The Pre-Nap Adventure

Located in Rye, but just outside Portsmouth along the seacoast is Odorione Park.  You can play in the shallow tidal pools looking for crabs and minnows, visit the Seacoast Science Center,which has  aquariums, touch tanks, and whale skeletons.  The park also has the remains of the World War II Fort Dearborn as well as many trails for  hiking and cycling. There are large grassy areas for a picnic and plenty of picnic tables. There are bathroom facilities and a newer playground. 

This sandy beach with a beautiful new playground is a great spot to spend a few hours.  We packed a picnic, buckets and shovels and spent along morning going back and forth from the playground and the swings to the beach.There was plenty of parking but I can see how it would fill up in the summer weekends. After we headed downtown to get ice cream at Terry's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shop. 

At the tip of South Boston you can visit Fort Independence at Castle Island. Grab a seat in the grass or one of the many picnic tables and watch the planes land and harbor traffic. Fish from the pier, stroll the boulevard around the fort or bay. Make sure you grab an ice cream from Sullivans. There is also a great playground and kayak rental on the island.

This is a great place to go when the weather isn't great. The parking is attached, the whole place is stroller friendly and there are things for kids of all ages.  The exhibits are constantly changing, but even those that don't change are still fun to explore like the space ship, t-rex, the musical stairs, mathematic, and live animal care and exhibits. They do have a cafe on site,  but there isn't much nearby unless you walk to the Cambrigeside Galleria. You can also jump on a Duck Boat. 

Like most museums, you can buy a timed entry ticket in advance. Your library may even have discounted tickets. Plan to spend at least 1.5 hours in the museum! Afterwards, walk along the channel to Martin Richard Park.  The slides and pirate ship are always a big hit with the kids. You can follow the channel around past the Barking Crab and the Court House and watch the boats along the harbor. There are so many places to grab lunch or sweets, or picnic along the harbor.

Book your tickets in advance for timed entry, the earlier the better to avoid huge crowds. You can also pay and reserve parking on ParkWhiz. Afterwards, head to the Rose Kennedy Greenway and ride the Carousel. Play in Christopher Columbus Park and if your kids still have energy, you can stroll through the North End and grab a sandwich or gelato! We've also had picnics at Christopher Columbus  Park while watching the harbor.

A short trip north to Wolf Hollow in Ipswich. Such a nice (and educational) alternative to visiting a zoo. Best for kiddos with a good attention span, because they do an hour-long session on the weekend with an educational presentation.  You are able to observe the wolves in a (relatively) natural environment -  nearby you can grab lunch at Russell Orchards or head to town for an ice cream.

Blue Hills Reservation has a lot to offer both lifelong hikers and those who want to stroll through stunning scenery. There are 125 miles of trails that will take you over hills, through marshes, across meadows and around the ponds. The skyline trail takes you to amazing city views, but there are also a variety of hikes for beginners to more challenging.https://www.mass.gov/location-details/hiking-in-blue-hills

Pack a lunch and pack up the kids. Head to Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary and hike any number of the family friendly trails and boardwalks through the marsh. Take the Rockery trail and climb the rocks, explore the stone caves and look for turtles and frogs in the ponds. Head back to the Visitor Center to play at the Nature Center, build a log cabin at the Nature Play area, jump + balance on logs. You can also rent a canoe (free for members). Parking is $10 for non-members.