Does this year’s break seem longer than usual? Here are some fun ideas to keep your family busy and having fun over this stretch of days off. Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy holiday break!

30 Family-Friendly Activities for Winter Break 2024

1. 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 for kids ages 3.5-5. Fri. 12/26, Mon. 12/29 & Tues. 12/30, from 9am-12pm or 9am-3pm. Camps start at $45/day, advanced registration required. 
2. John Higby, the Yo-Yo Guy, will give two performances at the Wenham Museum on Fri. 12/26 at 10am and 2pm. With lightning-fast tricks, laugh-out-loud comedy, and jaw-dropping stunts,this high-energy, interactive show features 45-minutes of yo-yos, unicycles, and plenty of surprises — perfect for kids and families. Advanced ticket purchase required. Tickets start at $12.
3. Catch Magic Fred’s amazing magic show with music, & puppets on Sat. 12/27, at 10am and 2pm, at the Wenham Museum. Recommended for all ages, the show is 45 minutes of nonstop fun! Advanced ticket purchase required. Tickets start at $12.
4. Make Your Own Bath Bombs at Lush at MarketStreet on Sat. 12/27 from 12-4pm. No registration necessary, available while supplies last.
5. Join the K-Pop Demon Hunters Impersonators for an afternoon of high-energy fun at Savy Big Playhouse on Sun. 12/28 from 4-6pm. Dance, sing, play and celebrate individuality, confidence, and teamwork—learning to chase dreams with bold, unstoppable spirit. Tickets $40 and advanced purchase required. 
6. New this year over break at the Wenham Museum, enjoy Popcorn! A Circus Variety Show on Sun. 12/28, at 10am and 2pm. Physical comedian Peter Cannizzaro of Salem, MA brings together circus arts, magic, and comedy in a high-energy performance that’s pure fun for the whole family. Advanced ticket purchase required. Tickets start at $12.
7. Get ready to laugh, cheer, and join the fun as Lindsay brings her larger-than-life Puppet Pals to Wenham Museum on Mon. 12/29 at 10am and 2pm. Perfect for ages 3–8 — and anyone young at heart! Advanced ticket purchase required. Tickets start at $12.
8. Attend an Art Camp at Art’s Cool on Mon. 12/29, Tues. 12/30, or Fri. 1/2. These are drop-off camps for ages 5.5-13 years olds. Times vary by day and prices start at $55. Advanced registration required.
9. At Davio’s Lynnfield, on Mon/ 12/29, 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. 
10. 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 Mon. 12/29 & Tues. 12/30. Join in the fun of their Noon Year’s Eve Party on Wed. 12/31, from 10am-12pm. 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.
11. If your child loves animals and books Barnyard Story Hour is for you! Tues. 12/30 & Wed. 12/31, from 10:30-11:30am. $5 for Trustees Members and $10 for Nonmembers.
12. Children’s Movie Matinee – Families of all ages are invited to come and watch Toy Story (G, 81 min.) on the big screen at the Hamilton-Wenham Library on Tues. 12/30 from 1:30-3:15pm. Free, no registration required.
13. Join the Labubu NYE Party on Tues. 12/30 from 10:30am-12:30pm. Party is perfect for ages 5.5-13yrs, with games, prizes, cupcakes, NY bracelet making and a 2026 arts & crafts project. $55, advanced registration required.
14. Kids can get busy in the kitchen with Bloom Kitchen’s New Year’s Cooking Classes on Tues. 12/30 at 10am and 12pm. Classes are for ages 2+ and 5-12 years old. Starting at $35, advanced registration required. 
15. Come play Family Bingo at the Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester on Tues. 12/30 from 3:30-4:30pm. Free but advanced registration required. 
16. Celebrate New Year’s Eve a little earlier at the Wenham Museum for a Kids’ Countdown to New Years Eve glow party on Wed. 12/31 from 10am-1pm. Advance ticked purchase required. Tickets start at $20.
17. Join Miss Jackie and DJ Hermanium for a rockin’ time at the Noon Year’s Eve Party at Flint Public Library in Middleton, on Wed. 12/31, from 11am-12:30pm! There will be coloring sheets and you can decorate your own party hat! Free, no registration required.
18. Celebrate New Years at Noon with a Royal Princess Ball at Savy Big Playhouse on Wed. 12/31, from 10:45am-1pm. Featuring Cinderella, Belle & Aurora and magic, music, and a balloon drop at noon! This fairytale celebration perfect for your little princes and princesses. Tickets $40 and advanced purchase required. 
19. Kids will love celebrating New Years Eve at the Bubble Bash! Family Pop-Off Party at In the Game Peabody. Party includes an ice-cream sundae bar, make-your-own-slime, and the foggy bubble experience. Also included is 90 minutes of UNLIMITED Green Game Play (no prize tickets earned, no crane games) and 300 prize tickets. Tues. 12/31, 10am-12pm. $15, advanced ticket purchase encouraged.
20. Head to AMC Liberty Tree Mall 20 for one of the sure-to-be-family-favorites showing during break. Times vary by day. Check out The Sponge Bob Movie: Search for Square Pants (animated, rated PG), Zootopia 2 (animated, rated PG) or Avatar Fire & Ash (rated PG-13).
21. 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. Bay rentals start at $40. 
22. Fill those travel mugs with hot chocolate and hit the road, driving around the North Shore to see holiday lights. North Shore Holiday Lights List – 2025.
23. Animal lovers will enjoy seeing a few zoo animals along with illuminated animal lanterns at ZooLights at Stone Zoo. Nightly through 1/4/26 from 4-9:30pm. $19.95, advanced ticket purchase encouraged.
24. Bounce on the trampolines, rush down the slides, and try out the indoor obstacles and zip line at Nova Adventure in Lynnfield. Attractions for all ages in this indoor trampoline park. Open daily but hours vary by day. Tickets start at $24, advanced purchase not required. 
25. 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 Batman, Floor is Lava, Paw Patrol and more games. Open 10am-9pm daily except 10am-7pm on Sun. Prices start at $29.99.
26. Families of all ages will love Gametime Northshore! Activities include bowling, axe throwing, an arcade, billiards and full service restaurant (with really good food!). Open daily, but hours vary by day. Prices also vary by activity.
27. Paint your own pottery at Open Paint at Clay Dreaming in Beverly, open daily, except New Years Day. Hours vary by day. Prices based on projects, advanced registration encouraged, but not required.
28. Cruise around The SBLI Rink at MarketStreet, open most weekend days 10am-8pm and weekdays 3-8pm. $12 to skate, $6 to rent skates, advanced ticket purchase not required.
29. Join Elsa from Frozen for a magical morning of singing, dancing, photos, and all things Frozen on Fri. 1/2, from 9:45am-12pm at Savy Big Playhouse. Tickets $40 and advanced purchase required. 
30. Check out The Escape Game at MarketStreet Lynnfield. This activity is best for kids ages 13+, though only because the puzzles are challenging. Younger kids are welcome! Open daily, tickets $40.99.