Hike

Blueberries for Sale at Weir Hill

Join the Trustees on a hike up Weir Hill in North Andover in search of wild blueberries! Children and their caregivers are invited to take a stroll through Weir Hill and celebrate blueberry season with a story time of the classic children’s book, [amazon:978-0670175918:inline] by Robert McCloskey. With lowbush blueberries abound, participants will feel like they have joined Sal on her adventure on Blueberry Hill. “Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk!”

When:

Monday, July 16, 2018 9:30-10:30am

Location:

Trustees of Reservations

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Seasonal Kid Craft Day at Veasey Park

Seasonal Kid Craft Day at Veasey Memorial PArk in Groveland, MA

Create colorful corn, pinecone turkeys, and more at Veasey Park! A great way to decorate your Thanksgiving table. Great for ages 3 and up!
All supplies will be included. Tickets are $10 per family. Register and pay online or at the door.

When:

Tuesday, November 16, 2021 1pm

Location:

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STEAM for Kids | Monarchs and Wilkweed

Spring STEAM activities for kids at Veasey Memorial PArk in Groveland, MA focused on plants that attract butterflies

Poisonous Plants, Endangered Insects, and Beneficial Bombs! Huh?!
When are bombs beneficial? How can toxic plants actually help and support an endangered species? Join us to learn more about Monarchs and Milkweed, make native milkweed seed bombs, and, while they dry, craft Butterfly Suncatchers. Take the suncatchers home or help us adorn Veasey's enclosed porch! When the seed bombs are dry, you can take them home or toss them into the field at Veasey Park.

When:

Tuesday, May 17, 2022 2:30-4pm

Location:

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STEAM for Kids at Veasey Park

Spring STEAM activities for kids at Veasey Memorial PArk in Groveland, MA

Drop-in during one of our sessions! $10 / family will include everything you need! Ages 3 & up. Caregivers are responsible for children during activity, and may need to help children with some of the steps. Online ticket sales will end a day before the scheduled class. If you are unable to make it to the event, and would like a take home kit, please get in touch!

When:

Tuesday, June 7, 2022 1-2:30pm

Location:

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ECTA: Chebacco Woods Trail Walk

Join ECTA Trail Steward Sue McLaughlin (amazing woman and friend of NSK) for a hike through the Chebacco Woods area. Chebacco Road is off Essex St (Rte22) in Hamilton. We will meet at the main entrance on the west side of Chebacco Road. There is parking for about 8 cars at this entrance, and there is more parking at the canoe launch down the road.

When:

Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 9 AM

Hamilton

Hike

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A House for a Mouse

A family-friendly stroll down a forest path. We’ll read a story about animal houses and then we’ll go explore some real animal habitats along the trail. Do you know where birds live? Chipmunks? Beaver? Come join us and find out! We recommend bringing water, insect repellent, sun screen, binoculars and camera.

Appropriate for Pre-K to K level. Program will meet at the nature center at the entrance to the campground, 133 Jenkins Road in Andover

When:

Friday May 13, 2016 10:00-11:00am

Location:

Harold Parker State Forest

Andover

Hike

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Crane Estate Father’s Day Weekend Family Camp Out

campout with the Trusteees at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts for Fathers Day!

The Trustees of Reservations hosts an adventure-filled weekend camping at the Crane Estate! Our special site in the Pine Grove is an ideal location for both experienced campers and first-timers. This overnight includes a choice of optional programs and activities on Saturday afternoon, which may include a Great Marsh Creek Walk, a Dune Hike through the Crane Wildlife Refuge, a Guided Kayak Paddle in Essex Bay, or a Scavenger Hunt for the little ones. Of course you are also free to simply lounge on the beach, or explore the property on your own. Bring a bag lunch for Saturday. REI will teach us how to make a delicious, nutritious camp out supper – and we’ll follow that with s’mores around the campfire on Saturday night. A light breakfast will be provided on Sunday morning. After you pack up on Sunday morning, you are welcome to spend Sunday afternoon at the beach (parking in the lot by the Barn only).

When:

Saturday, June 18 - Sunday, June 19, 2016 11AM

Location:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

Hike

Kayaking

Scavenger Hunt

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Sense of Wonder Walks for Families: Witches' Brooms and Gingerbread Houses

Galls can be seen on all sorts of plants and are actually temporary bug homes!

Can you imagine eating the home that you grew up in? Some insects lay eggs inside plants and cause strange-looking growths called galls. The walls of these miniature "bug castles" give the developing insect larvae food and shelter. This is evidence of another fascinating relationship between insects and plants. We will examine a variety of galls and learn about the lives of their inhabitants. On our walk, we'll hunt for as many kinds of galls as we can find.

When:

Sunday, October 18, 2015 1:30-3pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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Winter Homeschool for Ages 12 to 15

Tweens and Teens will explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary to learn wilderness skills on the North Shore Massachusetts!

Ipswich River's weekly homeschool classes promote an active engagement with nature through inquiry-based, hands-on environmental education. Join us as we explore the many different habitats provided by our nearly 2,000-acre sanctuary, and lay the foundation for a lifelong connection with nature. This season, we will focus on the survival skills that all animals (including humans) need to survive the harsh New England winter.

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

North Shore as Classroom

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Discovering Nature Through Story, Music, and Art

Kids will explore the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary to connect with nature and learn about the creatures of the North Shore Massachusetts wilderness!

Preschoolers and young kids will explore the wonders of winter in the "enchanted woods" of Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in this four-session series. We'll begin in the Nature Center with story, poetry, and imagination. Next, we'll bundle up for a winter walk to awaken our sense of wonder to the silence, scents, and scenery of the sleeping winter woods. Along the way, discover how the trees, plants, birds, beavers, squirrels, chipmunks, and other wildlife spend the winter. We'll look for animal stories in the snow (tracking) and much more. After our walks, we'll create artwork that reflects the wonders of winter that we discovered, while listening to winter nature songs. These keepsakes will bring home winter's secrets and beauty as we await the signs of spring.

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

North Shore as Classroom

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Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...

7:00 am to 9:00 pm

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Chess Club at Salem Public Library

Salem Public Library the library is hosting weekly chess nights where players of all ages can play and learn from each other. Whether you're new to the game or a veteran player, all skill levels welcome, and basic instru

Where: Salem Public Library

6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

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Saturday, February 28

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike

Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us this season. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place…

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Maple Stroll at Appleton Farms

Visit the historic maple stand and sugar shack at Appleton Farms and learn all about maple sugaring, its history at the farm and in New England, and how you can try your hand at it at home!

Where: Appleton Farms

11:00 am to 2:15 pm

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Sunday, March 1

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

7:00 am to 9:00 pm

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Watching the Coastal Edge at Halibut Point

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.

Where: Halibut Point State Park

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

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CraneOutdoors: Family Winter Wildlife Walk

A CraneOutdoors Family Winter Wildlife Walk will take you on a stroll through the Crane Beach dunes while learning about the plants and animals that call this special place home. You may be familiar with Crane Beach, but have you ever visited the dune trails? The dunes of Castle Neck are a much...

Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

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Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum

Join in on Sundays at 2:30 for STEAM Club for ages 5-11. Each week participants will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with our NSCM staff! Every STEAM club session will see your kids participating in hands-on activities while exploring a new topic. Space is limited, please...

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

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