No plans for April vacation week? Here are 16 ideas on the South Shore

Jessica Trufant, The Patriot Ledger
·7 min read

April school vacation is quickly approaching, and the South Shore will have plenty of events to keep kids busy during their time off.

The week begins with the Boston Marathon, of course. Thinking of going into the race? But then, there is still the rest of the week. So, we gathered up some fun ideas for kids and families. (Some are just for kids. Like parents, drop the kids off!)

Many of the events are free but require registration. These are just some of the ideas we found:

Get outside at the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton

Blue Hills Reservation, 860 Hill Side Drive, Milton, has tons of programming scheduled for April vacation.

Fox Talk will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16. Attendees will go on a walk and learn about red and gray foxes of the Blue Hills, and how they adapt to the changing seasons and make their home in unexpected ways. This is suitable for all ages and dogs on leashes are welcome. Meet at the visitor center.

Great Blue Yonder, a moderate hike to the highest point in Massachusetts south of Boston, will take place from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17. Rising above the horizon, Great Blue Hill reaches a height of 635 feet, the highest of the 22 hills in the Blue Hills chain. From the rocky summit visitors can see over the entire metropolitan area. Attendees will learn the story of the Blue Hills and enjoy the majestic view of the Boston Basin below. Suitable for adults and families with children 10 and older. Meet at Trailside Museum North Parking Lot. Dogs welcome on leash.

Kidleidoscope, an event with nature stories, facts and crafts, will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, April 19. Suitable for children ages two to five accompanied by an adult. Meet at visitor center.

A Murder Most Fowl: Crows Myths and Behavior will take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. Crows have long been a source of fascination and lore. Learn how different cultures have viewed crows throughout history and how many myths are now being supported by modern science. Meet at Visitor Center . Leashed dogs and people of all ages are welcome.

Rocky trails are just some of the many ways people can traverse the hundreds of acres of the Blue Hills Reservation.
Rocky trails are just some of the many ways people can traverse the hundreds of acres of the Blue Hills Reservation.

Visit Plymouth Rock

A Plymouth Rock Walk, held at 79 Water St., in Plymouth, will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 18. A guide will answer questions about the rock and share some of the lesser-known stories about that fateful trans-Atlantic voyage. Along the way, attendees will visit many of the monuments that tell the story of the folks who crossed an ocean in search of opportunity and a chance to thrive. The walk is about a quarter of a mile with many breaks and is appropriate for ages 8 and older. Meet outside the restrooms.

Attend Colonial Adventures for Kids in Duxbury

Alden House, 105 Alden St., Duxbury, will hold a colonial adventure camp for kids. Kids ages 8 to 13 will learn what it was like to be a child long ago from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 17. Activities include writing with a quill, dipping a tallow candle, spinning wool into thread, cooking over a fire, playing games, archaeology and more. The program is led by museum educators. Advance registration is required as space is limited. To register, email director@alden.org or call 781-934-9092. Fee is $25; $20 for members. Alden House Historic Site is part of the original land grant given to Mayflower Passengers John and Priscilla Mullins Alden in 1627 and home to generations of Alden descendants.

Check out the Weymouth spring carnival

Weymouth will host the annual carnival at Weymouth High School, 1 Wildcat Way. The carnival will start Wednesday, April 17 and will continue through Sunday, April 21. Free parking will be available on site and wrist bands are not required to enter. The carnival will feature more than 15 rides, games and food. The town holds the carnival every year to raise money for the events committee, which puts on the annual Fourth of July fireworks. For more information, contact the mayor's office at 781-682-3618.

A traveling carnival lights up the night at Weymouth High School during April vacation on Friday April 21, 2023
A traveling carnival lights up the night at Weymouth High School during April vacation on Friday April 21, 2023

Join a day trip with Braintree Recreation − laser tag, arcade, Battleship Cove and Fenway, too

The Braintree Recreation Department is planning a daytrip to XtremeCraze Foxboro on Tuesday, April 16. The cost is $59 and includes transportation, laser tag, airpark, a $10 arcade credit, 2 slices of pizza and unlimited fountain drinks. All participants must fill out a waiver before attending.  Drop-off will be at 74 Pond St at 9 a.m., and pickup will be at 2 p.m.

On Wednesday, April 17, they'll head to Battleship Cove, America's Fleet Museum. Kids will learn about different ships, their history and more. The cost is $35 per child. Drop-off will be at 74 Pond St at 9 a.m., and pickup will be at 3 p.m.

Braintree Rec will also attend a Red Sox game on Thursday, April 18. The bus will head into Boston at 11:45 a.m. so kids can enjoy the gift shop and get snacks and drinks before the game starts. The cost is $59 per child. Drop-off will be at 74 Pond St at 11:30 a.m., and pickup will be at 5:30 p.m.

For registration and other information, visit Braintreerma.my.rec.com.

Pop into the Derby Street Shops for a week of activities − from Bluey to storytime and yoga

Derby Street Shops in Hingham has planned a full week of April vacation activities that benefit Arc of the South Shore.

Author Lindsay Cadigan will be at Barnes & Noble for a kid-friendly activity hour and story time of "Betty The Confetti Yeti" from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday, April 15. After the book, there will be a mini-celebration with sweets. Tickets are required for children and cost $5, which will benefit The Arc of the South Shore in honor of Autism Awareness Month.

Join Arc of the South Shore on the Green (located between Kohls and REI) for a story time and yoga class that brings the book to life from 11 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, April 16. Each family will receive a complimentary take-home sensory book kit. This event is inclusive and sensory-friendly. All are welcome. Tickets are free, but registration is required.

Join Bluey at The Paper Store from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17. Meet Bluey and snap or pic or grab a high-five from everyone’s favorite Blue dog. Tickets are required for children and cost $5, which will benefit The Arc of the South Shore in honor of Autism Awareness Month.

South Shore singer-songwriter Mama Steph will offer a kid-friendly live musical performance on The Green (located between Kohls & REI) from 11 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 18. Tickets are required for children and will benefit The Arc of the South Shore in honor of Autism Awareness Month.

Pulse Studio will host a fun mini-trampoline bounce workout class with a live DJ and glowsticks from 11:45 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. on Friday, April 19. The class is for ages 7 and up, and caregivers are welcome to drop them off while they run an errand during the 40-minute class. If signing up siblings, parents are asked to sign up twice with one child per trampoline.

To register for any of these events visit https://derbystshops.com/events/.

See what's going on at your local public library

Libraries across the South Shore have events planned for April vacation, from an animal drawing class at Ventress Memorial Library in Marshfield to introduction to puppetry at Tufts Library in Weymouth. Go peruse your local library's website and see what they have going on for the week. Many events require registration.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Things to do on the South Shore during April school vacation