From beautiful outdoor spaces with abundant wildlife and plants to indoor playgrounds, Merrimack provides plenty of spaces for children to find healthy enrichment. Its proximity to towns and cities like Dover, Concord, and Manchester also makes it easy to find fun and engaging activities that people of all ages can enjoy, such as museums, petting zoos, and more. Explore our guide to the unique indoor and outdoor spaces that continue to attract families to Merrimack, New Hampshire!
Outdoor Spaces – Parks and Nature Walks
As the second most forested state in the country, only behind Maine, New Hampshire offers countless outdoor spaces for both children and adults to experience the natural beauty of the American Northeast. Being close to the Merrimack River, Merrimack provides countless opportunities for children to interact with and fall in love with nature.
Twin Bridges Park & Kids Kove
One of the highest-rated areas for children, Twin Bridges Park and its Kids Kove playground is a popular activity space for people of all ages. The 27-acre park includes the Kids Kove play area, an outdoor play place, as well as Bise Field baseball field, a half-court basketball, and picnic tables. Named after the two bridges used to cross the Baboosic Brook that contains the park within its space, Two Bridges Park also has beautiful hiking trails that allow families to enjoy the beautiful nature that has brought people to this space since colonial times.
Horse Hill Nature Preserve
This approximately 563-acre property maintained by the Conservation Commission is the largest preserved open space within the town of Merrimack. Within its wide network of recreation, trails reside a diverse range of wildlife and plants. The preserve takes its name from one of the two 400-foot-tall hills in the area, Horse Hill. Originally an area where settlers lived, evidence of the preserve’s history still remains; stone walls, crumbling foundations, and two hand-dug stone wells blend into the forest that managed to thrive after decades of logging. Enjoy hiking, biking, dog walking, and even horseback riding within this popular outdoor spot.
Mitchell Woods/Watkins Forest
A small yet vital part of Merrimack’s water sources, Mitchell Woods contains an unnamed brook surrounded by wet/flooded land used as an unestablished walking path by locals looking for a quick but beautiful walk. The wetlands of this area, due to its closeness to Baboosic Brook, make it perfect for bird watching and identifying wildlife such as amphibians and fish. Mitchell Woods abuts Watkins Forest, a 61-acre parcel of land owned by the town of Merrimack. Watkins Forest is open to the public but also permits hunting.
Indoor Entertainment Centers and Nearby Entertainment
If you can’t get outside with the kids, Merrimack offers families plenty of opportunities for indoor entertainment. Indoor playgrounds and recreational centers offer a great space for children to play. Merrimack’s location makes it easy for families to take a quick drive to other attractions if Merrimack’s own spots get too crowded. Here’s a couple of our picks for other activities sure to entertain children!
Merrimack Ten Pin Center
Merrimack Ten Pin Center offers families of all skill levels the to enjoy a day at the lanes! Their family fun center offers automatic scoreboards so everyone can see their scores and lightweight balls, bumpers, and ramps for children. Higher-skilled players looking for something more competitive can also participate in leagues. Go at night and experience glow bowling with good music. You can even have drinks and food delivered to your lane.
Merrimack Community Center
Merrimack’s Park and Recreation Department hosts adult, teenage, and youth programming throughout the year. Trips to New York City, classes on building self-esteem and leadership skills, and classes from the American Red Cross all occur thanks to the efforts of the Park and Recreation Department. Check out their website or subscribe to their newsletter to stay updated on Merrimack’s happenings and beyond!
Children’s Museum of New Hampshire – Dover, NH
A little over an hour’s drive from Merrimack, the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover combines education and fun. With interactive exhibits in everything from nature, STEAM, world cultures, and even specially-designed exhibits for children 0-3, the Children’s Museum is perfect for all children from infants to age 12. The museum also has its own Adventure Playground with swings, slides, and climbable structures that will keep children active and healthy while giving parents a space to relax.
Carriage Shack Farm – Londonderry, NH
Just over 50 minutes away, Carriage Shack Farm offers families a fun-filled day petting and feeding animals, learning about farming, raising typical barnyard animals, and understanding the importance of the connection between farm and table. Carriage Shack Farm also offers pony rides and rentals, educational programs like Dinosaur and Reptile Days, parties, field trips, and seasonal events for Halloween and Easter.
Let College Bound Movers Get You to Merrimack
Keeping kids entertained and raising a family isn’t easy–don’t let moving make your life difficult. Let College Bound Movers make the transition to Merrimack easy by offering you a professional, full-service moving company experience. Whether you just need some extra help packing for a short-distance move, need someplace to store your belongings while you finalize moving arrangements, or need to go a long distance, we’ve got you covered.
College Bound Movers offers comprehensive residential and commercial moving services. For over 30 years, we’ve proudly helped thousands of customers move across Manchester, Nashua, Amherst, Bedford, Concord areas, and Northeastern Massachusetts. Our awards from The Better Business Bureau and The Hampshire Business Review are a testament to our dedication to excellence and high-quality service.
Our trained movers pack your belongings carefully and efficiently, following all Department of Transportation regulations to ensure that everything gets to your new home or office promptly. Call us today for a free estimate on your move to Merrimack, New Hampshire!
