Mass Audubon

Discovering Nature Through Story, Music, and Art

Kids will explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary to connect with nature and learn about the creatures of the North Shore Massachusetts wilderness!

Preschoolers and young kids will explore the wonders of winter in the "enchanted woods" of Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in this four-session series. We'll begin in the Nature Center with story, poetry, and imagination. Next, we'll bundle up for a winter walk to awaken our sense of wonder to the silence, scents, and scenery of the sleeping winter woods. Along the way, discover how the trees, plants, birds, beavers, squirrels, chipmunks, and other wildlife spend the winter. We'll look for animal stories in the snow (tracking) and much more. After our walks, we'll create artwork that reflects the wonders of winter that we discovered, while listening to winter nature songs. These keepsakes will bring home winter's secrets and beauty as we await the signs of spring.

Outdoor Ecology for Families: Backyard Ecology

Kids and families are invited to come explore the Ecology of the back yard with naturalists from the Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport.

It is summer! Join us in the riverside yard at Joppa Flats to learn about wildlife in the salt marsh, pond, rocky shore, and backyard habitats! You'll identify wild creatures, design small habitats, participate in small group challenges, and more. Sign up for one or all and see nature through the lens of a naturalist!

When: 
Thursday, August 4, 2022 1-3pm

Seal Walk with the Seacoast Science Center

Join MRWC and naturalists from Marine Mammal Rescue at the Seacoast Science Center to observe harbor seals at Salisbury Beach.

Join MRWC and naturalists from Marine Mammal Rescue at the Seacoast Science Center to observe harbor seals at Salisbury Beach. The lack of boat traffic in the winter allows for greater seal activity close to shore. Our group will be viewing these seals from a safe distance of at least 150 feet away. After introductions, we will walk together a short distance to where the seals are hauled out.

When: 
Saturday, April 9, 2022 Noon

Outdoor Adventures for Families: Spring Ponding

Explore the ponds of Dow Brook Conservation Area with Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Educators!

As spring takes over, it's a great time to explore green spaces with your family in the woods, on trails, and along the shore. "Miss Lisa" and her team will assist with the identification of creatures, provide small group challenges, and share our joy and knowledge about the natural world. Sign up for one or all of these educational outdoor excursions and see nature through the lens of a naturalist!

When: 
Saturday, April 16, 2022 10am-12pm
Location: 

Nature Walks for Tots: Spring is on its Way!

Come see the signs of emerging Spring at Moseley Woods in Newburyport

As warmer temperatures tell us spring is coming, 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: 
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 10-11:30am
Location: 

Halloween Family Fun Free-for-All

Dress up the Kids and head over to Joppa Flats Education Center for Halloween

Get into the Halloween spirit! Examine live creepy crawlies, enjoy (semi) spooky attractions, and take home creative crafts. For ages 7 and up, explore a “crime scene” and perform a series of forensic investigations (e.g., soil sample comparisons, water sampling, chromatography, pH tests, and track identification) to solve the mystery and pinpoint the culprit. For ages 2 to 6, there will be stories and songs, silly and festive crafts, and a kooky treasure hunt. Family presentations will be offered at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Fly in on your broom for an hour or stay all day for some fun pre-Halloween family time!

When: 
Saturday, October 24, 2015 10am - 3pm

Imagine, Sing, & Learn 7A: Splish Splash Science

Learn about water and the scientific principles behind it at Joppa Flats

Splish Splash Science is an active, fun, program where you and your child will learn all about water properties such as sinking, floating, surface tension, buoyancy, and waterproofing. Using fun props and lots of hands on science, we’ll look at everything from ducks to scuba divers and how water works!

When: 
Thursday, July 10, 2014 10 - 11:30 am

Vacation Week Flyby: March in the Marsh!

March the Marsh Habitat during the vacation week fly-by.

Joppa Flats Education Center offers April vacation programs offer a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities - keeping minds active and hands busy during school break! Come all day or as your schedule allows! This Vacation Week Flyby will focus on the salt marshes, the important role they play in the ecosystem and the creatures that use them to feed, live and breed.

When: 
Frisday, April 19, 2013 10am-2pm

Imagine, Sing, & Learn 6A: Beat the Heat!

Beat the Heat at this Imagine Sing and Learn at Joppa Flats Education Center

This parent/child program is designed for the creative, curious, and active preschooler. Each 90-minute session offers a structured series of activities including original songs, movement, dramatic play, hands-on science, and a thematic snack. When it's time to go home, you'll receive coloring pages, song lyrics, vocabulary, a fun fact sheet, and a suggested reading list via email.

When: 
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 10:00 am - 11:30 am

February Vacation at Joppa: Caribbean Carnival

February Vacation Week at Joppa Flats: Caribbean Carnival is a drop-in program

Joppa Flats Education Center vacation programs offer a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities while we keep minds active and hands busy during school break. Each session offers a different theme, with art activities, experiments, group games, and scheduled family presentations for everyone. It's free-flow learning for the whole family. Come once or make it a multiple-day adventure; drop in for an hour or stay all day for a vacation activity that suits your family schedule.

When: 
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 10am-3pm

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A Landmark Summer Experience at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts prepare students for success in the fall and beyond.

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
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...
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

“Summer’s Flight, Pollen’s Delight,” by Flora C. Caputo storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
“Summer’s Flight, Pollen’s Delight,” by Flora C. Caputo is the subject of this STORYWALK Series. Enjoy this preschool storywalk at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time outside in nature!
7:00 am to 8:00 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

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

Acera School Information Session

Acera School focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Art in Winchester Massachusetts
Discover Acera: Where Your Child's Potential Soars! Join us for an engaging two-hour information session designed for parents, guardians, and caregivers eager to explore the innovative learning environment at Acera School.
9:30 am to 11:30 am

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

Music Together - Tuesday in Marblehead

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® of Salem classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

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.
10:00 am to 3:59 pm

Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

Kids can meet the barnyard animals and hear a story at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts.
Barnyard stories really come alive when you get to see the main characters in real life! Bring the kids down to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh version of story time. Explore the farmstead, visit our learning garden, see our cows and rabbits, and find a spot to play under a shady tree in our...
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
Essex Hertiage invites you to learn the true causes and events behind the Salem Witch Trials in our documentary film, then discover the myths during our walking tour. The Salem Witch Trials happened over 300 years ago, and it has been dramatized in books, documentaries, movies, and even TV shows....
11:45 am to 3:00 pm

Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays

Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays includes great dining live music, dancing & extended shopping hours for shopping Downtown Ipswich Massachusetts Tuesday evenings!
Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays includes great dining, live music, dancing at the Take-Out Terrace Stage on the Riverwalk  & extended shopping hours for shopping Downtown Ipswich Tuesday evenings!  Each week will feature live entertainment on the Riverwalk, making for a fun evening out for the whole...
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
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