April vacation is finally here!
I reached out to many of you to find out what you love doing with your kids, and you all delivered! So, grab your favorite beverage, settle into a cozy spot, and explore this collection of ideas from fellow parents and caregivers just like you!
photo by Tracey Westgate Photography
Date specific:
All Patriot’s Day weekend: Patriots Day Activities in Lexington, including battle reenactments. A full schedule can be found here: https://lexingtonma.gov/2011/2024-Patriots-Day-Schedule-of-Events
Sunday, 4/14 and 4/21, 2:30 p.m. Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children’s Museum - https://www.nschildrensmuseum.org/visit/our-programs/
Monday, April 15, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Painting & Sculpture Workshop at Artcie (gr K-4) - https://www.artciestudio.com/events/categories/workshops/
Tuesday, April 16, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Painting & Sculpture Workshop at Artcie (gr 3-5) - https://www.artciestudio.com/events/categories/workshops/
Tuesday, April 16, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Snakes at the Library - T.O.H.P Burnham Public Library, Essex. Registration required - https://essexpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/snakes-at-the-library/
Tuesday, 4/16. Curious Creatures at 10:00 a.m. or 10:50 am. at the North Shore Children’s Museum - https://www.nschildrensmuseum.org/visit/our-programs/
Tuesday, 4/16, 10:30 am. All About Beekeeping at the Wenham Museum - https://cli.re/66437-all-about-beekeeping
Tuesday, 4/16, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Make your own slime at the Newbury Town Library, Byfield: https://newburylibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/slime-program-3/
Tuesday, 4/16, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Tweens and teens: Rowley Public Library: Bubble Tea & Theatre: Make your own bubble tea and watch a few episodes of “I am Not a Robot”. No registration required. http://www.rowleylibrary.org/event/bubble-tea-theatre/?instance_id=14616
Wednesday, 4/17, 6:30 p.m. $1 Movie- Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory - The Cabot, Beverly - https://thecabot.org/event/1-movie-willy-wonka/
Wednesday, 4/17, 10:30 am. Worms, Soil, and Composters! At the Wenham Museum: https://cli.re/66439-worms-soil-and-composters
Thursday, 4/18, various times. Flora Has an Adventure- Visiting author Karin Gertch and her toy chicken, Flora! Wenham Museum. https://eventvesta.com/events/66441/t/tickets
Saturday, 4/20, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Montserrat Renaissance Fair and Market. Costumes encouraged! Beverly Common. https://www.montserrat.edu/event/montserrat-renaissance-fair-and-market/
Strawberry Hill, Ipwsich. Photo: Tracey Westgate Photography.
Parks/Nature: The North Shore is just bursting with beauty and has such a variety of ways to explore it. Here are a few ideas!
Endicott Park, Danvers. Includes some stroller friendly paths, an animal barn, playground, pond and bathrooms. www.danversma.gov/277/Endicott-Park
Cox Reservation, Essex. Light walking to explore the Essex River. Easy walking trail out to an outcropping of rocks to watch the boats! Off-leash dog areas. ecga.org/Property/Allyn-Cox-Reservation
Trustees Properties. Far too many to list, but your favorite seems to be Appleton Farms in Ipswich. Come see the animals, take a walk, have a picnic, browse the farm store, or enjoy one of their many events. https://thetrustees.org/place/appleton-farms
Another favorite Trustees Property: Long Hill, Beverly. Easy trails, chickens, beautiful gardens and vernal pools. https://thetrustees.org/place/long-hill/
And one more Trustees Property: Crane Estate, Ipswich. Roll down the hills, see the gardens, get a tour, or attend a Thursday night concert in the summer. https://thetrustees.org/place/castle-hill-on-the-crane-estate/
Bradley Palmer State Park, Topsfield. Great place for walking and hiking. They also have a splash pad area for the littles in the summer. https://www.mass.gov/locations/bradley-palmer-state-park
Halibut Point State Park, Rockport. Enjoy sweeping views along an old quarry and then walk down to the water with beautiful climbing rocks and ocean views. https://www.mass.gov/locations/halibut-point-state-park
Gull Pond/trails behind Gordon College, Wenham. Park behind Frost Hall to walk out to Gull Pond and to the small beach. https://www.ectaonline.org/trails/gordon-college/
Paddling on the Ipswich River, Ipswich. Rentals are available from Foote Brothers, Ipswich. https://www.footebrotherscanoes.com/
Topsfield Bike Trail, from Boxford to Peabody. https://www.ectaonline.org/trails/topsfield-linear-commonrail-trail/
Lynch Park, Beverly. Two small beaches as well as a splash pad, playground, snack shack and Rose Garden. https://www.bevrec.com/the-park
Stage Fort Park, Gloucester. Playground, Half Moon Beach, dog park. https://gloucester-ma.gov/450/Parks-and-Recreational-Facilities
Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield. Many walking trails. Highlights include birds that eat right out of your hand and the Rockery. https://www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/ipswich-river
Marblehead Bike Trail from Tower School to Spitfire Tacos. https://www.traillink.com/trail/marblehead-rail-trail/
Weir Hill, North Andover. Good hike with elevation gain. https://www.fonat.org/weirhill
Ward Reservation, Andover. Short bog trail and is ADA accessible and stroller friendly (also has some more challenging trails). https://www.fonat.org/ward
Forest River Park, Salem. https://www.salem.org/listing/forest-river-park/
Bike to the Sea Northern Strand Trail to the playground in Saugus then head on to Medford. https://www.traillink.com/trail/northern-strand-community-trail/?fbclid=IwAR2wMmfEuvVhN7znGkWpdxcN9Jk_1pHfOS_6gWPHMCgijGtnwe7Q6Nwc-B0
Geocaching, Anywhere! Like a treasure hunt in nature! Download the app, pick a trail and find the geocache! https://www.geocaching.com/play
Lynn Woods, Lynn. Walking/hiking trails and underground tunnel “Dungeon Rock.” https://www.lynnma.gov/departments/lynnwoods.shtml
Fort Sewall, Marblehead. Stroll around and explore the history! https://www.marblehead.org/fort-sewall-oversight-committee
Clamming at Conomo Point, Essex.
Strawberry Hill, Ipswich. A fun place to walk, leads out to a marshy area. https://ipswichma.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Strawberry-Hill-19
Maudslay State Park, Newburyport. Lots of trails to explore. Dogs are allowed. https://www.mass.gov/locations/maudslay-state-park
photo by Tracey Westgate Photography
Playgrounds: So many great playgrounds, but here on the ones you mentioned!
Dane Street Playground, Beverly.
Patton Park, Hamilton. Also has Sunday Night concerts in the summer.
Sony Myers Playground, Revere. Big and fully enclosed.
Another great resource for playground news: Park Hoppah Facebook Group - caregivers report on various playgrounds and parks. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1842131829442563
Libraries:
Check out your local library fun vacation activities!
Ice Cream Sandos - A collaboration between Treat Bakery and Down River Ice Cream. Available at the Crane Beach Snack Shack. Photo: Tracey Westgate Photography.
Ice cream came in STRONG with you all… and I love it! Here are your favorite shops:
Down River Ice Cream, Essex: www.downrivericecream.com
Captain Dusty’s, Manchester and Beverly: www.facebook.com/captaindustys
Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafe, Peabody, Gloucester, Salem Willows, Dennis Port: www.holycowicecreamcafe.com
Cherry Farm, Beverly: www.cherryfarmcreamery.com
Benson’s, West Boxford: https://bensonsicecream.com/
Putnam Pantry, Danvers: https://www.putnampantry.com
Cafe Sarina, Georgetown. Ice cream, mini golf and goats! https://cafesarina.com
Paradise Golf, Middleton: www.paradisefamilygolf.com
Russell Orchards, Ipswich: https://www.russellorchards.com
Mini Golf:
Golf Country, Middleton. https://www.golfcountry.org
Cafe Sarina, Georgetown. Ice cream, mini golf, and goats! https://cafesarina.com/garden-golf/
Paradise Golf, Middleton. Great designed holes, ice cream, slush, koi pond and shade. https://www.paradisefamilygolf.com/
Wenham Museum photo by Tracey Westgate Photography
Museums:
Wenham Museum, Wenham. Child friendly museum with interactive spaces and model trains. https://www.wenhammuseum.org/
Hammond Castle, Gloucester. www.hammondcastle.org
Peabody Essex Museum, Salem. A beautiful art museum, with many varied exhibits. Chinese House is a great feature. Many libraries offer discounted passes. https://www.pem.org/
Gloucester Maritime Museum. A museum that includes a “Seapocket Aquarium” and touch tank. https://www.maritimegloucester.org/
Boston Children’s Museum - https://bostonchildrensmuseum.org/
New England Aquarium - https://www.neaq.org/
Museum of Science - https://www.mos.org/
Acton Discovery Museum - https://www.discoveryacton.org/
WNDR Museum, Boston - https://wndrmuseum.com/location/boston/
American Heritage Museum, Hudson - https://www.americanheritagemuseum.org/
Cape Ann Museum - free for school age children, 18 and under, and their guardians from 4/16-4/19. https://www.capeannmuseum.org/series/april-school-vacation-week-earth-day-activities/
Indoor Play Places:
Children’s Piazza, Peabody. A play cafe! Several rooms of interactive activities for kids. Also has a cafe with treats for adults and kids alike - https://www.thechildrenspiazza.com/
Room to Bloom, Beverly. Indoor play space offering several areas for kids to explore- https://www.roomtobloombeverly.com/
North Shore Children’s Museum, Peabody. A space for kids ages 2-8, encouraging play and exploration - https://www.nschildrensmuseum.org/
Savy Little Playhouse, Hamilton. Indoor play space for little ones - https://www.savylittleplayhouse.com/
Other cool indoor spots:
The Castle Board Game Cafe, Beverly. Huge selection of board games, special events and a full menu. https://www.thecastlebeverly.com/
Jolie Tea, Salem and Beverly. Offering various teas, treats and high tea times. https://www.istheteainyou.com/
Bit Bar, Salem. Restaurant/bar with retro 80s video games. https://bit.bar/
Clay Dreaming, Beverly. Paint your own pottery, classes, events and more. https://claydreaming.com/
Lego Land, Somerville - https://www.legodiscoverycenter.com/boston/
Sky Zone, Danvers. Indoor trampoline park - https://www.skyzone.com/
Guinea Pig Sanctuary, Salisbury - https://www.guineapigsanctuary.org/
Puttshack, Boston. Upscale indoor mini golf - https://www.puttshack.com/locations/boston
Metro Rock Climbing . Indoor rock climbing - https://nbpt.metrorock.com/
photo by Tracey Westgate Photography
Other Goodies:
Wolf Hollow, Ipswich. A wolf sanctuary that offers public tours and education. https://www.wolfhollowipswich.org/
2 Donkeys Toy Store, Hamilton. https://www.facebook.com/people/2donkeystoyshop/100063491774803/
Winfreys’ Fudge and Chocolates, Multiple locations, flashship shop in Rowley: https://www.winfreys.com/
Curly Girl Candy Shop, Salem: https://curlygirlcandy.com/
Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie, Salem and North Andover: https://www.oldepeppercandy.com/
Putnam Pantry, Danvers: https://www.putnampantry.com/
Other places to find what you need:
North Shore Kid. Comprehensive listings of things to do, sorted by date! They also have information on camps, schools and more. https://northshorekid.com/
North Shore Macaroni Kid. A centralized hub for all things kid including things to do on the North Shore and parent resources. https://northshorema.macaronikid.com/
Hamilton-Wenham Mothers Club. A local mother’s club providing fun events for parents as well as useful information. https://hwmothersclub.com/things-to-do-on-the-north-shore/
Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) Network. There are over 90 CFCE programs across the state. The CFCE network helps to promote and support families in various ways and runs engaging programs for young children. To find one near you, visit: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/coordinated-family-and-community-engagement-cfce-network
As April vacation is here, there's a wealth of exciting activities awaiting you and your children. Whether you're exploring the outdoors, getting creative with arts and crafts, enjoying a staycation at home, or simply relaxing together, the aim is to enjoy this break in whatever way feels right for your family. With a bit of planning and a lot of enthusiasm, you can create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. Here's to a fantastic April vacation filled with fun, laughter, and cherished moments with your family!
Know of something great that did’t make my list?
About the Author
Tracey Westgate is a family photographer on the North Shore of Boston. Serving families of the North Shore: Amesbury, Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lynn, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, Peabody, Revere, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Saugus, and Swampscott, Wenham and beyond. Tracey loves telling your authentic story, just as you are.
Photo credit: Courtney Oulette Photography