DCR

February School Vacation at Bradley Palmer

Bradley Palmer State Park has some great acitivities for kids during February vacation week in Massachusetts

Bradley Palmer State Park is located at 40 Asbury St. in Topsfield. All programs are free and open to the public. Reasonable accommodations upon request. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Events outside may include rough, uneven trails that contain ice and snow, warm clothing and sturdy footwear are recommended. Inclement weather cancels events.

When: 
Daily Febraury 16-20, 2025

For the Love of Birding at Halibut Point

Meet at Halibut Point State Park for Beginning birding - held on the 3rd Sunday of each month.

Start your morning strolling our seaside treasure with Birding Basics Halibut Point State Park. For all ages.
Winter brings birds and ducks to the seashore that escape freezing ponds up north. You’ll see Harlequin ducks and loons among the winter visitors at the rocky coastal water’s edge. Join us for a short, leisurely walk while learning about their sounds, habits, and flight patterns. Halibut Point is such a great place to bird watch with all of its micro environments and seaside location.

When: 
Sunday, February 16, 2025 8-10am

Story Walk | This Is the Nest Robin Built

Kids will enjoy this self-guided story based tour of the Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts! Photo by Bill O'Connor

Enjoy a story, fresh air and exercise at Halibut Point State Park during February Vacation! Join us on the grounds of the for a self-guided StoryWalk® featuring the children’s picture book This is the Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming. Follow the path to book pages posted along the route. A wonderful story awaits! For kids aged 4-7 with adult.

When: 
Daily February 15-23, 2025 8am-3pm

Wonderful Winter Birding

Beginning winter birding is held on the 3rd Sunday of each Winter month at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts

Halibut Point State Park, along the Atlantic migratory path, is an excellent locale for winter birding species you rarely see anywhere else.Winter brings birds and ducks from frozen ponds up north to our seashore. See Harlequin ducks and loons among the winter visitors at
this rocky coastal water’s edge. Bundle up and join us for a short, leisurely walk while learning about bird sounds, habits, and flight patterns.

When: 
Sunday, February 19, 2025 8-10am
Sunday, February 16, 2025 8-10am
Sunday, March 16, 2025 8-10am

Watching the Coastal Edge at Halibut Point

Tour the WWII era observation tower at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts.

Meet at the Halibut Point State Park visitors center to learn about the role Halibut Point has played in America’s military history. One day after the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, U.S. enhanced defenses with coastal patrols and built a network of watch towers at ocean edges. One tower, completed in 1944, now serves as Halibut Point State Park’s newly renovated Visitor Center! We’ll provide a guided “tower tour/talk” about Halibut’s military history and the then cutting-edge technology.

When: 
Sundays, January 7-March 9, 2025 11am-Noon

Hike to Bootleggers Field

Join the park interpreter for a for a hike to Bootleggers Field at Madslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts For ages 8 & up.

Join the park interpreter for a moderate walk, but longer hike to apark location rarely visited! Join the park interpreter on a 3 mile (round trip) hike to the northeast section of the park, known as Bootleggers Field. We’ll explore some of the mysteries of that area plus enjoy the river view, come and experience this journey! The trails are mainly flat with some sloping terrain, a walking stick is recommended. For ages 8 years & up.

When: 
Saturday, September 28, 2024 1-3pm

Fishing Festival at Harold Parker State Forest

Come to Harold Parker State Forest's Sudden Pond in North Reading Massachusetts for a full day of fishing fun!

Come to Sudden Pond for a day of fishing for all ages! This event is perfect for anglers of any experience level. Cast a line, learn about the fish in our waters, safety, and equipment. MassWildlife Angler Education Volunteer Instructors will be on hand to assist. Equipment is provided. No license required. The Friends of Harold Parker State Forest will be providing a barbecue for the hungry fisher people.

When: 
Saturday, September 14, 2024 10am-2pm

Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay | Thread

Artists will install their sculptures at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts for public viewing!

Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the 25th Annual Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay Exhibit September 8-29 featuring 50 site specific sculptures by local artists addressing this year’s theme, ‘Thread' within the magnificence of Maudslay State Park in Newburyport. Look for the large green trail head signs featuring sculpture locations and instructions for downloading our simple phone app which will include the sculpture locations, photos, and artist statements.

When: 
September 8-29, 2024 during Park Hours

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Camp Whirlygig for kids ages 4-10 at the Wenham Museum in Massachusetts

Bruins Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
From February 1 through March 15, Cradles to Crayons®, the Boston Bruins, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and Wonderfund are coming together with organizations in your community to collect new pajamas for local children living in low-income and homeless situations. Together, we are...
7:00 am to 9:00 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

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

Drop-In Family LEGO at HWPL

Family LEGO building at the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library in Massachusetts
Put your imagination and building skills to the test at this self-directed drop-in program. Best for children ages 3+ with a caregiver due to small pieces. No registration needed.
3:15 pm to 4:15 pm

Saturday, March 15

Bruins Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
From February 1 through March 15, Cradles to Crayons®, the Boston Bruins, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and Wonderfund are coming together with organizations in your community to collect new pajamas for local children living in low-income and homeless situations. Together, we are...
7:00 am to 9:00 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

Teen Naturalist Club at IRWS: Spring/Summer Series

Join Mass Audubon for their Teen Naturalist Club at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield Massachusetts!
Explore a variety of local ecosystems, learn more about a wide range of natural history topics, and do real wildlife data collection and conservation projects in this exciting club for teens!
8:00 am to 5:00 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

Nice n' Easy Hike at Breakheart Reservation

Nice and Easy winter hike at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Join the Park Interpreter for this weekly guided hike! Each trip will highlight natural and historic features unique to Breakheart. Hikes are moderately paced and range from 2-3 miles over sometimes uneven and rocky terrain. Best for ages 8 years and up. Meet at the Visitor Center.
9:30 am to 11:30 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

Maple Sugaring Saturday at IRWS

Sugaring Off tours are a fun and tasty way to learn about maple sugaring at IRWS
Experience the age-old tradition of maple sugaring at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary! The warm days of late winter awaken the flow of sap in the maples resulting in sweet-smelling, billowing clouds of steam rising from the sugarhouse. On a naturalist-guided walk, learn how to identify a sugar...
10:30 am to 3:30 pm

Guided Tour | When Granite Was King!

Find out the story behind the history of granite quarrying at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport, Massachusetts!
Halibut Point State Park is also a granite quarry with a history that goes back billions of years! Over one hundred years ago, the Rockport Granite Company quarried granite stone here.
11:00 am to 12:30 pm

Sunday, March 16

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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