Boston–Cambridge–Newton area · Latest check Sat, Oct 24
Things to do with kids in Essex County, MA
46 upcoming family events and 10 places and programs in Essex County, MA. Every listing links to the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it — confirm the details there before you go. Dates are in Eastern Time.
All of the Boston area →This weekend in Boston →Upcoming family events
Oct24SatOutdoorsSat, Oct 24 · 5:30 PM
Halloween on the Hill at Long Hill
Long Hill
From $15
Oct24SatArts & craftsSat, Oct 24 · 1:00 PM
Moon River
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $41All ages
- Festivals and parties
Sat, Oct 24 · 12:00 PM
Hallow-Marini Party at Marini Farm
Marini Farm
From $19.99
- Outdoors
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Learning with Livestock at Appleton Farms
Appleton Farms (Carriage Barn)
With admissionAll ages
- STEM & discovery
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Salem Sound Coastwatch Program: Recycled Reef
Beverly Public Library, Main Library
Ages 4–8
- Spooky and haunted
Sat, Oct 24 · 6:00 PM
Spooky Night Rides at Smolak Farms
Smolak Farms
- Outdoors
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Sweet Halloween at Cider Hill Farm
Cider Hill Farm
From $19
Oct25SunArts & craftsSun, Oct 25 · 2:30 PM
Bright Autumn Bouquet
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $37All ages
Oct25SunOutdoorsSun, Oct 25 · 5:30 PM
CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes
Crane Beach on the Crane Estate
From $45
- Oct26MonOutdoors
Mon, Oct 26 · 5:30 PM
CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes — October26
Crane Beach on the Crane Estate
From $45
- STEM & discovery
Tue, Oct 27 · 4:00 PM
Feed the Beach Creatures at Joppa Flats
Joppa Flats Education Center
From $12Ages 4–12
Oct28WedNot-so-scaryWed, Oct 28 · 9:00 AM
Baby's First Halloween at Wenham Museum
Wenham Museum
From $14
- Spooky and haunted
Thu, Oct 29 · 7:00 PM
Spooky Stories Around the Campfire (West Branch)
Peabody Institute Library, West Branch
Free
Oct31SatFestivals and partiesSat, Oct 31 · 12:00 PM
Salem Halloween Night 2026: downtown live music and 400-drone finale
Downtown Salem stages; drone show over the North River
Nov1SunArts & craftsSun, Nov 1 · 3:00 PM
Autumn Daybreak
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $37All ages
- Community
Wed, Nov 4 · 4:00 PM
Free First Wednesday at Wenham Museum
Wenham Museum
FreeAll ages
Nov13FriOutdoorsFri, Nov 13 · 9:30 AM
Terrific Toddlers at Ipswich River
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
From $15Ages 2–4
Nov14SatArts & craftsSat, Nov 14 · 6:30 PM
Getting Ready for the Holidays
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $41All ages
Nov15SunArts & craftsSun, Nov 15 · 2:00 PM
Colorful Pumpkins | Customize your Colors!
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $41All ages
- Arts & crafts
Wed, Nov 18 · 10:30 AM
Chronicles and Crafts in the Cove at The House of the Seven Gables
The House of the Seven Gables
FreeAges 0–6
- Nov21SatArts & crafts
Sat, Nov 21 · 7:00 PM
Fall in the City | Easy Friendsgiving Plans!
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $39All ages
Nov21SatArts & craftsSat, Nov 21 · 11:00 AM
Squishy Turkey | Family Day!
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $27All ages
- Community
Sat, Nov 21 · 3:00 PM
1000 Books Before Kindergarten Party
Salem Public Library
Ages 0–5
Nov22SunArts & craftsSun, Nov 22 · 3:00 PM
Farmers Market Finds
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $41All ages
Nov22SunSports & playSun, Nov 22 · 8:30 AM
Lynnfield Rotary Turkey Trot and Kids Fun Run
Lynnfield Town Hall / Meeting House
With admission
- Sports & play
Thu, Nov 26 · 8:00 AM
Middleton Turkey Trot 5K with Youth Division
Flint Public Library (parking lot)
From $30All ages
Nov27FriLight displaysFri, Nov 27 · 5:00 PM
Merrimack Valley Celebration of Lights (Methuen)
Mann Orchards Riverside Farm
From $22.99All ages
- Santa visits
Fri, Nov 27 · 5:45 PM
Santa's Arrival & Holiday Tree Lighting — Salem
Salem Common and Lappin Park
Free
- Nutcracker and shows
Through Dec 23
A Christmas Carol on the Salem Trolley
Salem Trolley (check-in at Timeless Life Treasures)
From $36
- Community
Sat, Nov 28 · 9:15 AM
Story Time with Mrs. Claus at Cider Hill Farm
Cider Hill Farm
From $16
Dec3ThuNutcracker and showsThrough Dec 23
A Christmas Carol at North Shore Music Theatre
North Shore Music Theatre
From $50Ages 4+
- Dec4FriArts & crafts
Fri, Dec 4 · 4:00 PM
An Artful Christmas at Castle Hill
Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
From $20All ages
Dec4FriSTEM & discoveryFri, Dec 4 · 5:30 PM
Family Owl Prowl at Ipswich River
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
From $22Ages 6–17
- Crafts and cookies
Fri, Dec 4 · 4:45 PM
After Hours: Gingerbread Competition (grades 5-12)
Salem Public Library
Dec5SatOutdoorsSat, Dec 5 · 9:00 AM
CraneExplorer: Family Winter Wildlife Walk at Crane Beach
Crane Beach on the Crane Estate
From $10Ages 5+
- Nutcracker and shows
Sat, Dec 5 · 12:00 PM
Greater Salem Ballet Company's The Nutcracker at Lynn Memorial Auditorium
Lynn Memorial Auditorium
PaidAll ages
Dec9WedArts & craftsWed, Dec 9 · 3:00 PM
Holiday Card Making (Half Day, Hooray!) — Salem Public Library
Salem Public Library
All ages
Dec11FriOutdoorsFri, Dec 11 · 4:00 PM
Pre-K Owl Prowl at Ipswich River
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
From $22Ages 2–6
Dec12SatArts & craftsSat, Dec 12 · 10:00 AM
Kids Gather, Make, Give: Children's Natural Gift Making Workshop at Appleton Farms
Appleton Farms
From $20Ages 3–12
- Crafts and cookies
Sat, Dec 12 · 11:00 AM
Cardboard Gingerbread House at the Peabody West Branch Library
Peabody Institute Library, West Branch
FreeAges 4+
Dec13SunSanta visitsSun, Dec 13 · 9:45 AM
Santa's Toy Trot and Elves Fun Run (Merrimac)
Sweetsir School
With admissionAll ages
- Community
Thu, Dec 17 · 7:00 PM
Cocoa, Cookies, and Cozy Stories (West Branch)
Peabody Institute Library, West Branch
Free
Dec18FriLight displaysFri, Dec 18 · 4:30 PM
Winter Solstice Family Lantern Celebration
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
From $28Ages 4–12
Dec19SatOutdoorsSat, Dec 19 · 10:00 AM
Holiday Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms
Appleton Farms (Carriage Barn)
From $15Up to 6
- New Year’s Eve
Thu, Dec 31 · 4:30 PM
New Year's Eve LAUNCH! Family Party — Salem
Artists' Row
- Outdoors
Sat, Jan 9 · 1:00 PM
Unraveling Winter's Wild Tales at Ipswich River
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
From $18Ages 4–12
Places and ongoing programs
OngoingprogramCookingRecurring / by appointment
Kids & Family cooking classes at Taste Buds Kitchen Beverly
Taste Buds Kitchen Beverly
Paid
OngoingprogramArts & craftsRecurring / by appointment
Mornings at the Museum for ages 0-5 at Wenham Museum
Wenham Museum
With admissionAges 0–5
VisitanytimeArts & craftsVisit on your schedule
Peabody Essex Museum (PEM)
Peabody Essex Museum
From $25All ages
OngoingprogramCookingRecurring / by appointment
School Break cooking camps at Taste Buds Kitchen Beverly (ages 4-13)
Taste Buds Kitchen Beverly
From $90.10Ages 4–13
VisitanytimeOutdoorsVisit on your schedule
Smolak Farms
Smolak Farms
Free
- Outdoors
Session in progress
Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms
Appleton Farms
From $10Up to 6
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
Cider Hill Farm
Cider Hill Farm
Free
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
Connors Farm Fall Fun
Connors Farm
From $15.99
- Outdoors
Session in progress
Family Farm Chores at Appleton Farms
Appleton Farms
From $15Ages 3+
- Outdoors
Visit on your schedule
Marini Farm Corn Maze and Play Area
Marini Farm
From $19.99
Recently ended
Oct23FriSpooky and hauntedEndedPast · Oct 23 · 6:00 PM
Beyond Spooky: Discover Why Bats Are Cool and Important
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
From $22Ages 5–17
- Oct23FriArts & crafts
EndedPast · Oct 23 · 6:30 PM
Fall Trees Reflected
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $39All ages
Oct23FriArts & craftsEndedPast · Oct 23 · 7:00 PM
Harvest Moon Glow
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $37All ages
Oct22ThuArts & craftsEndedPast · Oct 22 · 6:30 PM
River Spirit | GhibIi Movie and Paint
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $39All ages
- Arts & crafts
EndedPast · Oct 18 · 3:00 PM
Purr-anormal activity
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $27All ages
- Trick-or-treat
EndedPast · Oct 18 · 10:00 AM
Trick-or-Treat Hayrides at Marini Farm
Marini Farm
From $19.99
- Costumes and parades
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 11:00 AM
Halloween Costumes for Stuffies (West Branch)
Peabody Institute Library, West Branch
FreeAges 5+
- Outdoors
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 3:30 PM
Halloween Hoot and Howl at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
From $21
- Community
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 11:00 AM
Witch Hats on the Wharf (Salem 400th anniversary photo)
Derby Wharf
- Spooky and haunted
EndedPast · Oct 16 · 3:30 PM
Science Squad: Spooky Slime (October session)
Beverly Public Library, Main Library
- Community
EndedPast · Oct 15 · 12:00 PM
90 Minute Witch Hat Design Session
Witch Pix
- Community
EndedPast · Oct 15 · 3:00 PM
90 Minute Witch Hat Design Session
Witch Pix
A county page lists the county’s own addresses (by ZIP code, from the Census Bureau’s ZIP-to-county file); pages appear in our sitemap once a county has 10 or more current listings.