Mark your calendars! After the presents are open and the extended family heads home, it’s that stretch of holiday break that parents are always looking to fill. With almost two weeks off this year, does the break seem longer than usual? This list of 25 local activities will help keep your family entertained. Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy holiday break

25 Family-Friendly Activities for Winter Break 2024

1. Don’t miss the last few days of the Elf Scavenger Hunt! Find 5 elves at participating local businesses, take their photos and submit them here to enter into a raffle for a chance to win 1 of 3 Elf Prize Baskets! (Each loaded with $275+ of local gifts.) You must submit your elf photos here by 12/24 to be entered. Full details on the Elf Scavenger Hunt.
2. Squeeze in a last-minute visit with Mrs. Claus at the Holiday Morning with Mrs. Claus event at Savy Little Playhouse on Sat. 12/21, 10-11:30am. Enjoy songs, stories, games, and of course photo opportunities with open playtime after. $35, per child, $20 for siblings. Advanced registration required. 
3. There’s still time to meet Santa! Join Santa for Breakfast & Crafts at Create & Escape in Peabody, on Sat. 12/21, 10-11:30am. Event includes crafts, breakfast from Brothers Main St, and a photo with Santa. $50, advanced registration required. Parents can drop off or stay.
4. Get the family out on the ice at the Talbot Rink in Gloucester for the Holiday Family Skate on Sat. 12/21, from 12-1pm with a holiday skating show put on by the Cape Ann Skating Club, immediately following, from 1-2pm. $10/family.
5. DIScover Vacation Camps gives kids the opportunity to choose from Football Camp or a mix of activities including sports, crafts, obstacle courses, and more. Both camps are held at Danvers Indoor Sports and are best suited for ages 5-12. Plus there is a Jr. Mini Camp from 9am-12pm for kids ages 3.5-5. Mon. 12/23, Thurs. 12/26, Fri. 12/27, and Mon. 12/30, from 9am-12pm or 9am-3pm. Camps start at $45/day, advanced registration required. 
6. Join North Shore Select for their Holiday Pick-Up Soccer Game Series featuring five action-packed dates of fun and competitive soccer (Mon. 12/23, Thurs. 12/26, Fri. 12/27, Mon. 12/30 and Tues. 12/31) at the Topsfield Fairgrounds. Players born between 2011 and 2018 can sign up for 1-5 sessions to keep their skills sharp during the winter break. Sessions are open to both Select Club members and external players, but space is limited—secure your spot today! Times are by birth year, find the schedule & sign-ups here. $20 per session, advance registration required.
7. Ever wanted to know what a farmer’s life is like? Find out at one of Appleton Farms Farmer for a Day drop off programs! Open for kids 5-11 years old, Thurs. 12/26, Fri. 12/27, Mon. 12/30, and Tues. 12/31, from 9am-3pm. Each day focuses on a different theme and kids should be prepared to spend most of the day outside. Pricing starts at $90, advanced registration required. 
8. John Higby, the Yo-Yo Guy, will give two performances at the Wenham Museum on Thurs. 12/26 at 10:30am and 2pm. You can also catch Magic Fred’s amazing magic show with music, & puppets on Fri. 12/27, at 10:30am and 2pm. Last but not least, head to the Wenham Museum for a Kids’ Countdown to New Years Eve on Tues. 12/31 from 10am-1pm. Shows start at $10, advanced ticket purchase required.
9. Children’s Movie Matinee – Families of all ages are invited to come and watch The Wild Robot (2024, PG, 102 min.) on the big screen at the Hamilton-Wenham Library on Fri. 12/27 from 1:30-3:15pm. Free, no registration required.
10. Join the Farewell Elf Party on Fri. 12/27, Moana 2 Party on Fri. 12/27, NYE Party on Mon. 12/30 at Art’s Cool in Middleton. Class times vary. Classes start at $40, advanced registration required.
11. Decorate your very own festive ugly holiday sweater at Lynnfield Library on Sat. 12/28, 10am-12pm. Free, no registration required.
12. Welcome in the New Year with Keeva, a certified Therapy Dog, and her trainer Pat Fleming on Mon. 12/30, from 1:30-3pm, at the Hamilton-Wenham Library! Hear about her important therapy work, and then enjoy treats, crafts, and games. Designed for children ages 3 years and up. Free and no registration required.
13. Kids in grades 3-7, can test their knowledge of useless (but fun!) facts at Kids Trivia on Mon. 12/30, 3-4pm, at Ipswich Public Library. Free. Teams of up to four individuals are encouraged. Registration is required.
14. At Davio’s Lynnfield, on Mon/ 12/30, 5 -10pm, Little Chefs can celebrate the art of authentic Pizza Making using the freshest ingredients! Each child receives pizza dough, san marzano tomato sauce, cheese, pepperoni & their own Davio’s Apron! While the pizza is baking, kids get a mini pizza dough ball to play with. Pizza Kits are also available for pick up by calling an hour in advance. $25/child, reservations encouraged. 
15. Join Miss Jackie and DJ Hermanium for a rockin’ time at the Noon Year’s Eve Party at Flint Public Library in Middleton, on Tues. 12/31, from 11am-1pm! There will be coloring sheets and you can decorate your own party hat! Free, no registration required.
16. Visit the The North Shore Children’s Museum in Peabody. Featuring 14 hands-on exhibits geared toward play-based learning for kids aged 2–10.Open 9am-12pm & 1-4pm on Fri. 12/27- Mon. 12/30. Join in the fun of their Noon Year’s Eve Party on Tues. 12/31 at 10am. Limited tickets available for 12/31 at $15. Admission tickets are $12, or $6 with a library museum pass (must secure from your local library ahead of time.) Advanced registration encouraged.
17. If your kids can’t stay up until midnight, they’ll love the NOON Year’s Eve Party at In the Game Peabody. Party will include 60-min unlimited game play pass + 300 prize tickets, popcorn, balloon drop and confetti shower. Tues. 12/31, 10am-12pm. $20.25, advanced ticket purchase encouraged.
18. Book a bay for the whole family to golf at one of over 210 courses worldwide on Trackman 4 Technology at Golf Lounge 18. You can also enjoy food, drinks, and music at this fun indoor golf lounge, located at the Northshore Mall. Open daily (except on Christmas Day.) Bay rentals start at $35. 
19. Fill those Yeti mugs with hot chocolate and hit the road, driving around the North Shore to see holiday lights. North Shore Holiday Lights List – 2024.
20. Animal lovers will enjoy seeing a few zoo animals along with illuminated animal lanterns at ZooLights at Stone Zoo. Nightly through 1/5/25 (closed Christmas Day) from 4-9:30pm. $18.95, advanced ticket purchase encouraged.
21. Bounce on the trampolines, jump in the foam pit and play in the arcade at Nova Adventure in Lynnfield. Attractions for all ages in this indoor trampoline park, open daily (except Christmas) but hours vary by day. Tickets start at $17, advanced purchase not required. 
22. Check out Immersive Gamebox at the Northshore Mall. Dive into a world where you and your group control the action through interactive, tech-driven adventures. Try Tetris, Angry Birds, Ghostbusters and more games. Open 10am-9pm daily except 10am-7pm on Sun. and closed Christmas. Prices start at $29.99.
23. Also newly opened at the Northshore Mall, try Gametime Lanes & Entertainment. Activities include bowling, axe throwing, an arcade and billiards. Open daily, but hours vary by day. Prices also vary by activity.
24. Paint your own pottery at Clay Dreaming in Beverly, open weekdays from 10am-7pm, 10am-9pm on Fri. & Sat. and 11am-7pm on Sun. Prices based on projects, advanced registration encouraged, but not required.
25. Cruise around The Rink at MarketStreet, open most days 10am-8pm (full winter break schedule). $12 to skate, $6 to rent skates, advanced ticket purchase not required.