley Palmer State Park in Massachusetts!
What kinds of fascinating creatures live in or visit the ponds? Come and explore with the Park Interpreter to see if any creatures are stirring, and if any plants are flowering. For all ages. This is a great family activity!
8:30 am to 10:30 am

Andover Farmers' Market

Find Fresh Local Produce at the Andover Massachusetts Farmers Market North of Boston
The Andover Farmers Market is a vibrant hub connecting local farmers, artisans and the community through the joy of local food. Whether you come for carrots or conversation, it is a place to nourish the body, mind and spirit.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Haverhill Farmers' Market

Haverhill Farmers Market, North Shore Farmers Market, Cape Ann Farmers Marke
The vibrant, colorful Haverhill Farmers Market is where local farmers and food producers meet to sell directly to the community. Established in 1978, the Haverhill Farmers Market mission is to provide access to farm-fresh products and promote local agriculture, as well as serve as a social...
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Marblehead Farmers' Market

Find fresh local produce and other foods at the Marblehead Farmer's Market!
The Marblehead Farmer's Market boasts 15+ local farms, and booths with an educational spin nutrition, vendors and farms selling homemade prepared goods and craft vendors that are switched up in a rotation basis week to week. Additionally there are entertainers and exhibits by environmentally...
9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Crane Outdoors: Kayak Adventure on the Castle Neck River

Take a guided kayak paddle adventure on the Castle Neck River with the Trustees of Reservations!
One of the best was to enjoy the natural beauty of the Massachusetts North Shore is kayaking the placid waters of the Great Marsh—the largest continuous stretch of salt marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. The Castle Neck peninsula on the Crane Estate is a vast barrier...
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Rockport Farmers' Market

The Rockport Farmers' Market runs every Saturday at Rockport Music in Downtown Rockport!
The Rockport Farmers Market offers a variety of locally-grown produce, hand-crafted products, baked goods, and live music. It provides a community space to support local farmers and artisans.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Music Together - Saturday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
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...
9:15 am to 11:15 am

History Rises from the Ruins

Kids will learn about the secret history of Maudslay State Park at this presenta
Join the Maudslay State Park interpreter on a tour of the former Moseley Family estate to view the house sites, gardens and farm complex area and talk about their historical significance. 
10:00 am to 11:30 am

Olde Ipswich Days

Olde Ipswich Days brings art, crafts, food and music to the S. Village Green in Ipswich Massachusetts!
On the last weekend of July, artisans and fine craftsfolk from all over New England will show and sell their work on the South Village Green in Ipswich, MA. Olde Ipswich Days is a favorite for all to meet and greet old friends and new, browse the booths and do some early holiday shopping, or make...
10:00 am to 5:00 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 3:59 pm

Art on the Bartlet Mall

For 40 years there has been the Art on Bartlet Mall painting show the first weekend of Newburyport Yankee Homecoming.
For 42 years there has been the Art on Bartlet Mall painting show the first weekend of Yankee Homecoming.  This year 60 artists again will be showing all media of work including a few hand-pulled printing artists.  The artists are from Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and even New Jersey. ...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Cat's Meow at the Crane Estate

Kids will have a blast exploring the Trustees of Reservations Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts!
Our imagination is one of our greatest assets. Imagine living in 1929 and visiting the Crane family at their summer home in Ipswich. The house is so big and Mrs. Crane’s kitty, Ptolemy, has gone missing just before the party! Can you help a family servant find our mischievous Siamese? Once he’s...
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Kids Sail Free on the Schooner Lannon

Kids ride free on the 10:30am an Noon Saturday Cruise on the Schooner Lannon through Summer
Schooner Thomas E. Lannon is a fixture on the Gloucester Harbor vista throughout the day in the warm months, but to really experience the Lannon, you need to come aboard and go for a cruise!  Sail and see lighthouses, castles, scenic beaches, and magnificent waterfront homes.
10:30 am to 12:00 pm

Boat Tour to Misery Island

Journey on Essex Heritage’s landing craft Naumkeag to Great Misery Island in Salem Sound Massachusetts
Journey on Essex Heritage’s landing craft Naumkeag to Great Misery Island in Salem Sound. Along the way, hear stories about the rich history of the harbor and how the Misery Islands acquired their unique name. When you arrive, you’ll have 2 hours to explore the trails, open meadows, rocky shoreline...
11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Guided Tour | When Granite Was King!

Find out the story behind the history of granite quarrying at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport!
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.
11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Befriend the Barnyard

Befriend the Barnyard is a hands-on barnyard experience at the Trustees of Reservations' Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts
Discover our special barnyard animals! Our Angora rabbits Violet, Mabel, Oiver and Charles; Nubian goats Maeve, Morgana, and Mordred; dairy cows Gray, Jasmine, their calves Gigi and Joanie and our friendly flock of heritage chickens will take center stage as we learn about what makes them so unique...
11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Greek Food Festival in Newburyport

Newburyport Greek Food Festival - a Yankee Homecoming tradition at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
Come to the Greek food Festival at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Chruch in Newburyport during Yankee Homecoming week!
11:00 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

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 it’s most known for. In addition to learning about what plants are in bloom as well as the rare and unique species in our collection, you...
11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Blueberry & Flower Festival at Cider Hill Farm

Blueberry & Flower Festival at Cider Hill farm in Amesbury Massachusetts
Come to Cider hill Farm for our Blueberry and Flower Festival and get your seasonal fill of this wonderful superfood! Calling all blueberry and flower lovers! Enjoy live music, hard cider, family-friendly activities, hayrides, blueberry goods, cut-your-own bouquets and PYO blueberries.
11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
Essex Hertiage invites you to learn the true causes and events behind the Salem Witch Trials in our documentary film, then discover the myths during our walking tour. The Salem Witch Trials happened over 300 years ago, and it has been dramatized in books, documentaries, movies, and even TV shows....
11:45 am to 3:00 pm

Garden Tours at Stevens Coolidge Estate

Come enjoy the fantastic flower display in the gardens at the Trustees of Reservations Stevens-Coolidge Place in North Andover!
Enter a world of early 20th-century country elegance and contemporary garden design all in bloom at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens. These expansive manicured gardens boast both plentiful European-inspired flower beds as designed in the 1920s, as well as newly installed gardens featuring...
12:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: Choate Island Kayak and Hiking Adventure

Take a guided kayak paddle and hike to Choate Island with the Trustees of Reservations!
Join The Trustees of Reservations for a paddle and a hike – what better way to spend an afternoon?  Circumnavigating an island is one of the great rewards of kayaking and reaching the summit of a hill that offers a great view is one of the payoffs of a good hike. This adventure in the Crane...
1:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Drop-in Open House at the Nature Center

Drop-in Open House at the Bradley Palmer State Park Nature Center in Hamilton Ipswich Massachusetts
Explore the Nature Center at your leisure. The Park Interpreter will be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions. Come see and touch animal furs, replica skulls, animal models, and other natural history materials. For little artists, coloring pages and washable markers will be on hand.
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Friendship of Salem Open-Ship Hours

Experience 400 Years of Maritime History aboard the Tall Ship Friendship at Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!
Presented by the Salem Maritime National Historic Site,explore the FRIENDSHIP OF SALEM, a replica tall ship based on a 1796 Salem vessel. Learn about the voyages of the original FRIENDSHIP and the lives of the crewmembers onboard. The two-decked, three-masted, square-rigged, 342-ton vessel...
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Off the Beaten Path Hike

Off the Beaten Path Hike at Bradley Palmer State Park in Hamilton Massachusetts
Come for a stroll with the Park Interpreter along various trails throughout the park, with special interest points noted. Hike is of moderate difficulty, about 2 miles. This is best for ages 8 years and up. Meet at the Main Parking Lot, 40 Asbury St., Topsfield.
1:00 pm to 2:00 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

High School Battle of the Bands

Newburyport High School Battle of the Bands is part of the NBPT Yankee Homecoming.
Newburyport Yankee Homecoming invites you to the Annual High School Battle of the Bands. Local High School aged bands will compete to see who rises to the top and with top winners getting cash prizes, performing live at other Yankee Homecoming Events and paid gigs for the band.  Watch local student...
6:00 pm

FREE Family Flicks at the Beach!

Enjoy a movie with freinds and families under the stars at DCR's Salisbury Beach Reservation!
Pack up a blanket, lawn chair and picnic for FREE movies under the stars at DCR’s Salisbury Beach on Saturdays. All movies begin at dusk. All events subject to weather conditions. Please call park number above for update.
8:15 pm

Fireworks and Beach Concerts at Salisbury Beach

Fourth of July Fireworks at Salisbury Beach include a campfire and marshmallow roast on the beach.
Join us at Salisbury Beach for an unforgettable family night out! Every Saturday through the summer, enjoy spectacular fireworks (weather permitting) that light up the sky. Before the fireworks, there's a live concert starting at 7:30 PM on the Salisbury Oceanfront Stage, perfect for families with...
10:15 pm

Sunday, July 28

Todd Farm Market

Come to Todd Farm on Sunday - A classic New England Fleas Market in Rowley Massachusetts!
From early Spring to late Fall, Todd Farm is a great Sunday destination for families!  Head to the farm and explore the outdoor award-winning Market featuring up to 240 vendors from all over New England and New York!
5:00 am to 3:00 pm

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

It's Summer by Linda Glaser storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Its Summer by Linda Glaser is the subject of this STORYWALK Series.  Watch the world transform when Spring comes!Enjoy this preschool storywalk at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time outside in nature!
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

Newburyport Farmers' Market

Newburyport Farmers find organic locally grown produce, meat, dairy Newburyport
The Newburyport Farmers Summer Market celebrates local fresh produce every Sunday morning rain or shine!  Start your Sunday browsing fresh North Shore local produce, meats, cheeses, and seafood in an open air market atmosphere! Food and beverage vendors offer fresh hot coffee, breakfast treats and...
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Crane Outdoors: Kayak Adventure on the Castle Neck River

Take a guided kayak paddle adventure on the Castle Neck River with the Trustees of Reservations!
One of the best was to enjoy the natural beauty of the Massachusetts North Shore is kayaking the placid waters of the Great Marsh—the largest continuous stretch of salt marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. The Castle Neck peninsula on the Crane Estate is a vast barrier...
9:00 am to 5:00 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 3:59 pm

Olde Fashioned Sunday

Find out what "In the old days..." really means in at Olde Fashioned Sunday!
Olde Fashioned Sunday in Downtown Newburyport will be a great day to remember the beginnings of our Yankee Homecoming celebrations. Come enjoy some “new” events to help make future memories for the current younger generations as the past has given some of us the “good ole’ days” to remember.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Olde Ipswich Days

Olde Ipswich Days brings art, crafts, food and music to the S. Village Green in Ipswich Massachusetts!
On the last weekend of July, artisans and fine craftsfolk from all over New England will show and sell their work on the South Village Green in Ipswich, MA. Olde Ipswich Days is a favorite for all to meet and greet old friends and new, browse the booths and do some early holiday shopping, or make...
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
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