Outdoor Activity

Archaeology Day at Maudlsay State Park

Learn about the archaeology of and the first people of Massachusetts of Maudslay State Park in Newburyport.

Maudslay State Park invites you to be an archaeologist for the day! Learn how to think like an archaeologist…excavate a test unit, screen for and identify artifacts, and document and record soil levels. Other activities focus on the extensive and rich peopling of the area dating back thousands of years. Find out why this place was and is so special to the First People of Massachusetts. Learn how to use a bow-drill, grind corn with a mortar and pestle, weave a fishing net, make a ground stone-tool fishing weight, make a ceramic pot in the traditional indigenous way, play the game of Hubhub, bring an artifact for the experts to ID, and even try your hand (arm) at throwing an atlatl!

When:

Saturday, October 6, 2018 10am-2pm

Location:

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International Day of Peace Family Celebration at Glen Urquhart School

Family Friendly, International Day of Peace at Glen Urquhart School in Beverly Massachusetts

Join Glen Urquhart School for this free family-friendly event to celebrate International Day of Peace. The GUS nature trail and grounds will be open for exploration and play, and we will host a number of activities to celebrate peace. Kids of all ages are welcome, with a caregiver, to join.

When:

Saturday, September 21, 2019 10am-Noon

Location:

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A Winter Solstice Celebration at Joppa Flats

Come celebrate the longest night - Winter Solstice - at Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport

Come celebrate the longest night and shortest day of the year with Joppa Flats! Miss Mary and Miss Susan offer stories, songs, crafts made of evergreens, and thematic snacks for everyone to enjoy. Learn why we have seasons, and why different cultures around the world created legends and rituals to mark the longest night of the year. Join us for a festival of light to beckon the sun to return!

When:

Friday, December 20, 2019 3:30-5pm

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Kidleidoscope at Harold Parker State Forest

Kidleidoscope is a programs designed for preschoolers at Harold Parker State Forest Park

This preschool-aged program includes a story and nature exploration. Children will spend the duration of the program outside. The topic varies each week, so come every week! For children ages 3-5. Meet at Berry Pond Gazebo, 702 Middleton Road, North Andover.

When:

Thursday, August 19, 2021 10:30-11:30am

Location:

Harold Parker State Forest

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Old Fashioned Kids Wheels Parade

Bike parade for kids in Salisbury, Massachusetts

Grab those wagons, bikes, doll carriages and push, pull, ride, stroll or walk and DECORATE. Children's wheels of all kinds are invited for an old fashioned bike parade at the Beach Center.

When:

Saturday, September 18, 2021 2pm

Location:

Salisbury Beach Stage

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Apple and Wine Festival

Russel Orcahrds Wine and Apple Festival in Ipswich, MA

Start holiday festivities off early, celebrating the Apples and Wine Festival, the first weekend in November. Enjoy all things apple, try our wine and enjoy live music all weekend. Festivities will include Wine tasting*, Live music, Hands-on cider-pressing demonstrations, Make-Your-Own Apple Pie, Apple samples, Hayrides, as well as loads of apple goodies made fresh in the bakery including hot apple crisp and cider donut caramel sundaes.

When:

Saturday, November 2, 2019 11am-4pm

Sunday, November 3, 2019 11am-4pm

Location:

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Nature Walks for Tots: Bird Watching & Mushroom Hunting

Kids will learn about bird watching and mushroom hunting at Moseley Woods in Newburyport

Birds are flying south, winds are coming from the north, and mushrooms are everywhere, so let's look up, down, and all around to see what we can find! As our colder weather arrives and settles in, Miss Lisa wants you to join her for some family friendly nature walks. Let's explore the woods, the salt marsh, and the streams to look for creatures like birds, fish, frogs, and more while we learn, play, and explore. We'll use our "science eyes" and "nature ears" and discover wildife together!

When:

Thursday, November 11, 2021 1:30-3pm

Location:

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Nature Walks for Tots: Leaf Peeping & Fish Trapping

Explore the the varied habitats at Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary with Mass Audubon Naturalist from Joppa Flats Education Center!

As our colder weather arrives and settles in, Miss Lisa wants you to join her for some family friendly nature walks. Let's explore the woods, the salt marsh, and the streams to look for creatures like birds, fish, frogs, and more while we learn, play, and explore. We'll use our "science eyes" and "nature ears" and discover wildife together!

When:

Thursday, October 14, 2021 1:30-3pm

Location:

Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary

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Salem Woods Hike

Join Swampscott Conservancy on a Saturday morning hike in the Salem Woods!

Join at Swampscott Conservancy at Salem High School^* for a Saturday morning Hike! and walk over to Salem Woods which abuts the golf course. The trails in Salem Woods are relatively narrow and are rated as moderate. Hike is about 2.5 miles and should take less than 2 hours. Dogs (on leash) and Children welcome. Please be able to keep up a 2 mph pace (usually not a problem for children). Rain date Saturday 10/16 at the same time and place.

When:

Saturday, October 9, 2021 11am

Location:

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Family Nature Series - Life Under Logs

Kids and families will learn about the life under logs with ECGA and North Shore Nature Programs in this this fun hike through the forest

Greenbelt and North Shore Nature Programs present Life Under Logs! Get ready to meet pill bugs, spiders, worms, and more! These cool creatures have a great story to tell about the life cycle of the forest. You can get as close (or stay as far away!) as you want in this fun, interactive walk through the woods for all ages. This event is FREE.

When:

Saturday, October 9, 2021 3-4:30pm

Location:

Echo & Elizabeth How Reservation

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Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.

Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

7:00 am to 7:00 pm

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .

Where: Pingree School

8:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Newburyport Farmers' Market

The Newburyport Farmers Summer Market celebrates local fresh produce every Sunday morning rain or shine! Start your Sunday browsing fresh North Shore local produce, meats, cheeses, and seafood in an open air market atmosphere! Food and beverage vendors offer fresh hot coffee, breakfast treats and...

Where: Tannery Marketplace

9:00 am to 1:00 pm

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Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

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....

Where: Downtown Salem

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

Travel back in time to a castle filled with lush, opulent textures inspired by the great medieval and Renaissance castles of Europe. Wander through rooms adorned with White Birch and Christmas trees, sparkling fairy lights, hydrangea-lace garlands, and elegant bows, each space transformed with its...

Where: Hammond Castle Museum

10:00 am to 8:00 pm

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CraneOutdoors: Castle Neck Hike in the Dunes

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...

Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

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Sunday STEAM Club at 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...

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

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Sunday, November 30

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .

Where: Pingree School

8:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Where: Downtown Salem

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Tree Jubilee at Marini Farm

Come to Marini Farm for the Tree Jubilee fundraiser to benefit The Ipswich Humane Group. Tour the gallery of uniquely decorated trees and wreaths donated by local organizations, families, and businesses then choose the ones you want a chance to win! OVER 100 spectacularly decorated trees and...

Where: Marini Farm

10:00 am

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Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

Where: Hammond Castle Museum

10:00 am to 8:00 pm

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Sea Festival of Trees | Sundays

The Seacoast’s most magical holiday tradition is back! The 13th Annual SeaFestival of Trees opens Saturday, November 22 at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury, transforming the oceanfront venue into a sparkling winter wonderland of more than 145 themed trees, a giant sand sculpture, Santa’s...

Where: Blue Ocean Music Hall

11:00 am to 5:00 pm

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CraneOutdoors: Castle Neck Hike in the Dunes

Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

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Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

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Newburyport Santa Parade & Tree Lighting

As the holiday season approaches, Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive in the most fitting way for this seaport town... by US Coast Guard boat! Welcome Santa on the Sunday after Thanksgiving as he and Mrs.

Where: Downtown Newburyport

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

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Gloucester's Santa Parade & Tree Lighting

Gloucester's Holiday Parade is a great tradition to kick off the holidays! Come enjoy the parade, Santa, and the tree lighting at Kent Circle! Volunteers will line up parade participants at the State Fish Pier on Parker Street at 2:00 PM and will guide them through downtown Gloucester and on to...

Where: Downtown Gloucester

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

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