April Vacation Activities for 2024

Are you ready for April school vacation? If you aren’t planning to travel, your family can still have a great time on the North Shore. Keep reading for a list of ideas including local camps, shows, exhibits, free activities, drop-off and drop-in events.

A big thank you to Boston Bolts Metro North for sponsoring this great list! Boston Bolts just kicked off brand new soccer programming in the North Shore area with spring soccer clinic sessions taking place at Choice Fitness Elite, Peabody. Their first 4-week session began at the start of April and they are offering a second session of Spring Future Elite and Advanced Forwards & Goalkeeper clinics starting 5/1 and 4/30 respectively. These sessions are available for girls & boys of 2017 through 2009 birth years focusing on ball mastery, skill & technique development, 1v1 dribbling moves & turns and small sided games. All sessions are overseen by full time Boston Bolts coaching staff in a fun, challenging and professional soccer coaching environment. View their program locations, dates, prices, and enroll at www.bostonbolts.com/metro-north.

Camp photo courtesy of Appleton Farms

Camps

(Running Mon. 4/15 through Fri. 4/19 unless otherwise noted)

1. Vacation Camp at Danvers Indoor Sports – Choose from full-day, half-day and football camps at Danvers Indoor Sports. Perfect for kids ages 5-12. Prices range from $45-$85/day depending on camp. Register here.
2. April Soccer Skillz Camp – Skillz Check’s week-long vacation camps feature both half and full day options for players ages 5-17, at Danvers Indoor Sports. The clinics focus on the technical skills that help players develop critical speed and confidence with the ball and incorporate high-level training with small-side game experiences. Choose from full (9am-3pm) or half day (9am-12pm) programs. Cost is $230 for half day and $330 for full day. Register at skillzcheck.com.
3. Appleton Farms April Vacation Camp – In the spring, the farmers at Appleton are busy planting vegetables and caring for the new life on the farm. This program is for kids who are looking to make friends, explore the farm, and learn about life in New England in spring. Every day will include an outdoor adventure of hiking, a theme-based craft, a farm learning activity, and other farm explorations. Camp runs Mon. 4/15 – Fri. 4/19, 9am-3pm. $460 Member Child / $560 Nonmember Child. Sign up here.
4. Starshine “Frozen” Twirl Camp – Starshine is excited to welcome twirlers of all proficiency levels, ages 3-16, to the upcoming Starshine Twirl Camp! Whether you are new to baton twirling or have twirled before, they can’t wait to twirl with you! Held Monday, 4/15, from 9am-12pm, $65.

Other Activities

1. Aaron Nigel Smith Show – Kick off vacation week with the last Kids at the Cabot show of the season featuring Aaron Nigel Smith on Sat. 4/13 at 10:30am! Aaron Nigel Smith is a GRAMMY-nominated reggae singer, songwriter, musician, and Billboard #1 recording artist who has performed all over the world with his simple mission to connect and empower youth, families and communities through music and peace.⁠ Get tickets – $10 for kids and $17.50 for adults. Doors open at 10am.
2. Pom Pom Caterpillars – It’s the season of flowers and caterpillars. Head to the Lynnfield Public Library to make colorful pom pom caterpillars to welcome spring. The supplies will be ready in the Children’s Room on Sat. 4/13, from 10am-12pm. Recommended for ages 5+, no registration is needed.
3. Fantastic Frogs Tales & Treats – Hop into the Hamilton-Wenham Library and celebrate National Frog Month! They’ll share stories and songs about these amazing amphibians on Sat. 4/13 from 10:30-11:15am and then end the morning with a sweet treat. No registration needed. Designed for ages 2 and up.
4. The Good Witch of Salem – Choose from Adopt a Dino, Fairy Spa Day, Flower Power Slime Potions and more! Classes are held daily from Sun. 4/14 to Sat. 4/20 at the Good Witch of Salem Studio in Salem. Classes start at $24.50 and advance registration is required.
5. Live Animals at the Playhouse – Meet and pet live animals at Savy Little Playhouse in Hamilton. Sun. 4/14, 10-10:45am. One animal will be shown at a time and kids can learn fun facts and have the opportunity to pet the animals. Animals include: lizards, baby tortoises, snakes, frogs, tarantulas and invertebrates (insects). Guests welcome to stay and play till 12pm. Best for kids up to age 6. Tickets are $35/per child. Advanced ticket purchase required.
6. CraneExplorers: Shipwreck Scholars – Coastal views with a side of shipwreck! On Mon. 4/15, from 11am-1pm, participants will be guided on a hike from the Casino to Steep Hill Beach, while learning about local nautical history, including the role of Fox Creek Canal and Robinson Boat Yard in the area’s shipbuilding legacy, and the fascinating tale of the schooner Ada K Damon, wrecked on Steep Hill Beach in 1909. Participants will have the chance to make observations and measurements of the shipwreck, and see a newly uncovered section of the hull that has been exposed due to recent storms. Best for children ages 5+. Tickets range $8-$25. Sign up here.
7. Art Workshops – Artists will love these themed workshops at Artcie in Hamilton held Mon. 4/16 for grades K-4 and Tues. 4/17 for grades 3-5. Both half-day workshops (9am-3pm) include painting and sculpture, $40. Sign up at www.artciestudio.com/workshops.
8. Real Pirates Salem – This museum experience features the true tale of “Black Sam” Bellamy – the richest and one of the youngest pirates of all time – and Maria Hallett, the love of his life and so-called “Witch of Wellfleet.” See the world’s only fully authenticated pirate treasure ever discovered – including coins, jewelry, and weapons – retrieved from the wreck of Bellamy’s ship, and last touched by the hands of pirates more than 300 years ago. Great for ages 5+. Open daily from 10am-6pm. Tickets are $15.50 for kids, $18.50 for adults and $17 for seniors. Get tickets at realpiratessalem.com.
9. Blue Man Group Boston has added multiple shows for the whole family during April School Vacation Week, April 15 – 21, 2024. There are multiple show additions and options throughout the vacation week that include morning, afternoon, and evening options. Special ticket pricing for the week starts at $39.
10. April Vacation at the North Shore Children’s Museum – The Museum will be open all week with special programming including Curious Creatures at 10 & 10:50am on Tues. 4/16, LEGOpalooza on Wed. 4/17, Pedro the Lucky Racing Pigeon on Thurs. 4/18, Kids Yoga with Miss Shelley on Fri. 4/19, Ipswich River Watershed Earth Day Program on Sat. 4/20 and S.T.E.A.M. Club for ages 5-11 on Sun. 4/21. Programming is included in your entry fee of $12 (except for Curious Creatures which require an additional special event ticket at $5 or $3 for members). Reserve your tickets now as space is limited.
11. Open Paint & Craft Kit Event – Open Paint at Hammer & Stain North Shore, in Beverly, is a great time to pick up a craft kit (projects starting at $10) and make it on the spot! On Mon. 4/15, Wed. 4/17 or Fri. 4/19, from 11am-2pm, you can choose from fun spring projects or popular everyday ones. Kids and adult projects available, good for ages 4+.
12. April Vacation STEAM Days – Kids will love STEAM exploration, hands-on project-based discovery and unstructured creative time at Messy Makers Community in Danvers! Two sessions available from 10am-1pm, on either Tues. 4/16 or Thurs. 4/18. $40. Sign up on Eventbrite.
13. Swiftie LOVERS Wood Signs – Kid Friendly Workshop – Also at Hammer & Stain North Shore, in Beverly, sign your favorite Swiftie Lover up for this fun workshop. There are a variety of Swiftie-themed wooden signs to paint. Workshop is for 8+. Kids ages 8-10 should be accompanied by a parent and kids 11+ can be dropped off. Tues. 4/16, 1pm, $40. Sign up here.
14. All About Beekeeping – Join  Lupine Lane Apiary at the Wenham Museum on Tues. 4/16, from 10:30am-12pm to learn all about bees!  Where they live, what they eat, and how we collect honey and beeswax from them. Everyone gets to make a beeswax candle to take home! Suitable for all ages. $10 for members, $14 for nonmembers. Register here. 
15. Tiny Creatures Encounter for Kids – Kids ages 6 and up are invited to this special presentation by “Wildlife Encounters,” at the Boxford Town Library. Presentation is about small animals and the strategies they employ to survive. Meet a variety of live animal amabassadors, all of whom weigh under 3 pounds! Tues. 4/16, 2-2:45pm, FREE. Registration required.
16. Tie-Dye Fiesta – Make a tie-dye tote bag for your library books on Tues. 4/16 from 2-3pm at the Peabody Institute Library – Danvers! Wear clothes that you can get messy. Please register to reserve your tote bag. For ages 6-11, FREE.
17. Snakes at the Library – Join Rick Roth and the Cape Ann Vernal Pond team and their Snakes of New England at Essex Public Library on Tues. 4/16, from 4-5pm. Learn about-and view-a variety of snakes. This program never disappoints! Spaces are limited and registration is required.
18. Tween Yoga – Tween Yoga at The Yoga Loft, in Marblehead, is designed for ages 7-11 (2nd through 5th grade). This hour long practice will include asana, mindfulness, and an introduction to meditation. Classes will focus on movement and alignment in a safe and friendly environment. Tues. 4/16, 4:30-5:30pm, $25. Registration required.
19. CraneExplorer: Beachcombing and Coastal Crafts – Unleash your creativity and get inspired by the coast! Join this workshop to learn fun craft ideas and make marine art with Crane Estate coastal educators. This program, on Wed. 4/17, from 1-4pm, will start with a beach walk to collect coastal treasures, and then head inside for crafting. Craft supplies, extra beach treasures, and inspiration provided. Tickets range from $12-28. Sign up here.
20. Art Workshops – Art’s Cool in Middleton, is hosting multiple workshops during the week. Tickets to Mardi Gras Puppy, Red Sox and LEGO Creatives sessions on Thurs. 4/18 and Fri. 4/19 are still available. Prices range from $35-$75/workshop. For ages 4.5-12. Register at www.artscoolmiddleton.com/programs.
21. Aleppo Shriner’s “All New” Circus – Ladies and Gentlemen, children of all ages STEP RIGHT UP and reserve your circus tickets today! Held at the Shiner’s Auditorium in Wilmington, Thurs. 4/18 – Sun. 4/21, with 2-3 shows per day, times vary. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
22. Teen Candy Bingo – Grab a board and your candy markers and get ready to BINGO! If you’ve never played BINGO, now is the time to learn at Ipswich Public Library, on Wed. 4/17, from 4-5pm, with treats and prizes in the mix. The winner each session will have their name entered into a very stylish hat. Once they’ve have hit the end of the program time, Teen Librarian Katy will draw three names from the hat and all three will be prize winners! For grades 6-12, FREE, advanced registration required.
23. $1 Movie Night at The Cabot – Sponsored by Harbor Sweets. Bring the family to The Cabot for a screening of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, for just $1 a ticket. Plus the first 300 guests will receive a FREE chocolate bar. Wed. 4/17, 6:30-8:30pm, purchase tickets day of at the Box Office or door.
24. Worms, Soil & Composters – Explore the fascinating world of soil and compost! Dig through healthy soil straight from the organic farm and Learning Garden at Waltham Fields Community Farm and see how many different bugs, worms, and composting creatures you can find! Make a “worm painting” using paints and yarn to take home with you at the end of this workshop. This program is for children age 3 and up. Wed. 4/17, 10:30 & 11:30am, at Wenham Museum. $10 for members, $14 for non-members. Advanced registration required.
25. Flora has an Adventure – Meet local author, Karin Gertsch and her toy chicken, Flora! Karin will be offering story-time readings of her book Flora Has an Adventure at the Wenham Museum on Thurs. 4/18 at 10:45am, 11:15am, and 11:45am. Books will be available to purchase for $10, paid directly to the author. This program is included with museum admission and free for members.
26. Stuffed Animal Sleepover – Kids can bring their stuffed animals to the Salem Public Library on Fri. 4/19, from 3:30-4:30pm, for an overnight adventure! Kids will decorate a pillow for their stuffies on Friday, then leave them overnight. Librarians take photos of the animals enjoying the library and post them on Facebook and Instagram (@salemmalibrary). Register here.
27. Taylor Swift: The Tortured Poet’s Department – Release Party – Celebrate Taylor Swift’s NEW album by attending a launch party at Peabody Institute Library, Main Branch, on Sat. 4/20 from 1-3pm. Friendship Bracelet making, snacks, and of course listening to The Tortured Poet’s Department album! Registration is required. For Teens, Grades 6-12.
28. SkyZone – There are attractions for all ages in this indoor trampoline park at the Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers. Open daily from 10am-8pm. Teens might like jumping during their GLOW sessions with black lights, lasers and glow-in-the-dark shirts on Friday and Saturday Nights. Ticket prices start at $22.
29. Glow Mini Golf – Too cold or rainy for mini golf? Not at Aloha Mini Glow Golf. This course is located inside the Northshore Mall (lower level near Nordstrom) and open daily, M-Th. 10am-8pm, Fri. & Sat. 10am-9pm and Sun. 11-6pm.
30. Cowabunga’s – This huge, indoor, inflatable playground in North Reading, encourages families to climb, jump, slide and play together. Open daily (hours vary by day). Tickets start at $15.
31. Hit the Arcade or Ropes Course at In the Game in Peabody. Hours vary by day. Laser tag, the Ropes Course and Rock Wall start at $12, and Arcade Play Cards start at $25.