School’s out! Our super fun vacation picks for Science and Nature activities!

Looking for something fun to do with the kids during school vacation? Check out our picks for some educational and healthy fun!

Walking Trails (Free or $)
The seacoast area has a ton of beautiful and interesting walking and nature trails including Urban Forestry Center in Portsmouth, Odiorne Point in Rye, Parker River in Newburyport, Dover Community Trail in Dover, Great Bay Wildlife Refuge in Newington and my favorite, the Science & Nature Center in Seabrook. Most are free, however some charge a small fee. Don’t forget to stop by the visitor’s centers for a trail map which offer points of interest and/or seek-and-find activities. For more information, see our article on local walking trails.

Franklin Park Zoo & Stone Zoo ($-$$)
1 Franklin Park Road, Boston MA (617) 541-5466
149 Pond Street, Stoneham MA (617) 541-5466
Did you know that both the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, MA are open year round with outdoor exhibits? Watch as the animals explore their exhibits in search of special treats hidden inside boxes or hung from trees. What fun! Opened all NH vacation week. Requires advanced timed ticket purchase.

Joppa Flats Education Center ($)
1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport MA (978) 462-9998
Joppa Flats offers an Outdoor Adventures for Families program (indoor facilities are currently closed due to Covid) to keep minds active and hands busy during school break. As spring takes over, it’s a great time to explore green spaces with your family in the woods, on trails, and along the shore. “Miss Lisa” and her team will assist with the identification of creatures, provide small group challenges, and share our joy and knowledge about the natural world. See nature through the lens of a naturalist and register for an upcoming session!

The seacoast has so many unique and fun activities for families. For more ideas, check out our Places To Go section which is a comprehensive directory of local diversions or our online calendar.

If you have any fun ideas for school vacation week that you’d like to share, let us know!