Kids

Salt Marsh Science Walk

ECGA hosts a salt marsh science walk with a former research fellow from Marine Biological Laboratory to learn about salt marsh science. Join Jade Fiorilla, Northeastern graduate with degrees in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, for a walk to learn about the Great Salt Marsh. Jade has worked on the marsh at nearby Parker River National Wildlife Refuge as a research fellow with Marine Biological Laboratory. She recently completed research pulling together data from a long term study of marsh accretion and deposition events in the Plum Island sound.

When:

Sunday, November 5, 2023 10:30am-Noon

Location:

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Stroller Walks at Appleton Farms

To encourage time in nature, familiarity with the natural world, and a time for parents and children to get together outdoors, our popular infant/toddler stroller walks will return at Appleton Farms. These hour long walks will be on Tuesdays from 9-10am. Come to one or all of the sessions and explore the farmyard, fields, and forest, and imagine hidden worlds beneath our feet and above our heads. Children and their care-givers will have the opportunity to take in fresh air, be with other families, and walk diverse trails on the farm. This is a great time to socialize with other parents and get your kids in nature, unwind and relax at the farm!

When:

Tuesdays Through September 26, 2023 9-10am

Location:

Trustees of Reservations

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Brick by Brick Lego Event at SFL

LET'S BUILD TOGETHER: 2025 Sawyer Free Library Gloucester Massachusetts

The Sawyer Free Library is hosting an exciting LEGO community event in advance of the 2025 Sawyer Free Library's upcoming groundbreaking celebration. LET'S BUILD TOGETHER: 2025 Sawyer Free Library will take place on Saturday, September 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 20 Main Street in downtown Gloucester, directly across from the Sawyer Free Library temporary location.

When:

Saturday September 16, 2023 10am-12:30pm

Location:

Sawyer Free Library Temporary Space

Gloucester

LEGO

Library

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Meet Beach Creatures and More!

Discover and explore the facts of the creatures you find at the beach at Joppa Flats Education Center Newburyport

Come to Joppa Flats this summer to enjoy some live animal encounters both outdoors in our riverside yard and indoors in our air conditioned lobby! You'll rotate through different live animal stations at your own pace, and may choose to spend your time handling tide pool creatures such as sea urchins and sea stars, meeting moon snails and hermit crabs from the sandy beach, and/or learning about minnows and horseshoe crabs from the salt marsh. We'll also introduce you to our 'seasonal specials' that our interns are raising for release. You might even see praying mantis hatchlings, monarch caterpillars, or American toadlets! Family friendly activities, self-guided science stations and take-home nature crafts - something for everyone!

When:

Fridays & Sautrdays through August 19, 2023 10am-3pm

Saturday, September 16, 2023 10am-2pm

No Session July 22

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Ocean Views Walk from Ravenswood to Rafe's Chasm

Take a hike along the newly created trail links the southern edge of the Trustees of Reservation's Ravenswood Park with the City of Gloucester's Rafe's Chasm Park.

Follow trip leader Dave Marro (Cape Ann Trail Stewards Board Member and Chair of the Magnolia Woods Advisory Committee) for a hike along a trail that links the southern edge of the Trustees of Reservations Ravenswood Park with the City of Gloucester’s Rafe’s Chasm Park. The walk will include spectacular views of the ocean from the dramatic Rafe’s Chasm cliffs. Participants should be prepared to walk on uneven trails for 3 miles round trip.. This event is part of Trails & Sails.

When:

Saturday, September 16, 2023 10am-1pm

Location:

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Fishing Festival at Harold Parker State Forest

Come to Harold Parker State Forest's Sudden Pond in North Reading Massachusetts for a full day of fishing fun!

Come to Sudden Pond for a day of fishing for all ages! This event is perfect for anglers of any experience level. Cast a line, learn about the fish in our waters, safety, and equipment. MassWildlife Angler Education Volunteer Instructors will be on hand to assist. Equipment is provided. No license required. The Friends of Harold Parker State Forest will be providing a barbecue for the hungry fisher people.

When:

Saturday, September 9, 2023 10am-2pm

Location:

Harold Parker State Forest

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Healthy Heart Walk at Maudslay State Park

Find the hidden secrets of Maudslay State Park with the park interpreter

Join the park interpreter for a moderate walk designed to improve cardiovascular health, while journeying through the park on one of our many beautiful trails. For ages 8 & up.

When:

Sundays, September 3, 10 & 17, 2023 2-3pm

Location:

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Kimball Farm Corn Maze

At the Kimball Farm Corn Maze all are welcome to come and enjoy the challenge of finding your way through the winding corn field maze. Our originally designed CORN MAZE is full of Crazy angles and is sure to be a fun challenge. Have no fear, there will be clues along the way. Be daring and try the maze on a Saturday Night with a Flash Light (TBD).

When:

Weekends, September 8-October 29, 2023 10am-5pm

Location:

Kimball Farm Corn Maze

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The Lamson Farm: 1680-Present

Learn the history of the Lamson Farm at Bradley Palmer State Parkin Hamilton Ipswich Massachusetts

Before Bradley Palmer bought the land that became a State Park, it was the Lamson Family farm for over 200 years. Take a stroll to see the remaining farmhouse exterior and other features of the farm. Best for ages 8 years & up.

When:

Saturdays, June-September, 2023 10:30am-Noon

Friday, September 15, 2023 10:30am-Noon

Location:

Bradley Palmer State Park

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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 found, we’ll have just enough time to dress for the party!

When:

Sundays, September 3, 10 & 17, 2023 10:30-11:30am

Sundays, September 16 & 30, 2023 10:30-11:30am

Location:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Ipswich

Treasure Hunt

Scavenger Hunt

Trustees of Reservations

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Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.

Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

7:00 am to 7:00 pm

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Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

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...

Where: Maudslay State Park

7:00 am to 7:00 pm

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Sing & Dance with the Music Man

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,...

Where: Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham

10:00 am to 10:45 am

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Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

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.

Where: Boston Common and Boston Public Garden

10:00 am to 3:59 pm

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Willowdale Mansion Tour

The historic tour of Willowdale Estate covers historic background, context and conversation about the Arts & Crafts style mansion. Here is your chance to go inside the Willowdale Mansion (willowdaleestate.com) for a unique guided tour. Now an event and wedding venue, this over 100 years-old...

Where: Willowdale Estate

10:30 am to 11:30 am

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Growing Wild for Pollinators

Discover the wild world of pollinators and what they do for the natural world around us. Learn how important is it to protect our pollinators for the health of humans, plants, and the environment. Best for ages 6 years and up.

Where: Bradley Palmer State Park

1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

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Drop-in Open House at the Nature Center

Explore the Nature Center at your leisure. The Park Interpreter will be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions. Come see and touch animal furs, replica skulls, animal models, and other natural history materials. For little artists, coloring pages and washable markers will be on hand.

Where: Bradley Palmer State Park

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

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Beverly Farmers' Market

The Beverly Farmers’ Market supports local agriculture while making healthy food available to all members of the Beverly community at affordable prices; the market promotes sustainable living practices and fosters community connections through our vendors, free activities and events. The market...

Where: Odell Park

3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

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Monday, June 24

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Where: Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham

10:00 am to 10:45 am

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Willowdale Mansion Tour

Where: Willowdale Estate

10:30 am to 11:30 am

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Drop-in Open House at the Nature Center

Where: Bradley Palmer State Park

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

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Growing Wild for Pollinators

Where: Bradley Palmer State Park

1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

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Beverly Farmers' Market

Where: Odell Park

3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

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Tuesday, June 25

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.

Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

7:00 am to 7:00 pm

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Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic

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 26. Watch Greg Grady and “The Grady Bunch” build a mammoth Sand Demo Site. View all entries online on...

Where: Hampton Beach

7:00 am to 11:00 pm

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