Outdoor Activity

The Northern Lights

The Aurora Borealis seen over Winnepeg Canada from the NASA's ISS

This evening's program will focus on the northern lights, what causes them, and when and how to observe and photograph them. You will learn how to use the Internet to track their activity so that you can determine on your own when observing opportunities will arise. Do not expect to view them on the evening of the program.

When: 
Saturday, November 10, 2012 7:30-9 pm

Afterschool at Joppa: Study Sharks, Skates, & Rays!

The Blue Shark is common in North Atlantic waters. Photo: NOAA

This week's program will be about sharks and their relatives - skates and rays! Our afternoon starts off with self-guided activities, challenges, or puzzles that lead us to our topic for the day. As a group, we'll observe, investigate, and compare wildlife, their adaptations, and the changes that they undergo in autumn. Participants may play the role of entomologist, ornithologist, astronomer, or even glaciologist throughout this series. Each experience will leave your young naturalist eager for the next session. 

When: 
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 3:30 - 5pm

Fairy and Gnome Home Celebration

Illustration of Fairies from Princess Mary's Gift Book

The elusive fairies and gnomes who live in our forest are sometimes too busy to build their own homes. Let's help them out. But first, we'll learn about these mysterious and magical creatures. We'll play games, create fairy and gnome art, and then hike to the Hemlock Forest where we will design the homes. When we return as twilight is descending, we'll have hot cocoa and cookies to reward ourselves for doing a good deed. We'll sit by the woodstove to enjoy our treats and listen to a story about fairies and gnomes.

When: 
Sunday, October 21, 2012 4-6 pm

Afterschool at Joppa: Go to School with Fish & Eels!

Minnows Swim in Schools in the North Atlantic. Find out more at Joppa Flats!

This week's program will focus on schooling fish in the North Atlantic Waters off of New England! Our afternoon starts off with self-guided activities, challenges, or puzzles that lead us to our topic for the day. As a group, we'll observe, investigate, and compare wildlife, their adaptations, and the changes that they undergo in autumn. Participants may play the role of entomologist, ornithologist, astronomer, or even glaciologist throughout this series. Each experience will leave your young naturalist eager for the next session. 

When: 
Wednesday, October 17, 2012 3:30 - 5pm

Haunted Movies on the Common: Willy Wonka

Join Willy Wonka and the Oompa Loompas on Salem Common!

Grab a blanket and the kids and head over to Salem Common at dusk for an outdoor showing of some favorite family-friendly movies that will get you in the mood for a spooktacular Halloween!  Each weekend Radio 92.9 will sponsor a different movie through October, so come to one or all!

When: 
Saturday, October 20, 2012 6:30pm
Location: 

Afterschool at Joppa: Intertidal Investigation

Kids ages 6-8 will investigate the intertidal zone with Joppa Naturalists!

Our afternoon starts off with self-guided activities, challenges, or puzzles that lead us to our topic for the day. As a group, we'll observe, investigate, and compare wildlife, their adaptations, and the changes that they undergo in autumn. Participants may play the role of entomologist, ornithologist, astronomer, or even glaciologist throughout this series. Each experience will leave your young naturalist eager for the next session.

When: 
Wednesday, October 3, 2012 3:30 - 5pm

Tattersall Farm Day

6th Annual Tattersall Farm Day, a New England Style Agricultural Family Event

Enjoy a New England-style cultural and educational event for all ages. The 6th Annual Tattersall Farm Day, is poised to be the biggest yet with over a thousand people visiting the farm. Visitors will enjoy crafts and demonstrations from local vendors and experts, a petting zoo, hay rides, tethered hot air balloon rides, live music, barbeque, homemade ice cream and other refreshments. Balloon rides and a couple of other events require an additional fee.

This farm day is certain to be an enjoyable family oriented event! A good opportunity for great family photographs. Be sure to bring your camera and video camera.

When: 
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Location: 

Crane Estate Picnic Concert - Inner Visions

Inner Visions bring reggae music to Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in this Thur

Part of the Thursday Night Picnic Concerts at Castle Hill at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, this is a great way to get together and have fun with the whole family in an exclusive setting. You can pack a picnic dinner, bring the kids, and get ready to dance the night away under the stars on the Grand Allée. Explore the landscaped grounds and the family "Eye Spy."

When: 
Thursday, August 16, 2012 7-9 pm

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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

Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

Kids can meet the barnyard animals and hear a story at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts.
Barnyard stories really come alive when you get to see the main characters in real life! Bring the kids down to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh version of story time. Explore the farmstead, visit our learning garden, see our cows and rabbits, and find a spot to play under a shady tree in our...
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Thursday, February 19

StoryWalk at Halibut Point

StoryWalk®! Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming - a self guided reading tour at Halibut Point in Rockport Massachusetts
Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! StoryWalk®! Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming. Self-guided reading pages posted along a lovely Park trail near the visitor center. Connect with nature and each other while enjoying the...
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

February Vacation at MIT Museum

Kids will have a blast at the MIT Museum in Cambridge Massachusetts during February Vacation Week!
Come on your own, with friends, or bring the whole family to the museum for a special week of programming. The museum has a number of activities planned for the week of February 14-22, including extended Maker Hub and Learning Lab hours, tours, gallery cart demos and family workshops. With the...
Where: MIT Museum
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

Kids can meet the barnyard animals and hear a story at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts.
Barnyard stories really come alive when you get to see the main characters in real life! Bring the kids down to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh version of story time. Explore the farmstead, visit our learning garden, see our cows and rabbits, and find a spot to play under a shady tree in our...
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Friday, February 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

Quarry Quest Treasure Hunt

Kids will enjoy this treasure hunt at the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry in Rockport Massachusetts
Enjoy an outdoor treasure hunt at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations during February Vacation! Halibut Point State Park invites kids and families to follow clues then unscramble to find a treasure box!
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

StoryWalk at Halibut Point

StoryWalk®! Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming - a self guided reading tour at Halibut Point in Rockport Massachusetts
Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! StoryWalk®! Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming. Self-guided reading pages posted along a lovely Park trail near the visitor center. Connect with nature and each other while enjoying the...
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

February Vacation at MIT Museum

Kids will have a blast at the MIT Museum in Cambridge Massachusetts during February Vacation Week!
Come on your own, with friends, or bring the whole family to the museum for a special week of programming. The museum has a number of activities planned for the week of February 14-22, including extended Maker Hub and Learning Lab hours, tours, gallery cart demos and family workshops. With the...
Where: MIT Museum
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
10:30 am to 11:30 am
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