Nature

Kids’ Nature Walks - Explore the Refuge

Take your 3-5 year old youngster on a good old fashioned nature discovery walk at Parker River Wildlife Refuge.

Take your 3-5 year old youngster on a good old fashioned nature discovery walk. Meet at the refuge visitor center before driving together to the head of the day's trail on the refuge (no parking fee charged). For each session, a refuge volunteer will lead the children and their caregivers on a walk to explore different aspects of the refuge: beach, dune, marsh, scrub forest, cranberry bog. Come dressed for the weather. If the weather is completely unsuitable for outdoor enjoyment, then an indoor program comprised of a story, activity and craft will be held at the visitor center instead.

When: 
Monday, July 24, 2017 10:00-11:30am

Family Flyby: Butterflies and Bugs

Come learn about butterflies and other insects at Joppa Flats Center Newburyport

All kinds of bugs live in our backyards, including butterflies! At this family fly-by kids will learn about butterflies' and bugs' lives, their births, their diets and their survival skills.  Join us at Joppa Flats Education Center for a magnified look into their bug sized world!

When: 
Sunday, July 27, 2014 10-3 pm

Nature Art Classes: Late Spring Series

Kids will learn about nature through art at Joppa Flats Education Center's Natur

Any season is a great time to notice nature's beauty and to make it come to life with amazing works of art! Join teacher Jan Morris to learn how creativity intersects with science, technique, and construction in a fun and rewarding way. Materials will be provided. Parents are welcome to stay during this program.

When: 
Thursdays, May 8-May 29, 2014 3:45-5:15 pm

Nature Art Classes: Butterflies

Kids will learn about butterfilies through art at Joppa Flats Education Center

There's always something wonderful to notice in nature's beauty, and we're here to help you make it all come to life through your own amazing works of art. Each series offers different themes and different materials to engage every young artist's budding creativity. Sign up for one class at a time, or come for the whole series. Move over, Michelangelo - make room for all our Joppa artist superstars!

When: 
Thursday, March 27, 2014 3:45-5:15 pm

Nature Art Classes: Painted Turtles

Learn about painted turtles through art at the Joppa Flats Education Center

There's always something wonderful to notice in nature's beauty, and we're here to help you make it all come to life through your own amazing works of art. Each series offers different themes and different materials to engage every young artist's budding creativity. Sign up for one class at a time, or come for the whole series. Move over, Michelangelo - make room for all our Joppa artist superstars!

When: 
Thursday, March 20, 2014 3:45-5:15 pm

Nature Art Classes: Dragonflies

Dragonflies don't breath fire, so how did they get their name? Find out at Joppa

There's always something wonderful to notice in nature's beauty, and we're here to help you make it all come to life through your own amazing works of art. Each series offers different themes and different materials to engage every young artist's budding creativity. Sign up for one class at a time, or come for the whole series. Move over, Michelangelo - make room for all our Joppa artist superstars!

When: 
Thursday, March 13, 2014 3:45-5:15 pm

Nature Art Classes: Herons on the Wing

Join teachers Jan Morris and Lee Grover for an art science session about herons!

There's always something wonderful to notice in nature's beauty, and we're here to help you make it all come to life through your own amazing works of art. Each series offers different themes and different materials to engage every young artist's budding creativity. Sign up for one class at a time, or come for the whole series. Move over, Michelangelo - make room for all our Joppa artist superstars!

When: 
Thursday, March 6, 2014 3:45-5:15 pm

Nature Art Classes: Sweet Smelling Skunks

Kids will learn all about skunks by making art at the Mass Audubon Joppa Flats E

There's always something wonderful to notice in nature's beauty, and we're here to help you make it all come to life through your own amazing works of art. Each series offers different themes and different materials to engage every young artist's budding creativity. Sign up for one class at a time, or come for the whole series. Move over, Michelangelo - make room for all our Joppa artist superstars! This session is all about the mysterious skunk, it's chemical defenses and the tactics they use to survive.  It will include age-appropriate science, a short tactile learning activity, and a group poem, song, or story.

When: 
Thursday, January 30, 2014 3:45-5:15 pm

Nature Art Classes: Needling with Evergreens

There's always something wonderful to notice in nature's beauty at Joppa Flats!

There's always something wonderful to notice in nature's beauty, and we're here to help you make it all come to life through your own amazing works of art. Each series offers different themes and different materials to engage every young artist's budding creativity. Sign up for one class at a time, or come for the whole series. Move over, Michelangelo - make room for all our Joppa artist superstars! This session will focus on the wonder of evergreens and will include age-appropriate science, a short tactile learning activity, and a group poem, song, or story.

When: 
Thursday, January 23, 2014 3:45-5:15 pm

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

Valentine's Day

12:00 am to 11:59 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

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

The Merrimack River Eagle Festival

Come celebrate the return of the Eagles to the Merrimack Estuary! Photo: Eagle on Ice by Bill O'Connor
When winter returns to the lower Merrimack Valley, so do Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls and other exciting winter wildlife. Every year Mass Audubon hosts a grand event marking their return.  Come to Newburyport on Saturday, February 14, 2026, for a full day of fun indoor and outdoor activities that...
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

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...
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

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.
10:00 am to 12:00 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

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

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.
10:30 am to 1:00 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

Wednesday, February 25

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

Thursday, February 26

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

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,...
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

LEGO Club at Danvers Library

LEGO club at Danvers Library Massachusetts
Peabody Institute Library - Danvers invites kids to an afternoon of building and fun! Activities will include free build, themes and instructional design. All structures will remain on display in the Children’s Room till the following weeks's session
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Friday, February 27

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

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
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