All Ages

Snakes of Massachusetts and the World at Halibut Point

Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team 'Snakes of Massachusetts' presentation at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport!

Come to a Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team presentation of 'Snakes of Massachusetts and the World' at Halibut Point State Park! Afraid of snakes? You won’t be after learning about and seeing a variety of local snakes and a few exotic ones! Snake fans will enjoy safe handling. Rick Roth, herpetologist, and Executive Director of the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team will bring some of his favorite snakes to Halibut Point State Park.

When:

Sunday, August 4, 2024 11am-1pm

Location:

Halibut Point State Park

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Lyme Disease & Babesiosis: Dangerous Tick Borne Diseases

After a walk in the woods, check for ticks before getting in the car!

When enjoying the outdoors on the North Shore, it's crucial to understand ticks, their habitats, feeding habits, and how to handle tick bites. While infection rates overall are considered relatively low¹, the threat of infection is serious, and of those infected, kids aged 5-14 have a higher rate of infection compared to adults 65 and younger. Preventative measures and swift actions are essential to protect yourself, your pets, and your family from serious infections.While in Removing an embedded tick properly is a critical part of avoiding tick-borne disease.

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Poison Ivy

Anybody who has ever had a case of poison ivy will tell you that they wish they could go back in time and avoid ever having contact with the plant - and that's precisely the best way to deal with it. If you and your children can identify the plant and avoid coming into contact with the oily residue on its leaves, everyone is bound to have much more fun this summer!

All Ages

Health

Product

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Salem Maritime Festival

Celebrate 400+ Years of Maritime History at Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!

Presented by the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, the annual Salem Maritime Festival in August hosts an exciting array of free family fun festivities, including live music, traditional craft demonstrations and seaport trade exhibits, story-telling, and family fun! Each year, music, demonstrations, exhibits, and children's activities are available throughout the park and on Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!

When:

Saturday, August 3, 2024 11am-6:30pm

Location:

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

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Friday Family Farm Chores at Appleton Farms

Join The Trustees of Reservations at Appleton Farms for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays

Every day has a full list of barnyard chores we need to accomplish to make sure our farmyard friends are happy and healthy. Let’s get to work! Join us for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays and Saturdays! Get on your muck boots – your whole family will get to be farmers together. Help feed the rabbits, Violet and Vanilla, the goats, Morgana, Maeve, Merlin, and Mordred, and the dairy cows, Gray and Jasmine. Collect eggs from our flock of chickens, muck and bed the stalls, scrub buckets, fill hay managers, and more.

When:

Fridays, July 12 & 19, 2024 3:30-4:30pm

Fridays, August 2, 16, 23 & 30, 2024 3:30-4:30pm

Location:

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Sundays in Patton Park

North Shore Free Concerts for North Shore Families at Patton Park in Hamilton Massachusetts

Come enjoy community and music each Sunday in Patton Park! Dust off your lawn chairs and bring your picnic down to the park on Sunday evenings. We have a fantastic line up of bands this summer ---presented by Institution for Savings Bank and sponsored by The Community House, Town of Hamilton, HW Cultural Council, and the Town of Wenham. Special thanks to the Friends of the Wenham COA and the Wenham Village Improvement Society. We appreciate all the support!

When:

Sundays July 7 - August 6, 2024 5-7 p.m.

Location:

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Ipswich Greek Festival

Come to Ipswich Massachusetts for the Annual Greek Festival: A 75-Year Tradition in Greater Boston and the North Shore! Experience one of the longest-running and most cherished traditions in Greater Boston, MA, and the North Shore area—the Greek Festival! For over 75 years, this event has been a beloved tradition for families and friends, both within the local Greek communities and beyond.

When:

Saturday, July 13, 2024 12:30-10:30pm

Sunday, July 14, 2024 12:30-6pm

Location:

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Tide Pool Exploration at Halibut Point

The tide pools at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts are some of the best in New England!

Halibut Point State Park invites families to join them on a tide pool adventure! See a great diversity of life at the rocky shore. Discover and identify different tide level zones and the unique creatures that cat these habitats their home. Learn about how salinity and exposure facilitate different creatures to live in these zones. Heavy rain cancels.

When:

Saturday, June 29, 2024 11am-Noon

Saturday, July 13, 2024 10-11am

Location:

Halibut Point State Park

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Castle Hill Picnic Concert | Los Sugar Kings

Los Sugar Kings will fill the grande allee with roots-rock-reggae during this Summer picnic Concert 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 Shore. Pack a picnic dinner, bring your kids, and get ready to dance the night away under the stars on the Grand Allée. While you're there, explore the stunning landscaped grounds and have fun with the family-friendly "Eye Spy" game. It's an evening filled with music, laughter, and unforgettable memories for the whole family! Advance ticket reservations are recommended but not required.

When:

Thursday, Jul 11, 2024 6:30 - 8:30pm

Location:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

Outdoor Activity

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Cardboard Boat Regatta at Lynch Park

Build your own seaworthy cardboard boat, launch the boat at Lynch Park and race to the finish, or at least see how long you stay afloat! $10 entry fee suggested.

When:

Sunday, August 11, 2024 3-4pm

Location:

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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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Bruins Pajama Drive

From February 1 through March 15, Cradles to Crayons®, the Boston Bruins, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and Wonderfund are coming together with organizations in your community to collect new pajamas for local children living in low-income and homeless situations. Together, we are...

7:00 am to 9:00 pm

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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

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Mini Movers at North Shore Children's Museum

Mini Movers is an engaging dance and movement class for young children at the North Shore Children's Museum. Led by experienced instructors, the program introduces young children to the world of dance in a safe and nurturing environment.

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

10:00 am to 11:00 am

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Friday, February 21

Quarry Quest Treasure Hunt

Enjoy an outdoor treasure hunt at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations during February Vacation! Halibut Point State Park invites kids and families to follow clues then unscramble to find a treasure box!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Hike & Seek: Magic in the Winter Forest

Have you ever wondered what happens in nature during the winter months? Do you have questions like, “where do certain animals go” or “why does it snow”? Join us this February school vacation for this self-guided winter themed family-friendly bundle for use along the Stevens-to-Stevens trail in...

Where: Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Appleton Farms | February Vacation Week Camps

In the winter, many people hunker down to stay indoors, but at Appleton Farms, we make the most of the cold, quiet season. There is no better place to spend winter farm days than in exploring in the snow and learning to love the outdoors in all seasons! This program is for kids who are looking to...

Where: Appleton Farms

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

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February School Vacation at Bradley Palmer

Bradley Palmer State Park is located at 40 Asbury St. in Topsfield. All programs are free and open to the public. Reasonable accommodations upon request. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Events outside may include rough, uneven trails that contain ice and snow, warm clothing and...

Where: Bradley Palmer State Park

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

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Music Together - Friday

Where: Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham

10:30 am to 11:15 am

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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

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