Outings for Children on the North Shore of Massachusetts

Outings are a vital part of life with kids – they not only keep the kids entertained and exercised, they keep mom and dad sane, too. Going out with a friend or playgroup is even better-parents can socialize with adults while the children play. Here are some suggestions for what to do with your kids on the North Shore.

Beverly

Lynch Park – Located on Beverly’s waterfront, Lynch Park has something to offer for people of all ages. Lynch Park has two beaches, staffed in the summer by the Beverly Recreation Department. The rear beach is great for hunting for crabs and other creepy-crawlies during low tide. During the summer months, the park has a kayak center, concession stand, and restrooms. Summer evening concerts and movies are also hosted on the park’s shell. Lynch Park has two large grassy fields that are great for frisbee or kite-flying. There are also picnic tables and coal grills scattered throughout the park. Two play structures stand shaded at the back of the park-one for toddlers and one for older children. The beautiful rose garden is perfect for pictures, weddings, and even a game of hide and seek. Lynch Park has a rich history and was President Taft’s “Summer White House” for two years before he moved to Corning Street in Beverly. Parking is ample, but non-residents must pay a fee between Memorial Day and Labor Day. You can find the website for Lynch Park at http://www.bevrec.com/lynchpark.html.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½

Essex

KidsWorks – Kindermusik, gymnastics, dance, theater, and karate are some of the classes taught at KidsWorks in Essex, which makes it a great place to broaden your children’s horizons. In addition, they also open their gymnastics room for open playtime for several hours each day. Admission is only $5 per walker-a real deal considering the workout kids get climbing, running, and jumping. Visitors can also have their hair cut after playing (or perhaps parents can reward their children with open playtime if they sit still for the haircut) in their new HairWorks salon. The KidsWorks website can be found at http://www.kidsworks.net.

Ipswich

Russell Orchards – The Russell Orchards farm has been in operation since the 1920s and is a part of family tradition for many families on the North Shore. They have extensive orchards where you can pick your own fruit-apples, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries. Peaches, pears, apricots, cherries, tomatoes, plums, squash, zucchini, and many more fruits and vegetables are also grown at Russell Orchards. The farm also makes its own maple syrup and honey. All of their produce can be bought in the store, along with wines, baked goods, ice cream, Burt’s Bees products, and much more. As if all that wasn’t enough, Russell Orchards also has a great fenced playground and a fun petting zoo, where kids can meet goats, horses, miniature horses, sheep, ducks, chickens, geese, rabbits, and one giant pig. Russell Orchards hosts many special events throughout the year; visit their website at http://www.russellorchardsma.com for a listing.

Middleton

Richardson’s Ice Cream – What kid wouldn’t love an ice cream on a hot summer day? Richardson’s Ice Cream makes all their ice cream and has dozens of delicious flavors. They also sell Richardson’s milk-as a bonus, it’s wheat-free and safe for those with celiac disease. To make a day of it, visitors can also mini-golf on their two 18-hole courses, or practice your swing on their driving ranges, or hit a few balls in the batting cages. An afternoon at Richardson’s means not only fresh ice cream, but lots of fun as well.

Peabody

Cy Tenney Park – This quiet park boasts brand new play equipment installed in 2005, as well as the older (but still just as fun) wooden structures. With three large playgrounds, as well as a sand box, every child will be able to find something fun to do. There are no picnic tables in the playground area, but there are several shaded benches perfect for that afternoon snack. Cy Tenney Park also has a large ball field, and parking is free.

Bonkers Funhouse – While most indoor arcades cater to older children, even toddlers will have a blast at Bonkers Funhouse. Conveniently located near Route 1 and Route 128, Bonkers is a great place to go to escape the summer heat, rain, or the cold of winter. The toddler area is gated and has a small climber (children must be accompanied in the climber), a giant shape sorter, a foam block “mountain” to climb up, and several other things to climb on. There are two benches in the toddler area, and several tables just outside. For older kids, there are the usual arcade games: pinball, skeeball, and the like. There are also several rides and a two story maze, complete with a giant slide at the end. Admission is free, but you must pay for tokens to play the games and a pass for the rides and maze. The toddler area is free. Bonkers sells standard arcade-type food-pizza, chicken fingers, french fries, and a few salads and wraps. Bonkers Funhouse’s website is http://www.bonkersfunhouse.com.

Brooksby Farm – Located near the North Shore Mall, Brooksby Farm is an easy way to have a farm experience without driving far. Brooksby Farm is run by the City of Peabody and has sheep, chickens, ducks, turkeys, llamas, and other animals in their petting zoo. They have a well-stocked farm store that, in addition to produce, sells such goodies as maple sugar candies, apple cider donuts, pies, and ice cream. In the fall, pumpkins are displayed in a large enclosure next to the farm store, as well as Christmas trees in the winter; many families take wonderful pictures of their children amongst the pumpkins or trees that rival any Sears or JC Penney photos. Brooksby Farm also has pick your own fruits depending on what’s in season-they have apples, raspberries, and strawberries. The farm hosts private events under their arbor or in their greenhouses.

Salem

Brujito’s Play CafÃ?© – Brujito’s is a place where both parents and kids can have a good time. This indoor playspace has a toddler area for young children with foam blocks for climbing, an age-appropriate train table, and a two-foot tall activity cube. Older children can play with the play kitchens, pretend village, puppet theaters, a pretend submarine, an enormous train table, several ride-on cars, an oversized Lite Brite, a dollhouse, and a climbing structure with slides. Admission is $6.50, although you can get a deal if you order a meal at the same time. And the meals are why parents love Brujito’s-in addition to the regular kids’ fare of chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, and pizza, Brujito’s also has a delicious menu for adults. The menu features delicious meals like tuna salad, egg salad, roasted turkey, and vegetable sandwiches, chicken, eggplant, and grilled cheese panini sandwiches, salads, wraps, bagels, muffins, and fresh fruit. The prices are a bit high, but for this extraordinary play cafÃ?©, it’s worth it.

With so many great places on the North Shore for kids, why would parents want to stay indoors? Get the kids dressed and head out for some adult conversation while your children have fun and tire themselves out.