Toys and Playthings

Toy Stores of the North Shore

The North Shore offers a variety of local toy stores for finding just the right gift for kids of all ages!

Kids love toys, and the North Shore has some great toy stores where you find more than just current assorment of toys that you'll find at the big box stores! From Marblehead to Newburyport, the locally owned and operated stores offer a great array of unique, fun and educational toys that make memorable gifts for kids of all ages. Local toy shops offer a fun excursion for families to explore the world of toys outside of the warehouse setting. Some of our fondest memories ad greatest discoveries with our kids happened in local stores!

Toys and Playthings

Shopping Locally

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Instructables - The World's Biggest Show and Tell

Find great activities, crafts, recipes and projects at Insructables.com

If you are out of ideas for projects and activities to keep family members entertained, you should discover the world awaiting you at Instructables. Instructables is a great resource for finding things to make and do alone or as a group. Passionate people from around the world show what they do or make, and then give instructions on duplicating their effort.

Toys and Playthings

Tech for Parents

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Going Rechargeable is Good for Everybody

Rechargeable batteries are safe, reliable and green

It seems like every time I turn around these days, there is a gadget, toy or instrument that needs some kind of battery. If your child is like 'B', I'm sure you're familiar with the routine of constantly changing batteries on items that are used daily, or are accidentally left on. Over time, constantly replacing disposable alkaline batteries adds up in terms of actual cost to you and harm to the environment.

Toys and Playthings

Tech for Parents

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North Shore Beach Gear Favorites

north shore kid beach gear

The large, sandy oceanfront beaches here on the North Shore are ideal for long days at the beach. The surf has been typically warm and calm lately, which makes it perfect for swimming.

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Toys and Playthings

Daycations & Weekend Trips

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Games and Toys to Build Children's Hand Strength.

I've just recently learned that kids need to build strength in their hands to be able to write and draw. At gym class with 'B', the instructor said that the jungle gym, trapeze ropes, and bar equipment were fabulous tools to increase kids hand strength.

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Toys and Playthings

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Brookwood School Summer Program for kids Pre-K through 9 in Manchester Massachusetts

Today's Events
Upcoming Events

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.

Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

7:00 am to 7:00 pm

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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

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Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

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....

Where: Downtown Salem

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

Travel back in time to a castle filled with lush, opulent textures inspired by the great medieval and Renaissance castles of Europe. Wander through rooms adorned with White Birch and Christmas trees, sparkling fairy lights, hydrangea-lace garlands, and elegant bows, each space transformed with its...

Where: Hammond Castle Museum

10:00 am to 8:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Christmas at Castle Hill | A Nod to Nature

Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s event celebrating the beauty of the natural world. You’ll see birds, flowers, snowflakes, and more as you view 18 spaces decorated for the holidays.

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

10:00 am to 8:00 pm

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Take a Trolley Ride with Scrooge!

Join Scrooge on the Salem Trolley as you ride through Salem Massachusetts in this rolling production performed by the Griffen Theater . Now entering into it's 39th Season, this humorous & whimsical interactive performance reanimates Dickens’ timeless seasonal holiday classic. Experience...

Where: Salem Trolley

2:00 pm to 9:30 pm

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Winter Solstice Lantern Celebration

Celebrate the shortest day of the year and welcome the lengthening days ahead with a candlelit evening walk on the trails of the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. The evening will begin by making your own mason jar lantern in our cozy, heated barn while sanctuary naturalists share the science of...

Where: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

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The Nutcracker Panto

Theater in the Open is happy to be back at the Firehouse for our production of A Nutcracker Panto, written by Edward F. Speck and adapted from the classic holiday ballet. Presented in the traditional British panto style, this holiday send-up is a family friendly romp through Clara’s adventure with...

Where: Firehouse Center for the Arts

7:00 pm

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Saturday, December 20

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.

Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

7:00 am to 7:00 pm

♦ Read More →

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 →

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

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....

Where: Downtown Salem

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Christmas at Castle Hill | A Nod to Nature

Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s event celebrating the beauty of the natural world. You’ll see birds, flowers, snowflakes, and more as you view 18 spaces decorated for the holidays.

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

10:00 am to 8:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

Travel back in time to a castle filled with lush, opulent textures inspired by the great medieval and Renaissance castles of Europe. Wander through rooms adorned with White Birch and Christmas trees, sparkling fairy lights, hydrangea-lace garlands, and elegant bows, each space transformed with its...

Where: Hammond Castle Museum

10:00 am to 8:00 pm

♦ Read More →

CraneExplorer: Coastal Holiday Crafts

This holiday season, give a gift from the sea! Beach treasures make beautiful holiday ornaments, jewelry, and keepsakes. Join this workshop to take a beach walk to collect coastal treasures and then make some coastal crafts with our educators. Bring your own shells and beach treasures and we will...

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

10:00 am to 3:00 pm

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Santa's Workshop

Newburyport is a favorite local town to shop - especially during the holidays. Bring the family to Newburyport to visit Santa in his traditional workshop, share your wish list, and snap a photo with Mr. Claus!

Where: Santa's Workshop

11:00 am to 2:00 pm

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Take a Trolley Ride with Scrooge!

Join Scrooge on the Salem Trolley as you ride through Salem Massachusetts in this rolling production performed by the Griffen Theater . Now entering into it's 39th Season, this humorous & whimsical interactive performance reanimates Dickens’ timeless seasonal holiday classic. Experience...

Where: Salem Trolley

2:00 pm to 9:30 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

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The Nutcracker Panto - Matinee

The tree is lit up and the stockings are hung and Clara’s Christmas is perfect…except for her Uncle Drosselmeyer sitting up on that clock and the sudden rat infestation…sounds like panto time!Edward Speck and Joshua Shack return to direct another cracking holiday panto, this time seizing on...

Where: Firehouse Center for the Arts

3:00 pm

♦ Read More →