10 weeks, 10 fun things to do with kids this summer

New England has a variety of amusement parks, including
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A boardwalk guides hikers around Lonesome Lake.
Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff
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Take a hut hike
The Appalachian Mountain Club's network of eight high mountain huts, spread across some 50 miles in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, is a New England gem. Staying overnight in the rustic huts offers a one-of-a-kind wilderness experience, amidst the stunning mountain landscape. Some huts are challenging to get to, but we'll try the family-friendly hike to the
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Aerials, acrobatics, juggling, clowning, costumes — it's Circus Smirkus! This traveling Big Top show, featuring 30 young circus artists ages 12-18, is the only one like it in the United States.
Hillary Packard for Circus Smirkus
See the circus
Aerials, acrobatics, juggling, clowning, costumes — it's Circus Smirkus! This traveling Big Top show, featuring 30 young circus artists ages 12-18, is the only one like it in the United States. The award-winning circus company, backed by professional coaches, cooks, musicians, and crew — some 80 people in all with 23 support vehicles — performs under its own 750-seat European-style one-ring Big Top tent. The company will perform at sites throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts, from June 28 to Aug. 17. This year's theme is
Game On
! We say, bring it on! Check out the schedule
Northern Outdoors, New England's oldest whitewater rafting outfitter, offers rafting trips on three northern Maine rivers.
Northern Outdoors
Brave the rapids
The Kennebec, the Penobscot, the Dead. As any East Coast water rat will tell you, these three dam-controlled rivers in northern Maine offer thrills aplenty. The Dead is big and intense, with the longest stretch of continuous whitewater in the East — 15 miles. It's a snarling white serpent (for ages 14 and up). The West Branch of the Penobscot offers bursts of Class IV to Class V rapids, interspersed with tamer scenic swirls (ages 14 and up). Kennebec is the calmest of the three and the most family-friendly (ages 10 and up). It's a Class IV river with a mix of rapids and floats. We'll book the trip with
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Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves has waterfalls and cascades, lush forests, boulder fields, and caves.
Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
Crawl through caves
Who doesn't like a little dirty fun? We're talking about crawling through the natural boulder caves at
Pretty views, hiking trails, and some of the best tidepooling in New England is at Odiorne State Park in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism
Spot sea creatures
Clams and crabs, sea urchins and starfish, shrimp and snails … and is that a baby lobster?!! Tide pooling makes going to the beach even more fun. We've got
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Killington in Vermont has upped its summer game, adding a variety of activities and attractions, including the 4,800-foot-long Beast Mountain Coaster.
Killington
Visit The Beast
A view from the Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine.
Christopher Muther/Globe staff
Trap a lobster
Getting out on a boat and chug-chugging along the coastline is always a fun experience, but throw in (literally) lobster traps, and it's even more exciting, and educational. We'll head up to Ogunquit, Maine, to hop aboard one of the
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You can visit dozens of historic buildings in the re-created 19th-century New England coastal village at the Mystic Seaport Museum.
Mystic Seaport Museum
Travel into the Mystic
Charles W. Morgan
, the last surviving wooden whale ship in the world, visit dozens of historic buildings in the re-created 19th-century New England coastal village, where ship smiths, coopers, printers, and ship carvers demonstrate traditional trades, and watch shipwrights restore wooden boats in the working shipyard. If we have time (we'll make time!), we'll also visit the
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, an underwater plateau located between Cape Ann and Cape Cod, is considered one of the top whale watching destinations in the world. This summer, book a trip with Cape Ann Whale Watch. The Company has been around since 1979 and boasts a 98 percent success rate.
C.McMahon~Foley for Cape Ann Whale Watch
Have a whale of a time
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, an underwater plateau located between Cape Ann and Cape Cod, is considered one of the top whale watching destinations in the world. And it's right off our coast! We'll book a trip with
Hurricane II
, with a sundeck and heated main cabin. The company, which has been around since 1979, boasts a 98 percent success rate, and if you don't see a whale, you can go again free until you do.
Diane Bair and Pamela Wright can be reached at

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26 Things From Etsy You Can Buy Because You're An Adult And Make Your Own Decisions

A Goldfish trophy for the pro angler — OK, pro snacker — who wants to showcase their amazing abilities (fishing in the bag for the last remaining crumbs). A pocket library complete with mini books. Give it a shake to satisfy your lust for destruction, then meditatively put them back on their shelves when you need a little screen break. A Puppagotchi tag to celebrate the fact that you graduated from virtual to real pets. Remembering to feed them, pick up poop, provide ample pats — same thing, really. Dagger-shaped push pins so you can dramatically add your to-do list to your corkboard. Main quest chores like doing the dishes will have to wait — there are more exciting side quests (like decorating your corkboard) to take care of first! A pasta box keychain with lil' bowties you can shake around. A perfect accessory for anyone who plans on ordering noodles with butter at the restaurant later. And a pair of handmade farfalle barrettes that are almost im-pasta-bly cute. Pair with some butter earrings to complete the look. A McLovin fake ID I'm pretty sure would work if you flashed it at a liquor store. Luckily, we're all adults here with backup IDs in case it doesn't. Freshly baked, Hokkaido-style milk bread so pillowy soft, you'll want to take a nap on it like that influencer who pushes her face into different breads. If boomers can splurge on little porcelain figurines, you can splurge on fluffy bread for next-level breakfast pics. One reviewer said tasting this heavenly loaf transported them back to Japan. 🇯🇵 An outrageously silly Sonny Angel shelf you can use to display your favorite lil' naked babies — or any other small figurines. I wonder who you'll pick for the coveted cloud swing spot. A silly goose badge — congrats on your promotion! Now that you've been deputized, let's hit the streets and start pieing people in the face. Magnets shaped like Goldfish or chocolate truffles, to really capture the magic of your kitchen (the place where the snacks are). Promising review (for the Goldfish): "These are really awesome. They have a tactile feel like the real thing! Magnets are super powerful. I'm going to buy a few more. Love these." —TamedGet the six Goldfish from Handy Cute Art for $10.50 or the three chocolate truffles from Bows & Silos for $19.95. A brass dragon journal clip that makes even the stuffiest of work feel like you're playing a round of Dungeons & Dragons! Adding another 9 am meeting to your agenda? Better roll for Constitution. 😬 Puffy bookends in bright colors to make your bookshelf feel like it came straight from the MoMA gift shop — even if you have more romantasy novels than sleek art books. A magical Disney sun catcher to make your home the happiest place on Earth — because rainbows = happiness, duh. A pair of cowboy chicken earrings with some great, flashy boots. Bob your head to make them do a lil' square dance. A jumbo carrot body pillow in case you wanna inject some serious vitamin A into your home. Snuggle up with this 4-foot-long plush and live out Bugs Bunny's greatest dream. An adorable acetate hair claw because why settle for a plain one when there are an infinite number of far cuter options? Good luck picking one! It was hard enough to pick just three to show you. Promising review (for the bow): "It's a very cute hair claw that's well made. Thank you so much! :)" —AmyGet them from Etsy: the bow from New Heights Studio for $20, the bok choy from Sunnie Creative for $18, or the Pompompurin from CuteSewLuna for $20. A New Moon filter keychain so you can look at the world as if it were featured in the Twilight Saga. Bright summer day? Gross! Throw some moody Washington dreariness over it. A large Prismo tufted rug, which might be peak Millennial home decor. Like all of Prismo's wishes, you'll get what you want (a cool as heck rug) but with a catch (your parents will sigh every time they see it). Bath spaghetti so you can feel like a lil' meatball swimming in a tub of marinara. If only you had this as a kid! Don't worry; this unique body wash doesn't smell like tomato sauce — instead, expect zesty orange and grapefruit. A UFO abduction lamp to add a little Mulder to your otherwise Scully-esque desk. It comes with a color-changing remote so you can pick whatever hue matches the moo-d (sorry). Or a pair of earrings depicting a UFO abduction scene — not even extra-terrestrials can resist a good cat snuggle. A coconut wax candle with a 3D hot dog poking out of it. Don't worry! It doesn't smell like lunch meat — you can pick a scent like citrus, lavender, or coconut cream. A Perry the Platypus mug complete with fedora lid. Just remove the hat when you want to pour in your drink where did Perry go? The ceramic mug is handmade, so it takes about 10 days to make. A glass butterfly ring to create the illusion that you're a fairy princess who often has sparkly butterflies land on them. A pack of medieval cat stickers for anyone who loves a good wonky feline. Amazing how cat memes have existed for thousands of years.

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Masquerade Ball Dresses: The Art of Dressing for Disguise in the 18th and 19th Centuries

For centuries, few social occasions offered women the same freedom of expression as the masquerade ball. Wrapped in mystery, glittering in candlelight, and filled with playful intrigue, masquerades allowed guests to step beyond the rigid expectations of everyday society. At the heart of these grand events were the costumes themselves, and especially the Masquerade Ball Dresses that offered women a rare chance to blend historical fashion with personal fantasy. Though masquerade balls originated as part of Carnival traditions in Renaissance Italy, they became deeply woven into the social fabric of European aristocracy during the 18th and 19th centuries. Across grand palaces, ornate theaters, and exclusive private salons, they created temporary spaces where identity could be concealed, challenged, or reinvented entirely. The Setting: Where Fashion Met Fantasy Masquerade balls were elaborate affairs, often held in ornate venues filled with music, dancing, and lavish décor. They attracted royalty, nobility, and the wealthiest members of society who eagerly embraced the opportunity to wear costumes inspired by mythology, history, or faraway lands. The anonymity of the mask added an element of suspense, allowing participants to play roles they might never adopt in everyday life. While men might dress as kings, soldiers, or mythical creatures, women's costumes were particularly elaborate. For many, the creation of Masquerade Ball Dresses was an event in itself, blending courtly fashion with inventive themes and ornate details that set these garments apart from conventional eveningwear. offers a rich source of inspiration for those who wish to explore the artistry, elegance, and history of these extraordinary costumes. 18th Century Styles: The Height of Opulence During the 1700s, masquerade ball dresses reflected the extravagant tastes of the Rococo period. Silhouettes followed the prevailing court fashion but allowed for even more dramatic flourishes. Panniers widened skirts to breathtaking proportions, while luxurious fabrics like silk taffeta, velvet, and brocade shimmered in candlelight. Bodices were tightly fitted with low necklines, revealing the décolletage, while sleeves might be short, puffed, or layered with ruffles. Elaborate embroidery, metallic threads, and gemstone embellishments added depth and texture. Lace trims, satin ribbons, and artificial flowers brought even more dimension to the gown. Rather than simply replicating current fashion, many masquerade ball dresses drew from historical or theatrical references. Some women arrived dressed as classical goddesses, while others chose pastoral themes, dressing as shepherdesses or maidens from imagined pastoral landscapes. Exotic costumes inspired by Ottoman, Chinese, or Egyptian styles also became fashionable, reflecting Europe's fascination with distant cultures during this era. Victorian Interpretations: Formality Meets Imagination By the 19th century, as masquerade balls continued to evolve, the style of Masquerade Ball Dresses also shifted in step with Victorian fashion. While still elaborate, the silhouette changed dramatically. The massive side panniers of the previous century were replaced by crinolines in the 1850s and later by the bustle silhouette of the 1870s and 1880s. Victorian masquerade dresses maintained the tradition of elaborate embellishment, often featuring rich fabrics like satin, silk faille, and velvet, trimmed with lace, pearls, and intricate beading. However, these gowns often balanced fantasy with greater modesty in accordance with Victorian values. Necklines remained low but were typically framed with lace or tulle. Sleeves varied from fitted long styles to dramatic puffed shapes, depending on the period. Themes continued to draw from history and mythology, but Victorian masquerades also reflected growing interest in literary characters, medieval revivalism, and romanticized historical periods. For women attending these events, the opportunity to temporarily embody queens, fairies, historical heroines, or mythological figures offered a rare chance to play with identity while remaining within socially acceptable boundaries. The Mask: Essential Symbol of the Masquerade While the gowns themselves were extraordinary, the mask was equally central to the masquerade experience. Women often wore delicate eye masks made of lace, silk, or papier-mâché, sometimes decorated with feathers, sequins, or tiny jewels. The mask's ability to obscure one's face without fully hiding one's identity offered a subtle thrill. It created a charged atmosphere where whispered conversations, bold flirtations, and carefully veiled observations became part of the night's entertainment. In some cases, masks were designed to match or contrast with the dress itself, completing the ensemble with a unified sense of artistry. The balance of recognition and anonymity provided endless intrigue on the dance floor. Preparation and Presentation: A Labor of Detail Unlike standard eveningwear, a Masquerade Ball Dress often required months of preparation. Dressmakers worked closely with their clients to design costumes that expressed both creativity and status. Historical research, careful material selection, and intricate craftsmanship were all essential to producing a gown that could stand out amid a ballroom filled with equally ambitious creations. Wealthier women sometimes commissioned full themed ensembles complete with wigs, capes, and props. Others assembled costumes by modifying existing gowns, adding detachable embellishments that transformed them into suitable masquerade attire while remaining functional for future occasions. The Decline and Legacy of the Masquerade By the turn of the 20th century, the popularity of formal masquerade balls declined as social norms shifted and modern entertainment took new forms. Yet the fascination with masquerades and their opulent costumes endures to this day. Vintage fashion enthusiasts, historical reenactors, and costume designers continue to draw inspiration from these extraordinary events. The Masquerade Ball Dress remains a symbol of artistic freedom within the constraints of rigid social structures, where creativity and craftsmanship allowed individuals to momentarily step into another world. Final Thoughts: Dressing for Imagination Masquerade balls offered more than a chance to dance. They provided an opportunity to blur the lines between reality and fantasy, allowing women to inhabit identities that might otherwise remain inaccessible. The dresses worn to these events stand as rich historical artifacts, revealing not only the evolving aesthetics of fashion but also the enduring human desire for transformation, mystery, and playful disguise. At the legacy of historical costuming continues to inspire. The timeless appeal of masquerade ball gowns reminds us that fashion, at its most enchanting, offers a portal to worlds of elegance, creativity, and endless imagination. TIME BUSINESS NEWS

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Bianca Censori's Lookalike Sister Angelina Turns Heads With Sudden Style Switch-Up

Bianca Censori's Lookalike Sister Angelina Turns Heads With Sudden Style Switch-Up originally appeared on Parade. Bianca Censori's lookalike sister, , recently turned heads after debuting a sudden style switch-up. On Tuesday, June 10, the Australian model, 20, took to her Instagram Stories with a clip and photos while in Japan, seemingly visiting Bianca, 30, and her husband, , 48. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Angelina shared a clip of chefs sprinkling a dessert with what looked like edible gold flakes before posting a photo of the treat, too. In a different segment, she included a snap of city buildings and traffic from a street view, tagging the sweet shop Shiseido Parlour in Tokyo. For yet another image, Bianca's younger sibling uploaded a mirror selfie that cut off her head but showed off her outfit for the night—and she opted for an uncharacteristically conservative look. In the picture, Angelina kept it simple with a black spaghetti-strap tank top and jeans. The low-key fashion choice was a huge departure from the risqué 'fits she has recently shared on social media. Recently, Angelina rocked a sheer look that left little to the imagination. She also dropped jaws in a tantalizing see-through dress. The younger Censori sister seems to be following in Bianca's boundary-pushing fashion footsteps. In February, the Yeezy architect nearly broke the internet when she left absolutely nothing to the imagination on the 2025 Grammy Awards red carpet. More recently, Bianca sported a see-through top and no pants. She also donned a leather thong and flaunted an eye-popping sheer look in a livestream video. Next: Bianca Censori's Lookalike Sister Angelina Turns Heads With Sudden Style Switch-Up first appeared on Parade on Jun 11, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.