Mass Audubon

Winter Mindful Nature Experience for Families

Get outside with your family for some fresh air and to experience the beauty of the ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary.

Get outside with your family for some fresh air and to experience the beauty of the sanctuary. A Mindful Nature Experience incorporates elements of mindfulness, forest bathing, ayurveda, and yoga to connect mind and body in community with the outdoors, reinvigorate your senses, and deeply immerse you in the healing power of nature. As a family, awaken your bodies with easy, flowing exercises, and use mindful breathing techniques to connect with and offer gratitude for the natural world. Walk with awareness to immerse deeply in nature, explore your senses using various sensory techniques that awaken curiosity, and find your own personal sit spot to meditate as one with nature.

When: 
Sunday, February 9, 2020 3-5pm

Family Snowshoe & Winter World Hike

If it ever snows, this will be a great exploration of IRWS on snowshoes!

Have you ever wanted to try snowshoeing but didn't know where to start? Join us for a leisurely snowshoe hike through the sanctuary. Along the way, we will search for animal tracks and keep our eyes open for wildlife. If you don't own snowshoes, we'll provide them for you. Snow or not, we will enjoy a wonderful winter hike and end with some hot chocolate to warm up!

When: 
Saturday, February 8, 2020 1:30-3pm

North American Birds of Prey at IRWS

Wingmasters present live North American Birds of Prey at Mass Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Come see live birds of prey up close in this presentation that will introduce you to the different types of raptors including eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls. We'll discuss the special features these birds have that enable them to be successful predators at the top of the food chain.  Note: this programs fills up quickly so register soon!

When: 
Sunday, January 26, 2020 11am-12:15pm [FULL]
Sunday, January 26, 2020 1:15-2:30pm

Sense of Wonder Walk: Backyard Birds

Learn about and help feed local birds that spend the winter in New England at Mass Audubon's Ipwich River Wildlife Sanctuary

There's a lot going on in the natural world in winter, so bundle up the family and join us for an outdoor exploration! This walk will begin with a short introduction indoors, and then we'll go outside to explore. What birds visit your house in winter? We'll walk the trails looking, listening, and calling for birds. After our hike, we'll return to the Nature Center to warm up and view birds from our observation window.

When: 
Sunday, February 2, 2020 1:30-3pm

Pre-K Owl Prowl

Preschoolers will learn all about owls at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary during this owl prowl designed just for them!

The folks at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary have created an owling expedition just for kids aged 3-6! Winter is the perfect time of year to go out in search of owls. We'll learn about these fascinating birds through a story and hands-on activities before we head out on our adventure to look for them. Afterwards, we'll warm up by the woodstove with a cup of hot chocolate and cookies.

When: 
Friday, February 1, 2020 4-6 pm

Youth Outdoor Survival Challenge: Shelters

Teens will learn outdoors survival skills at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary!

In this outdoor survival skills program, older children will learn the basics of the ancient outdoor skill of shelter building. We will look at real examples of animal homes for inspiration, learn some different shelter types and their pros and cons, discuss shelter safety, and make our own full-size shelters on the sanctuary. If there is snow we will make cozy quinzhee huts and if there is no snow we will make leafy lean-to huts. No experience necessary--just a desire to survive and thrive in the wild!

When: 
Saturday, February 1, 2020 1:30-3:30pm

Imagine, Sing & Learn: Moon and Stars

Kids will learn about the moon and stars at the Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport!

These fun-filled morning programs with “Miss Lisa” are perfect for both 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 take-home coloring pages and fun follow-up activities. 

When: 
Friday, December 20, 2019 10-11:30am

Imagine, Sing & Learn: Squirrel & Bird Nests

Kids will learn about squirrel and birds nests at Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport Massachusetts

These fun-filled morning programs are perfect for both 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 take-home coloring pages and fun follow-up activities.  Today's program focuses on the nests of birds and squirrels.

When: 
Friday, November 22, 2019 10-11:30am

Family Forest Festival

Join Mass Audubon to celebrate the forest with your family at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary.

Journey back in time with Mass Audubon and the Topsfield Historical Society on a child-friendly guided hike with hands-on games and activities to learn about the people and wildlife who have called these forests home. Try your hand at building a kid-sized log cabin, see and use real historical carpentry tools, and learn the names and stories of the towering trees and woodland wildlife all around us. Late fall is a wonderful time to take a hike with friends and family and give thanks for the resources and beauty that nature provides for us all. The hike is approximately 1 hour long, set at a leisurely pace with stops to explore. Fun forest activities, snacks, hot drinks, and a roaring fire in our cozy barn are ongoing throughout the program.

When: 
Saturday, November 23, 2019 1-4pm

Family Open House: A Songbird Celebration

Kids will learn about local and migrating birds at Joppa Flats Education Center.

As backyard birds head south for the winter, let's give them a proper send-off with a fun, free family event that features bird banding demonstrations, interactive games about bird migration, and lots of table-top science. Younger children will enjoy our crafts and games, while older children can get involved in physics and engineering fun! Preregistration is not required. children must be accompanied by an adult. Family presentations will be offered at half-past each hour.

When: 
Sunday, November 17, 2019 10am-3pm

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Brookwood School Summer Program for kids Pre-K through 9 in Manchester Massachusetts

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Wenham Museum Spring/Summer Sports Sale

Spring & Summer Sports Sale at Wenham Musseum in Massachusetts
Back by popular demand! After a successful inaugural sale in 2024, Wenham Museum’s Spring & Summer Sports Sale returns for its second year. In keeping with the Museum’s former Attic Treasures Sale tradition, the Spring & Summer Sports Sale brings the community together for a fun and...
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Dungeons & Dragons | Roaming Realms | Grades 7-12

Table Top Role Playing Games (RPG) at Newburyport Massachusetts Public Library
This program is registration only. Space is limited so register right away! Join the adventure guild and explore the Roaming Realms! All you need is your wit and a level 4 character sheet. Premade character sheets will be provided as well. This D&D club is for new players as well as experienced...
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Pokémon Trading Card Party

Pokemon Trading Card Party at the Peabody Institute public library in Danvers Massachusetts
Bring your Pokémon trading cards and trade away! Don't have any? We will give you 3 to get started on your trades. Ages 8 - 11.
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Friday, April 18

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Wenham Museum Spring/Summer Sports Sale

Spring & Summer Sports Sale at Wenham Musseum in Massachusetts
Back by popular demand! After a successful inaugural sale in 2024, Wenham Museum’s Spring & Summer Sports Sale returns for its second year. In keeping with the Museum’s former Attic Treasures Sale tradition, the Spring & Summer Sports Sale brings the community together for a fun and...
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Music Together - Friday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
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...
10:30 am to 11:15 am

Saturday, April 19

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Music Together - Saturday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
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...
9:15 am to 11:15 am

Wenham Museum Spring/Summer Sports Sale

Spring & Summer Sports Sale at Wenham Musseum in Massachusetts
Back by popular demand! After a successful inaugural sale in 2024, Wenham Museum’s Spring & Summer Sports Sale returns for its second year. In keeping with the Museum’s former Attic Treasures Sale tradition, the Spring & Summer Sports Sale brings the community together for a fun and...
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Totoise & Hare 10k/5k Race & Color Run

Tortoise & Hare 5k/10k & Color Run raises funds for the Recreation Department in Salisbury Massachusetts
Come celebrate the arrival of Spring at the Tortoise and the Hare 5K & 10K and Color Run!! The color run is not timed, but sure to be fun! The event continues to fundraise for the Salisbury Parks and Recreation.
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Sunday, April 20

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Wenham Museum Spring/Summer Sports Sale

Spring & Summer Sports Sale at Wenham Musseum in Massachusetts
Back by popular demand! After a successful inaugural sale in 2024, Wenham Museum’s Spring & Summer Sports Sale returns for its second year. In keeping with the Museum’s former Attic Treasures Sale tradition, the Spring & Summer Sports Sale brings the community together for a fun and...
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
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