April 11, 2022

Kid-Friendly Activities for April School Vacation Week

by Felicia Cheney
Featured image for “Kid-Friendly Activities for April School Vacation Week”

The sun is shining, crocuses are popping out of the soil, and kids and teachers alike are ready for a chance to get outside for school vacation week. So parents, this one’s for you, here are some FANTASTIC events coming up to keep your kiddos occupied for April Vacation Week 2022.

Faerie House Building with The Artful Life Counseling Center and Studio and Moonrise Fae – 144 Canal St, Salem

Artful Life Counseling Center and Studio – Wednesday, April 20th and Friday, April 22 from 10am-12pm

Using natural materials and pre-fab houses we will provide supplies to create little safe spaces that contain magic and spark the imagination. Participants can take home the house they make, and we will also have a whimsical village being built where they can add porches, gardens, acorn people or animals and let their imagination go wild! Ages: 6 years old and up, adults encouraged! The Artful Life will be joined by special guest Moonrise Fae to incorporate music, performances and magic! Register here.


Spring Activities with Good Witch of Salem – 2 North St, Salem, MA

Fairy Magic

The Good Witch of Salem 2 North St, Salem, MA

Fairy Magic – Monday, April 18, 2022 & Tuesday, April 19, 2022 This 2-day workshop explores the magic of fairies through art, science, and imagination! Students will create fairy houses, explode magical potions, and plant a garden! This workshop is limited to 10 children. Summer Programs and Workshops are non-refundable at this time. Workshop Time:

Magical Manicures

The Good Witch of Salem 2 North St, Salem, MA

Magical Manicures – Tuesday, April 19, 2022 This fun workshop combines magic and manicures! Students will create their own nail polish and receive a sparkly nail manicure, along with games and prizes. Don’t miss the fun! This workshop is limited to 10 children.

Magic Dinosaurs

The Good Witch of Salem 2 North St, Salem, MA

Magic Dinosaurs – Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Fun like this is never extinct! Stomp on over to the Good Witch of Salem for an afternoon of dinosaur adventures. Students will mix their own dinosaur dirt, adopt a dinosaur, and enjoy sensory play.

Learn more and register at https://goodwitchofsalem.com/events


April Vacation Week at The House of the Seven Gables – 115 Derby St, Salem

Navigating History Scavenger Hunt – Monday-Friday April 18-22, 10AM – 4PM Daily: Come explore The Gables grounds with our special Navigating History Scavenger Hunt. Learn to use a compass to traverse our historic site and win a special prize! We expect it will take around 20 minutes to complete.

Hands-on History – Tuesday, April 19, 11AM – 3PM and Thursday, April 21, 11AM – 3PM: Join us as we debut our new, family-friendly Hands-On History activities! Learn how to build your own seven gabled mansion or join John Turner’s crew as a ship’s youngster with these BRAND NEW immersive activities.

Join The House of the Seven Gables during April vacation week for our family-friendly programs. These programs are free with grounds pass or guided tour ticket purchase. Learn more at https://7gables.org/event/april-vacation-at-the-gables/


April Vacation Program: Lego Lab – 28 Goodhue Street, Salem


April 19th – 22, 2020 8:00 am-3:00 pm (extended day option 3pm-5pm) Use Legos to make science come to life as you make your dream house, build a windmill, design a people mover prototype using simple machines, and create and classify a new animal. Present your creations to the members of the Phoenix Lego Lab to gain valuable feedback to modify and perfect your inventions. We’ll use the outdoors to gain inspiration, test some designs, and complete some challenges.

Fee: $50 a day for ages 6-10, $25 a day for ages 11-14 (Teen Leadership Program) Register Here.

If you’re hosting an event for school vacation week that you think belongs on this list, send us a message at info@creativecollectivema.com with the subject “April School Vacation.”


April School Vacation Week: Earth Week – Art and Science in Action at The Peabody Essex Museum – 161 Essex Street, Salem

Wednesday, April 20, 2022-Friday, April 22 from 9 am-3:30 pm

All programs included with museum admission

Join inspiring artists and scientists in a week of celebration and action in honor of the opening of Climate Action: Inspiring Change and Konstantin Dimopoulos: The Blue Trees.

ART AS ACTIVISM
Konstantin Dimopoulos: The Blue Trees

Wednesday and Friday: 9–11:30 am and 1– 3:30 pm | Free event
Essex Street and Axelrod Walkway (weather permitting)

Artist Konstantin Dimopoulos’ The Blue Trees is an outdoor art installation that uses the process of transformation to raise awareness about global deforestation and climate change. Watch on-site artist Wes Bruce and volunteers apply blue pigment to select trees on PEM’s campus using an environmentally safe colorant. This temporary, performative art piece in Salem marks the 27th installation of this internationally acclaimed project.

THE BLUE SAPLING WORKSHOP
Wednesday, 11–11:45 am and 2–2:45 pm | Create Space
Included with admission
Recommended for ages 5 and up

Feeling inspired by The Blue Trees? Come inside and color a native tree sapling with the artist’s own environmentally safe, water-based blue pigment. Then take your sapling home and plant it outside to raise awareness about trees. Planting and care instructions will be provided.

DROP-IN ART MAKING
Soak Up the Carbon: Art Making with Salem Sound Coastwatch

Thursday and Friday, 11 am–3 pm | Create Space
Included with admission
Recommended for ages 5 and up

Salem Sound Coastwatch leads an art and science-based activity inspired by its commitment to promote both awareness and understanding of our connection to the Salem Sound Watershed and our role in restoring and protecting its health.

CLIMATE + ENVIRONMENT TALK
The Amazon: Marcia Macedo with Bernie Krause

Thursday, Noon–1 pm | Virtual

Brazilian field ecologist Marcia Macedo is committed to finding science-based solutions to complex challenges facing the Amazon rainforest. Dr. Macedo will share her unique view of the Amazon and speak to important climate-forest interactions in the region. She will be joined by soundscape ecologist Bernie Krause to explore the intersection of her research and Dr. Krause’s sound recordings captured in the heart of the Amazon.

This program is supported by the Lowell Institute and offered in partnership with the Fondation Cartier in celebration of The Great Animal Orchestra: Bernie Krause and United Visual Artists on view at PEM through May 22.

DROP-IN ART MAKING
Wes Bruce: A Forest of Poetry and Fabric
Thursday, 2–4 pm | Axelrod Walkway
Rain date April 22

What is nature asking you to bring forth from your deepest self at this time? Participate in a collaborative outdoor art-making activity with artist and poet Wes Bruce. Create personal mantras to take home that help you live into a more full, creative, centered self and contribute to a communal installation that will live temporarily among the trees.

EXHIBITION BOOTHS
Shifting the Climate Culture

Friday 10 am–7 pm | Main Atrium
Included with admission

Join Rare — the international conservation organization helping people and nature thrive — for a hands-on exploration of climate-positive behaviors around food, energy, transportation and nature. Visit their booths to discover simple changes that can help the climate, and your health, budget, and community. See what you can do, and how your neighbors are already acting.


April Vacation STEAM Days with Messy Makers at Danvers Art Association

105 Elliott Street Danvers

Three full day of STEAM exploration and makerspace creativity! Come celebrate learning, creativity, friendship, and fun, with us at Messy Makers this April School Vacation.

Learn more at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/april-vacation-steam-days-419-420-421-registration-30135673510


Creative North Shore is Operated and Curated by Creative Collective

Creative Collective is a group of economic development strategists, small business supporters, activation specialists, and believers in the importance of the creative workforce. We foster growth, sustainability, and scalability for small businesses, creative thinkers, organizations, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

Learn more and join Creative Collective at www.creativecollectivema.com/join