Stone bridge over water with trees in background — Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield

Family Fun at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Ready for some outdoor adventure? We’ve got all kinds of fun programs and activities for you and your friends and family!

A teacher naturalist shares a picture book with a group of children.

Porch Play: Summer Drop-in Activity

Every Saturday afternoon from 1:00-3:00 pm in June and July, stop by the porch for nature play. A volunteer will be on hand to lead seasonal, nature-related activities, games, crafts for families with young children. Free with admission.

Nature Play Area

Nature play areas add more ways for people to connect with nature by encouraging self-directed, informal play. Unlike static, traditional playgrounds, nature play areas give children the chance to solve problems and construct their surroundings through natural elements and unstructured exploration.

At Ipswich River’s Nature Play Area located to the right of the Visitor Center entrance kids can:

Build a log cabin
Explore a woodland trail
Scale a miniature observation tower
Challenge themselves on our stump jump and fallen log balance beam

Vacation Week Programs

Spring is an exciting time for outdoor discovery at the sanctuary. We have put together four full days of hands-on, engaging, and educational hikes and activities to explore the natural world this time of year. During this week we will learn about and look for signs of beavers, birds, frogs and other nature friends who are returning to Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary! See vacation week programs

Nature Preschool

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary is proud to offer a nature preschool for 3–5-year-olds located at Endicott Wildlife Sanctuary in Wenham. Learn more about the nature preschool