Exploration

Family Open House: Biodiversity Celebration

The Parker River Watershed provides habitat for a huge range of species!

Connect with nature and tune in to the multitude of organisms that surround us, starting here at Joppa Flats! This free drop-in family event features an engaging mixture of indoor and outdoor activities that will open your eyes to the great biodiversity of animals, plants, and insects in our gardens, salt marshes, and backyards.

When: 
Sunday, May 26, 2019 10am-3pm

Family Campout: Tracks and Scat

Explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary after hours and join us for a night

Explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary after hours and join us for a night of camping under the stars. Have an early dinner at home, and then come with your family and your tent. We will explore nature through games and hands-on activities, set up our tents near the Barn before sundown, and tell stories after the sun sets. All campouts include an evening and a morning activity or hike and a light breakfast.

When: 
Saturday, June 22, 2019 6pm - Sunday, June 23, 2019 9am

Youth River Survival Canoe Challenge

Spend the afternoon learning survival skills on the Ipswich River with Mass Audubon!

In this outdoor survival skills program, we will venture out onto the Ipswich River. Learn the basics of canoe safety, paddle strokes, and the river knowledge needed to travel on the water. When we stop at Perkins Island, you will be challenged to explore the area and craft your own paddle out of natural materials, and then test it out on the paddle back to the mainland. No previous canoe or outdoor skills are necessary, just a strong survival instinct!  

When: 
Saturday, May 25, 2019 1-3:30pm

Sense of Wonder Walk for Families: Ponding

Kids are invited to come Explore the Ponds of Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary!

Each 'Sense of Wonder' outing will begin with a short introduction indoors, and then we will go outside for a walk. Topics for each walk are listed below, but we will stop and investigate anything that crosses our path. Join us for one or both of these spring programs.

When: 
Sunday, May 19, 2019 1:30-3pm

Spring Safari: Backyard Wilderness Watch

Learn about the animals that live in your back yard with Mass Audubon at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Do you know all the animals that you share your neighborhood with? You may be surprised to learn that many of the animals you see on a visit to the sanctuary might be living in your backyard, too. We'll hike the trails to learn how to identify the signs of aniamls that might be living in your backyard habitat and then give you the tools to make your yard more inviting to beneficial species.

When: 
Saturday, June 1, 2019 1:30-3pm

Spring Wildlife Safari: Stupendous Creature Superpowers

Turtle Power! A spotted turtle at the ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: Scott Santino

Comic books and movies are filled with characters with superpowers that humans would love to have, like flight, super-hearing, super-vision, super-speed, and super-strength. But did you know that many animals possess these amazing abilities, and some animals even inspired our favorite superheroes? Come investigate some of the super-organisms that live on our sanctuary - you will be amazed!

When: 
Saturday, May 11, 2019 1:30-3pm

Family Hiking Adventure

Join Cape Ann YMCA on a hike through the wild of Ravenswood Park in Gloucester Massachusetts!

Families are welcome to join Cape Ann YMCA on a hike through the wild of Ravenswood Park in Gloucester Massachusetts! Lace up your hiking shoes and come for a stress relieving hike in Ravenswood Park with your Y Friends! Dogs are encouraged, so bring along your four legged friends. *This group will be meeting at the park gate at 10:00am.*

When: 
Saturday, May 11, 2019 10-11am
Location: 

Kids in the Kitchen Afternoon Cooking Series

Kids in the Kitchen Afternoon Cooking Series at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts!

Appleton farms is launching a NEW afterschool cooking class for kids ages 8-12. Do you have a future chef on your hands or kid that loves taste testing with new recipes? We will get our hands dirty both out on the farm and in the kitchen! Each week we will use locally sourced ingredients, some of which we may harvest ourselves, to craft 2 delicious recipes. We will discuss topics like seasonality, following recipes, proper measuring and knife skills. Cooking experience is certainly not required, but a love off food is recommended!

Location: 

Adventure Day: Winged Wonders

Kids will explore and learn about the winged creatures of IRWS for Spring break

Kids will learn about the winged creatures that inhabit the sanctuary at this vacation week program. Spring is in full swing and all our flying friends are in a frenzy. If it has wings, we'll find it, and learn about the different ways creatures use their wings. Using binoculars, nets, and bug boxes, we'll take an up-close look at birds, dragonflies, butterflies, and other insects that make their homes at the sanctuary.

When: 
Tuesday, April 17, 2019 8:30am-3pm

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

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

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 15th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, MA. Pingree . The exhibit will open in early September with more than 50 temporary works on display in addition to the 20 pieces in the permanent collection of Pingree School. The exhibit ...
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Turkey Trot at Breakheart Reservation

Come to Breakheart Reservation for a pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in Saugus Massachusetts!
Breakheart Reservation invites you to a Thanksgiving run/walk! Join us for the annual Breakheart Turkey Trot, a fun-filled event for runners and walkers of all ages! Lace up your sneakers and get ready to hit the scenic trails of Breakheart Reservation in Saugus, MA, USA. Whether you're a seasoned...
9:30 am to 12:00 pm

Swampscott Thanksgiving Farmer's Market

The Swampscott Farmers Market hosts a special Thanksgiving market in Massachusetts
The outdoor markets are done for the season but we will have one last indoor Thanksgiving Market on Sunday, November 19th at Swampscott High School Cafe. Stock up with fresh produce for your Thanksgiving table and get your Christmas shopping started early with our crafters!
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Essex Turkey Trot 5K Race & Fun Walk

The Essex Massachusetts Lions host their annual 5k Turkey Trot!
The Essex Lion's Club hosts the annual turkey trot in beautiful Essex Massachusetts!
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Come to Hammond Castle for the 6th annual Deck The Halls holiday celebration. Hammond Castle Museum will be dressed for the holidays inside and out. Delight in the enchanting ambiance of Christmas and White Birch trees, meticulously arranged garlands, festive wreaths, and the warm embrace of...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Cat's Meow at the Crane Estate

Kids will have a blast exploring the Trustees of Reservations Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts!
Our imagination is one of our greatest assets. Imagine living in 1929 and visiting the Crane family at their summer home in Ipswich. The house is so big and Mrs. Crane’s kitty, Ptolemy, has gone missing just before the party! Can you help a family servant find our mischievous Siamese? Once he’s...
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Sea Festival of Trees | Sundays

Experience the joy and excitement of Salisbury’s most popular holiday tradition with glittering trees, indoor ice skating, Santa visits and more - Massachusetts
As one of New England’s must-see holiday traditions, the 12th Annual SeaFestival of Trees fundraiser opens Saturday, November 23, at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury, MA. With over 135 extravagantly themed trees, a full-size indoor skating rink, a spectacular giant sand sculpture, and Santa...
11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Amesbury Market Daze

Amesbury Market Daze happens every Sunday indoors at Barewolf Brewing in Amesbury, Massachusetts.
Welcome to Amesbury Market Daze at BareWolf Brewing, a vendor market where local surrounding Amesbury talent and community spirit converge.
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Friday, December 6

Tree Lighting in Marblehead

Marblehead's tree lighting is always a festive occasion to kick off the holidays
The Tree Lighting will take place at the new National Grand Bank Parking Lot on Pleasant Street in Downtown Marblehead this year!  Enjoy the festive atmosphere and live music as the town lights the yearly Christmas tree! Festivities begin at 5:30pm with the tree lighting at 7pm.
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Hamilton-Wenham Carol Sing & Tree Lighting

Hamilton-Wenham Community hosts a community carol sing and tree lighting in Massachusetts
The Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham invites children to bring their own flashlight or glowsticks for the tree and gazebo lighting and a Christmas Carol Sing for all ages! Join us for a jolly evening of carol singing and holiday cheer, featuring Brian Doser, Peter Stewart, and Stage 284...
6:30 pm

Ipswich Memory Tree Lighting

Come remember family and friends at the Ipswich Massachusetts Memory Tree Lighting
An annual community event to remember family and friends. Participants buy a star in memory of late friends and loved ones and place the stars on the tree as their loved one's name is read. To add a star please contact Kim Porter via email or phone.
6:30 pm

Saturday, December 7

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

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

Marblehead Christmas Walk

The Marblehead Christmas Walk is several days of local Holiday events in Marblehead Massachusetts
The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce invites you to Marblehead to enjoy several days of holiday festivities, family events and activities!  Come for one or all days with highlights that include Santa's arrival by lobster boat,Festive shopping, Tree Lightings, a holiday parade, Artisan Markets,...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Santa Arrives in Marblehead

Come to Marblehead to welcome Santa as he arrives for the Christmas Walk!
Come to the State Street Landing in Downtown Marblehead to welcome Santa as he arrives by lobster boat!  There's plenty of photo ops and Santa's arrival is followed by the Marblehead Christmas Walk Parade. 
9:00 am

Music Together - Saturday

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...
9:15 am to 11:15 am

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

2024 Marblehead Gingerbread Festival

The Marblehead Gingerbread Festival is part of the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Walk, and the proceeds will go to benefit the Marblehead Family Fund and the Marblehead Historical Society.
Come see over 100 locally and professionally made gingerbread creations on display at the historic Jeremiah Lee Mansion in Marblehead, MA during this year's Marblehead Christmas Walk. Community members, businesses, and families are building and donating dozens of gingerbread houses, boats and local...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
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