School Vacation Programming

Looking for fun things to do during school vacation?

 

Ranger Veronica showing visitors an activity at the Bunker Hill Museum

NPS Photo/Matthew Dwyer

The National Parks of Boston are great places to visit, particularly during school vacation weeks when you can enjoy FREE, drop-in activities designed for youth and families. In the past, we have offered the chance to learn skills such as ropemaking, how to “rivet” a ribbon bracelet, button making, and much more! As we get closer to the next school vacation period, be sure to check the information and schedule below for updated offerings.

There are also other ways to stay up to date on these and other events taking place at the National Parks of Boston. You can follow our posts on Facebook (Boston National Historical Park), and be sure to keep an eye on our National Parks of Boston Event Calendar. Before visiting, remember to check our Plan Your Visit page for information about operating hours, directions to park locations, and safety tips. When you do visit, try out our Virtual Tours and Experiences or one of the activities below. Hope to see you soon!

 

Upcoming School Vacation Programming:

Free and open to all!

Meet Spectacle Island with National Parks of Boston (Ages 4-12)

April 21, 2026, 3 pm - 4 pm
Location: Boston Public Library, Central Branch

Spectacle Island is coming to the Boston Public Library! Children ages 4–12 are invited to join a hands-on “beach” activity inspired by Spectacle Island and the Boston Harbor Islands. This Earth Week program brings the island experience indoors, providing a playful introduction to local ecology, shoreline habitats, and the natural beauty of the harbor. Rangers will guide participants through what a trip to the islands would be like and how to prepare for a great day in Boston Harbor! Join us at the BPL Central Branch for an immersive, beach-themed adventure.

Boston Harbor Islands: Youth Resources and Islands Trivia

April 22, 2026, 11 am - 1 pm
Location: Boston Harbor Islands National & State Park Welcome Center, Rose Kennedy Greenway

It’s Earth Day! Come help us celebrate by participating in some Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park trivia, learn about Boston Harbor Islands’ native flora and fauna, and pick up resources to get ready for island visits!

Signal Flags & Rope Making

April 23, 2026, 10 am - 12 pm
Location: Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center

Long before radio communication, mariners used signal flags to communicate between ships. An international code still exists at sea today. Try your hand at learning to communicate using signal flags and create your own messages. And when you’re finished, learn the art of ropemaking, a historically significant skill practiced here in the Charlestown Navy Yard.

Nature's Notebook & Scavenger Hunt

April 24, 2026, 1 pm - 3 pm
Location: Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center

Nature journaling is the process of actively recording observations of birds, plants, trees, and other natural features. It’s also a great way to work on observational skills and build stronger connections to natural spaces. Build your own basic journal and begin practicing these observations in the Charlestown Navy Yard. And while you’re at it, try a Scavenger Hunt to learn more about the different features found within the Navy Yard’s boundaries.

Art in the Park & Scavenger Hunt

April 25, 2026, 11 am - 1 pm
Location: Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center

National Parks are places that can often inspire art, both in terms of their natural landscapes as well as the stories tied to them. Join us and participate in some art creation that connects to the Charlestown Navy Yard. And while you’re at it, try a Scavenger Hunt to learn more about the different features found within the Navy Yard’s boundaries.

 

Won't be able to join us for this programming? See below for other ways you can explore our park.