CoastalExplorer: Sand Dune Safari

Come hike the dunes of Crane Beach at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

The sand dunes at Crane Beach are like a desert. Water is hard to come by; the sand is hot and the dunes are always moving & shifting with the strong ocean winds. Despite these stressors, a variety of life thrives here. Come explore the dunes of Crane Beach, and learn how animals and plants survive in this unforgiving habitat. Learn the basics of animal tracking, see sand up-close, and learn how it’s formed, and discover different adaptations that allow plants, animals, and even fungi to survive the stress of the dunes.

This program is part of the CoastalExplorers spring monthly series, highlighting different habitats around our coast at The Crane Estate. Other programs in this series include Animals in the Estuary (Sunday, 5/4) and Shoreline Shipwreck Scholars (Sunday 6/1). You can register for one, or get a 15% discount if you register for all three. To access this discount, contact CraneOutdoors@thetrustees.org to get the coupon code before you sign up.

CraneExplorer events are family-friendly programs welcoming learners of all ages. Hikes cover less ground to accommodate smaller strides and have more frequent stops to look, listen, and learn from our CraneExplorer guides. Interactive education programs include hands-on activities to engage our curiosity. CraneExplorer Programs are best suited for ages 5+.

When: 
Sunday, April 6, 2025 10am-Noon
Prices: 
TTOR Member: Adult: $20; Children: $8
Nonmember: Adult: $25; Children: $10
Phone: 
978.356.4351
Appleton Farms offers great farm-based Vacation Week Programs for kids ages 5-11

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Tuesday, June 3

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

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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...
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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

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.
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Wednesday, June 4

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

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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

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...
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