Pre-School

Cat's Meow at the Crane Estate

Kids will have a blast exploring the Trustees of Reservations Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts!

Our imagination is one of our greatest assets. Imagine living in 1929 and visiting the Crane family at their summer home in Ipswich. The house is so big and Mrs. Crane’s kitty, Ptolemy, has gone missing just before the party! Can you help a family servant find our mischievous Siamese? Once he’s found, we’ll have just enough time to dress for the party!

When:

Saturdays & Sundays, July 13-28, 2024 10:30-11:30am

Saturdays & Sundays, August 10-September 1, 2024 10:30-11:30am

Location:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Ipswich

Treasure Hunt

Scavenger Hunt

Trustees of Reservations

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Kidleidoscope at Bradley Palmer

Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Bradley Palmer State Park

Kids ages 3-6 are invited to join this fun, engaging activity session where they will learn about nature through stories, craft and outdoor activitiies. Topics vary by week, so come for them all! Meets at the Nature Center at 40 Asbury Street. An adult must accompany children. For outdoor programs wear comfortable clothes and sturdy closed toe shoes, insect repellent, and sunscreen. Bring water. Inclement weather cancels outdoor programs.

When:

Thursdays, June 20-August 29, 2024 10-11am

Location:

Bradley Palmer State Park

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Newburyport Exchange Club Kids Day in the Park

Newburyport Yankee Homecoming Kids' Day in the Park hosted by the NBPT Exhcange Club

Newburyport Yankee Homecoming Kid's Day in the Park in hosted by the Newburyport Exchange Club. This free event starts with a parade for decorated bikes and doll carriages, with prizes for the best ones! After that, kids can get their faces painted, experience Theater in the Open, relax with a story organized by the Newburyport Library, participate in a sing-alongs, and watch a police department K9 demonstration. There will also be free food and drinks available starting at noon. Please stop by and join the fun!

When:

Wednesday, July 31, 2024 10am-2pm

Location:

Newburyport Yankee Homecoming

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Vineyard Hill Trail Race

Essex County Greenbelt Association hosts a 5k/10k Race at Vineyard Hill in South Hamilton Massachusetts

The Essex County Greenbelt Association is hosting the annual Vineyard Hill Trail Race, featuring both 5k and 10k options. The race takes runners over Vineyard Hill, through sections of Bradley Palmer State Park, along the Bay Circuit Trail, and across Greenbelt's scenic Shaw Field. The trails are mostly wide and rolling, though Vineyard Hill itself adds a challenging element to the course.

When:

Saturday, August 24, 2024 9am

Race Day Registration Opens at 7:30

Location:

Vineyard Hill Reservation

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Yankee Homecoming Bed Race

Yankee Homecoming Annual Bed Race hosted by the Lions Club of Newburyport

The Newbuyrport Yankee Homecoming Bed Race is an annual event in Newburyport hosted by the Lions Club of Newburyport. The race is a ¼ mile team sprint down Federal Street to the finish line. Each team consists of 3 pushers, 2 pullers and a 'sleeper', and the goal is to get to the finish line with the bed and sleeper in the fastest time! This is a fun event for the community and always draws a big crowd. Come cheer on your favorite team, or just watch the fun! Funds raised will go to Lions Club charities.

When:

Thursday, August 1, 2024 | Setup: 5:30pm; Race: 6:00pm

Location:

Downtown Newburyport

Newburyport

Race

Newburyport Yankee Homecoming

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All Family Field Trip: Birds on the River

Come see the different birds that live on the shore at Joppa Flat Education Center in Newburyport Massachusetts

Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the north shore. Our engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors. Sign up for one, some, or all!

When:

Thursday, July 11, 2024 10am-Noon

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Model Boat Building and Regatta

Kids can build a model boat and race it in a regatta on Redd's Pond in Marblehead

BRING THE KIDS - BRING YOUR FOLKS - BUILD & SAIL YOUR VERY OWN BOAT! This popular event begins with a workshop where participants construct model boats from provided kits at the Lee Mansion Gardens and ends with a competitive regatta at Redd's Pond. These small treasures are more than just toys—they really sail. This fun and educational activity is perfect for the whole family.

When:

Thursday, July 4, 2024 10am-4pm

Location:

Marblehead Festival of the Arts

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On-the-River Cruise for Families

Explore the lower Merrimack River ecosystem with Lisa Hutchings from Joppa Flats Education Center and the crew of the Yankee Clipper

Join Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center on a On-the-River Science cruise aboard Newburyport Harbor Tours Inc.'s Yankee Clipper through the Merrimack River Estuary! Teacher Naturalist, Lisa Hutchings and the crew of the Yankee Clipper will guide a unique cruise where participants will do some birdwatching, examine marine plankton, and investigate tide pool touch tubs on every trip. Enjoy cruising and learning about this vital part of the area's natural history.

When:

Saturday, June 22, 2024 8:45-10:45am

Saturday, July 13, 2024 8:45-10:45am

Location:

Newburyport Harbor Tours

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Meet Beach Creatures and More!

Discover and explore the facts of the creatures you find at the beach at Joppa Flats Education Center Newburyport

Come to Joppa Flats this summer to enjoy some live animal encounters both outdoors in our riverside yard and indoors in our air conditioned lobby! You'll rotate through different live animal stations at your own pace and stay as long as you like!

When:

Fridays, June 28 - July 26, 2024 10am-3pm

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Sand Sculpture Competition

Come to the beach for a fun family activity where you can build a castle or sculpture together! It's free and open to all ages. Just bring your own buckets, shovels, and building tools. There will be extras if you need them. Local children will judge the entries, with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, plus a Spirit Award. Families and beachgoers can vote for their favorite sculpture by donating. The entry with the most donations wins the "Sandy Dollar Award" to help fund future Marblehead Festival of Arts.

When:

Friday July 5, 2024 1-3:30pm

Location:

Marblehead Festival of the Arts

July 4th