Trustees of Reservations

Scavenger Hunt at Hamlin Reservation

Join the Trustees of Reservations on a treasure hunt at Hamlin reservation in Ip

Looking for something fun to do with the kids during school vacation? Join The Trustees of Reservations at the Hamlin Reservation on a treasure hunt and hike.  Kids will search for natural treasure (and some man-made as well!) as they walk through the gently rolling fields of this former farmland, then over a dike path that leads to a loop trail around Eagle Island in the marshes of Ipswich. Bring your sharpest skills of observation and a bag to collect your treasures!

When: 
Thursday, April 24, 2014 1-2:30pm

Cooking from the Winter Pantry

Cook from your pantry with these 'Appleton Cooks' recipes at the Trustees of Res

Are you in a cooking rut and out of ideas for daily dinners?  This class will inspire creativity for preparing great family dishes, last-minute meals, and hearty comfort foods using the basic staples found in your very own cupboards! We promise you will walk away feeling ready to cook again, with many recipes to guide you. We will sit down at the end of class and enjoy a full meal together.

When: 
Thursday, February 6, 2014 6-9PM
Location: 

Tarts, Three Ways

Learn all about tarts from a master baker at the Trustees Appleton Farms in Ipsw

Jackie King, co-owner of A&J King Artisan Bakers in Salem, will show you the basics of tart production and assembly using three distinct methods. Based on the recipes and techniques outlined in her new book, Baking by Hand, participants will create three tarts from start to finish—to bring home or eat right away! This class is perfect for the aspiring pastry chef, sweet lover, or home cook. Join us for this inspiring workshop, then stop by the Appleton Farms Dairy Store to pick up your own copy of Baking by Hand.

When: 
Sunday, February 2, 2014 1-4 PM
Location: 

Greening of the Great House: Saturday

The Greening of the Great House is a weekend of festivities at Castle Hill Ipswi

You're invited to celebrate the magic of the holidays as the Great House on Castle Hill is festively decorated by area florists and designers for the 'Greening of the Great House'. The Greening of the Great House is a weekend-long event where families will enjoy live music, a dance performance, a children's Eye Spy, refreshments, and more throughout the weekend.

When: 
Saturday, December 7, 2013 Noon-6PM
Sunday, December 8, 2013 12-4PM

Holiday Harvest Dinner at Appleton Farms

Learn to cook some holiday favorites like a pro from a pro at Appleton Farms!

The holidays are just around the corner, and soon you’ll be planning your family’s holiday feasts. Join us and learn how to serve up a hearty holiday dinner that your family with want you to recreate year after year! Some possible offerings include: Curried Pumpkin Soup, Crown Roast of Pork with Sausage Walnut Stuffing & Bacon-Laced Gravy, Sautéed Apple Slices with Spiced Sweet Potato Purée, and Raspberry Almond Torte.

When: 
Saturday, November 16, 2013 12-3 PM
Location: 

Sweetbay Swamp Quest Fest!

Kids and families will learn all about questing on an exploration in Ravenswood!

At this Quest Fest, learn all about Questing! Make your own stamp and passport and participate in the fastest growing family recreational adventure this side of the Atlantic. The Sweetbay Swamp Quest is a clue-based treasure hunt through the swamp trails, discovering stories about our nearly "loved to death" Sweetbay Magnolia and to a Quest Treasure Box. Pre-registration required.

When: 
Sunday, November 10, 2013 1-3PM
Location: 

Pick Your Own Flowers: Thursdays

Long Hill invites children to come pick their own flower bouquet in their garden

Organic and local - right here at Long Hill! Zinnias, snapdragons, rudbeckia, sunflowers, dahlias, and more bouquet-worthy flowers. Flower bouquets are priced at $7 for a large size, $3 for a child size. Please visit the garden anytime, but pick-your-own is only available at the hours stated. Learn sustainable gardening techniques in this educational, kid-friendly garden.

When: 
Thursdays 3 - 5PM
Fridays 12Noon - 5PM
Saturdays 10AM - 5PM

Appleton Farmstead Tour

Witness the rhythms and relics of New England's oldest working farm in Ipswich M

Witness the rhythms and relics of New England's oldest working farm. Walk along bucolic meadows, planted fields, and see our grazing cattle before visiting the historic buildings. See the newly renovated, LEED certified, Old House Visitor Center and go behind the scenes in the dairy area, which is normally closed to the public.

When: 
Sundays September 22 & 29, 2013 3-5pm
Location: 

Piping Plover 5K Race

Run for fun and help raise funds for the Trustees' Shorebird Monitoring Program!

The The Trustees of Reservations, in partnership with New England Barefoot Runners, invite the public to participate in their first annual Piping Plover 5K run at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich! Runners of all ages are welcome, barefoot optional, to race along the shoreline at low tide. All proceeds support The Trustees of Reservations and the shorebird monitoring program at Crane Beach. Come run for fun and help the shorebirds of the North Shore!

When: 
Saturday, September 7, 2013; Race Start: 8am
Onsite registration begins at 7am
Location: 

Pages

Appleton Farms offers great farm-based Vacation Week Programs for kids ages 5-11

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

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ 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

Read to a Dog at APL

Kids are invited to read to a dog at Amesbury Massachusetts Public Library. Image generated with AI.
The Amesbury Public Library invites kids to come read to a dog at the Library! Read to a dog to help improve reading skills and get comfortable with reading aloud with only a very cuddly dog to hear you! This program will have Gus, a certified reading dog, and his caretaker at the library in our...
3:45 pm to 4:30 pm

Dungeons & Dragons at the G.A.R. Library

Dungeons and Dragons at the GAR Memorial Library in West Newbury Massachusetts
Come to this ongoing campaign using The Dragon of IceSpire Peak. Bring your own character, play one of ours,  or we can help you create one. All are welcome.
4:30 pm to 5:30 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

Thursday, February 26

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

Afterschool Chess Club at Abbot Library

Kids can play clocked chess matches against each other each Wednesday at the Abbot Public Library in Marblehead Massachusetts
Students in grades 2-5 are welcome to come to this informal chess club to practice by playing with others also interested in developing their skills and sharing an interest in chess. The class will be held on Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. with facilitator Ben Konoff and his daughter,...
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

LEGO Club at Danvers Library

LEGO club at Danvers Library Massachusetts
Peabody Institute Library - Danvers invites kids to an afternoon of building and fun! Activities will include free build, themes and instructional design. All structures will remain on display in the Children’s Room till the following weeks's session
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Friday, February 27

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ 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

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

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

Saturday, February 28

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ 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

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

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
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…
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Maple Stroll at Appleton Farms

Appleton Farms has their own sugar maple syrup production facilities to service their abundant suplly from their many sugar maples
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!
11:00 am to 2:15 pm
Subscribe to Trustees of Reservations