North Shore
Things to do with kids on the North Shore
The North Shore stretches from Salem’s historic streets to sandy beaches, working farms and orchards that are made for a family day trip. Between apple picking, tide-pool walks, cozy bookstores and harbor-side lunches, there’s something to do in every season, especially in fall.
Upcoming local events
Mother Baby Group
Through Fri, Dec 31 · Beverly · Parenting & Wellness
Meet other moms, build community, and share the ups and downs of becoming a new parent. A nurse, lactation counselor, and other experts offer tips…
Hallow-Marini Character Dance Party at Marini Farm
Sat, Oct 24 · 12:00 PM · Ipswich · Special Event
Costumes are welcome for an afternoon of music, a DJ-led dance party with characters, and a trick-or-treat candy drop at Marini Farm. The party runs…
Halloween on the Hill
Sat, Oct 24 · 5:30 PM · Beverly · Special Event
Explore an outdoor Halloween trail at Long Hill with glowing jack-o'-lanterns, a spooky graveyard, haunted pirate ship, scarecrows, and…
Hot Pink Halloween Costume Party at Malayah's Maple Minis
Sat, Oct 24 · 5:00 PM · Peabody · Special Event
Malayah's Maple Minis throws a hot pink Halloween bash at Mill 58 — a night pop-up with 8+ vendors, costumes, and plenty of Halloween fun (and…
Yarn & Bead Creations: A Family Craft Workshop
Sat, Oct 24 · 2:00 PM · North Andover · Arts & Crafts
Spend a creative afternoon together at The Purple Couch Bookshop with Dash of Creativity. Choose colorful yarn, beads, and decorations to make…
Friendly Witch Halloween Kids Tea
Sat, Oct 24 · 3:30 PM · Beverly · Special Event
Dress in Halloween costumes and join Jolie Tea Company for magical stories, songs, Halloween fun, and teatime treats served on tiered trays. A…
Fantastical Fun with Kwik Stix: Stained Glass Art — Saugus
Sat, Oct 24 · 11:00 AM · Saugus · Arts & Crafts
Make a stained-glass-inspired work of art with Kwik Stix at Lakeshore Learning’s Fantastical Fun day. Kids can explore hands-on activities and try a…
Boo Bash
Sat, Oct 24 · 9:30 AM · Beverly · Special Event
A morning of Halloween fun made for the littlest party-goers! Halloween activities, crafts, and a glow stick dance party. Costumes encouraged but not…
Wobblin Goblin Parade — Halloween by the Sea
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM · Manchester-by-the-Sea · Special Event
Little ghosts and goblins can dress up for a Halloween morning in downtown Manchester-by-the-Sea. Meet in front of Town Hall at 10 AM, then parade…
Parker River Behind-the-Scenes Van Tour — Waitlist Only (Ages 12+)
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM · Newburyport · STEM Learning
This tour is full; the organizer is offering a waitlist for a limited time. Joining it does not guarantee a place. For ages 12 and older, the…
Storytime with Mr. C – Lowly Worm Saves Halloween by Richard Scarry
Sat, Oct 24 · 11:00 AM · North Andover · Stories & Songs
Join Mr. C for a Halloween story featuring Lowly Worm and Huckle Cat. In Richard Scarry's Lowly Worm Saves Halloween, missing pumpkins give the…
Curious Alpacas Up Close: Meet & Feed
Sat, Oct 24 · 1:30 PM · Georgetown · Special Event
Duration 30 Minutes. About - Meet and feed our lovely alpacas up close - Learn all about the herd right here on the farm at Goats To Go - This event…
Places to play
Allied Veterans Memorial Swimming and Wading Pool
Everett · Playgrounds & Parks
A large public complex featuring a dedicated, shallow concrete wading pool. Check the pool's website for current open hours before you go — pools can…
Appleton Farms
Ipswich · Farm Fun
Families can experience the charm of one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the United States, nestled on nearly 1,000 acres. Little ones…
Barnes & Noble (MarketStreet Lynnfield)
Lynnfield · Books & Hidden Nooks
The MarketStreet Lynnfield bookstore hosts free weekly storytimes for little ones, with a well-stocked children's department and The Green's…
Boda Borg
Malden · Sports & Entertainment
Swedish 'quest room' for older kids (7+); physical & mental challenges in teams inside Alden Center (just outside Boston). This amazing venue…
Boston Hill Farm
North Andover · Farm Fun
A low-key North Andover farm where families can pick seasonal fruit and pumpkins, visit farm animals, and browse a year-round farm stand. Cider…
Boston Playground
Chelsea · Indoor Playspace
Bouncy houses, climbing zones, and big-silly-energy approved play spaces, perfect for getting all the wiggles out.
Box District Park
Chelsea · Playgrounds & Parks
A modern urban park featuring sleek, minimalist ground-level cooling fountains.
Bradley Palmer Wading Pool and Playground
Topsfield · Playgrounds & Parks
A picturesque state park wading pool with a beautifully landscaped setting — a shady, laid-back spot for little ones to cool off. Check the pool's…
Breakheart Reservation
Saugus · Playgrounds & Parks
Families can explore a large forest filled with multiple trails perfect for wandering and discovering nature together. Two beautiful lakes provide a…
Brooksby Farm
Peabody · Farm Fun
A seasonal Peabody city farm with pick-your-own fruit, barnyard animals, a free play yard, picnic areas, flower cutting, and a farm store. Fall…
Cape Ann Lanes
Gloucester · Sports & Entertainment
Families can enjoy candlepin bowling with bumpers for kids, a mix of arcade games, and a family-friendly Laneside Pub with a kids menu. Seasonal beer…
Cape Ann SUP & Surf Co
Essex · Sports & Entertainment
Families can explore Essex waters with Cape Ann SUP & Surf Co, where tiny voyagers can try paddleboarding and surfing in a beautiful coastal setting…
Castle Hill on Crane Estate
Ipswich · Museums & History
Families can explore the stunning grounds of Castle Hill on Crane Estate, featuring a magnificent mansion and beautifully manicured gardens with…
Cider Hill Farm
Amesbury · Farm Fun
A picturesque Amesbury farm with pick-your-own fruit, cut-your-own flowers, pumpkin displays, and wide-open views that feel especially festive in…
Clarke Park
North Reading · Playgrounds & Parks
Clarke Park offers a charming escape for families, featuring unique play areas including built-in mechanical shovels in sandboxes, climbing…
Connors Farm
Danvers · Farm Fun
Plan an activity-filled fall day at Connors Farm in Danvers, with a Halloween-themed corn maze, hayrides, the Putnamville Railroad, jumping pillows…
Cowabunga's
North Reading · Indoor Playspace
An inflatable playground packed with giant slides, obstacle courses, and LEGO building fun.
Crane Beach
Ipswich · Sandy Spots
Crane Beach offers families four miles of soft white sand perfect for building castles and splashing in the waves. Tiny voyagers can explore…
Create & Play Kids
Beverly · Indoor Playspace
Create & Play Kids in Beverly offers a vibrant indoor playspace where little ones can unleash their creativity and energy in a fun, family-friendly…
Creekside Commons Park
Chelsea · Playgrounds & Parks
A quiet waterfront park space with simple, interactive summer water misters.
Custom House Maritime Museum
Newburyport · Museums & History
Families can explore the charming Custom House Maritime Museum on the Newburyport waterfront. Kids can admire model ships and shipwreck artifacts…
Eden Street Park
Chelsea · Playgrounds & Parks
A tight-knit neighborhood playground offering basic, button-activated cooling water sprays.
Endicott Park
Danvers · Farm Fun
Endicott Park invites animal-loving kiddos to engage with nature and farm animals through year-round programs. Over 160 acres with a playground…
Endicott Park Nature Center
Danvers · Museums & History
Bring Massachusetts wildlife indoors at this family-friendly nature center with hands-on exhibits, native fish, amphibians and reptiles, an…
Kid-friendly places to eat
American Flatbread - Georgetown
Georgetown · Pizza
American Flatbread's Georgetown outpost serves the same wood-fired flatbreads made with local, organic ingredients that families love — kids can…
Bambolina
Salem · Pizza
Families can indulge in delicious handmade Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas at this popular Salem spot. With a variety of family-style Italian…
Benson's Ice Cream
Boxford · Ice Cream
A Boxford ice cream stand that started on a front porch during the Great Depression and is still run by the same family. The small-batch scoops shine…
Bit Bar
Salem · American
Inside the Hawthorne Hotel, families can enjoy a lively arcade bar where classic video games provide endless fun. With a full restaurant and craft…
Blue Collar Lobster Co.
Gloucester · Seafood
Families can enjoy a laid-back dining experience at Blue Collar Lobster Co., a delightful waterfront seafood spot. Kids can indulge in fried seafood…
Blue Moon Kitchen and Bar
Amesbury · American
Families can enjoy a delightful midweek treat at Blue Moon Kitchen and Bar, where little ones eat free on Wednesdays. The kids menu offers tasty…
Brothers Brew Coffee Shop
Rockport · Coffee | Bakery
Families can enjoy a cozy atmosphere at Brothers Brew Coffee Shop, a local Rockport spot for breakfast and lunch. With indoor seating, it’s a perfect…
Burton's Grill & Bar - North Andover
North Andover · American | Gluten-Free Friendly
Burton's North Andover brings the chain's celiac-trusted gluten-free program to the Merrimack Valley — full dedicated GF menu, serious…
Cal's Creamery
Reading · Ice Cream
A newer Reading scoop shop just off Route 95 that's already earned a devoted local following. The board runs 40+ flavors deep, with kid-pleasing…
Cals Brick Oven Pizza Company
Reading · Pizza
Families can enjoy a delicious meal at Cals Brick Oven Pizza Company, where tasty brick oven pizza, pasta, salads, subs, and wings await. This casual…
Captain Dusty's Ice Cream
Manchester-by-the-Sea · Ice Cream
Small-batch scoops just steps from Singing Beach, with mix-ins like cookies and nuts stirred in by hand for that perfect chunky bite. Keep an eye out…
Captain Dusty's Ice Cream
Beverly · Ice Cream
The Beverly Farms outpost of a beloved North Shore scoop shop, where every flavor is made in small batches and the chunky mix-ins are stirred in by…
Family-friendly places to stay
Beauport Hotel Gloucester
Gloucester · Hotel
Families can enjoy a beautiful upscale experience at this waterfront hotel, featuring stunning harbor and ocean views. Little ones can take advantage…
Blue - Inn on the Beach
Newburyport · Boutique
Families can unwind at this coastal luxury retreat, perfectly situated right on the beach and just 10 minutes from Newburyport. The cottages provide…
Briar Barn Inn
Rowley · Boutique
Families can relax at the Briar Barn Inn, nestled on a peaceful property in Rowley. Little ones can enjoy the beautiful grove and seasonal garden…
Cutwater Inn
Newburyport · Boutique
Families can experience a cozy stay at this small boutique inn, just a three-minute walk from the charm of downtown Newburyport. Little ones can…
Garrison Inn Boutique Hotel
Newburyport · Boutique
Families can enjoy a stay at the historic Garrison Inn Boutique Hotel, featuring spacious rooms that provide a calm and refined atmosphere. Kids can…
Hotel at Cape Ann Marina
Gloucester · Hotel
Families can enjoy stunning views of Gloucester Harbor or the Annisquam River from every room at Hotel at Cape Ann Marina. Tiny voyagers can delight…
Ipswich Inn
Ipswich · Boutique
Families can discover the charming Ipswich Inn, featuring a delightful café where little ones can enjoy snacks and refreshments. The expansive lawn…
Salem Waterfront Hotel and Suites
Salem · Hotel
Families can enjoy spacious accommodations at the Salem Waterfront Hotel and Suites, conveniently located on Pickering Wharf. Kids can splash around…
Salisbury Beach State Reservation Campground
Salisbury · Campsite
Fall asleep to actual waves! This huge campground sits right on the Atlantic at the very top of the Massachusetts coast, so the beach day never has…
The Cove at Rockport
Rockport · Boutique
Families can enjoy a comfortable stay at The Cove at Rockport, located just a short distance from Front Beach, perfect for little ones' naptimes. The…
The Cove Salem
Salem · Boutique
Families can discover a quirky hidden gem at The Cove Salem, featuring immersive themed rooms that spark imagination. Kids can explore enchanting…
The Hotel Salem
Salem · Hotel
Families can discover a hotel experience in the heart of downtown Salem, featuring kid-friendly rooms for a comfortable stay. The rooftop bar offers…