Adventure

CraneOutdoors: Kayak Historic Fox Creek

Kayak the twists and turns of Fox Creek in Ipswich with the Trustees of Reservations

The Great Marsh—the largest contiguous salt marsh in New England—is not only brimming with fascinating natural history, it is also home to a rich cultural history. Nowhere is this more evident than in the meandering waters of Fox Creek. Connecting the tidal estuaries of the Essex River basin and the Ipswich River, it contains the oldest saltwater canal in the United States and the remains of the historic Robinson’s Shipyard, where over 100 minesweepers used in WWII were once built.

When:

Sunday, June 8, 2025 9am

Saturday, June 14, 2025 1pm

Saturday, June 28, 2025 1pm

Location:

Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

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Beanstalk Adventure Indoor Ropes Course - Sunday

Beanstalk Adventure Indoor Ropes Course at Jordans Furniture

Channel your inner tightrope walker as you take on Beanstalk Adventure Ropes Course at Jordan's Furniture in Reading MA. Participants are safely harnessed before climbing the 3-story tall ropes course attraction and embarking through elements like cargo nets, angled rope ladders and more. The adventure continues on the Sky Rail zip line that stretches 69-feet over Beanstown.

When:

Mon-Thurs: 10am-9pm

Friday & Saturday: 10am-10pm

Sunday: 11am-7pm

Location:

Beanstalk Ropes Course at Jordan's Furniture

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Ropes Course for Kids

When:

Mon-Thurs: 10am-9pm

Friday & Saturday: 10am-10pm

Sunday: 11am-7pm

Location:

Beanstalk Ropes Course at Jordan's Furniture

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Athletics

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Early Spring Birds at IRWS

Come learn what birds are returning to the North Shore at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary! Image: Mass Audubon

Come learn what birds are returning after spending the winter months in the warm south. Equipped with binoculars, let's see how many different colors, sizes and sounds of birds we can find. We'll observe nests and attempt to build one of our own!

When:

Saturday, April 20, 2024 10-11:30am

Saturday, April 27, 2024 10-11:30am

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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Tap a Sugar Maple Tree

Tap a Sugar Maple to harvest Maple Sap and convert it to Maple Syrup at IRWS!

Join IRWS sugaring staff for a 2 hour, small group, maple sugaring experience! You'll learn how to identify a sugar maple, tap it, and produce delicious maple syrup in the traditional New England way!

When:

Saturday, February 24, 2024 10am-Noon

Saturday, February 24, 2024 1-3pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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Outdoor Adventures for Families: Winter Wildlife

Mass Audubons Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary invites you to come learn about coyotes, beavers deer and other animals as they prepare for Winter!

Beavers, coyote, and deer, oh my! Mammals are storing food, putting on fat, thickening their fur, and winterizing their homes for winter. Let's see what evidence of these preparations we can find in the woods and wetlands as we use our science eyes for this hike around the remarkable rockery.

When:

Thursday, December 22, 2022 1-3pm

Saturday, December 31, 2022 10am-Noon

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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NEAQ's Aqua Kids Family Days

Activities, stories and live animal presentations await at NEAQ's Aqua Kids Days

Come to New England Aquarium on Friday mornings where you and your children can hear stories, create art projects, see Live Animal Presentations and have underwater adventures! Meet in the Curious George Discovery Corner on the first floor of the Aquarium. Family Days are open to all Aquarium visitors, and no registration is required.

When:

Fridays, 10am-noon

Location:

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IRWS School Vacation: Carnivores Dining Out

Kids ages 5-11 are invited to Ipswich river Wildlife Sanctuary during February Vacation to learn about carnivores

Winter is a great time to look for predators and the evidence they leave behind. Today, we'll look at animal bones, fur, scat, tracks, and chews. Then we'll hike the sanctuary in search of hawks, foxes, fishers, river otters, and more. We'll investigate how these animals are able to hunt prey in the cold winter weather.

When:

Thursday, February 20, 2020 8:30am-3pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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IRWS School Vacation: Maple Sugaring

Learn how to harvest Maple Sap and convert it to Maple Syrup at IRWS during February Vacation!

Today we'll learn about one of nature's tastiest treats: maple syrup. We'll discover how to distinguish a sugar maple from all the other trees in the forest and tap one to collect the sap. After a visit to the sugarhouse, we'll know how sap is converted into syrup and try some on our very own pancakes. We'll see who can tell the difference between store-bought syrup and the real stuff!

When:

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 8:30am-3pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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IRWS School Vacation: Winter Homes

Build igloos and learn how to find winter homes for animals at IRWS's workshop

Can you imagine living outside through the entire winter? We'll explore the woodlands, wetlands, and field edges for nests, cavities, burrows, dens, and lodges to discover how birds, mammals, and insects find homes in this challenging season. We'll build an igloo or shelter and see how warm it can be inside.

When:

Wednesday, February 19, 2020 8:30am - 3pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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Mini Movers at North Shore Children's Museum

Mini Movers is an engaging dance and movement class for young children at the North Shore Children's Museum. Led by experienced instructors, the program introduces young children to the world of dance in a safe and nurturing environment.

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

10:00 am to 11:00 am

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Saturday, January 10

Sourdough Bread Workshop at Appleton Farms

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...

Where: Appleton Farms

4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

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Sunday, January 11

Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum

Join in on Sundays at 2:30 for STEAM Club for ages 5-11. Each week participants will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with our NSCM staff! Every STEAM club session will see your kids participating in hands-on activities while exploring a new topic. Space is limited, please...

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

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Saturday, January 17

Low-Sensory Play at North Shore Children's Museum

Join us for a low-sensory play session. For some children, visiting places like NSCM can be over-stimulating. This special play session will have reduced noise, crowds, and stimulation. While medical diagnosis is not required, we encourage that these limited tickets be used for families with a...

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

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Appleton Culinary Workshop: Chicken Pot Pie

Warm up this season with a hands-on Farmhouse Chicken Pot Pie Culinary Workshop at Appleton Farms, where you’ll craft a comforting classic using locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients. .

Where: Appleton Farms

4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

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