Let's head outdoors to our spectacular local habitats to see what's new! We love to find things; think about colors, shapes, and patterns; and wonder why this place is a special home to wildlife. You and your preschooler will both enjoy this fun, energetic format for exploring nature.
Cape Ann YMCA is hosting a free Community Baby Shower for expectant parents and new parents with infants 0-6 months old. Join us for a fun and informational event that will include infant CPR demonstrations, refreshments, games, prizes and raffles, and information about community resources. This free event is sponsored by Sawyer Free Library, Pathways, Gloucester's Department of Public Health, The Open Door, and the YMCA.
Mid-October is an excellent time to take in the spectacular and stunning colors provided by the Ipswich River. The riverside silver maples will be showing off their yellow-gold, while the cattails and other marsh grasses will provide beautiful greens and browns, all set against the winding blues and blacks of the river. Have your family join us for a few hours as we explore this pristine habitat via a gentle paddle in canoes. With a little luck we might encounter a beaver, otter, or muskrat as well!
Hammond Castle ost a fun night of Halloween fun for kids! Calling all Ghosts and Goblins to our very first Tricks Or Treats at Hammond Castle Museum! On October 30th, between 3 and 5 pm, we welcome all children on Cape Ann to dress in their best gowns, their scariest masks, their most outrages costumes and to join us for pumpkin decorating, trick or treating, and warm cider and snacks!
Please join us for pumpkin decorating, face painting, music, cider donuts and more! Decorated pumpkins may be left to be submitted into the MFF's Pumpkin Illumination on 10/24 (for a chance to win prizes!). Admission include everything needed to decorate a pumpkin! Hosted by the Marblehead Family Fund and the Marblehead Recreation Department.
Join the specialists of Wingmasters for a live birds of prey demonstration in The Stevens-Coolidge Place gardens. Birds of prey are also known as raptors, and they are hunting birds characterized by hooked beaks and powerful grabbing feet armed with sharp talons (the word raptor comes from a Latin word that means "to seize"). Raptors can also boast the best eyesight and the sharpest hearing in the animal kingdom. Raptors include hawks, falcons and owls, and this presentation, which incorporates 8 live birds of prey gives an overview of these different categories.
Maudslay State Park invites you to take a snapshot look at the three stone bridges erected by the Moseleys – and their history. The bridges are architectural wonders, still functional after many years of use. The three stone bridges of Maudslay make a visit to the park a unique experience and tell us stories about the family and the property. When were the bridges built? What did they replace? Where did materials originate from?
New Planetarium Show Suited for Adults and Children with Sound/Light Sensitivities, and More
The first show, Big Bird's Adventure: One World, One Sky (Soft Light, Soft Sound) will be offered for the first time October 6 at 10:30 am and will also be shown on the first Sundays of November and December as well. With looser house rules, audience members should feel comfortable to talk amongst themselves and move from their seats, so that everyone feels welcome to enjoy the Planetarium experience and the wonders of the night sky regardless of sensory needs, ability, or age.
Tucked away on the roof of the Museum's parking garage, the Gilliland Observatory is a wonderful resource for our starry-eyed public. On clear nights, you can view stars, planets, the Moon, and other astronomical phenomena. On cloudy nights, tour the inside of the Observatory, and participate in astronomy-related activities run by our knowledgeable staff. Astronomy After Hours is the perfect place to kick off your weekend with your family.
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary invites families for a great exploration of the pond habitat! Though they are small, ponds contain a rich variety of plant and animal life. Explore Waterfowl Pond for a close-up look at a place where hungry creatures are always on the hunt. Using nets and other collecting equipment, dip into the water, sweep through the weeds, and scoop up mud to discover the creatures that live there.
