Ipswich

Night Tree Celebration at Appleton Farms

Come to Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts to celebrate the holiday tradition of the Night Tree

Join the Trustees of Reservations at Appleton for this holiday tradition to feed the animals of the forest from your own handcrafted edible ornament. We will begin the night in our historic carriage barn where we will cozy in with hot cocoa and popcorn to read the holiday classic tale “Night Tree” by Eve Bunting alongside of our barnyard friends. After our story, you will make your own edible ornament and garland which will decorate our tree and feed our forest friends. We will walk a wintery lantern-lit path to our “Night Tree” to hang our ornaments and celebrate the season.

When: 
Sunday, December 14, 2024 6-7:30pm
Location: 

Natural Wreath Making Workshop | Appleton Farms

Come to Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts to make your own Holiday Wreath!

Decorate your door with a gorgeous holiday wreath, created from a variety of textural evergreen boughs all foraged from our historic farm property! Join us in our historic barn where we will demonstrate a simple technique for making your wreath. You will then have the opportunity to make your wreath and decorating it with a variety of natural materials such as berries, pine cones, and dried forage.

When: 
Saturday, December 7, 2024 10am or Noon
Location: 

CraneOutdoors: Sunset Hike to Cedar Point

Sunset hike to Cedar Point at the Trustees Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

The Trustees of Reservations invite you to a sunset hike at the Crane Estate in Ipswich,Massachusetts. There’s no better excuse to explore Cedar Point—the western-most part of the Crane Estate—than a hike at sunset. This two-hour adventure in a lesser-known part of the property has it all…

When: 
Saturday, December 7, 2024 2-4PM

Appleton Farms Winter Night Market

The Trustees of Reservations host the Appleton Farms Winter Farmer's Market in Ipswich Massachusetts

Join The Trustees in celebration of the holiday season at a special farmers market, featuring curated gift ideas, organic winter vegetables, & fresh baked goods from our own Farm Store along with a selection of other local edibles & gifts from area artisans, crafters, and producers of fine foods. There is no better way to knock some holiday to-do’s off your list with unique and memorable gifts, while simultaneously supporting small local businesses – and having a fun festive time while doing it!

When: 
Friday, December 6, 2024 5-9PM
Location: 

Predator vs. Prey | Family Nature Series

Essex County Greenbelt teams up with North Shore Nature Programs for a wildlife hike in Ipswich Massachusetts!

Look for signs of our local predators on the prowl and learn about how prey animals have evolved to evade them in this family-friendly walk. Appropriate for all ages - we’ll talk scientifically about what types of animals are predators or prey, without going into especially gory details.

When: 
Saturday, December 7, 2024 10:30-Noon

NEER North Holiday Open House

NEER North Holiday open house to celebrate the holidays and with our adopted animals!

NEER North invites you to their Holiday Open House! Swing by NEER North for our fourth annual Holiday Open House event. Say hello to the rescue horses, mules and donkeys, check loved ones off your shopping list with NEER merchandise and gifts, enjoy coffee & hot chocolate from the Byfield Coffee Company and get a tour of the farm with Volunteers! NEER North Tack Shop will be open during the Open House

When: 
Saturday, December 7, 2024 11am-2pm
Location: 

CraneExplorer: Animals in the Estuary

Families are invited to join us for an exploration of the Castle Hill grounds in Ipswich Massachusetts

Take in beautiful views of the Crane Wildlife Refuge while learning about estuary flora and fauna and environmental conditions at the Crane Boat Dock. Families will conduct measurements of water quality and weather, census native vs. Non-native crabs, collect and observe plankton using field microscopes, and observe the ever-shifting tides. Join this program to discover a lesser-known area of the Crane Estate, on the backside of Crane Beach along the picturesque Castle Neck River.

When: 
Saturday, October 20, 2024 10am-Noon
Saturday, November 11, 2024 10am-Noon

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Summerquest Camp for kids aed 5-14 at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...
7:00 am to 9:00 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

Read to a Dog at APL

Kids are invited to read to a dog at Amesbury Massachusetts Public Library. Image generated with AI.
The Amesbury Public Library invites kids to come read to a dog at the Library! Read to a dog to help improve reading skills and get comfortable with reading aloud with only a very cuddly dog to hear you! This program will have Gus, a certified reading dog, and his caretaker at the library in our...
3:45 pm to 4:30 pm

Dungeons & Dragons at the G.A.R. Library

Dungeons and Dragons at the GAR Memorial Library in West Newbury Massachusetts
Come to this ongoing campaign using The Dragon of IceSpire Peak. Bring your own character, play one of ours,  or we can help you create one. All are welcome.
4:30 pm to 5:30 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

Friday, February 20

Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Saturday, February 21

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...
7:00 am to 9:00 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

Lunar New Year Festival at PEM

Families can celebrate the Lunar New Year at Peabody Essex Museum in Salem Massachusetts!
Join PEM as they celebrate the Lunar New Year | The Year of the Horse!  Come welcome the Year of the Horse with a vibrant festival heralding new beginnings and the coming of spring! Enjoy a scavenger hunt, art making and guided tours of Yin Yu Tang.  Lunar New Year is celebrated in many Asian...
Where: PEM
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us this season. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place…
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Quarry Quest Treasure Hunt

Kids will enjoy this treasure hunt at the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry in Rockport Massachusetts
Enjoy an outdoor treasure hunt at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations during February Vacation! Halibut Point State Park invites kids and families to follow clues then unscramble to find a treasure box!
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

StoryWalk at Halibut Point

StoryWalk®! Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming - a self guided reading tour at Halibut Point in Rockport Massachusetts
Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! StoryWalk®! Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming. Self-guided reading pages posted along a lovely Park trail near the visitor center. Connect with nature and each other while enjoying the...
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

February Vacation at MIT Museum

Kids will have a blast at the MIT Museum in Cambridge Massachusetts during February Vacation Week!
Come on your own, with friends, or bring the whole family to the museum for a special week of programming. The museum has a number of activities planned for the week of February 14-22, including extended Maker Hub and Learning Lab hours, tours, gallery cart demos and family workshops. With the...
Where: MIT Museum
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Maple Stroll at Appleton Farms

Appleton Farms has their own sugar maple syrup production facilities to service their abundant suplly from their many sugar maples
Visit the historic maple stand and sugar shack at Appleton Farms and learn all about maple sugaring, its history at the farm and in New England, and how you can try your hand at it at home!
11:00 am to 2:15 pm

Low-Sensory Play at North Shore Children's Museum

Low-Sensory Play at NorthShore Children's Museum in Peabody Massachusetts
Join us for a low-sensory play session. For some children, visiting places like NSCM can be over-stimulating. This special play session will have reduced noise, crowds, and stimulation. While medical diagnosis is not required, we encourage that these limited tickets be used for families with a...
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
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