Education

Wonderful Winter Birding

Beginning winter birding is held on the 3rd Sunday of each Winter month at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts

Halibut Point State Park, along the Atlantic migratory path, is an excellent locale for winter birding species you rarely see anywhere else.Winter brings birds and ducks from frozen ponds up north to our seashore. See Harlequin ducks and loons among the winter visitors at this rocky coastal water’s edge. Bundle up and join us for a short, leisurely walk while learning about bird sounds, habits, and flight patterns. 

When: 
Sunday, January 18, 2026 8-10am
Sunday, February 15, 2026 8-10am
Sunday, March 15, 2026 8-10am
Location: 
Halibut Point State Park
Rockport
Outdoor Activity
Birding
Instruction
DCR

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 exception of family workshops, all activities are free with museum admission. Take a look at the full schedule below, then plan your visit.

When: 
Daily, February 14-22, 2026 10am-5pm
Location: 
MIT Museum
Cambridge
Museum
Science
Marine
Biology
Family Fun Night
April Vacation
Activity
Technology
Workshop
Showcase
Exhibit
Tour
Gallery
Education

Afterschool Chess Club at Abbot Library

Kids can play clocked chess matches against each other each Wednesday at the Abbot Public Library in Marblehead Massachusetts

Students in grades 2-5 are welcome to come to this informal chess club to practice by playing with others also interested in developing their skills and sharing an interest in chess. The class will be held on Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. with facilitator Ben Konoff and his daughter, Abigail, helping kids with some of the basics of chess and getting live playing practice on a weekly basis.

When: 
Thursdays, February 19 & 26, 2026 3:30-4:30pm
Location: 
Abbot Public Library
Marblehead
Instruction
Chess Club
Chess
Game
Library

Discover Saturdays at Cape Ann Museum

Discover Saturdays for Families at Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts

Enjoy a FREE guided activity (ages 4+) in the gallery. Learn about Cape Ann’s Granite Industry, try a fun art making activity, and join in gallery tour designed for kids and their caregivers, led by a CAM Educator. Afterwards grab a scavenger hunt to explore the property and enjoy the lawn.

When: 
Saturday, January 24, 2026 10am-Noon
Location: 
Cape Ann Museum Green
Gloucester
Exploration
Instruction
History
Art
Family Fun Day
Crafts

CraneExplorer: Valentine's Coastal Craft

Make Valentines crafts from materials that we find along the shore at the Trustees of Reservations Crane Estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts

The Trustees of Reservations invites ages 12 and up to a valentine craft making workshop! This Valentine’s Day, give a gift from the sea! From seaweed pressings to shell collages, beach treasures make beautiful greetings and keepsakes. Join this workshop to learn fun craft ideas and make marine art with our coastal educators. This program will start with a 30-45 minute beach walk to collect coastal treasures, and then we will head inside for crafting. You may choose to skip the beach walk and just join for the crafting portion. Materials and inspiration provided.

When: 
Sunday, February 7, 2026 10am-12:30pm
Location: 
Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
Ipswich
Crafts
Valentine's Day
Instruction
Art
Trustees of Reservations

Raptor Roundup: Meet Live Birds of Prey at IRWS

Raptor Roundup: Meet Live Birds of Prey at Mass Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Get a close look at some live local birds of prey while keeping warm in our barn! Learn each bird's unique story, discover why raptors play such a vital role in our environment, and explore their amazing adaptations, like keen eyesight and powerful talons, that help them survive in the wild. Perfect for nature lovers of all ages, to have a unique experience with these special birds, some of nature's most skilled hunters.

When: 
Sunday, January 25, 2026 11am-12:30pm
Location: 
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Topsfield
Education
Demonstration
Live Animals
Presentation
Mass Audubon

Sourdough Bread Workshop at Appleton Farms

Learn the ins and outs of sourdough bread at Appleton Farms in in Ipswich Massachusetts!

In this culinary workshop, participants will learn to make bakery quality bread with local flour in their home oven. Culinary Program Manager Jess Porter will demonstrate mixing, folding, shaping, proofing, scoring and baking Appleton’s flagship Farmstead Sourdough. Class ends with fresh bread and a seasonal accompaniment to enjoy.

When: 
Sunday, January 10, 2026 4-6pm
Location: 
Appleton Farms
Ipswich
Farm
Instruction
Cooking
Baking
Cuisine
Trustees of Reservations

Pages

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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
♦ Read More →

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
♦ Read More →

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.
Where: Breakheart Reservation
10:30 am to 11:30 am
♦ Read More →

Fearless | The Taylor Swift Experience
Fearless Taylor Swift Experience at the Sea at Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury MA
Bring your Swifties to Fearless | The Taylor Swift Experience in Salisbury for Fearless | The Taylor Swift Experience—a high-energy, family-friendly tribute that celebrates the music so many kids (and adults) love.
Where: Blue Ocean Music Hall
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Saturday, February 14

Valentine's Day
12:00 am to 11:59 pm
♦ Read More →

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
♦ Read More →

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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
♦ Read More →

LEGO World: Wonderealms
Drop in at LEGO World: Wonderrealms at Wenham Museum in Wenham Massachusetts
This all-new experience invites visitors to explore an extraordinary LEGO world where creativity knows no bounds. From enchanted forests and futuristic skylines to pirate coves and steam-powered frontiers, each realm is packed with intricate details, playful surprises, and clever touches you won’t...
Where: Wenham Museum
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Discover Saturdays at Cape Ann Museum
Discover Saturdays for Families at Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Enjoy a FREE guided activity (ages 4+) in the gallery. Learn about Cape Ann’s Granite Industry, try a fun art making activity, and join in gallery tour designed for kids and their caregivers, led by a CAM Educator. Afterwards grab a scavenger hunt to explore the property and enjoy the lawn.
Where: Cape Ann Museum Green
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
♦ Read More →

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…
Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
♦ Read More →

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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
♦ Read More →

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...
Where: Maudslay State Park
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
♦ Read More →

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
♦ Read More →

CAM Kids: Be Mine Valentine
CAM Valentine Workshop for kids at Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester Massachusetts
Drop into the Teen Room at the Sawyer Free Library for a Valentine’s Day card-making activity inspired by the Folly Cove Designers.
Where: Cape Ann Museum
10:30 am to 1:00 pm
♦ Read More →
Subscribe to Education