Planning Your School Break
School breaks can be a tough time for many students and families. The disruption in routine and change in day to day structure can trigger feelings of anxiety and instability, leading to behavioral changes in children that can be difficult to manage. Below are some suggestions for planning breaks with your child. This list includes resources in case of behavior emergencies, a proposed daily routine, places hosting recreational events and some materials to keep your child engaged and active during their break.
Behavioral Health Emergency Services
Behavioral Health Helpline 24/7 access: 833-773-2445
North Suffolk Community Services – Mobile Crisis Hotline: 888-309-1989
Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST): 800-981-4357
Find your local Community Behavioral Help Center (CBHC) at mass.gov/cbhc
Walk-In Behavioral Urgent Care Centers:
East Boston/Chelsea
North Suffolk Community Services
14 Porter St., East Boston, MA 02128 Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 9am to 5pm
866-781-6727
East Boston Neighbor Health
10 Gove St, East Boston, MA 02128
Monday – Friday 9:30am – 6:00pm
1st Floor (Enter through Emergency Room Doors)
617-569-5800
Everett/Medford/Malden and Somerville/Cambridge
CHA Malden Care Center
24 Hour Access Line: 833-222-2030
195 Canal Street, Malden
Second Floor
Monday-Friday: 8 am to 8 pm
Saturday-Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm
Closed major holidays
HA Cambridge Hospital
24 Hour Access Line: 833-222-2030
1493 Cambridge Street, Cambridge
First Floor, Cahill Building
Monday-Friday: 8 am to 8 pm
Saturday-Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm
Closed major holidays
Boston
Boston Medical Center – Youth CBHC Clinic
85 East Newton Street, Boston MA 02118
24/7 Phone: (800) 981-4357
Walk-In Hours: Monday – Friday (8am – 8pm)
Saturday – Sunday (9am – 5pm)
Closed on major holidays
Aspire CBHC
460 Quincy Ave, Quincy, MA 02169
24/7 Crisis Phones:
800-528-4890 or 617-774-6036
Open 24/7/365
Lynn/Saugus and North Shore
Tri City Area CBHC
95 Pleasant St
Lynn, MA 01901
24/7 access line: (800) 988-1111
North Shore CBHC
75 Sylvan Street, Building C
Danvers, MA 01923
24/7 access line: 888-769-5201
Family Resource Centers
Family Resource Centers provide support and services for families and children. They can provide clothing and hygiene items, referrals for services, support groups, case management services, as well as child and family development activities and events. Find your local resource center below and call them for more information!
SafetyNet Special Needs Registry – Call (617) 466-4209 to speak with a City representative
Chelsea/Revere/East Boston/Winthrop
Harbor Area Family Resource Center
95 4th St. Chelsea, MA 02150
617-437-8550
Everett/Malden/Medford
Eliot Family Resource Center
548 Broadway Everett, MA 02149
781-581-4750
Boston
Home for Little Wanderers
56 Dimock St. Lower Level, Roxbury, MA 02119
617-469-8501
North Shore/Wakefield/Stoneham
North Suburban Family Network
30 Farm Street
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-246-5187
nsfamilynetwork@gmail.com
Available Winter Vacation Programming
Boston
Snowmazing! at Boston Children’s Museum
Through Feb 22, 2026
Winter exhibit with accessibility features for families
Sensory Friendly Mornings at Revolutionary Spaces
Dec 20
Free for visitors under 18 and adults $5
Sensory-Friendly Mornings at Old State House
Dec 20
Calmer museum hours with limited attendance and low sensory stimulation
Chelsea
Holiday Market at GreenRoots Teaching Kitchen
Dec 20 11 AM–4 PM
Craft & food vendors; family-friendly market setting
Gift Wrapping Party (Chelsea Public Library)
Dec 19 7 PM
Community crafts event accessible to all ages
Everett, Malden, Revere, Lynn
Everett: Park-9 Puppy Yoga (Sweet Paws Rescue)
Dec 27 9:45 AM
Inclusive yoga class with puppies – supportive atmosphere
Malden: Winter Wonders at City Hall
Dec 20 11 AM
Inclusive celebration and display
Revere: Christmas Lights & Markets (Revere-wide)
Throughout Dec
Community-wide light shows & markets; many accessible
Lynn: Sensory Christmas Party with the Lynn Disability Network
Dec 19 5 PM to 6 PM
Sensory party for families, free event, to register email ldoninique@ymil.com
Statewide/Virtual
Therapeutic Horseback Riding (Easterseals MA, Bridgewater)
Through Dec 22
Adaptive riding lessons for all ages
Adaptive Group Dance & Theater (Hopkinton Center)
Through Dec 17 & 20
Weekly inclusive arts sessions
NAMI Cape Ann Virtual Support Groups
Dec 18
Mental health support for families
SPAN On-Demand Webinars Online Training
Year-round
Workshops on special education advocacy, writing support, etc.
Federation for Children with Special Needs – Parenting Support
Parent Support Ongoing Peer groups through Bay Cove, Hale Center, etc. in Metro Boston
Home for Little Wanderers – Parent Support Program
Support Workshops
Ongoing Free groups for parents in Chelsea, Revere, Boston areas
Association for Autism and Neurodiversity
Dec 19 12 PM-130 PM
Workshop for parents and caregivers new to Autism diagnosis of a loved one
Recreation Centers and Events Calendars
General Events and Resources
General information on disability resources: https://disabilityinfo.org/
Greater Massachusetts Special Needs Events: https://www.spedchildmass.com/special-needs-disability-events-calendar-massachusetts/
City Specific Events and Recreation Centers
SafetyNet Special Needs Registry – Call (617) 466-4209 to speak with a City representative
Chelsea Area Events Calendar
https://healthychelsea.org/community-calendar
Cambridge Recreation Calendar
https://www.cambridgema.gov/citycalendar
617-349-6229
acorbeil@cambridgema.gov
Hours of Service:
Mon: 8:30am – 8pm
Tue – Thu: 8:30am – 5pm
Fri: 8:30am – 12pm
Somerville Recreation Calendar
https://somervillema.myrec.com/info/calendar/default.aspx
8 Bonair St, Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 625-6600
Revere Community Center Programs
https://www.revererec.org/colella-community-center
(781) 286-8190
176 Garfield Ave.
Community Center Schedule
Monday | Aquatics Only
Tuesday | 4:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday | 4:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Thursday | 4:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Friday | 4:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
Saturday | Aquatics and Rentals Only
Sunday | Aquatics and Rentals Only
Malden Recreation Calendar
https://maldenma.myrec.com/info/calendar/default.aspx
32 Pearl St. Malden, MA 02148
781-397-7168
parks&rec@cityofmalden.org
Hours:
Mon, Wed, Thu – 8:00am – 4:00pm
Tue – 8:00am – 7:00pm
Fri, Sat, Sun – closed
Medford Recreation Calendar
https://medfordma.myrec.com/info/calendar/default.aspx
30 Forest St. Medford, MA 02155
781-393-2486
medfordrecreation@medford-ma.gov
Hours:
Mon – Sat: 9am – 12pm
Revere Public Library Events Calendar
https://www.reverepubliclibrary.org/community/events-calendar/
179 Beach St, Revere, MA 02151
Sun: Closed Mon: 8am – 8pm
Tue: 8am – 8pm Wed: 8am – 8pm
Thu: 8am – 8pm Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat: 9am – 5pm
Phone: (781) 286-8380
Lynn City Events Calendar
https://visitlynnma.org/events
Lynn Public Library Events
https://www.lynnma.gov/calendar
5 N Common St, Lynn, MA 01902
Phone: (781) 595-0567
Hours:
Sun – Closed
Mon – Thu: 9am – 9pm
Fri – Sat: 9am – 5pm
YMCA Greater Boston
Day Passes Available!
https://ymcaboston.org/membership/
Everett Art Lab
132 Bucknam St, Everett, MA 02149
Hours:
Sat-Sun – Closed
Mon-Fri: 3:30 – 7:30
Child-Friendly Websites and Electronics
Online Resource List from Boston Public Library
PBS Kids Videos and Games
https://pbskids.org/games
FunBrain Games
https://www.funbrain.com/games
KidSites.com: A guide to kid-friendly websites by interest
Academic Support Resources
World Tutors – multilingual, virtual, and FREE tutoring services
Math Card Games – to promote math retention skills
Reading Tips for All Ages in Multiple Languages
What Parents Can Do While Raising Readers
Partner Reading with Middle School Students
Cool Math Games
Interactive games for reading skills (K-5)
Language arts skills (PreK-12)
Free online courses covering math K-12, science, language arts, test prep, and more (available in English, Spanish, French, and Brazilian Portuguese)
Vocabulary A-Z: Create your own spelling tests and games for practice
Learning Tools
We will model and discuss the importance of having daily conversations with your children- not only to develop their oral language and conversational skills (which positively impacts literacy development) but also to help children who may be experiencing anxiety or depression.
High Five Challenge Tool Kit
Alphabet Titles
Conversation Starter Flash Cards
Additional Languages
Parent/Caregiver Support Resources
Understood.org
Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL)
Childcare Family Resources

