Exploration

Afterschool at Joppa: Mudflat Trekkers

What lives in the tidal mud? Kids will learn about it at Joppa Flats Education C

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 each season. Participants may play the role of a zoologist, a naturalist, or even a marine biologist throughout this series. Each experience will leave your young scientist eager for the next session.

When: 
Wednesday, October 2, 2013 3:30 - 5pm

Kayaking the Essex River Basin

Explore the Essex River Basin with ERBA as part of Trails & Sails 2013

Join Essex River Basin Adventures (ERBA) for a guided kayak paddle the Essex River Basin!Take a 2 hour guided kayaking tour and experiennce the tranquil waters of the basin's diverse habitats with miles of estuaries, inland islands, wildlife, beaches and dunes. Part of Trails & Sails.

When: 
Sunday, September 29, 2013 9-11am

Afterschool at Joppa: Backyard Ponders

Kids will learn about ponds and the creatures that live in them at Joppa Flats!

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 each season. Participants may play the role of a zoologist, a naturalist, or even a marine biologist throughout this series. Each experience will leave your young scientist eager for the next session.

When: 
Wednesday, September 25, 2013 3:30 - 5pm

Parent/Child Afternoon Walkabout: Hop, Wriggle, Swim!

Discover the creatures that live in Mill Pond's habitat with the Mass Audubon!

On this excursion kids will be ponding with Joppa Flats Education Center at Mill Pond in West Newbury! Come explore the pond habitat and learn about the creatures that live there! We will be exploring the edge of a pond with safe shore access using nets, scoopers, strainers, cups, bowls and spoons. We’ll examine the water, leaf litter and plants with hand lenses and magiscopes. We’ll walk along the edge of the meadow near the pond looking for signs of life and spotting birds. We’ll give out binoculars to all participants. Each participant will take home coloring packets!

When: 
Saturday, September 20, 2013 10-11:30 am
Saturday, September 20, 2013 1-2:30 pm
Location: 

Parent/Child Morning Walkabout: Hop, Wriggle, Swim!

Discover the creatures that live in Mill Pond's habitat with the Mass Audubon

On this excursion kids will be ponding with Joppa Flats Education Center at Mill Pond in West Newbury! Come explore the pond habitat and learn about the creatures that live there! We will be exploring the edge of a pond with safe shore access using nets, scoopers, strainers, cups, bowls and spoons. We’ll examine the water, leaf litter and plants with hand lenses and magiscopes. We’ll walk along the edge of the meadow near the pond looking for signs of life and spotting birds. We’ll give out binoculars to all participants. Each participant will take home coloring packets!

When: 
Friday, September 20, 2013 10-11:30 am
Friday, September 20, 2013 1-2:30 pm

The Art of Nature: Butterflies, Dragonflies, and Damselflies

Kids explore Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary with water colorist Brenda Sloane

Join watercolorist Brenda Sloane in a monthly program that combines nature and art. We will start with a walk on the sanctuary to observe the topic of the month. We will then return to the Nature Center to create a follow-up work of art.

When: 
Saturday, September 21, 2013 1-3:30 pm

Guided Kayak Paddle at the Crane Wildlife Refuge

Families with kids aged 10 and up can explore the Crane Wild Life refuge.

Join The Trustees of Reservations and Essex River Basin Adventures (ERBA) for a guided kayak paddle of Crane Wildlife Refuge in Essex Bay. This introductory paddle teaches participants the basics of sea kayaking before setting out to explore what Yankee Magazine called "the best place to kayak in New England."

When: 
Saturdays & Sundays through Sept 16, 2013 2-4pm

Monarch Butterfly Banding at IRWS

Help Mass Audubon tag monarch butterflies at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary!

Bring your young naturalist to the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary for a day of butterfly banding!  The annual migration of eastern monarch butterflies to central Mexico and back is one of the most remarkable events in nature. Cindy Dunn has been tagging monarchs at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton for many years. Join her for an afternoon of tagging monarchs on the sanctuary. Learn about the fascinating life history of these butterflies and find out how you can help monarchs in your own backyard.

When: 
Saturday September 7, 2013 1-3pm

Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Mill Pond

Join Joppa Flats at Mill Pond in W. Newbury to explore ponds!

Adults and children can spend quality family time in the great outdoors finding, observing, and admiring local wildlife. Excursions with Joppa Flats Education Center include a group game to burn off some steam, an on-the-water scavenger hunt, or a guided tour. We'll observe, investigate, and compare pond habitats and their inhabitants, both on-and offshore. Participants play out the roles of biologists, researchers, birders, and botanists. Thisadventure will leave your family excited to come back for more!

When: 
Sunday, September 8, 2013 1-3:30pm

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Art Academy Summer Program at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly MA

ECGA Mutt Strut

Hike Thompson Street Reservation in Gloucester Massachusetts with your dog and the ECGA!
An adventurous outing for you and your pup! Tompson Street has a little of everything: wooded trails, bridges across the swamp, rocky outcroppings…! The dogs and humans have a blast! Social dogs very, very welcome!
1:30 am to 3:30 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

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

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

Tree Jubilee at Marini Farm

The Tree Jubilee hosted by Marini Farm in Ipswich  MA is a fun and unique charity event!!
Come to Marini Farm for the Tree Jubilee fundraiser to benefit The Ipswich Humane Group.  Tour the gallery of beautifully decorated trees and wreaths donated by local organizations, families, and businesses then choose the ones you want a chance to win! More than 50 spectacularly decorated trees...
10:00 am

A Colorful Christmas at Castle Hill

A Colorful Christmas by the Sea is a weekend of festivities hosted by the Trustees of Reservations at Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s Travels with the Cranes. Each room in our 1920s mansion is decorated for the holidays drawing inspiration from Crane travels around the world, including Paris, Japan, Egypt, and New York.
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

CraneExplorer: Shipwreck Scholars

Families learn about shipwrecks at Castle Hill and Crane Beach in Ipswich Massachusetts
Coastal views with a side of shipwreck! Families will be guided on a Castle Hill hike through the salt marsh, dunes, and beach, while learning about local nautical history, including the role of Fox Creek Canal and Robinson Boat Yard in the area’s shipbuilding legacy, and the fascinating tale of...
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Fishtown Horribles Parade of Trees

Fishtown Horribles Parade Trees, a holiday fundraiser in Gloucester Massachusetts
Gloucester's Fishtown Parade of of Trees is a community holiday fundraiser for the annual Fishtown Horribles Parade in July! Take a stroll the the Parade of Trees and find your favorites! All trees are donated and decorated by community members, businesses and organizations.
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Marblehead Artisan's Holiday Marketplace

Find unique hand made gifts at Abbot Hall in Marblehead, Massachusetts - MFoA Artisans Holiday Market
The Marblehead Festival of Arts invites families to their holiday arts-and-crafts show at Marblehead Arts Association the first weekend in December. The market place is held in conjunction with the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce Marblehead Christmas Walk, a town-wide event. Each year the market...
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

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

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

Christmas in Salem House Tour

Tour some of Salem Massachusetts' historic houses all done up for the Holiday and raise funds for a worthy local cause
Historic Salem, Inc. hosts its annual holiday house tour in downtown Salem Massachusetts! Few communities have the rich legacy of historic houses that Salem, Massachusetts boasts. These homes, spanning four centuries, help define the character as well as the appearance of the city.  Every year...
10:30 am to 4:30 pm

Santa's Workshop

Santa's Workshop in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Visit Newburyport MA during the holidays
Newburyport is a favorite local town to shop - especially during the holidays. The fantastic lights downtown, the tree in Market Square, all the beautifully decorated window boxes and of course, Santa's Workshop, where the kids can whisper their wishes to Santa.
11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Sea Festival of Trees | Sundays

Experience the joy and excitement of Salisbury’s most popular holiday tradition with glittering trees, indoor ice skating, Santa visits and more - Massachusetts
As one of New England’s must-see holiday traditions, the 12th Annual SeaFestival of Trees fundraiser opens Saturday, November 23, at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury, MA. With over 135 extravagantly themed trees, a full-size indoor skating rink, a spectacular giant sand sculpture, and Santa...
11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Lowell's Boat Shop Holiday Open House

Visit Lowell's Boat Shop in Amesbury Massachusetts for their annual holiday open house!
Visit Lowell’s Boat Shop during their Annual Holiday Open House is a two day family event during the first weekend in December. See the shop transformed with beautiful trees, an art show, silent auction, Nautical Gift Shop, Lowell’s gear to wear, books, glassware, and more. Make it a day! Live...
11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Christmas Tea at the Phillips House

Celebrate the season with a Holiday Tea at the Phillips House in Salem Massachusetts
Celebrate the season with Christmas Tea at Phillips House! Enjoy a festive tea with tea sandwiches and sweet treats in beautiful Samuel McIntire-designed rooms.
11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Polar Express at the Cabot

Join Santa for a Polar Express themed Christmas Party at the Cabot Theater in Beverly Massachusetts
Join us Sunday, December 8, for this cherished holiday tradition. Bring the family to meet Santa, play games, and relish the timeless Christmas tale, “The Polar Express,” on the big screen. This event is in support of The Isabella Marino Charitable Fund. Don’t forget to wear your coziest PJs!
Where: The Cabot
12:00 pm to 3:30 pm

Gingerbread Contest at Wenham Museum

Wenham Museum Gingerbread Contest is free to enter and open to all!
Everyone's invited to enter Wenham Museum’s gingerbread contest! Individuals, families, groups, teams–all are encouraged to create a Gingerbread House for this friendly community competition.
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Amesbury Market Daze

Amesbury Market Daze happens every Sunday indoors at Barewolf Brewing in Amesbury, Massachusetts.
Welcome to Amesbury Market Daze at BareWolf Brewing, a vendor market where local surrounding Amesbury talent and community spirit converge.
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: Sunday Family Snowy Owl Prowl

Join the Trustees of Reservations at dlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts in search of the Snowy Owl!
Wide-open coastal sites are the location of choice for wintering Snowy Owls; common perches are dunes and salt hay staddles. In winters past, these owls have been frequent visitors to the Crane Wildlife Refuge.
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Christmas Tea at Long Hill

Take a pause from the hustle and bustle this holiday season with a tea at Long Hill Estate in Beverly Massachusetts
The Trustees of Reservations invites you to take a pause from the hustle and bustle this holiday season and join us for a Christmas Afternoon Tea inside the decorated historic Sedgwick house at Long Hill. Enjoy seasonal flavors and Christmas ambiance with teas, savories, and sweets with friends and...
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Manchester-by-the-Sea Holiday Tree Lighting

Celebrate the start of the Christmas Season in downtown Manchester, Massachusetts!
Beginning at 3:30pm, the MERHS Band, Chorus and Sound Waves and the Manchester-Essex Elementary School Chorus will perform an outdoor concert at Manchester Town Green. The Students from the Ballet de Mar will also perform four dances. The Manchester Woman's Club will serve hot chocolate donated by...
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Holiday Lights at the Hastings House

Holiday Tree Lightring Celebration at the Hastings House in Beverly Farms Massachusetts
Come and Ring in the Holiday Season with Kids Activities, a visit from Santa Claus, Hay Rides (weather permitting), Hastings House Outdoor Tree Lighting, Snacks, Beer & Wine. All ages are welcome. Come join your neighbors for some fun!
3:00 pm to 6:00 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

Friday, December 20

A Colorful Christmas at Castle Hill

A Colorful Christmas by the Sea is a weekend of festivities hosted by the Trustees of Reservations at Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s Travels with the Cranes. Each room in our 1920s mansion is decorated for the holidays drawing inspiration from Crane travels around the world, including Paris, Japan, Egypt, and New York.
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

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

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

Gingerbread Contest at Wenham Museum

Wenham Museum Gingerbread Contest is free to enter and open to all!
Everyone's invited to enter Wenham Museum’s gingerbread contest! Individuals, families, groups, teams–all are encouraged to create a Gingerbread House for this friendly community competition.
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

A Christmas Carol Panto

Theater in the Open celebrates the holidays with their interpretation of Dickens' Christmas Carol at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport!
Bah, humbug! Theater in the Open celebrates the holiday season with this Dickens classic, presented in true TITO style. So be prepared for anything to happen!  
3:00 pm to 9:00 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

Holiday Invitation Nights

Downtown Newburyport Massachusetts is the place to shop during the invitation nights!
Come to Downtown Newburyport, Tannery Marketplace  and the Merrimac Placefor Newburyport’s Holiday Invitation Nights and shop for the holidays in style! Mark your calendars, book a babysitter, and call your friends to make plans for three great nights in Newburyport! Enjoy merchant hospitality,...
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Saturday, December 21

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

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
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