Summer has arrived, in all of its sunny, sandy, school-vacation glory. And while the kids may be excited for their freedom from the classroom, all that unscheduled time can also leave them a little restless. So keep them happy and make the most of these weeks by exploring some of the many family-friendly wonders the North Shore has to offer.
We’ve gathered 23 ideas to get you started, but we want to hear from you as well: How are you having fun this summer?
1. Make friends with a cow
Fridays in July, Appleton Farms in Ipswich lets kids and their caretakers cuddle, brush, and generally chill with two of the working farm’s dairy cows Gray and Jasmine. Program size is kept small, so be sure to register ahead of time.
2. Set a swimming goal
Add a little spark to your summer swimming endeavors by creating a swimming goal. Challenge yourself to swim 50 times, or to get in the water at 10 different places, or to paddle the length of the pool and back for the first time.
3. Try a new flavor of ice cream
The North Shore is a prime destination for homemade ice cream in flavors both classic and creative. So why not try something a little unexpected: Maybe wild blueberry pie at Holy Cow in Gloucester, Peabody, or Salem; cashew turtle at Cherry Farm in Danvers;, Monkey’s Uncle (banana with peanut butter cups) at DownRiver in Essex; or a choice from the rotating menu at Salem’s Melt (vegan guava or Fluffernutter, perhaps?).
4. Have a picnic on the beach
Beach days are a summer staple, but take advantage of being on the North Shore by popping down to your nearest stretch of sand for a quick lunch or dinner.
5. Eat from a food truck
Explore some of the casual street food options that can be found around the region, then grab a bench nearby and do some people watching while you snack. The Lobster Roller sells, well, lobster rolls and burgers on the Gloucester waterfront; the Whoo(pie) Wagon offers up creative whoopie pies at block parties, farmers markets, and craft fairs.
6. Catch a movie
Summer is the perfect time to look beyond the mall multiplex. The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is sponsoring an outdoor movie series – including Moana 2, Beetlejuice, and Inside Out 2 – on Saturdays at Salisbury Beach Reservation.
7. Go berry-picking
What’s better than blueberry pie? Blueberry pie made with fresh, local fruit you picked yourself. Visit Russell Orchards in Ipswich to pluck your own blueberries, raspberries, currants, and blackberries, or try Brooksby Farm in Peabody for blueberries or raspberries. In North Andover, Smolak Farms has a range of berries. Be sure to call first to find out what is fresh and ready-to-pick.
8. Learn All About Glass
The North Shore Glass School is offering week-long summer workshops for children ages 7-17 exploring various glass art mediums. Students will finish the week with an array of glass art projects, newly acquired skills, confidence, and a significant understanding of glass.
9. The Wizard of Oz and Grease at North Shore Music Theatre
North Shore families will have a chance to see a professional productions of The Wizard of Oz (July 8 – July 20, 2025) and Grease (August 12 – August 24, 2025) right in their own backyard. Tickets are still available.
10. Get spooky in Salem
Skip the October crowds and explore some of the witchy wonders of Salem in the summer. There’s the Salem Witch Museum, of course; plenty of other experiences dedicated to witches, monsters, and other creepy things; the Ropes Mansion where part of the movie Hocus Pocus was filmed; and lots of shops selling witch paraphernalia, crystals, spell books, and all manner of magical materials. Swing in to The Good Witch and let your little one stir up their own magic at the make-you-own potion bar.
11. Go for a paddle
Canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are some of the great joys of summer. If you don’t have your own equipment, the region has plenty of rental options: Coast to Coast Paddle offers kayak and paddleboard rentals and lessons out of Beverly and Salem; Gloucester’s Cape Ann SUP and Surf has lessons, rentals, and a Kids Paddle and Surf Program for older kids; and North Shore Adventures and Outdoor Center offers rentals and adventure tours from its spot in Rockport.
12. Step back in time at Salem Willows
For old-fashioned fun head to the Salem Willows, which has been offering up classic family entertainment for more than 100 years. Play new games and classic favorites in the arcade, ride the bumper cars or carousel, and have pizza or sample the unique chop suey sandwich.
13. Get up close with a sea creature
At Maritime Gloucester‘s newly renovated space, visitors of all ages can explore the nature and history of the harbor. Touch tanks let children (carefully) get their hands on snails and lobsters, a microscope lab offers zoomed-in viewing of the tiniest aquatic creatures, and the Sea-Pocket Aquarium showcases even more marine species. While you’re there, kids might want to play in the giant lobster trap on the pier, check out the craftsmen in the Dory Shop, or even take a sail on the Schooner Ardelle.
14. Cook with a new vegetable
The North Shore is rich with farmers markets and farmstands selling everything from old favorites like corn on the cob, to lesser-known produce like kohlrabi and tatsoi. So take advantage of the bounty of summer to hunt down new veggies and figure out how to prepare them (hint: almost everything tastes good roasted or stir-fried).
15. Gaze at the stars
Every Wednesday evening the Mendel Observatory at Merrimack College along with the the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing. Advanced registration is required.
16. Rock out on the lawn at Castle Hill
On July 16 and 23, Castle Hill will host a performance by an area band, including Fortune and Foo Family. Buy dinner from an on-site vendor, spread out your blanket, and dance away the evening with amazing views.
17. Throw a tea party
The North Shore offers several destinations for an afternoon of tea and tiny cakes that will let your little ones feel like royalty for an hour or two. The Plat du Jour Bistro at Wenham Tea House will happily make some kid-friendly tweaks to their standard tea service, the Jolie Tea Co. has special Children’s High Tea on Friday afternoons, and Heath’s Tea Room in Rockport has traditional afternoon tea packages as well as a la carte offerings. Whatever you choose, be sure to make a reservation.
18. Howl with the wolves
Though wild wolves no longer roam the North Shore, a visit to Wolf Hollow in Ipswich offers a chance to see these stunning creatures. The nonprofit organization is home to a pack of ambassador wolves that can be viewed at hourlong public presentations every weekend. Learn about gray wolves, watch the animals interact, and even howl along with the pack at the close of the experience.
19. Visit a new museum
Sure, the Peabody Essex Museum and Boston’s Museum of Science are staples of summer museum trips, but the region has so many intriguing smaller museums to check out. Just a few of the options: Spend an afternoon visiting to toy collections at the Wenham Museum, learning about industrial history at the Saugus Iron Works, getting up close to historical ships at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, immersing in maritime history at the Custom House Maritime Museum in Newburyport, or browsing a surprisingly impressive collection of art at the Addison Gallery in Andover.
20. Solve the missing cat mystery at the Crane Estate
Every weekend, families are invited to explore the luxurious mansion on the Crane Estate while helping track down a mischievous cat whose gone missing. Make sure to register online in advance.
21. Celebrate at Yankee Homecoming
For more than 75 years, Newburyport has held this annual festival celebrating its community. This year’s version, running from July 26 to August 3, will include lots of live music, a waiter/waitress race, craft show, cornhole tournament, food vendors, a parade and fireworks, and much, much more. A complete schedule is available online.
22. Steer a skiff at the Custom House Maritime Museum
Immerse your family in the new Children’s Discovery Center where you can learn to tie knots, explore whales and whaling, sharpen your STEM skills, and climb inside the Plum Island Lighthouse. Tickets are free for Newburyport residents, kids under 12, and museum members.
23. Perform on a stage
Give your child the chance to let their star shine onstage. The Firehouse Center For The Arts is offering two more camps this summer. The PeeWee Players Vacation Program is for children ages 3-4, this week-long adventure promises to be filled with song, dance, games, crafts, and endless fun. The Glee program returns for its 14th season. The week-long program is for grades 3-10 with a final performance at 4pm on the final day. Sign Up Here.