Discovery

Sense of Wonder Walk for Families: Ponding

Kids are invited to come Explore the Ponds of Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary!

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.

When: 
Sunday, May 19, 2019 1:30-3pm

Spring Safari: Backyard Wilderness Watch

Learn about the animals that live in your back yard with Mass Audubon at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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.

When: 
Saturday, June 1, 2019 1:30-3pm

Spring Wildlife Safari: Stupendous Creature Superpowers

Turtle Power! A spotted turtle at the ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: Scott Santino

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!

When: 
Saturday, May 11, 2019 1:30-3pm

Family Hiking Adventure

Join Cape Ann YMCA on a hike through the wild of Ravenswood Park in Gloucester Massachusetts!

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.*

When: 
Saturday, May 11, 2019 10-11am
Location: 

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 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!

When: 
Sunday, May 12, 2019 1-3PM

Adventure Day: Winged Wonders

Kids will explore and learn about the winged creatures of IRWS for Spring break

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.

When: 
Tuesday, April 17, 2019 8:30am-3pm

Adventure Day: Soil Scientist

Kids will explore the IRWS and find out what lives in the soil there!

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.

When: 
Friday, April 19, 2019 8:30am-3pm

Adventure Day: Amazing Mammals

Kids will learn about plant-eating mammals that make their home at the IRWS sanctuary.

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.

When: 
Tuesday April 16, 2019 8:30am-3pm

Adventure Day: Water World

Kids will get a close-up look at creatures and bugs that live in IRWS wetlands.

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.

When: 
Thursday, April 18, 2019 8:30am-3pm

Nature Playgroup at The Stevens-Coolidge Place

Toddlers are invited to come play and discover nature at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate in North Andover!

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.

When: 
Tuesdays 2, 16 & 30, 2019 9:30-11am

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A Landmark Summer Experience at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts prepare students for success in the fall and beyond.

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

It's Summer by Linda Glaser storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Its Summer by Linda Glaser is the subject of this STORYWALK Series.  Watch the world transform when Spring comes!Enjoy this preschool storywalk at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time outside in nature!
7:00 am to 8:00 pm

Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic

The Annual Hampton Beach, NH Master Sandsculpting Competition 2024 is Star Wars themed.
The fun starts when 200 tons of imported sand is dropped on Hampton Beach and the “Grady Bunch” starts pounding up the sponsor site. The entire area is illuminated for night viewing through June 26. Watch Greg Grady and “The Grady Bunch” build a mammoth Sand Demo Site. View all entries online on...
7:00 am to 11:00 pm

Music Together - Wednesday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
9:30 am to 11:15 am

We Walk the Woods!

Walk the trails in a group at Harold Parker State Forest Every Wednesday at 10am
Walk the trails with a group at Harold Parker State Forest every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. – Meeting location varies weekly. Email trek.reef@mass.gov for location.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

LEGO-Palooza at North Shore Children's Museum

Kids are invited to a freestyle LEGO buiild session
Come and build Legos with us at NSCM! With TONS of Legos available, come and build your creations. This will be a casual club where all participants can follow whatever direction their engineering intuition takes them, we will not be teaching how to make specific models.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 3:59 pm

Saugus Iron Works House Tours

Free Ranger guided tours of the Saugus Iron Works House in Massachusetts
Join National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a 30-minute tour of The Iron Works House.
11:00 am

Saugus Iron Works Tours

Free Ranger guided tours at Saugus Iron Works Colonial Industrial Site in Massachusetts
Join the National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a tour of the colonial industrial site. On select days, you may be able to stick around and witness pop-up molten iron pour, blacksmithing, waterwheel demonstrations, and take part in hands-on river stewardship activities.
2:00 pm

Teen Volunteer Training Program

Join Mass Audubon for a volunteer training opportunity for teens with instructors from Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport Massachusetts!
Teen Volunteers recieve full training on how to assist staff with our public programs featuring live beach creatures and pollinators like butterflies and moths. These young people act as role models for our young visitors and are passionate about learning all about local ecosystems and want to...
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Feed the Beach Creatures at Joppa Flats

You can look at, AND touch the creatures in Joppa Flats touch tank! Feeding time is a lot of fun!
It's time to feed our touch tank animals! Assist our animal husbandry intern team with sorting, identifying, and actually feeding our live marine creatures. Feed periwinkles and rock crabs from the rocky shore, horseshoe crabs and minnows from the salt marsh and hermit crabs and shrimp from the...
4:00 pm to 5:30 pm

Saint Peter's Fiesta | Wednesday | Opening Night

Wednesday night is the unofficial 1st night of Saint Peter's Fiesta celebration in Gloucester Massachusetts
The Saint Peter's Fiesta is an annual festival in Gloucester, Massachusetts celebrating the city's fishing heritage, close-knit families, community, and religious traditions.  The five-day celebration includes a carnival, live entertainment, and unique traditional events like the infamous 'Greasy...
5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

Mendel Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night
The Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night (weather permitting) starting at dusk or 7:30 pm, whichever is later.  When special astronomical events of interest occur (total lunar eclipses, etc.) the Obs
7:00 pm

Tuesday, July 2

The North Shore Concert Band at Salem Willows

Kids enjoy the North Shore Concert Band performance at Salem Willows Park in Massachusetts
The North Shore Concert Band will perform its annual Summer Series of free outdoor concerts at the Robert Hayes Bandshell at Salem Willows Park beginning Tuesday, June 25th. 
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Wednesday, July 3

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

It's Summer by Linda Glaser storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Its Summer by Linda Glaser is the subject of this STORYWALK Series.  Watch the world transform when Spring comes!Enjoy this preschool storywalk at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time outside in nature!
7:00 am to 8:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Marblehead Festival of the Arts

There's plenty to see and do for kids and families at the Marblehead Festival of the Arts in Massachusetts!
Marblehead, Massachusetts has a long-standing tradition of hosting an annual summer arts festival during the week of July 4th. This highly esteemed festival showcases a diverse range of artistic expressions that include: painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, printmaking, photography, crafts,...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Amesbury Days Celebration

Amesbury Days is a celebration of the onset of Summer and community.
Amesbury Days is a a 8-day celebration of all things Amesbury that kicks off the summer with fun and exciting community events in Amesbury, Massachusetts. Fireworks, a block party and a 5k walk/run will be just some of the highlights of this years' Amesbury Days celebration. There will be events...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Music Together - Wednesday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
9:30 am to 11:15 am

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 3:59 pm

We Walk the Woods!

Walk the trails in a group at Harold Parker State Forest Every Wednesday at 10am
Walk the trails with a group at Harold Parker State Forest every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. – Meeting location varies weekly. Email trek.reef@mass.gov for location.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
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