The folks at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary have created an owling expedition just for kids aged 3-6! Winter is the perfect time of year to go out in search of owls. We'll learn about these fascinating birds through a story and hands-on activities before we head out on our adventure to look for them. Afterwards, we'll warm up by the woodstove with a cup of hot chocolate and cookies.
In this outdoor survival skills program, older children will learn the basics of the ancient outdoor skill of shelter building. We will look at real examples of animal homes for inspiration, learn some different shelter types and their pros and cons, discuss shelter safety, and make our own full-size shelters on the sanctuary. If there is snow we will make cozy quinzhee huts and if there is no snow we will make leafy lean-to huts. No experience necessary--just a desire to survive and thrive in the wild!
These fun-filled morning programs with “Miss Lisa” are perfect for both you and your active preschooler! Our structured activities include hands-on science, music and movement, a thematic snack, and an outdoor adventure if the weather complies. Keep learning with take-home coloring pages and fun follow-up activities.
Celebrating the winter solstice goes back 5,000 years. Join us as we light up the night with a Solstice stroll and celebration at Ward Reservation. Participants will meet in the parking lot for a guided candlelit walk through the woods that will include presented passages from the story "The Shortest Day" by Wendy Pfeffer.
These fun-filled morning programs are perfect for both you and your active preschooler! Our structured activities include hands-on science, music and movement, a thematic snack, and an outdoor adventure if the weather complies. Keep learning with take-home coloring pages and fun follow-up activities. Today's program focuses on the nests of birds and squirrels.
Journey back in time with Mass Audubon and the Topsfield Historical Society on a child-friendly guided hike with hands-on games and activities to learn about the people and wildlife who have called these forests home. Try your hand at building a kid-sized log cabin, see and use real historical carpentry tools, and learn the names and stories of the towering trees and woodland wildlife all around us. Late fall is a wonderful time to take a hike with friends and family and give thanks for the resources and beauty that nature provides for us all. The hike is approximately 1 hour long, set at a leisurely pace with stops to explore. Fun forest activities, snacks, hot drinks, and a roaring fire in our cozy barn are ongoing throughout the program.
In this outdoor survival skills program, we will venture out onto the Ipswich River. Learn the In this outdoor survival skills program, older children will learn the basics of the ancient outdoor skill of fire-building. Participants will learn important safety steps, collect their own firewood, try different methods of fire-starting, and end with a roaring campfire and s'mores. No experience is necessary - just a willingness to learn and a respect for working with fire.
Did you know that nature plays its own game of hide-and-seek? In order to survive, animals and insects use many disguises. They can stay very still, blend in with their surroundings, and even change color. We'll take a hike to look for these secretive creatures that hide themselves from prying eyes.
This four-session series introduces toddlers, accompanied by a favorite adult, to the natural delights of late autumn as mammals, birds, and even plants prepare for the coming winter. We'll go out for a hike to look and listen for signs of the season. This program is also offered on Tuesdays or Fridays.
Come enjoy an early evening excursion at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield! During the autumn months, thousands of migratory waterfowl fly directly over the sanctuary as they travel from their summer breeding grounds in the north to their winter homes in the south. Each night, hundreds of ducks drop into Bunker Meadows to rest and refuel for their journey. We will hike down to Bunker Meadows and climb the observation tower to observe the magnificent spectacle of ducks coming in to roost. Learn to identify different species, use counters to keep track of numbers, hear the sounds of ducks settling in for the night, and listen for the call of a great horned owl across the marsh. This is an evening not to be missed.
