WOW: Wonders on Wednesdays

The Harvard Museum of Natural History has the only mounted kronosaurus

Are you involved in afterschool school or community organizations? This is a great idea for a FREE afternoon outing that will bring your group to the heart of Cambridge, Massachusetts to experience one of the true treasures of the Boston area - the Harvard Museum of Natural History! Groups are encouraged to come to the museum on Wednesdays between 1-5pm to explore the natural history of our planet and have hands on experiences with our collective past!

Discovery Guides will be available to escort you on a tour of the museum galleries that would include:

  • A 1,600-pound amethyst geode from Brazil
  • The world's only mounted Kronosaurus, a 42-foot-long prehistoric marine reptile
  • The Goliath beetle, largest beetle on Earth
  • The 6 million-year-old shell of Stupendymus geographicus, the "astonishing turtle," over seven feet long

Hands on activities encourage participants to handle museum specimens, which will lead to a better understanding of how scientists learn about the world that is and the the world that was!

Gallery Activities are designed to engage kids by encouraging exploration and following their own curiostiy.  Activities are divided in age brackets and include:

  • Forest Explorers (Pre-K, Kindergarten) teaches young children about the forest habitat and the creatures that live there
  • Museum Safaris (Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st Grade) encourage kids to explore the museum with short activities that last 10-30 minutes
  • Animal Detectives (Grades 1-6) will hone observation skills by comparative analysis of different animals
  • Gallery Games (Grades 1-6) will allow kids to get up close and personal with objects found in the exhibits throughout the museum and encourages them to think and develop memory skills.
  • Mineral Hall Activities (Grades 2-5) teaches children about rocks, minerals, and the processes that create them. Cans can handle and see gems, minerals and even meteorites!
  • Animal Trackers (Grades 3-5) challenges kids to use their skills of observation and comparison to identify tracks left behind by animals that are common to New England.
  • Evolution Exploration (Grades 6-8) students will develop their understanding of the magnitude of time, and explore many of the concepts that are part of evolution like adaptation, extinction and co-evolution.

Repeat visits are actually encouraged due to the sheer volume of material available to the kids during each visit.  Groups can range in size from 10 to 30 students with an ideal adult to children ration of 1:5. 

Reservations are required and space is limited.  Use the link to find out more information regarding scheduling and booking!

Camp Whirlygig for kids ages 4-10 at the Wenham Museum in Massachusetts

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Tuesday, April 29

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Music Together - Tuesday in Marblehead

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® of Salem classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Gloucester Gratis Days at Hammond Castle

Bring your kids to the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts during April Vacation
In keeping with John Hays Hammond, Jr's original vision for his seaside castle-home to serve as a museum offering the Gloucester community access to ancient works of architectural art, Hammond Castle Museum will offer Gloucester residents free, self-guided tours each Tuesday throughout the regular...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

Kids can meet the barnyard animals and hear a story at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts.
Barnyard stories really come alive when you get to see the main characters in real life! Bring the kids down to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh version of story time. Explore the farmstead, visit our learning garden, see our cows and rabbits, and find a spot to play under a shady tree in our...
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Chess Club at Salem Public Library

Salem Public Library hosts a weekly chess club for all ages on Tuesday evenings.
Salem Public Library the library is hosting weekly chess nights where players of all ages can play and learn from each other.  Whether you're new to the game or a veteran player, all skill levels welcome, and basic instruc
6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Wednesday, April 30

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Music Together - Wednesday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
9:30 am to 11:15 am

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am