
Ideas to Keep Kids Learning and Moving During Summer Break
School is out soon which leaves parents with that age old question: What to do with the kids?
Last year, we published some ideas to get you started. You can revisit them here:
How to Entertain Your Kids for the Summer on a Shoestring Budget
Entertaining Your Kids for the Summer on a Budget (Part 2)
As kids get older, it seems to get harder to keep them engaged. Without a little extra prodding and planning they might turn into couch potatoes or electronics zombies. Luckily, if you live in New England there are plenty of options to get them out of the house! These outings can easily turn into fun day-trips for the entire family.
Arts
Currier Museum, Manchester, NH
Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston (ICA)
Museum of Fine Art (MFA, Boston)
Lowell Summer Music Series, Lowell, MA
Mill No. 5, Lowell, MA
Kimball Jenkins Estate Summer Arts Camp, Concord, NH
Concerts in the Park (check your local listings)
Educational
SEE Science Center, Manchester, NH
Seacoast Science Center, Odiorne Point State Park
Boston Museum of Science, Boston, MA
Aviation Museum of NH, Manchester, NH
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, Concord, NH
Summer Reading Programs: Most libraries offer a summer reading challenge complete with games and prizes. Check at your local library to sign up.
Outdoors
Massabesic Audubon Center, Auburn, NH
Greater Merrimack Valley Adventures, Massachusetts
Mel’s Funway Park, Litchfield, NH
Kimball Farm (multiple locations)
Benson’s Park, Hudson, NH
Mill City Grows Gardner Training Program, Lowell, MA
Marginal Way, Ogunquit, ME
National Park Service, New England Parks
Animal Adventures
Stone Zoo, Stoneham, MA
Franklin Park Zoo, Boston, MA
Charmingfare Farm, Candia, NH
New England Aquarium, Boston, MA
York’s Wild Kingdom, York Beach, ME
The Butterfly Place, Westford, MA
Wildlife Encounters, Rochester, NH