Kids

Imagine, Sing & Learn: Polar Bears

Come learn about the animals of the polar habitats at the Joppa Flats Center! Photo: Kathy Crane, NOAA Arctic Research Program

Joppa Flats Education Center invites families with kids 3-6 for a fun-filled morning program that is perfect for you and your active preschooler! Our structured activities include hands-on science, music and movement, a thematic snack, and an outdoor adventure if the weather complies. Keep learning with coloring pages and follow-up activities to continue the fun at home. This particular program will focus on the polar bears of Arctic North.

When:

Friday, January 24, 2020 10-11:30am

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Open House Mornings for Families: Eagles, Owls, & Hawks

Come learn about birds like Bald Eagles, Snowy Owls, Hawks and other birds of prey at Joppa Flats Center during February Vacation Week! Photo: Bill O'connor

Joppa Flats Education Center vacation programs offer a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities while we keep minds active and hands busy during school break. Beat the winter blahs during school break! Drop in for an hour or stay all morning, either one or both days, for a vacation destination that suits your schedule. Drop in for family fun! You'll see winter bird banding demonstrations and try out science and art activities. "Miss Lisa" invites you to join her at 11:00 for an energetic educational presentation where everyone particpates in the fun of an interactive mult-media show. After the presentation, weather permitting, we'll go outside for a group game.

When:

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 10am-Noon

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Winter Fun at Castle Hill

Beat those winter blues and make the most of February vacation by getting outside at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

Beat those winter blues and make the most of February vacation by getting outside! Every afternoon February 16-22, join us for winter fun for all ages at the Crane Estate from noon-4pm (we recommend you arrive by 3pm). Check in at the front desk in the main gallery of the house then plan your adventure! Roast s'mores around an outdoor fire pit, go on a winter scavenger hike, do an outdoor activity (see below), or cozy up inside with daily story time and a seasonal craft.

When:

Daily, February 16-22, 2020 Noon-4pm

Location:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

February Vacation

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Castle Hill Fire Pit Adventure

Get the kids outdoors with a Fire Pit Adventure during school vacation at the Trustees Castle Hill in Ipswich!

Get the kids outdoors with a Fire Pit Adventure during school vacation! Do our family treasure hunt and explore the grounds and then relax around a campfire.

When:

Daily, April 20-23, 2023 1PM, 2PM or 3PM

Location:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

April Vacation

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Something's Fishy at Maritime Gloucester

Kids will learn about fish at this Maritime Gloucester April Vacation drop-off program in Gloucester Massachusetts

What makes a fish a fish? Learn about all of the shapes and sizes of local fish and discover how form follows function. Create your own unique newly-discovered species and make a fish print to take home. Feel free to bring your own light-colored T-shirt to print on! For kids ages 6-10.

When:

Monday, April 21, 2023 10am-12pm

Location:

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All About Sharks at Maritime Gloucester

Discover the local shark species and how they play an important role in our ecosystem. Kids will also learn about sharks' sixth sense and how they can track prey! For kids ages 6-10.

When:

Tuesday, April 18, 2023 10am-12pm

Location:

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Farmer for a Day | April Vacation Week

Appleton Farm's Kids in Farmer for a Day program during april Vacation in Ipswich Massachusetts

In the spring, the farmers at Appleton are busy planting vegetables and caring for the new life on the farm. There is no better place to spend spring farm days than in exploring in the fields & forests and learning to love the outdoors in all seasons! This program is for kids who are looking to make friends, explore the farm, and learn about life in New England in spring. Every day will include an outdoor adventure of hiking, a theme-based craft, a farm learning activity, and other farm explorations.

When:

Monday-Friday, April 17-21, 2023 9am-3pm

Location:

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Easter Egg Hunt at Hastings House

Join the fun at the Hastings House's Easter Egg Hunt in Beverly Farms!

Bring your young children and join your neighbors for a fun Easter activity at Hastings House. We will host separate egg-hunting areas for kids under 5 from older kids. Please RSVP for your family so we get an idea of how many are coming. This year's generous sponsors are Matt Gibbons Cross Country Mortgage, Sweetwater & Co, and Kennerkenecht Design Group.

When:

Saturday, April 8, 2023 10-11:30am

Location:

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YWCA Engaging Communities Luncheon

The YWCA Greater Newburyport enters its 140th year serving the community, we invite you to join us once again for our annual Engaging Communities Luncheon on Wednesday, April 26th from 12:00 – 1:30 pm. Our theme this year is “Our Children, Our Future” as we showcase the childcare programs that have been a critical factor in allowing women to return to the workforce and help support their families through affordable housing, preschool and school age child care, health and welfare and racial justice.

When:

Wednesday, April 26, 2023 Noon -1:30pm

Location:

Riverwalk Brewing Company

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Meet the Lambs & Farm Visit

Meet the Lambs and Farm Tour at Goat to Go in Georgetown Massachusetts

Goats to Go's Annual Special Lamb Event: Meet the Lambs & Farm Visit. This 1-hour event involves a farm visit with meet and greet of the Katahdin sheep and the new lambs, as well as the other animals such as Llama and our Fainting Goats. Please note these may not involve cuddling or holding the lambs but we will do our best to get one for you to hold. We will have you outside the enclosure and along the fence line. Some areas in the barn we will not be able to social distance, so please plan accordingly and bring a mask/face covering as you feel necessary. Please arrive at least 30 mins before the end of the event session time. Advanced Online Registration is required.

When:

Saturday, April 8, 2023 12:30-2:30pm

Location:

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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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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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Music Together - Wednesday

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...

Where: St. John's Episcopal Church in Beverly Farms

9:30 am to 11:15 am

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Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

Come to Hammond Castle for the 6th annual Deck The Halls holiday celebration. Hammond Castle Museum will be dressed for the holidays inside and out. Delight in the enchanting ambiance of Christmas and White Birch trees, meticulously arranged garlands, festive wreaths, and the warm embrace of...

Where: Hammond Castle Museum

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

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We Walk the Woods!

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.

Where: Harold Parker State Forest

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Gingerbread Contest at Wenham Museum

Everyone's invited to enter Wenham Museum’s gingerbread contest! Individuals, families, groups, teams–all are encouraged to create a Gingerbread House for this friendly community competition.

Where: Wenham Museum

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

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Trustees Winterlights at Stevens Coolidge Place

Winterlights is back! Join the Trustees for a magical outdoor experience at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, and see the gardens aglow with your favorite light installations as well as marveling at new components. Bring the whole family for a fun and safe outdoor experience. Winterlights runs...

Where: Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

4:30 pm to 8:00 pm

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Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

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

Where: Mendel Observatory at Merrimack College

7:00 pm

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