Live Animals

Family Day at the Bird Banding Station

Kids will learn about local and migrating birds at Joppa Flats Education Center during their holiday open house!

There's nothing like a visit to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge for wonderful family nature experiences, and seeing the bird banding station in operation is at the top of the list. See Mass Audubon scientists evaluate and release migrant songbirds while you learn about migration and habitat use. Don't miss this chance - the bird banding station operates only during the height of migration in spring (April and May) and fall (September and October) and is very weather dependent.

When: 
Sunday, April 23, 2023 9:30-11am
Saturday, May 6, 2023 9:30-11am

Big Night at IRWS

Come explore the vernal pools of Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary with Mass Audubon!

Each year on the first warm rainy night of spring, wood frogs and mole salamanders begin a mass migration to vernal pools where they breed. If you happen to be out on one of these evenings, the experience can be spectacular. Tonight, a part of the sanctuary will be transformed into a Big Night scene. Participants will take a one-hour guided walk along the Vernal Pool Trail, where they will meet some interesting characters who will share some facts and stories about themselves, vernal pools, and this special time of year.

When: 
Saturday, April 15, 2023 6-7:50pm

Friday Family Farm Chores at Appleton Farms

Join Thbe Trustees of Reservations at Appleton Farms for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays and Saturdays

Every day has a full list of barnyard chores we need to accomplish to make sure our farmyard friends are happy and healthy. Let’s get to work! Join us for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays and Saturdays! Get on your muck boots – your whole family will get to be farmers together. Help feed the rabbits, Violet and Vanilla, the goats, Morgana, Maeve, Merlin, and Mordred, and the dairy cows, Gray and Jasmine. Collect eggs from our flock of chickens, muck and bed the stalls, scrub buckets, fill hay managers, and more.

When: 
Fridays through June 23, 2023 3:30-4:30pm
Saturdays through June 17, 2023 10-11am & 3-4pm
Location: 

Read with Gus at MPL

Read with Gus, a certified reading therapy dog, at the Manchester Public Library

Deb Kaneb and Gus, a Certified Reading Partner and Therapy Dog, are back and looking forward to hearing stories read by YOU!  Reading with a certified reading dog helps to build confidence with a safe, nonjudgmental partner.  Sign up for a 15-minute appointment and make sure to bring a favorite book or allow time to pick out your just right book at the Library. 

When: 
Thursday, April 6, 2023 3:30-4:30pm

Turtle Time at IRWS

Kids and families will explore IRWS wetland in search of painted and snapping turtles.

As late spring transitions to early summer, one thing is for sure: it's turtle time! Join us to explore our wetlands in search of these fascinating reptiles. We'll visit areas where turtles like to nest and bask in the sun, look at and touch real turtle shells, and, with a little luck, get an up-close look at a Painted Turtle. We'll conclude with a trip to the Rockery to see if we can summon our resident Snapping Turtle, Godzilla.

When: 
Saturday, June 10, 2023 10-11:30am

Reading to a Therapy Dog at NTL

Kids can sign up to read to a therapy dog at the Newbury Town Library

Children can register to come and read to a certified therapy dog. This program encourages reading confidence and is a fun way for kids to practice literacy. Sessions last for 15-minutes, and we ask that you please arrive for the time slot that you register for. Sessions are individual, but siblings are welcome to come and read together. Ivy and Frasier are both certified Therapy dogs and are part of the Pets and People Foundation.

When: 
Wednesday, March 15, 2023 3:30-4:30pm
Thursday, March 16, 2023 3:30-4:30pm

All Family Field Trips - Coastal Wildlife

Joppa Flats Education Center hosst an outing at the Salisbury Beach State Reservation in search of coastal wildlife.

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

When: 
Saturday, March 18, 2023 1-3pm

Befriend the Barnyard

Befriend the Barnyard is a hands-on barnyard experience at the Trustees of Reservations' Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts

Come discover our special barnyard animals! Our Angora rabbits Violet and Vanilla, Nubian goats Merlin, Maeve, Morgana, and Mordred, and our friendly flock of heritage chickens will take center stage as we learn about what makes them so unique. Befriend the Barnyard is a hands-on barnyard experience that lets you and your family approach our barnyard buddies under the guidance of a professional farm-based educator. Join us for a new activity every half hour. Activities might include:

When: 
Saturdays through March 2023 11am-1pm
Location: 

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Teen Naturalist Club at IRWS: Spring/Summer Series

Join Mass Audubon for their Teen Naturalist Club at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield Massachusetts!
Interesting hikes, natural history topics to explore, hands-on projects, and real wildlife data-collection opportunities will be based on your input and interests in this exciting club for teens. This is your chance to get involved behind the scenes with Mass Audubon's science and conservation work...
12:00 am to 11:59 pm

Teen Poetry Open Mic

Teen Poetry Open Mic kicks off National Poetry Month at Danvers Public Library
Danvers Library  kicks off National Poetry Month with a poetry open mic for teens. From slam poetry to sonnets, all poetry is welcome! Please register if you would like to read a poem by emailing jsantomauro@noblenet.org.
2:00 am to 4:00 pm

Parker River NWR Beach Cleanup

Come help with coastal debris and other trash at the beaches of Parker River Wildlife Refuge
Come help clean the beach at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge! You can help clean up the beach for nesting shorebirds druing this Spring volunteer event.  Meet volunteers from the Friends of Parker River NWR at parking lot 1 before going out on the beach to clean up debris. Friends' volunteers...
9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Beverly Library Spring Book Sale

Beverly Library hosts hosts their annual book sale and fundraiser
Our annual Friends' Spring Book Sale takes place at the main library from Saturday, Saturday March 25 through Saturday, March 1. The sale will be open daily during regular library hours: Mon.-Thurs., 9AM-9PM; Fri.
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Amesbury Library Kids' Poetry Contest

Amesbury Public Library Kids' Poetry Contest allows submission through April 29
SUBMIT POEMS ANYTIME BETWEEN APRIL 1st – APRIL 29, 2023. All types of poetry accepted…So start thinking… Experimenting… Creating, Write your poem and submit it to the library.  A poetry reading with the winners will happen on May 12, 2023.
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

AJH: Childbirth Education Class Options

Support group for moms at Anna Jaques Hospital. Best Hospital for Families
Congratulations: you are pregnant!  Anna Jaques Hospital Birth Center class is for mothers and partners during the last trimester of pregnancy to learn skills needed for the childbirth experience such as breathing methods, relaxation techniques, and comfort measures.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Saturday Family Farm Chores at Appleton Farms

Join The Trustees of Reservations at Appleton Farms for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays & Saturdays
Every day is full of a list of barnyard chores we need to get down to make sure our farmyard friends are happy and healthy! Let’s get to work.
10:00 am to 4:30 pm

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
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,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Dungeons & Dragons with Erick of Quest Master’s Guild

The Hamilton-Wenham Public Library hosts a Dungeons and Dragons session for tweens and teens.
Play D&D for five sessions with Game Master Erick Gordy from Quest Master's Guild:  We’ll make all the characters together at session one. No need to bring your own. We will be starting at level 3, Max HP.  For setting, you will have a choice. We can do whichever the majority want to do from...
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Chess Club at MPL

Chess for Teens at the public library in Manchester byt the Sea Massachusetts
Come out and "rook" the house (sorry, chess humor) with club organizers Marcel and Milla and their energetic middle school group of aspiring grandmasters! Registration required as space is limited. This program is for kids age 9-11.
3:00 pm to 4:15 pm

Sunday, April 2

Swedish Pancake Breakfast

Spiran Lodge #98 hosts a pancake breakfast in Downtown Rockport!
Spiran Lodge #98 hosts a pancake breakfast in Downtown Rockport!  Come have a great breakfast, enjoy the friendship of you neighbors and pick up some delicious sweet treats at the Nordic bake table. Swedish pancakes, fruit cup, sausage, juice and coffee.
8:00 am to 11:00 am

Sunday, April 2

Amesbury Library Kids' Poetry Contest

Amesbury Public Library Kids' Poetry Contest allows submission through April 29
SUBMIT POEMS ANYTIME BETWEEN APRIL 1st – APRIL 29, 2023. All types of poetry accepted…So start thinking… Experimenting… Creating, Write your poem and submit it to the library.  A poetry reading with the winners will happen on May 12, 2023.
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Monday, April 3

Amesbury Library Kids' Poetry Contest

Amesbury Public Library Kids' Poetry Contest allows submission through April 29
SUBMIT POEMS ANYTIME BETWEEN APRIL 1st – APRIL 29, 2023. All types of poetry accepted…So start thinking… Experimenting… Creating, Write your poem and submit it to the library.  A poetry reading with the winners will happen on May 12, 2023.
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Monday, April 3

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
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,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Tuesday, April 4

Amesbury Library Kids' Poetry Contest

Amesbury Public Library Kids' Poetry Contest allows submission through April 29
SUBMIT POEMS ANYTIME BETWEEN APRIL 1st – APRIL 29, 2023. All types of poetry accepted…So start thinking… Experimenting… Creating, Write your poem and submit it to the library.  A poetry reading with the winners will happen on May 12, 2023.
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Wednesday, April 5

Amesbury Library Kids' Poetry Contest

Amesbury Public Library Kids' Poetry Contest allows submission through April 29
SUBMIT POEMS ANYTIME BETWEEN APRIL 1st – APRIL 29, 2023. All types of poetry accepted…So start thinking… Experimenting… Creating, Write your poem and submit it to the library.  A poetry reading with the winners will happen on May 12, 2023.
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Wednesday, April 5

Nature Walk Wednesdays | Spring on the River

Kids will learn returning birds and other marsh creatures at Joppa Flats Center in Newburyport
Miss Lisa invites you to join her for some family-friendly seasonal nature walks in the area. Together we will explore the salt marsh, the woods, and more. We will look for birds, mammals, and of course, mushrooms! We'll use our "science eyes" and "nature ears" and learn, play, and discover...
10:00 am to 11:30 am

Wednesday, April 5

Arts & Crafts for Little Ones with Colleen Apostolos

Art Classes for children with Colleen Apostolos
Certified Montessori teacher, artist and local mother, Colleen Apostolos-Marsh will guide your young artist in an exploration of color, shape, and texture. Using a variety of media, your child will be free to express their in a beautiful space while socializing and engaging in cooperative play....
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Wednesday, April 5

Animal Skull ID for Kids

Peabody Institute Library in Danvers Massachusetts host a great session about animal skull identification for kids!!
Endicott Park's Erika Moretti presents a fascinating Animal Skull Identification program for kids! Budding scientists and nature lovers will really enjoy this presentation! Kids will get to see and touch real skulls from animals and will learn how to identify the animal based off the size and shape...
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Wednesday, April 5

STEAM Storytime at Amesbury Library

S.T.E.A.M. storytime at Amesbury Public Library focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics
Join Amesbury Public Library for an interactive storytime outdoors with stories, songs, actions, and fun! We'll end with stations around for kids and adults to explore. Storytimes are great ways to build literacy skills and create learning experiences as well as a great social event. Younger...
3:30 pm to 4:15 pm
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