Toddlers

Wee Explorers at Stevens-Coolidge Estate

To encourage outdoor play and exploration of the great outdoors, this nature-based toddler playgroup will combine themed guided play with opportunities for free time for children and their caregivers to peek under rocks, inspect tree bark for hiding bugs and explore the gardens. Held at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens every Tuesday morning, join one or all of the sessions and explore the hidden worlds beneath our feet and above our heads.

When:

Tuesdays through March 28, 2023 9:30-10:30am

Location:

Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

Trustees of Reservations

Read more about Wee Explorers at Stevens-Coolidge Estate

Wetland Wonders at IRWS

Explore the Bunker Meadow Pond at Ipswich river Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield Massachusetts

Wetlands are known for their rich variety of plant and animal life. Come explore Bunker Meadow Pond and the Ipswich River for a close-up look at a place where hundreds of hungry creatures are always on the hunt. Using nets and other collecting equipment, we'll dip into the water, sweep through the weeds, and scoop up some mud to discover the creatures that live there. Wear boots if you have them. For kids ages 3-11.

When:

Saturday, October 14, 2023 10-11:30am

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Read more about Wetland Wonders at IRWS

All Family Field Trips: Wetland Walk

Explore Bradley Palmer Stat Park for wetland creatures with Massachusetts Audubon in Topsfield Massachusetts!

Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the North Shore. Joppa Flats' 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:

Friday, October 13, 2023 10am-Noon

Location:

Bradley Palmer State Park

Read more about All Family Field Trips: Wetland Walk

PEM Pals

PEM has a story time in the museum just for kids under 5! Salem, Massachusetts

Peabody Essex Museum designed for preschoolers (5 and under) and their caregivers. PEM Pals aims to engage and excite all of the senses through books, movement, music, art and hands-on activities. .

When:

First Fridays Monthly 10:30-11:30 am

Location:

Read more about PEM Pals

All Family Field Trips: Study Between the Tides

Explore the tide pools of Sandy Point Reservation with Joppa Flats Educators in Ipswich Massachusetts

When:

Friday, October 6, 2023 10am - 12pm

Location:

Sandy Point State Reservation

Read more about All Family Field Trips: Study Between the Tides

All Family Field Trips: Monarchs and More

Learn about butterflies with Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center 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:

Friday, September 15, 2023 10am-Noon

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

Read more about All Family Field Trips: Monarchs and More

Toe Jam Puppet Band at NPL

Toe Jam Puppet Band at the Newburyport Massachusetts Public Library!

Get ready to rock with one of the North Shore's most popular kids' bands! This is an offsite program that will take place on Inn Street, the pedestrian way that connects Pleasant Street and Market Square in downtown Newburyport.

When:

Wednesday, August 16, 2023 7-8pm

Location:

Newburyport Public Library

Read more about Toe Jam Puppet Band at NPL

All Family Field Trips: Exploring at the Shore

Explore the shore at Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester with Massachusetts Audubon!

When:

Friday, September 22, 2023 10am-Noon

Location:

Read more about All Family Field Trips: Exploring at the Shore

Imagine, Sing, & Learn 3A: Is it Spring?

Learn about the creatures of Spring at Joppa Flats Education Center in Newbury Massachusetts

This Imagine, Sing and Learn with Lisa Hutchings is all about asking the question IS IT SPRING YET? This is an active indoor program for ages 3-6 and a favorite grown-up with some outdoor time (weather permitting). We will learn all about WOOD FROGS, SALAMANDERS, LADYBUGS, SONG BIRDS and more! Using props, group role play, song and movement, we will learn about the fascinating ways animals wake up and come back in springtime – each animal has its own special way of greeting the longer, warmer days of spring!

When:

Thursday, March 10, 2016 1-2:30 pm

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

Read more about Imagine, Sing, & Learn 3A: Is it Spring?

All Family Field Trips: A Maritime Forest Walk & Bird Migration

A heron stalks prey at the PArker River Wildlife Sanctuary in Newbury Massachusetts

When:

Friday, October 27, 2023 10am-Noon

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Read more about All Family Field Trips: A Maritime Forest Walk & Bird Migration

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

♦ Read More →

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

♦ Read More →

Music Together - Tuesday in Marblehead

Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® of Salem classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45...

Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead

10:00 am to 10:45 am

♦ Read More →

Gloucester Gratis Days at Hammond Castle

In keeping with John Hays Hammond, Jr's original vision for his seaside castle-home to serve as a museum offering the Gloucester community access to ancient works of architectural art, Hammond Castle Museum will offer Gloucester residents free, self-guided tours each Tuesday throughout the regular...

Where: Hammond Castle Museum

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

♦ Read More →

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 4:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

Barnyard stories really come alive when you get to see the main characters in real life! Bring the kids down to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh version of story time. Explore the farmstead, visit our learning garden, see our cows and rabbits, and find a spot to play under a shady tree in our...

Where: Appleton Farms

10:30 am to 11:30 am

♦ Read More →

Guided Tour | When Granite Was King!

Halibut Point State Park is also a granite quarry with a history that goes back billions of years! Over one hundred years ago, the Rockport Granite Company quarried granite stone here.

Where: Halibut Point State Park

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Sunday, June 1

North Shore Kids' PMC Bike Ride

The Pan-Mass Challenge North Shore Kids' Ride will be one of many PMC Kids Rides held in neighborhoods throughout New England and beyond. Kids from Gloucester, Rockport, Beverly, Salem, Ipswich, Manchester, Hamilton-Wenham and other North Shore Towns will be riding in this event. Through the PMC...

Where: Masconomo Park

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Where: Boston Common and Boston Public Garden

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

♦ Read More →

CoastalExplorer: Shoreline & Shipwreck Scholars

Coastal exploration with a side of shipwreck! Participants will be guided on a Castle Hill hike to Steep Hill Beach, where we will explore the beach and discover treasures washed up by the waves. Piece together clues to learn what is living under the sand and below the water line. We will use field...

Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Vintage Base Ball Opening Day

Join Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm and the Essex Base Ball Association for a day of vintage base ball as we celebrate the 20th season of this partnership! The four teams of Essex Base Ball, the Newburyport Clamdiggers, Lowell Base Ball Club, Portsmouth Rockingham's, and the Lynn Live Oaks, play using...

Where: Spencer Peirce Little Farm

11:00 am to 3:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Long Hill Garden Tours

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. Visit Long Hill’s breathtaking gardens and stately historic house for a guided tour. Enjoy the rich history of this grand country estate...

Where: Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens

11:00 am to 12:00 pm

♦ Read More →

CraneOutdoors: Choate Island Kayak and Hiking Adventure

Join The Trustees of Reservations for a paddle and a hike – what better way to spend an afternoon? Kayaking the pristine, sheltered waters of the Essex River Basin offers one of the top on-the-water experiences to be had in Northeast. Add to that a hike on the area’s largest island and you have the...

Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

1:00 pm to 4:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Tri-town Pride Parade

The Tri-Town Pride Parade is an annual celebration of love, diversity, and inclusivity in our community, encompassing Boxford, Middleton, Topsfield, and surrounding towns in Massachusetts. Sunday, June 1st at 1:00 PM the parade will wind its way through the charming downtown area of Topsfield,...

Where: Topsfield Town Common, Where: Proctor Elementary School

1:00 pm

♦ Read More →

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

♦ Read More →

Pajama Story Time at Manchester Public Library

Join Miss Audrey for a cozy pajama storytime and craft the first Thursday of every month from 6-7. This program is for kids ages 4 and up and their families.

Where: Manchester Public Library

6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

♦ Read More →