Sense of Wonder Walk for Families: Ponding
![Kids are invited to come Explore the Ponds of Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary! Kids are invited to come Explore the Ponds of Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary!](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/pond_dipping_north_shore_kid.jpg?itok=1GpjGT4v)
Each 'Sense of Wonder' outing will begin with a short introduction indoors, and then we will go outside for a walk. Topics for each walk are listed below, but we will stop and investigate anything that crosses our path. Join us for one or both of these spring programs.
Spring Safari: Backyard Wilderness Watch
![Learn about the animals that live in your back yard with Mass Audubon at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Learn about the animals that live in your back yard with Mass Audubon at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/squirrel_eats.jpg?itok=mSGClsBf)
Do you know all the animals that you share your neighborhood with? You may be surprised to learn that many of the animals you see on a visit to the sanctuary might be living in your backyard, too. We'll hike the trails to learn how to identify the signs of aniamls that might be living in your backyard habitat and then give you the tools to make your yard more inviting to beneficial species.
Spring Wildlife Safari: Stupendous Creature Superpowers
![Turtle Power! A spotted turtle at the ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: Scott Santino Turtle Power! A spotted turtle at the ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: Scott Santino](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/spotted_turtle_scott_santino.jpg?itok=Cs0p6f5z)
Comic books and movies are filled with characters with superpowers that humans would love to have, like flight, super-hearing, super-vision, super-speed, and super-strength. But did you know that many animals possess these amazing abilities, and some animals even inspired our favorite superheroes? Come investigate some of the super-organisms that live on our sanctuary - you will be amazed!
Family Hiking Adventure
![Join Cape Ann YMCA on a hike through the wild of Ravenswood Park in Gloucester Massachusetts! Join Cape Ann YMCA on a hike through the wild of Ravenswood Park in Gloucester Massachusetts!](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/magnolia_swamp_ravenswood.jpg?itok=ADuK6FQQ)
Families are welcome to join Cape Ann YMCA on a hike through the wild of Ravenswood Park in Gloucester Massachusetts! Lace up your hiking shoes and come for a stress relieving hike in Ravenswood Park with your Y Friends! Dogs are encouraged, so bring along your four legged friends. *This group will be meeting at the park gate at 10:00am.*
Mother's Day in the Garden at the Crane Estate
![Celebrate Mother's Day in the garden at the Trustees of Reservations Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts! Celebrate Mother's Day in the garden at the Trustees of Reservations Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts!](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/crane_estate_mothers_day_garden.jpg?itok=Yu-6Vdcb)
Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Crane Estate! Moms deserve the world and more! Show the mothers in your life some love and invite them to spend an afternoon with the family in the beautiful formal gardens of the Crane Estate, enjoying a tea party, crafting a beautiful flower crown, and creating precious family memories. Mom will leave smiling and beautiful in a crown she rightly deserves!
Adventure Day: Winged Wonders
![Kids will explore and learn about the winged creatures of Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary during April Vacation Adventure Days! Kids will explore and learn about the winged creatures of IRWS for Spring break](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/red_dragonfly.jpg?itok=ZT7u-g_D)
Kids will learn about the winged creatures that inhabit the sanctuary at this vacation week program. Spring is in full swing and all our flying friends are in a frenzy. If it has wings, we'll find it, and learn about the different ways creatures use their wings. Using binoculars, nets, and bug boxes, we'll take an up-close look at birds, dragonflies, butterflies, and other insects that make their homes at the sanctuary.
Adventure Day: Soil Scientist
![Kids will explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary and find out what lives in the soil there! Kids will explore the IRWS and find out what lives in the soil there!](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/b_holds_up_worm.jpg?itok=xL54jKGw)
Kids will get their hands dirty and dig into the science of soil at this April vacation session. Meet the critters of the sanctuary that call dirt home. Worms, millipedes, sow bugs, weasels, and voles are a few soil creatures that we will hope to see. Find out what it takes to make a garden grow, before preparing and planting your own take-home garden.
Adventure Day: Amazing Mammals
![Kids will learn about plant-eating mammals that make their home at the IRWS sanctuary. Kids will learn about plant-eating mammals that make their home at the IRWS sanctuary.](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/deer_in_field.jpg?itok=-_E6-K6V)
Kids explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary during April Vacation Week! Spring is a time when many baby animals are born. Join IRWS to learn about the plant-eating mammals that make their home at the sanctuary. We hope to catch glimpses of them, and certainly we'll see signs that they are living here. Participate in a mammal obstacle course. Build a beaver and muskrat lodge as a group, and track deer and other mammals in the fields and forests of the sanctuary.
Adventure Day: Water World
![Kids will get a close-up look at creatures and bugs that live in ponds and other wetlands at Ipswich River Wildlife Santuary during April vacation! Kids will get a close-up look at creatures and bugs that live in IRWS wetlands.](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/irws_splash_splosh.jpg?itok=TZKyB4LO)
Wetlands are wonderful places full of fascinating animals and plants. Together we will discover the wetland habitats of the sanctuary. We'll hike to Hassocky Meadow and search for ducks, turtles, snakes, and more. We will continue our explorations at a real vernal pool and look for breeding salamanders, wood frogs, and their egg masses.
Nature Playgroup at The Stevens-Coolidge Place
![Toddlers are invited to come play and discover nature at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate in North Andover! Toddlers are invited to come play and discover nature at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate in North Andover!](https://northshorekid.com/sites/default/files/styles/post_photo/public/events/stevens-coolidge_nature_play_group.jpg?itok=MQfvTxRW)
Join The Trustees of Reservations at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate for a nature playgroup designed just for the little ones! To encourage outdoor play and familiarity with the natural world, a nature-based toddler playgroup will be held at the Stevens-Coolidge Place on every-other Tuesday, April through June.