Exploration

All Family Field Trip: Winter Bird Survival

Woodpeckers winter over in Massachusetts' North Shore. Find out more with Mass Audubon in Newburyport!

Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the north shore. Our engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors. Sign up for one, some, or all!

When: 
Sunday, December 16, 2012 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Tracking Tales

Kids will learn about tracks and signs at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield Massachusetts!

Some animals hibernate, some migrate, and some stay active in winter. Explore the sanctuary woodlands looking for clues of what animals have been eating and where they have been sleeping. Discover tracks in the snow and guess which animals made them. We will cover the basics during a short indoor introduction, but most of our time will be spent in the woods following the trails of raccoons, coyotes, foxes, and other woodland animals!

When: 
Saturday, January 6, 2024 10-11:30am
Saturday, January 20, 2024 10-11:30am
Saturday, January 27, 2024 10-11:30am

Hike Trustees Meet Up: Old Town Hill

Join the Trustees for a free hike up Old Town Hill in Newbury Massachusetts

Join fellow Trustees Hikers for a morning of exploration and community bonding on the scenic landscapes of Old Town Hill. Share your passion for the outdoors, exchange hiking stories, and make new friends along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a novice trail enthusiast, everyone is welcome to be part of this inclusive gathering.

When: 
Saturday, January 27, 2024 8:30-10am
Location: 

All Family Field Trip: Winter Mammal Tracking

Families will learn about identifying animal tracks at Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport Massachusetts!

What animal signs might you see in the winter woods? We'll talk about paw prints, scat, nipped twigs, feathers, and other signs of activity. You'll find out how to detect the size of an animal, the direction and speed of movement, and the age of a track, and we'll give you your own tracking pocket guide for your future adventures!

When: 
Thursday, January 25, 2024 10am-Noon

Full Moon Hike at Patton Homestead

Hike at the Patton Homestead in Hamilton Massachusetts with your family and Essex County Greenbelt under the Full Moon in Hamilton Massachusetts!

Join Hamilton-Wenham Recreation to enjoy the “Wolf" Full Moon with guided walks, treats, fire-pits and a craft for kids! Hike one or both routes, or just come out to enjoy a warm drink by the fire in the light of the full moon. Fire-pits, warm drinks, light snacks and a “wolf moon” inspired craft are included in the registration fee.

When: 
Thursday, January 25, 2024 5-7:30pm
Location: 

Parker River NWR | Sowing Native Seeds Workshop

Milkweed is a plant native to the Parker River NWR habitat in Newburyport Massachusetts!

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge invites teens to join refuge staff and members of West Newbury Wild & Native for a workshop on the importance of collecting and sowing native seeds. Learn about local native plants and seed collecting, then rotate through stations to create 3-4 pots of different seed mixes to take home!

When: 
Monday, January 15, 2024 10am-Noon

Farmer for a Day | Winter Break Week

Appleton Farm's Farmer for a Day program is geared to children aged 6-9 in Ipswich Massachusetts

Ever wanted to know what a farmer’s life is like? Find out at Appleton Farms for one or more of our “Farmer for a Day” drop-off programs! In the holiday week before New Years, kids ages 5-11 can experience a farmer’s life through authentic barnyard chores, fun-filled farm adventures, and traditional crafts. On one day, your child may learn about dairy farming through hands-on games and a tour of the milking barn. On another, they’ll discover the process of making clothes by collecting fibers from our Angora rabbits and creating yarn of their own. Every day, they’ll explore the forests and fields of Appleton, enjoy a craft and a story, and get their hands dirty with animal chores!

When: 
Tuesday-Friday, December 27-29, 2023 9am-Noon
Location: 

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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

Fiddleheads | Preschool Drop-Off Series

The Fiddlehead program at Appleton Farms encourages kids 3-5 to explore their environment in Ipswich Massachusetts
Spring has sprung! It is an excellent time of year for exploring and learning on the farm. We will be planting and harvesting in our garden, taking care of our animals and finding all the signs of spring that nature divulges. Join us on Wednesday mornings from 9:30AM to 12:30PM for a preschool drop...
9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Music Together - Wednesday

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...
9:30 am to 11:15 am

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
10:00 am to 6:59 pm

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 3:59 pm

We Walk the Woods!

Walk the trails in a group at Harold Parker State Forest Every Wednesday at 10am
Walk the trails with a group at Harold Parker State Forest every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. – Meeting location varies weekly. Email trek.reef@mass.gov for location.
10:00 am to 12:00 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

Sunday, June 2

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

Newburyport Farmers' Market

Newburyport Farmers find organic locally grown produce, meat, dairy Newburyport
The Newburyport Farmers Summer Market celebrates local fresh produce every Sunday morning rain or shine!  Start your Sunday browsing fresh North Shore local produce, meats, cheeses, and seafood in an open air market atmosphere! Food and beverage vendors offer fresh hot coffee, breakfast treats and...
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

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 3:59 pm

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
10:00 am to 6:59 pm

Faerie Houses in the Gardens

Explore the gardens in a fun and magical way at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate in North Andover Massachusetts!
Explore the gardens in a fun and magical way! Moonrise Fae have made faerie houses and nestled them in to corners of the garden. Join us to explore and let your imagination lead you on an adventure among the flowers.
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Vintage Base Ball Opening Day

Come see how baseball used to be played at Spencer Pierce Little Farm. Photo: Matthew Muise Photography
Join Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm and the Essex Base Ball Association for a day of vintage base ball! The four teams of Essex Base Ball, the Newburyport Clamdiggers, Lowell Base Ball Club, Portsmouth Rockingham's, and the Lynn Live Oaks, play using 1864 rules. At these fun, historically accurate...
11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Long Hill Garden Tours

Tour the Gardens at the Trustees of Reservations Long Hill Gardens in Beverly, Massachusetts!
The Trustees of Reservations invite you to join our expert guides for a tour around Long Hill’s stunning Sedgwick Gardens and learn more about the special plants it’s most known for. In addition to learning about what plants are in bloom as well as the rare and unique species in our collection, you...
11:00 am to 12:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: Choate Island Kayak and Hiking Adventure

Take a guided kayak paddle and hike to Choate Island with the Trustees of Reservations!
Join The Trustees of Reservations for a paddle and a hike – what better way to spend an afternoon?  Circumnavigating an island is one of the great rewards of kayaking and reaching the summit of a hill that offers a great view is one of the payoffs of a good hike. This adventure in the Crane...
1:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Dreams and Dances Concert

Dreams and Dances live performance at Waring School in Beverly Massachusetts
Celebrating the creativity and expression in all of us with a family-friendly, multimedia performance by Arpeggione Ensemble. "Dreams and Dances” will take listeners of all ages on a journey through enchanted forests and countryside with music and dance. Arpeggione’s musicians will be performing...
4:00 pm
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