Outdoor Activity

Eco-Art: Nesting Time

Families will learn about bird nests at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: Robin's Nest Bill O'Connor

Families will examine our collection of bird nests to study how they're built and what materials were used in their construction. We'll explore the trails looking for nests and places where birds might build them. On our return, we will create our own nests using natural materials.

When: 
Thursday, July 12, 2018 9-11:00 am

History, Harmony & Hot Dogs

Danvers Family Festival History Harmony and Hot Dog neighborhood picnic

Enjoy a wonderful summer evening on the historic grounds of Glen Magna Farms.  .  Music by Decades of Rock Hotdogs, our famous root beer floats, ice cream, soda, water, beer and wine available for sale (don’t forget to bring your I.D.).  Bring a lawn chair or blanket, no pets or coolers please.

When: 
Tuesday, June 26, 2018 5-8pm
Location: 

Danvers Field Day

Danvers Family Festival Field Day

Pack up the gang for a day of exciting attractions and competitive and silly sporting events for the entire family. Our 3rd Annual Field Day and Scoop-Ah-Bowl will bring back our Red Sox Mobile unit, High Flying Dogs Frisbee show, World Class magician, plenty of food trucks, fantastic music and many more surprises.  The younger kids will love our obstacle course and all the classic summertime favorites like dizzy bat, three legged and other fun races, watermelon eating contests, face painting, a balloon artist extraordinaire, and a wiffleball tourney for all skill levels!

When: 
Saturday, June 30, 2018 11am - 2pm
Rain Date: July 1
Location: 

Late Night Moth Hunt at Coolidge Stevens Estate

Come learn about moths at the Trustees of Reservations' Stevens-Coolidge Estate in North Andover

Have you ever wondered about the moths attracted to your porch light? What are they called, what do they eat, why are they attracted to light and where do they go when the summer ends? Join independent researcher Deb Lievens for an illustrated talk about moths inside The Stevens-Coolidge historic house, followed by moth viewing in the gardens at night. Several "viewing stations" with black lights will be setup prior to the talk so that upon its conclusion, we'll have plenty of specimens to view under expert supervision.

When: 
Sunday, July 7, 2018 8:30-10:30pm

Beverly Farms Library Lawn Party

Enjoy an afternoon of family fun and acitivities at the Beverly Farms Library!

You do not have access to view this node  hosts their annual party on the library lawn at the Beverly Farms Branch.  Come for a fun afternoon that features entertainment, a book sale, games and crafts for children, and ice cream sundaes for all! Learn about summer reading activities for children. The Lawn Party is sponsored by the Friends of the Beverly Farms Library.

When: 
Saturday, June 2, 2018 1-3 PM

Sharing Nature with Children

Come experience Nature Awareness activities and games that engage heart, mind, and senses at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Want to instill your children with the wonder and joy of nature but aren't sure how? Come experience Nature Awareness activities and games that engage heart, mind, and senses. Fun and easy to learn, these uplifting and playful activities were developed by world-renowned experiential educator Joseph Cornell. Share them as a family and rediscover the beauty and richness of nature.

When: 
Saturday, June 9, 2018 10am-Noon

Saturday Hay Bale Hangout at Appleton Farms

Explore Appleton Farms with your family - or come and just hang out! Photo: ©2011 Bill O'Connor

Join Appleton Farms for oem fun on the farm! Have you ever collected warm eggs from the chicken coop or seen how fast sheep will run for their morning helping of grain? Join us for our NEW weekend Hay Bale Hangout and spend the day at Appleton Farms. Stop by for fantastic farmyard meet and greets! Hands on activities start at 10AM and run every ½ hour. Greet the goats, make a wool bracelet, cuddle a calf, farm story time, collect chicken eggs and more! In between activities hang out in the Carriage Barn and explore our all-day learning stations or picnic outside in the Stone Paddock!

When: 
Saturdays Through June 2018 10am-1:30pm
Location: 

A Fairy House Tea for Mother’s Day

Come to the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts for a fun exploration and fairy house building session on Mother's Day!

Join The Trustees of Reservations at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate for a special Mother's Day tea! We’ll start with a walk to the Pine Grove, then create special fairy houses to visit for teatime. Join in the wonder of making a tiny world with nature’s treasures, and linger for a cuppa and a snack to honor the awe-inspiring marvels of Mothers!

When: 
Sunday, May 13, 2018 1-3pm

Pages

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

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 15th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, MA. Pingree . The exhibit will open in early September with more than 50 temporary works on display in addition to the 20 pieces in the permanent collection of Pingree School. The exhibit ...
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Music Together - Wednesday

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...
9:30 am to 11:15 am

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
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...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

We Walk the Woods!

Walk the trails in a group at Harold Parker State Forest Every Wednesday at 10am
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.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

Mendel Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night
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
7:00 pm

Saturday, December 7

NEER North Holiday Open House

NEER North Holiday open house to celebrate the holidays and with our adopted animals!
NEER North invites you to their Holiday Open House! Swing by NEER North for our fourth annual Holiday Open House event.
Where: NEER North
11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Marblehead Christmas Walk Parade

The Christmas Walk parade in Marblehead Massachusetts is a a holiday tradition for the entire town!
The Marblehead Christmas Walk Parade takes place after Santa Arrives in Marblehead. The Parade begins at 11:45 and the route takes approximately one hour, traveling from Front St., State St., Washington St., Five Corners, Atlantic Ave. Gerry Street, down Pleasant St. and concluding at the National...
11:45 am

Santa’s Arrival & Tree Lighting in Rockport

Santa comes to Rockport Ma by lobster boat to kick off the Holiday season in Rockport Massachusetts!
Where else can you see Santa arrive by lobster boat? Santa will arrive at Rockport’s T-Wharf on Rockport Harbor following a brisk lobster boat ride across Sandy Bay. Then Santa will climb up onto a Rockport Forest Fire truck and proceed along T-Wharf and Broadway to the First Baptist Church, led by...
12:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Santa-by-the-Sea!

Santa will arrive at Masconomo Park by lobster boat at 1 pm on December 2, 2017
Come to the the annual Jingle Bell Walk in Manchester! Santa will arrive at Masconomo Park by boat and lead the children in a parade around the park and then be available for pictures. There will also be a petting zoo, crafts, face painting, a candy cane hunt, refreshments and a visit from Mrs.
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Amesbury Holiday Parade

Enjoy the tradition of the Amesbury Massachusetts Holiday parade with your family!
Enjoy the tradition of the Amesbury Massachusetts Holiday parade with your family! This year’s theme for the Amesbury Holiday Parade is Musical Notes and Holiday Floats. The parade will begin at 3:30pm from the intersection of Sparhawk and Greenleaf Street, and finish up with the Amesbury Holiday...
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Trustees Winterlights at Stevens Coolidge Place

The Trustees of Reservations Winterlights at the Stevents-Coolidge Place North Andover North Andover.
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...
4:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Sunday, December 8

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

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

Marblehead Christmas Walk

The Marblehead Christmas Walk is several days of local Holiday events in Marblehead Massachusetts
The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce invites you to Marblehead to enjoy several days of holiday festivities, family events and activities!  Come for one or all days with highlights that include Santa's arrival by lobster boat,Festive shopping, Tree Lightings, a holiday parade, Artisan Markets,...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

2024 Marblehead Gingerbread Festival

The Marblehead Gingerbread Festival is part of the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Walk, and the proceeds will go to benefit the Marblehead Family Fund and the Marblehead Historical Society.
Come see over 100 locally and professionally made gingerbread creations on display at the historic Jeremiah Lee Mansion in Marblehead, MA during this year's Marblehead Christmas Walk. Community members, businesses, and families are building and donating dozens of gingerbread houses, boats and local...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Subscribe to Outdoor Activity