Grandparents: We love them, our kids adore them ... and in turn they offer unconditional love (and — if you're lucky — free babysitting!). Grandparents Day is Sunday, Sept. 12 and there's no better way to show the older people in your life how much you and your kids love and appreciate them than spending the day with them. And for those of you grandparents raising your grandkids full-time? We see and very much appreciate you!
Lucky enough to have grandparents who live close by? Here are 10 ideas on how to spend Grandparents Day on the North Shore:
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1. Take them out for a special meal on the North Shore of MA
Here are three of our favorite North Shore-owned restaurants:
- Andiamo Restaurant + Bar- 24 Winter St., Newburyport; 978-255-4341 or andiamo-restaurant.com
1606 Restaurant & Bar- 55 Commercial Street, Gloucester, 978-282-0008, 1606restaurant.com
15 Walnut Tavern & Kitchen- 15 Walnut Road, South Hamilton, 978-468-2434, 15walnut.com
2. Go for a walk in the woods on the North Shore
If your grandparents love fresh air and hiking in the woods, there might be no simpler way to spend the day! Here are some great hiking trails on the North Shore that are accessible to all:
- Hellcat Interpretive Trail- Rowley
- Willowdale State Forest- Ipswich
- Ravenswood Park- Gloucester
- Coolidge Reservation- Manchester -by-the-Sea
- Beverly Commons Conservation Area- Beverly
3. Plan a picnic on the North Shore
Surprise Grandma and Grandpa with a picnic! Here are four great spots on the North Shore for a family picnic:
- Maudslay State Park- Newburyport- 74 Curzon Mill Road, Newburyport, MA 01950
- Stage Fort Park- Gloucester-Hough Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930
- Lynch Park- Beverly - 55 Ober Street Beverly, MA 01915
- Castle Hill on Crane Estate- Ipswich- 290 Argilla Road Ipswich, MA 01938
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4. Let your child share one of their favorite places on the North Shore
Does your child have a favorite North Shore trampoline park, amusement park, or North Shore playground? Grandma and Grandpa might love to come along to take part, or if that's too much, simply watch their grandchildren enjoy themselves! Your children, in turn, will probably love to tour Grandma and Grandpa around their favorite place. Here are five fun spots on the North Shore where kids can play and there is plenty of room for adults to watch (or take part!):
- Salem Willows Park- Salem- 165 Fort Ave Salem MA, 01970
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park- Danvers-100 Independence Way Liberty Tree Mall Danvers, MA 01923
- Game Time Lanes and Entertainment- Amesbury- 84 Haverhill Rd, Amesbury, MA 01913
- Cape Ann Lanes- Gloucester- 53 Gloucester Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930
- In the Game- Peabody- 535 Lowell Street Peabody, MA
Grandparents live far away?
Let them know you're thinking of them on Grandparents Day! Here are three ways to tell them you love them from a distance:
Make a video
Kids can list all the things they love about grandma and grandpa.
Send them a hug
Tape together a few pieces of newspaper or use the white side of wrapping paper and outline your child with their arms outstretched. Let your kids color themselves in. Fold it up, put it in an envelope, and send that hug to Grandma and Grandpa!
DIY coasters
Grandparents love personalized gifts, so make them DIY coasters, either with your kids' picture or a drawing they've completed. See how to do it here.
5. Let grandparents share one of their favorite places on the North Shore
Perhaps your grandparents have a favorite spot or activity on the North Shore that you haven't been to before! Let them take you and your kids along to experience what makes it important to them. They'll love introducing you and your kids to their friends and sharing a place that's special.
6. Visit a museum on the North Shore together
Museums are a great place to spend a day with Grandma and Grandpa! Here are three great museums on the North Shore that will be open on Grandparents Day:
- Wenham Museum-Wenham-132 Main St., Wenham, MA 01984
- Peabody Essex Museum- Salem- 161 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970
- New England Pirate Museum- Salem- 274 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970
- The Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum- Essex- 66 Main St, Essex, MA 01929
7. Say hi to the animals on the North Shore
Grandparents probably love to see animals as much as their grandkids! Here are three places to go and see the animals on the North Shore on Grandparents Day:
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8. Plan a photo scavenger hunt
We developed this fun scavenger hunt for teens and tweens but there's no reason why Grandma and Grandpa can't take part too! Make great memories by taking selfies together, recreating a famous Beatles album cover, and just generally spending the day out and about on the North Shore being silly together.
9. Go for ice cream
Who doesn't love a sweet treat? Here are three great North Shore-owned ice cream places we love:
- Hodgies Ice-cream- Amesbury- 71 Haverhill Rd. Amesbury, MA 01913
- White Farms Ice-Cream- Ipswich
- Captain Dusty's Ice-Cream- Beverly- 642 Hale St, Beverly, MA 01915
- Cherry Farm Creamery- Danvers- 210 Conant St, Danvers, MA 01923
10. Plan a photo shoot
Grandparents love family photos (and who doesn't?!?), so arrange a photo shoot with a North Shore MA photographer on Grandparents Day, or gift them a certificate to use later. Stay tuned for some suggestions of amazing North Shore photographers.
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