Teachers and students are ready for a much-needed break from school. Parents are facing the predicament of figuring out what to do with their kids during vacation week. Our local activities listings will keep your kids entertained and enriched and perhaps a bit exhausted through the holiday break and all year long!
Here's an A to Z list of our favorite places on the North Shore (and a few beyond) for kid-friendly fun!
A - Visit Art Haven in Gloucester for some art fun!
B – Bowling at Cape Ann Lanes- Gloucester in Gloucester
C - Clay Dreaming Pottery Studio in Beverly is a great place to bring your little artists for a day of fun.
D - Drive to the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium or Children's Museum in Boston
E - Edaville's Festival of Lights! See gorgeous light displays, take a train ride, and enjoy the amusement park rides
F - Family Fun Days: Outdoor Winter Survival Challenge at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
G - Games! Host a family game night, teach the kids some card games or try out new board games
H – Help the Homeless. Making Blessing Bags together is a great way to involve children in community service and spread some Christmas spirit. Host a get-together of friends and families and make it a playdate
I - Ice Skating at the James McVann-Louis O'Keefe Memorial Skating Rink
J – Jump out all that energy at SkyZone Trampoline Park
K - Kids love to play outside; explore a park, take a hike or try skiing at Bradford Ski Area or go snowshoeing around Brooksby Farm
L – It may be a bit of a ride but bring the kids to Legoland Discovery Center in Somerville. Everyone is sure to have a blast!
M - Make Snowflakes that will never melt away at Michael's Arts & Crafts
N - New Year's Eve Celebration: Make New Years' Eve Noisemakers or a Memory Jar!
O – Obtain new cooking skills at Taste Bud’s Kitchen in Beverly
P - Put away and organize all those new gifts and toys. Make a game out of it!
Q - Quality time at the library. Find great books to read or participate in a special library program
R - Remember to say thank you to people who took the time to give you gifts this holiday season by making thank you cards.
S - See a movie at AMC Liberty Tree Mall 20, Gloucester Cinema or catch a FREE family movie at CinemaSalem
T – Take in the exhibits at the Wenham Museum
U - Unplug and make something crafty from our Pinterest page
V - Visit Essex Shipbuilding Museum or Maritime Gloucester for some educational fun
W – Work off some of that delicious holiday foods at any of the area YMCAs
X – Experiment with your creativity at Board and Brush in Amesbury.
Y - Yarn, markers, beads, cake decorating -- stop by Michaels for some craft supplies and get crafting!
Z – Zip over to Stone Zoo to see the Snow leopards (including two cubs born in May!), North American river otters, black bears, and reindeer are just a few of the incredible animals that call the Zoo home.
