Wetlands are wonderful places full of fascinating animals and plants. Together we will discover the wetland habitats of the sanctuary. We'll hike to Hassocky Meadow and search for ducks, turtles, snakes, and more. We will continue our explorations at a real vernal pool and look for breeding salamanders, wood frogs, and their egg masses.
Warmer spring weather means its sheep shearing time on the farm. But what to do with all that wool? Learn about the time honored tradition of wool felting. We’ll start by learning how to “card” the raw wool into soft fiber for spinning or felting. Afterwards, we’ll try our hand making twisted wool bracelets and felt balls to be used for farm-fun necklaces. Wool, wood beads and decorative string will be provided, but feel free to bring anything special of your own to add to your necklace. Afterwards meet our three woolly sheep and feed them a snack! Recommended for ages 6-9 but all are welcome.
While Spring is the time of new growth, it may still be too cold for fresh flowers or green grass. Bring some green life inside with an easy and adorable mason jar terrarium. We’ll use glass mason jars, gravel, soil, mosses and plants to create a miniature natural world that can stay on your desk or windowsill. You’ll leave with a mini terrarium of your own, plus the skills to make bigger ones at home.
The farm is coming alive in April and there is so much to do! Dig into vacation at Appleton Farms and become a farmer for a day (or 4)! You’ll get to help care for our animals, learn to grow and eat farm fresh food, create natural crafts, and explore the farm as it wakes up to spring! Your little farmers will come home with stories of adventure, a deeper understanding of where their food comes from, a sense of responsibility, and memories made with new friends. This session will focus on Appleton Farm's dairy operations.
Joppa Flats Education Center helps families beat the blahs and keep minds active and hands busy during school break! Head out into the wild with kids and families for great outdoor explorations this April vacation. For families with children ages 3 and up, School and Youth Education Coordinator Lisa Hutchings heads a program where kids will to learn all about the "nursery of the sea" with our salt marsh science stations including live minnow ID, salinity experiments, and a chance to meet some of the live inhabitants of the salt marsh.
Joppa Flats Education Center invites teens and tweens to explore a mountaintop and the ocean in one day - it's the best of both worlds! We'll start at Long Sands Beach, where we'll investigate the tide pools for marine life. The, we'll hike up Mount Agamenticus, where we'll keep an eye out for plants and animals unique to mountain habitats, and for evidence of the glaciers that covered the area thousands of years ago. We promise a lunch break, raptor search, and games at the summit! The two-mile hike is a combination of gentle and moderately hilly terrain. This is a great mountain for beginners and is full of natural history interest for more experienced hikers.
Come to Mill Pond in West Newbury for dipnetting with Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Center during April Vacation Week! It’s vacation week, so let's head for the hills and the marsh and the pond! Miss Lisa and Miss Kirsten are ready for an out-of-school adventure, and they have all the field equipment we'll need to go on a mini-trek to explore some of our favorite habitats. At Mill Pond, we'll bring the buckets, scoops, nets, microscopes, and guides to see what freshwater life is springing forth. At Rough Meadows, we’ll set fish traps and search for tiny snails and scud, then go on a salt marsh scavenger hunt. All materials are provided, so come on out and meet us for some treks and trails!
Kids will visit Cape Ann Museum’s special exhibition Harold Rotenberg: An American Impressionist and learn to recognize characteristics of the painting style known as impressionism. Making full use of the galleries, we will discuss our responses to paintings and compare impressionism to other painting styles. Like Rotenberg, we’ll work en plein air in the Museum's courtyard and sculpture garden (if the weather is poor we'll move indoors to the Activity Center). We'll try out impressionist techniques with watercolors and make a picture to be proud of. A healthy, nut-free snack in the courtyard will be provided.
Can you keep the artwork safe? Venture behind closed doors with the CAM Education team and Museum Guard Nick Tarrantino. Contact Kirsten Vega with questions.
From dragons and unicorns to ancient Egyptian objects, the Museum of Fine Arts is filled with artworks both magical and mythical. Make art, enjoy performances, go on a family art walk, and listen to spellbinding children’s stories. Enjoy free drop-in activities all week. All ages and abilities welcome; kids are free, but children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required.
Enjoy free drop-in activities all week, supported by the Cogan Family Foundation.
