Family events in Chelmsford, MA

Seaport Smalls is a returning children’s programming series offering free, rotating activities designed for ages 0 to 8. The lineup features partners such as Curious Creatures with live animal education, Little Groove with music and art for kids, Spanish Fun Program for Spanish learning, Little Beats and its musical enrichment classes, Jungle Jim’s balloon magic, Mr. Aaron with music, and the Magic Fred Show. Refreshments are available for purchase from Blue Bottle Coffee, Lakon Paris Patisserie, and Pressed Cafe. Some sessions are held indoors at The Paseo, and convenient parking is available at the Harbor Way Garage. Registration on Eventbrite is recommended to receive program updates and schedule changes, though RSVPs or tickets are not required to participate. The full lineup is free and open to the public. Because sessions may take place on grass, bringing a blanket or mat is welcome. Photography and video may occur, and anyone who does not wish to be photographed can notify the photographer. By registering and attending, participants acknowledge the program’s Release and Waiver. Attendees can also earn points toward rewards through the Seaport Insider App by checking in via the QR next to the bicycle.

This community Walk N' Roll at Crocker Field brings together families, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and supporters to back NAF’s mission to speed the development of treatments and enhance the lives of people living with Ataxia. The focus is on awareness, solidarity, and meaningful impact. Options to take part include forming a team or contributing in support of the cause.

Hoopers gather for the Honk! Festival Parade, bringing hoops, friends, and plenty of energy for a lively march from Davis Square to Harvard Square. The group meets in a Davis Square parking lot for a warmup, photos, and lineup before stepping off, then hoops along the route together. After the parade, participants stay with the group to play in Winthrop Park. Costumes follow a rainbow theme, and everyone brings their own hoop. Plan ahead for water and personal essentials, as Boston Hoop Troop will not carry personal items. Meetup details may be updated.

Burlington’s Annual Trunk or Treat turns the Burlington High School faculty parking lot into a family-friendly Halloween stop. This free community event welcomes costumes and invites kids to trick or treat from festively decorated trunks while enjoying activities, music, snacks, refreshments, and visits from local vendors. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bag for candy and, if interested, an optional donation for the Burlington Food Pantry such as granola bars, cereal, fruit cups or applesauce, juice boxes, jerky, or other individually wrapped snacks. The gathering takes place in the faculty lot at the back of the school. Hosted by Kadilak Realty Group, Kadilak Homes, DaMore Title & Closing, and Burlington Girl Scout.

Enjoy an easy, guided stroll through a scenic hilltop orchard with lovely views and peaceful wooded trails. Sturdy footwear is recommended since parts of the path can be uneven. Be prepared with water, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

Roll up your sleeves for a pasta themed cooking experience featuring dishes made from scratch. Learn how to mix and knead pasta dough, cut it into fettuccine made fresh, simmer a tomato sauce, and finish by shaping sweet cannoli rolls. Guidance focuses on practical kitchen techniques while keeping the experience enjoyable, with opportunities to explore different flavors and textures as you cook. The menu is vegetarian.

Brian and Andre return to the picnic area with a set of family friendly hits. Expect a lighthearted atmosphere where kids are welcome and everyone can sing along.

Explore Harvard Square on a guided food tour centered on crispy french fries, with each tasting paired with a flavorful non-alcoholic drink. Hear entertaining stories about the 20th century French Fry Wars and humorous lore from around the neighborhood. Harvard Square is known for some of the state's best fries, and this creative walking experience is designed for fry fans of all ages. Please note that the offerings are not gluten-free. Tickets can be purchased on the organizer's website, and the tour is operated by a small, local business.

Shattered Alibi powers the Trianon Stage at the Topsfield Fair with a closing set that blends classic rock, country rock, blues, and Americana into a lively, feel-good show. With punchy guitars and smooth harmonies, the band keeps the energy high and the crowd moving. It is a fitting soundtrack to the fair’s finale, whether you are savoring fried dough, strolling the midway, or dancing up front.

School is out and kids can channel their inner ninja at an obstacle club inspired by American Ninja Warrior. Designed for ages 6 to 13, the program pairs instructor-led obstacle challenges with camp crafts and organized games to give hands a break between runs. Alongside physical fitness, activities are structured to build confidence, coordination, and problem-solving skills. Participants can choose a morning session, an afternoon session, or combine both. Pricing is $55 for a single session or $85 for both sessions. Space is limited and these vacation clubs are known to sell out each year.

Remix sets the scene for a wheels-first social session where scooter riders and roller skaters share the floor. Admission includes the use of rental skates or a three wheeled scooter, making it easy for newcomers and enjoyable for experienced skaters as well. Upbeat music plays throughout the session to keep everyone moving. Friends can roll together or attend solo, with an open floor format that welcomes all skill levels.

Little ones have the run of Urban Air Nashua during this Jumperoo session created for children 5 and under. For two hours, kids can bounce, climb, and explore age-appropriate attractions in a safe, welcoming setting that encourages movement and making new friends. Parents can take part alongside their children or relax while the kids enjoy active play. Admission is $14.99. This event is popular, so arriving early can help make the most of the experience.

Homeschool students and parents can enjoy an action-focused session at Urban Air Nashua with access to a variety of attractions in a safe, engaging setting. It blends movement and play with opportunities to meet other homeschool families, encouraging active fun and social connection. The format is flexible, allowing participants to enjoy the experience at their own pace. Admission is $14.99.

Create a hands-on, three dimensional version of Van Gogh’s The Starry Night in this no school day textured clay workshop. With easy to follow guidance, participants use simple tools and their hands to shape colorful air dry clay, layering and swirling it to build the painting’s luminous night sky in rich relief. No prior art experience is required. There is time to explore and experiment, and everyone takes home a bright, dimensional artwork ready to display. Recommended for ages 6 and older. Children 5 and younger must attend with an adult. The fee is $55 for nonmembers and $40 for members.

Don B takes the New Meadow Stage at Topsfield Fairgrounds in Topsfield, Massachusetts for a live performance.

Designed for preschoolers, this playful STEAM class blends Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through cooperative, hands-on discovery. Children observe, ask questions, make predictions, test ideas, and share what they have learned while exploring topics like sink or float, sorting and classifying, and balance and building. The activities are so engaging that the learning feels effortless. Morning and afternoon sessions are available, with limited space.

NeighborHealth presents a community gathering centered on breast health and prevention, with food, raffle prizes, giveaways, and activities for children. No-cost mammograms are available to eligible patients, and advance sign-up is offered with confirmation by email or phone. Walk-ins are accepted. People who are not yet NeighborHealth patients can enroll ahead of time to become eligible for a no-cost mammogram.

A local photographer leads a mini portrait session through Boston’s Beacon Hill, a National Historic Landmark filled with cobblestone lanes, brick alleyways, and picturesque row houses. Portraits are created along these scenic streets, including the neighborhood’s famed thoroughfare known as the most photographed street in America. The Mini Portrait Experience includes 15 minutes of photography and one favorite image to download. After the shoot, participants choose their favorite during a Zoom video call, and that photo is edited and delivered for download. Additional digital images and printed keepsakes such as boxed prints, wall art, albums, and cards are available for purchase, and longer sessions with extra time or additional locations are also offered.

Young makers in grades K through 2 can meet with Miss Zoe for a monthly session that sparks creativity. Each gathering features a fresh, hands-on activity, from crafting and exploring different art approaches to fun STEM experiments, all designed to encourage imagination and creating together. Registration is required.

Create a personalized potion in a hands-on activity for kids and families in Salem. This self-guided experience lasts about 15 to 25 minutes and takes place at The Good Witch of Salem Spell Studio. Participants craft and bottle a magical mixture to take home, offering a distinctive family-friendly way to experience Salem that is suitable for all ages.

At NAPA Center Boston in Waltham, a play-centered gathering welcomes babies and toddlers younger than two. Therapists specializing in occupational, physical, and speech therapy guide each session with themed activities that foster movement, language, and sensory development. Caregivers can connect while little ones explore at their own pace in a welcoming, inclusive setting. All families are invited, siblings may attend, and the format suits children with diverse developmental needs who benefit from gentle, guided play.

At Hollis Hills Farm, librarians from Fitchburg Public Library lead a family story time featuring an interactive reading for children of all ages. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend with their kids. No registration is required.

Give a hesitant early reader a welcoming space to practice by reading aloud to Fisher the Dog. This friendly session focuses on building confidence with reading and offers a chance to connect with other young readers at a similar stage.

Created with KPop Demon fans in mind, this movie night includes a freeze dance party, a KPop-inspired art activity, and a movie screening. Snacks will be provided. The cost is $85.

Explore Boott Cotton Mills Museum after regular hours with complimentary admission. Step into the museum's weave room, a historic space where the rhythm of the machinery brings Lowell's industrial past to life, and learn about the city's role in the Industrial Revolution. This no-cost offering is part of the Late Night at the Museum series held June through October, with after-hours access on the third Thursday of each month so you can experience the galleries in a fresh way.

This drop-in art session in Create Space Studios invites participants to craft a tiny decorative broom that captures the playful spirit of Halloween, using materials like twigs, dried grasses, and other seasonal natural elements. Admission covers the activity. It is part of the in-person Drop-in Art Making program. Friday sessions are recommended for ages 10 and up, while weekend and holiday offerings are designed for ages 4 and up. All activities are created and led by PEM art educators.

Hosted by the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Nashoba Valley, this back to back draft event takes place at the Middlesex County 4-H Fairgrounds in Westford, Massachusetts. The weekend highlights teamwork, tradition, and the working heritage of the Bernese Mountain Dog, with competitors, volunteers, and spectators contributing to a celebratory atmosphere. Premium list and entry information are available on the club website.

The Annual Fall Fair returns for another year of seasonal tradition.

Families of creative students curious about crafting, science, drama, or robotics can explore Melrose Destination Imagination at an info session held at MMTV Studios. The session introduces the program for kids and parents in grades K through 12 and explains how teams are formed and how to participate. Attendees can try sample Instant Challenges and bring one home, play acting and improv games, preview this season’s challenges, meet other interested families, and speak with experienced DI team managers to get questions answered. For questions, contact di@melrosedi.com.

Art on the Brook returns for its seventh year at Old Mill House Coffee, bringing together more than 50 local makers and artists with a lively showcase of handcrafted goods. Food trucks and local vendors offer lunch and snacks, creating an easygoing setting for families and friends. Leashed, well behaved dogs are welcome, and there will be plenty of coffee. For event inquiries, contact Eileen DeChaves or Old Mill House Coffee.

The West Branch Children's Room hosts different activities on Saturdays. This session features a Perler Beads activity. Other weeks in the series include Saturday Storytime, a Scavenger Hunt, Arts and Crafts, and a Costume Parade.

Copley Square hosts the Boston Book Festival, a lively celebration of literature and ideas. A dozen local authors will be available for book signings, among them Ann Goltz in women's fiction, Susan Beach and Peter Clenott in historical fiction, Cynthia Kallai, also known as Irene Hagan, in cozy mystery, Kathleen Jeffrey and James Rebello, who also writes as George Bridge, in children's, Shawn McCarthy with a fantasy series, Pierce Press with epic fantasy and children's, Caleb Mason in mystery and thriller, Ann Wells, InSup Kim, John Gillooly focusing on sports and nonfiction, Lauren Brown, Lizzie Seibert, and Christopher Mirabile with mystery thrillers. Each year the festival draws thousands who come to find new books and connect with authors and publishers at Copley Square.

Celebrate the spooky season with a Halloween bash centered on pets and playful fun. The atmosphere is lighthearted and festive, offering a cheerful way to mark this time of year.

Designed for those preparing for parenthood, this expo blends inspiration, practical learning, and a sense of fun. Explore leading pregnancy, baby, and parenting brands through interactive product demonstrations, hear guidance from knowledgeable experts during supportive seminars, and take part in unique experiences. Throughout the event there are chances to win more than 50 grand prize giveaways, with items ranging from baby gear to wellness must haves. It brings together education and excitement so participants leave feeling confident, connected, and celebrated.

Enjoy a weekend barbecue set up in front of the Huron Ave shop every Saturday and Sunday. Order in person, or place a pre-order for pickup at the South End Boston or Kendall Square Cambridge locations. Pre-orders require a minimum of $50, and cutoff times apply for Saturday and Sunday pickups.

Children ages 4 to 7 can explore guitar, piano, and drums at a free beginner program in Wasserman Park. Participants make music together, meet new friends, and get a feel for playing in a band. No prior musical experience is required.

Discover the working lives that kept the Lyman Estate running, from meal preparation in the kitchens to tending looms on the factory floor. This guided tour traces more than a century and a half of labor, highlighting gardeners, maids, and farm workers employed at the estate, as well as the thousands who powered textile operations in Waltham and Holyoke supported by the Lyman family. The experience centers on the realities of the working class and includes access to areas of the house that are typically closed to the public. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers.

Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church hosts a Last Hope K9 Rescue adoption event featuring adoptable dogs. An application on file is required to enter the adoption area, and it can be completed in advance or upon arrival. Fully approved adopters are admitted earlier than those with applications still in process. To ensure there is enough time to complete placements and deposits, adoption and deposit conversations conclude shortly before the event ends. Dogs are available on a first come, first served basis, so arriving early is recommended if there is a specific pup you hope to meet. Fully approved attendees with no pets or additional humans at home may be able to adopt and bring a dog home the same day. Please bring a 6 foot non retractable leash. Fully approved attendees who have pets or additional household members, as well as those with applications in process, can place a $100 deposit toward the final adoption fee if they make a connection. Deposits hold for 7 days to allow for meet and greets and welcoming a new dog home, and in most circumstances deposits made while an application is being expedited are non refundable. For safety, children under 5 must be in strollers or held, and groups with children under 10 will be provided a family escort. Only adoptable dogs are permitted inside the event space. If there are pets at home, personality matches will be discussed and a follow up meet and greet will be scheduled off site, since on site introductions are not available. If any household members have travel plans in the three weeks following the event, browsing is welcome, but please wait to pursue a deposit or adoption until everyone has returned, as dogs cannot be held in foster homes and successful transitions require a stable schedule.

Troop 2 marks its 100th year with a celebratory gathering at the Ayer Rod and Gun Club. Attendees can enjoy popcorn, cotton candy, and scouting demonstrations, along with vendors, information, and entertainment. Historical photographs from past Troop 2 events will be on display, with a focus on reconnecting former scouters. Additional details are to be announced.

Hosted by All Newton Music School, this second annual community singing event is part of a worldwide celebration that brings people together in song to honor shared humanity. It is open to participants of any age, background, and level of singing experience.

Experience a welcoming Pokémon League where Trainers of all ages can learn, play, and connect. Bring your Pokémon Trading Card Game deck to battle and trade with others, or get guidance if you are just starting out. Pokémon GO players are welcome too. Participation comes with promo packs and other fun extras. From time to time there are special events such as Prereleases, League Cups, and League Challenges, offering more ways to build skills and enjoy the community.