Although Amesbury and the surrounding areas may not be large cities, that doesn’t mean there isn’t an abundance of activities for families to enjoy. Summer weather gives you ample opportunities to get out there and enjoy what North Shore Massachusetts and Seacoast New Hampshire have to offer.

Whether you hit up a local farm or take an adventure in the deep sea, this list is sure to get you thinking outside the box while captivating you and your children’s interests.

If you are new in town, you may not know what is available to you. Getting out there with your family not only means having fun with each other, but it also gives you the opportunity to connect with the local community and make some new friends.

Newburyport Whale Watch

What is it about whales? There is such a beauty about these creatures. Maybe it is their unfathomable size coupled with their graceful ability to sail out of the water. Perhaps it is the understanding that encountering them is rare.

Seeing a whale for the first time is an experience that burns in your brain. Share this first time joy with your kids on a magical whale watch that departs from downtown Newburyport. I recently went on a whale watch with my family and it was priceless!

This nautical journey will not only showcase an array of whale species, but a plethora of marine life as well as Sea Birds. Regardless of what you discover on your sea breezy voyage, this will be a day for you and your family to remember.

Your tour will include an expert naturalist who can fill you in on his/her expertise and passion for marine life.

Here is the information for booking your reservations: https://www.newburyportwhalewatch.com

Cider Hill Farm

Cider Hill Farm has a rich history centered on family. Run by three generations, this farm is built on family values. All 145 acres are nurtured and cared for through sustainability practices, passion and a love of what nature has given us.

With rigorous compost programs in place, Cider Hill Farms is dedicated to environmentally friendly farming. In addition, wind power and a solar system help fuel the farm efficiently and with the environment in mind.

Children are always valued here at Cider Hill. There is a giant sandbox for kids to play in, swings for some old-fashioned fun and a whole area where kids can feed goats and chickens.

The sprawling farm features beautiful areas for picking your own fruit. August is a great month for luscious blueberries, raspberries and peaches. Apples should be in season around mid month.

Picking fruit with your kids is fun and educational. Children learn about farming and where their food comes from while also developing an appreciation for nature.  In addition, it gives you the opportunity to engage in a fun family activity while tasting fresh fruit.

On August 25, family yoga is offered. This is a yoga class appropriate for the whole family and on this day the theme is “Ripe Raspberries.” The class offers a nice stroll in the raspberry patch. 

Cider Hill can also be enjoyed on its own. Your children can feed the animals, take a look at the bees through a glass on the inside and taste the mouth watering Cider Hill donuts. These are freshly made donuts that are a fabulous treat.

Check out the local produce and various products available in the store. From 11am-3pm, treat you and your family to the appealing menu at the Pitch Fork food truck for lunch or ice cream.

As you can see, Cider Hill offers an array of activities and family fun. For more information or to register for the yoga class: https://www.ciderhill.com

Hampton Beach

Arcades, fried dough, taffy candy and strolling through a busy beach strip are timeless classics that ensue warm nostalgia. The beauty of Hampton Beach is its ability to move through generations. It is rare in today’s world to find activities that are still relevant from your childhood.

Even if you didn’t grow up near a beach, you have likely gone to an arcade or tasted fried dough. If you are new to this area of New England, taking a night or day at Hampton Beach won’t disappoint!

Hampton Beach is a popular and premiere vacation spot. Living in this area means having all of the excitement at your fingertips. Every summer, there are 80 free concerts. In August, you can see live music every night of the week. The first show is from 7-8pm and the second show is from 8:30-9:30pm.

Have you ever seen a movie on the beach? Now is your chance! You and your kids can come on August 19th at 7:50pm to see Shazam and/or see Legos Movie 2 on August 26th at 7:45pm. Admission is free. Don’t forget blankets, chairs and snacks!

Fireworks and the beach are a perfect combination on Wednesday nights at Hampton. Get to the beach early for a seafood dinner and some treats for dessert before you are mesmerized by the show in the sky. The fireworks start at 9:30pm and run through August 28th. There is a special fireworks display on September 1.

Although there are an abundance of other events held at Hampton beach geared towards children, there is also the simplicity of going to the beach for a relaxing day or evening. Hampton Beach offers visitors a sandy beach where you can walk five minutes and hit the arcades or one of many delicious eateries.

Here is the website for Hampton Beach: https://www.hamptonbeach.org

Amesbury Public Library

Consumed with technology and phones, it is easy for us to forget the days when we visited the library and borrowed books. Although many of us have kindles, there is still something special about library books.

Having your children experience the library and everything it offers encourages them to have an active interest in reading. Visiting the library regularly can help your child become a lifelong lover of reading.

The Amesbury Public Library offers free programming for babies and children alike. These programs are free of charge for families. Through August 16th, all day each day, children of all ages can come enjoy the creative fun of crafting. Kids will hone their creativity skills with this daily activity.

Through August 28th, check out the Topez Storytelling Club for rising 3rd-5th graders. Participants can polish their writing skills in creating illustrated stories for a high school senior who is exploring different writing styles. Writing is a fundamental skill for kid’s development. Why not let your kids create their own stories?

On Saturday, August 24th at 11:30am, revel in the enchanting world of Star Wars with the Star Wars Workshop. Trivia and games just scratch the surface of this intergalactic fun. For this workshop, you must register and is appropriate for ages 5+. Dressing up is encouraged; get your light sabers ready!

For all program information, see the website: http://amesburylibrary.org

Amesbury Chamber of Commerce Summer Series

Although many activities cost money, that doesn’t mean you can’t find equally stimulating outings free of charge. I encourage you to check out the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce website regularly, as there are always free events transpiring for families.

The Summer Series through the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce is a varied collection of events happening in Amesbury. In the last article, I covered their fitness offering, however this is one of many exciting opportunities.

Participation in the Peach and Truck Festival at Cider Hill is also free! Why? The Amesbury Chamber of Commerce. The Summer Series also includes live music for families to enjoy.

Live music is the epitome of creating a summer vibe. There is something special and enigmatic about hearing musicians play on a balmy summer night. Why not expose your kids to the same magic?

Every Friday until August 30th, you can enjoy music in the Al Capp Amphitheater in the heart of Amesbury through the Summer Series. There are different bands playing.

Concert tickets are expensive; groove for free to live music right along the picturesque Powwow River! If you work up an appetite dancing the night away, Big Rig BBQ and Sisters of the Anarchy Ice Cream are open in the Millyard to fuel you up.

You can find everything you need to know right on their website: https://members.amesburychamber.com/member-events

Captains Corner Miniature Golf

Captains Corner, located in Salisbury MA is a multi-purpose center of family fun! Mini golf is a time honored classic. This particular course is engaging and entertaining, as it boasts a pirate theme.

Miniature Golf is a great physical activity, which perhaps is overlooked. It is the equivalent to a 60-minute brisk walk and can burn upwards of 300 calories per hour. This activity is also a great way for children to learn patience, teamwork and following rules.

There are also educational benefits to mini golf. Kids learn hand eye coordination and focus. When trying to find the right angle for their shot, kids also learn how to zero in on the task at hand as well as strategizing their next move. As this game requires keeping score, kids can practice their math skills. Regardless of skill or experience, anyone can play.

Why stop at mini golf? Families can also enjoy the arcade, batting cages and go-karts. Special cards costing $20 include: 1 round of mini golf, 1 go-kart ride, 5 batting tokens, 12 arcade tokens all topped off with an ice cream or slush.

Every other Tuesday from 5pm-8pm, families can enjoy the car shows offered here. Treat yourself to delicious homemade ice cream, as Captains Corner is located a two-minute walk from Hodgie’s Too.

For more information, check out their website: http://www.captainscornerminigolf.com/index.html

Although the back to school advertisements are out and the back to school sales have started, summer is not over! The sun is still shining, the sea is still sparkling and the summer nights are still warm and comforting.

Make the most of August and September while creating everlasting memories with your family. This region fosters community building and family connectedness, which is one of the many reasons it is such a wonderful place to raise your family.

If you’re looking to buy a home in the Amesbury MA area, contact me to get started!

~

Blog post authored by Kristina Dodier.