Mass Audubon

Groundhog Day Extravaganza

Take a closer look at Groundhog Day with the naturalists at Ipswich River Sanctu

Is spring on the way, or are we faced with another six weeks of winter? According to legend, Punxsutawney Phil foretells the impending weather each year. If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, spring is near! Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary celebrates this ritual with a fun afternoon of activities for kids and families!

When: 
Sunday Febrauary 2, 2014 1-4 pm

The Art of Nature: The Forested Landscape

Brenda Sloane leads this workshop at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Join watercolorist Brenda Sloane in a monthly program that combines nature and art. We will start with a walk on the sanctuary to observe the topic of the month. We will then return to the Nature Center to create a follow-up work of art. Sign up for one or more of these classes.

When: 
Saturday, January 11, 2014 1:30pm-4pm

Walk on the Wildside: Tide Pooling at Sandy Point

Have a tide pooling adventure at Sandy Point with Mass Audubon Naturalist!

This wildside walk is a tide-pooling adventure! Adults and children can spend quality family time in the great outdoors finding, observing, and admiring local wildlife. Excursions might include a group game to burn off some steam, an on-the-water scavenger hunt, or a guided tour. We'll observe, investigate, and compare coastal environments and their inhabitants, both on- and offshore. Participants play out the roles of birders, trackers, and astronomers in all venues. Each adventure will leave your family excited to come back for more!

When: 
Sunday November 10, 2013 9:30am-12pm

Nature Journaling Workshop

Journaling combines art, notes and charts to record what you observe

Nature journaling is a tool for making discoveries about nature. It involves drawing, but you don't have to be an artist. It involves writing, labeling, and making notes about what you notice and wonder. Above all, it involves taking a closer look. After a brief orientation and introductory exercises, the class will explore the journaling process along the trails of the sanctuary.

When: 
Saturday, September 28, 2013 1-3pm

Parent/Child Afternoon Walkabout: Hop, Wriggle, Swim!

Discover the creatures that live in Mill Pond's habitat with the Mass Audubon!

On this excursion kids will be ponding with Joppa Flats Education Center at Mill Pond in West Newbury! Come explore the pond habitat and learn about the creatures that live there! We will be exploring the edge of a pond with safe shore access using nets, scoopers, strainers, cups, bowls and spoons. We’ll examine the water, leaf litter and plants with hand lenses and magiscopes. We’ll walk along the edge of the meadow near the pond looking for signs of life and spotting birds. We’ll give out binoculars to all participants. Each participant will take home coloring packets!

When: 
Saturday, September 20, 2013 10-11:30 am
Saturday, September 20, 2013 1-2:30 pm
Location: 

The Art of Nature: Butterflies, Dragonflies, and Damselflies

Kids explore Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary with water colorist Brenda Sloane

Join watercolorist Brenda Sloane in a monthly program that combines nature and art. We will start with a walk on the sanctuary to observe the topic of the month. We will then return to the Nature Center to create a follow-up work of art.

When: 
Saturday, September 21, 2013 1-3:30 pm

Grandparents Day Seals and Shorebirds Cruise

Come see the shorebirds and marine mammals of the Merrimack River.

Lisa Hutchings Teacher-Naturalist from Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center and the crew of Newburyport Harbor Tours Inc.'s Yankee Clipper invite you and your family for an exciting exploration of the lower Merrimack River ecosystem. Hands-on science and interactive props are on hand to make this learning experience a fun adventure as attendees search for waterfowl, seals and other marine life. 

When: 
Sunday September 8, 2013 8:45 am - 10:45 am

Monarch Butterfly Banding at IRWS

Help Mass Audubon tag monarch butterflies at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary!

Bring your young naturalist to the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary for a day of butterfly banding!  The annual migration of eastern monarch butterflies to central Mexico and back is one of the most remarkable events in nature. Cindy Dunn has been tagging monarchs at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton for many years. Join her for an afternoon of tagging monarchs on the sanctuary. Learn about the fascinating life history of these butterflies and find out how you can help monarchs in your own backyard.

When: 
Saturday September 7, 2013 1-3pm

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Shore School in Beverly Massachusetts offers a host of Summer programs for kids aged 5-12

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

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Gloucester Gratis Days at Hammond Castle

Bring your kids to the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts during April Vacation
In keeping with John Hays Hammond, Jr's original vision for his seaside castle-home to serve as a museum offering the Gloucester community access to ancient works of architectural art, Hammond Castle Museum will offer Gloucester residents free, self-guided tours each Tuesday throughout the regular...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Sunday, November 23

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

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

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Fall Foliage Cider & Donut Cruises

Take a guided tour of the Essex Massachusetts Marshes with Essex River Cruises this Autumn
Essex River Cruises hosts a narrated sightseeing tour that winds down the beautiful Essex River aboard Essex River Queen, a pontoon boat.
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: Castle Neck Hike in the Dunes

Hiking the Dunes at the Crane Wildlife refuge with the Trustees of Reservations.
While just about everybody on the North Shore has probably been to Crane Beach, the dunes of Castle Neck are a much less explored world unto themselves. Offering one of the most accessible dune ecosystems north of Cape Cod, Castle Neck has over six miles of trails, traversing the dunes, maritime...
1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum

Visit Peabody MA, NorthShore, North Shore Children's Museum
Join in on Sundays at 2:30 for STEAM Club for ages 5-11. Each week participants will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with our NSCM staff! Every STEAM club session will see your kids participating in hands-on activities while exploring a new topic. Space is limited, please...
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

Monday, November 24

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

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

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .
8:00 am to 6:00 pm
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