Exploration

CraneOutdoors: Riverboat to Choate Island & Hike

Tour the waters of Essex Bay estuary aboard the Trustee's pontoon boat Osprey followed by a hike on Choate Island!

There are few places on the North Shore that more reliably enjoy spectacular views than the back side of Crane Beach, overlooking Essex Bay. On this riverboat outing into the heart of the Essex River basin, we will be setting sail in the protected waters of the Crane Wildlife Refuge, one of the most scenic sections of the Great Marsh—the largest contiguous salt marsh in New England.

When: 
Saturday-Monday, May 27 - June 26, 2023 12pm-3pm
Wednesdays, June 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2023 12pm-3pm
Fridays, June 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2023 12pm-3pm

Peep Comes to Ravenswood!

Kids will have hands-on experiences with live animals at the Ravenswood Park

Preschool children and their families are invited to join the The Trustees of Reservations and Pathways for Children for a FREE morning of fun and exploration!  Come learn about PEEP and the BIG WIDE WORLD™ Science Activities and discover the amazing Ravenswood Park & Educaton Center.  Space is limited so please register by Thursday, May 31 with Amy!

When: 
Saturday, June 2, 2012 10am-Noon
Location: 

National Park Junior Ranger Day

Become a Junior Ranger at Salem Maritime or Saugus Iron Works!

Junior Ranger Day is part of National Park Week and is geared toward engaging kids to learn history, teach them stewardship and have fun while exploring their nearby National Parks.  On the North Shore, families can visit Salem Maritime National Historic Site or Salem Sound Coastwatch for free fun activities throughout the day!

When: 
Saturday, April 21, 2012 10am-2pm

Become a Citizen Scientist

Learn about water and science at Saugus Iron Works as part of Trails and Sails!

U. S. National Park Rangers host an event at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for Trails and Sails! Join the staff as we compare and contrast the differences of two water sources within the park, the Saugus River and the Saugus estuary. Take part in hands on water testing of two bodies of water less than 200 yards apart. Explore the “checkup” of the water by participating in a few simple tests to determine how healthy the waters are. Part of Trails & Sails.

When: 
Sunday, Septmeber 17, 2017 11am-2pm

The 17th Century Garden in New England

Learn about colonial gardens at Saugus Iron Works as part of Trails and Sails!

U. S. National Park Service hosts  a 45 minute slide lecture will be provided in the auditorium on gardens of the Colonial period, from early settlement until the time of the Revolution. The purposes of these gardens, popular garden styles and layouts, and a selection of popular and useful plants, will be among the topics discussed.

When: 
Sunday, September 24, 2017 1-3pm

Iron Pour at Saugus Iron Works

Come to an iron casting demonstration at Saugus Iron Works as part of Trails and Sails

U. S. National Park Rangers will be running hands-on activities about how cast iron was made at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in the 17th century for Trails & Sails. Join us at the Saugus Iron Works for our annual iron pour and get a glimpse of what work was like here in the 1600's. Enjoy various family friendly activities and mold making demonstrations while waiting for things to heat up! Set-up begins at 10:30am and the pour will take place at about Noon. Part of Trails & Sails

When: 
Saturday, September 22, 2018 10:30am-12pm
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Farmer for a Day | April Vacation Week

Appleton Farm's Kids in Farmer for a Day program during april Vacation in Ipswich Massachusetts

In the spring, the farmers at Appleton are busy planting vegetables and caring for the new life on the farm. There is no better place to spend spring farm days than in exploring in the fields & forests and learning to love the outdoors in all seasons! This program is for kids who are looking to make friends, explore the farm, and learn about life in New England in spring. Every day will include an outdoor adventure of hiking, a theme-based craft, a farm learning activity, and other farm explorations.

When: 
Monday-Friday, April 17-21, 2023 9am-3pm
Location: 

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

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

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

Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic

The Annual Hampton Beach, NH Master Sandsculpting Competition 2025
The fun starts when 200 tons of imported sand is dropped on Hampton Beach and the “Grady Bunch” starts pounding up the sponsor site. The entire area is illuminated for night viewing through June 23rd. Watch Greg Grady and “The Grady Bunch” build a mammoth Sand Demo Site. 
7:00 am to 11:00 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

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

“Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser Storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! “Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser is featured in this StoryWalk Series. Younger kids will love this gentle, richly illustrated children’s nonfiction book aimed at preschool–third grade...
7:00 am to 8:00 pm

Inclyousion Sports at North Shore Children's Museum

Inclyousion Paly Session at the North Shore Children's Museum in Peabody Massachusetts
Join coaches from Inclyousion Sports to learn and play. Inclyousion Sports provides inclusive sports enrichment programs to children in Massachusetts, using innovative behavioral methods to teach sports, fitness, and social skills.
10:00 am to 11:00 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 4:00 pm

Annual Art in the Barn Exhibit and Sale

Art in the Barn is a fundraiser for the Essex County Greenbelt Association Essex Mass
Art in the Barn is recognized as one of the North Shore’s premier art events, showcasing the work of some of the most talented artists in the region. An annual fundraising event for over 30 years, the show takes place at Greenbelt’s headquarters, Cox Reservation in Essex, an iconic plein air...
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Music Together - Friday

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...
10:30 am to 11:15 am

Saugus Iron Works House Tours

Free Ranger guided tours of the Saugus Iron Works House in Massachusetts
Join National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a 30-minute tour of The Iron Works House.
11:00 am

Saugus Iron Works Tours

Free Ranger guided tours at Saugus Iron Works Colonial Industrial Site in Massachusetts
Join the National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a tour of the colonial industrial site. On select days, you may be able to stick around and witness pop-up molten iron pour, blacksmithing, waterwheel demonstrations, and take part in hands-on river stewardship activities.
2:00 pm

Saturday, June 21

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

Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic

The Annual Hampton Beach, NH Master Sandsculpting Competition 2025
The fun starts when 200 tons of imported sand is dropped on Hampton Beach and the “Grady Bunch” starts pounding up the sponsor site. The entire area is illuminated for night viewing through June 23rd. Watch Greg Grady and “The Grady Bunch” build a mammoth Sand Demo Site. 
7:00 am to 11:00 pm

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

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

Haverhill Farmers' Market

Haverhill Farmers Market, North Shore Farmers Market, Cape Ann Farmers Marke
The vibrant, colorful Haverhill Farmers Market is where local farmers and food producers meet to sell directly to the community. Established in 1978, the Haverhill Farmers Market mission is to provide access to farm-fresh products and promote local agriculture, as well as serve as a social...
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Marblehead Farmers' Market

Find fresh local produce and other foods at the Marblehead Farmer's Market!
The Marblehead Farmer's Market boasts 15+ local farms, and booths with an educational spin nutrition, vendors and farms selling homemade prepared goods and craft vendors that are switched up in a rotation basis week to week. Additionally there are entertainers and exhibits by environmentally...
9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Andover Farmers' Market

Find Fresh Local Produce at the Andover Massachusetts Farmers Market North of Boston
The Andover Farmers Market is a vibrant hub connecting local farmers, artisans and the community through the joy of local food. Whether you come for carrots or conversation, it is a place to nourish the body, mind and spirit.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Rockport Farmers' Market

The Rockport Farmers' Market runs every Saturday at Rockport Music in Downtown Rockport!
The Rockport Farmers Market offers a variety of locally-grown produce, hand-crafted products, baked goods, and live music. It provides a community space to support local farmers and artisans.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Crane Outdoors: Kayak Adventure on the Castle Neck River

Take a guided kayak paddle adventure on the Castle Neck River with the Trustees of Reservations!
One of the best was to enjoy the natural beauty of the Massachusetts North Shore is kayaking the placid waters of the Great Marsh—the largest continuous stretch of salt marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. The Castle Neck peninsula on the Crane Estate is a vast barrier...
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Interpretation Station at Maudslay

Learn about the bloom cycles at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Join the park interpreter at this station to discover the many park perks at Maudslay! Each week a different feature and area will be highlighted. Check the board at each entrance to find the location of the Interpretation Station. For all ages.
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
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