Free Fun Friday: Boston Children's Museum - Boston
Fri 8/2
FREE

Families can celebrate Boston Children’s Museum’s 100th birthday with a Giant Birthday party and free admission as part of the Highland Street Foundation's Free Fun Fridays. Children can make party hats and sing birthday songs. Inside the Museum enjoy three floors of interactive exhibits. Outside, street performers will entertain you along the boardwalk.

Plays in the Park: Folktales Near and Far - Georges Island, Boston
Fri 8/2
FREE; ferry additional

Kids' theater performances on the stage in Fort Warren. All shows include audience participation! Today's performance: Folktales Near and Far. Performances at 11:45am & 1:30pm.

Aladdin - North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly
Fri 8/2
Tickets $10-$12        

Kaleidoscope Children's Theatre presents its own version of the classic tale. Performances at 10am & 1pm.

Circus Smirkus - Manter Field, Newbury
Fri 8/2 & Sat 8/3
Adults $21; Children (2-12) $17, (under 2) Free        

Every summer, a company of talented Smirkus Troupers, ages 11 to 18, go on a two-month performance tour around New England. This year’s show, Oz Incorporated, features a new spin on the Wizard of Oz.

Family Jam with Karen K and the Jitterbugs - Georges Island, Boston
Sat 8/3
FREE; ferry additional

Kids love Karen K & the Jitterbugs' “kindie” music – a term coined for the blend of kids music and indie rock – thanks to their eclectic sound and Karen Ks well-written, memorable songs. Face painting and other kids' activities, too!

Salem Maritime Festival - Salem Waterfront
Sat 8/3
FREE

Salem celebrates its maritime history with a full day of:

• Live music and storytelling
• Free 90-minute harbor cruises
• Friendship of Salem Ship Tours and Junior Ranger Program
• Boat tours & demonstrations
• Opportunities to cruise, sail, paddle, and row Salem Harbor
• Traditional craft demonstrations
• Seaside kite-flying
• Children's face painting
• Tide Pool exhibit
• Muck walk, featuring "Life at Low Tide"
• Hayrides around Historic Salem
• Outdoor theater and Scottish country dancers

Newburyport's Yankee Homecoming: Family Day - Maudslay State Park, Newburyport
Sat 8/3
Most FREE

Newburyport's "Yankee Homecoming" is a week long celebration featuring nightly concerts and street performers, road race, fireworks show and a parade down Historic High Street.

Today's special event: Family Day, featuring games and activities for kids of all ages, demonstrations on the main stage, Special events include:

• Ben Rudnick and Friends (10am & 12:45pm)
• Curious Creatures (11am)
• Linda Peck (11am)

Massachusetts Marketplace Festival - Massachusetts Horticultural Society Elm Bank Reservation, Wellesley
Sat 8/3
Adults $8; Children (Under 12) $2        

The festival is a full day of food sampling, shopping, and entertainment, plus fun for children of all ages with face painting, a bouncy house, glitter tattoos, and other attractions.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic lunch in the gardens (bring your own, or purchase food from one of the local vendors) and spend some time exploring the many gardens of Elm Bank including the New England Trial Garden, the historic Italianate Garden, Weezie’s Children Garden, and the New England Herb Society Garden.

Battle of the Arts & Summer Art Fest - DCR Martini Shell, Boston
Sat 8/3
FREE

Join the DCR Rangers and Hyde Park Art Association for family arts and crafts activities, including chalk art, stamp printing, a group mural and bead making. Watch as local artists (ages 16+) showcase their artistic talents in action for public viewing and voting.

Nature Storytime with Matt Patterson - Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge
Sun 8/4
Free with admission

Children's author and artist Matt Patterson reads from his newest book, Daylight Moonlight. This beautifully illustrated book provides a fun way for children to learn about the animals that populate different habitats by day and by night. Matt has painted 22 scenes total, in the forest, desert, underwater, seashore, wetlands, grasslands, mountains, public parks, and even his own backyard. Two readings: 11am and 2pm. (Copies of Matt's book will be available for purchase in the Museum gift shop.)