Colorful graphic with icons of birds and mammals, a bigger graphic of a wood thrush and words that say Let your adventures begin...Become a Mass Audubon member. Join today.
Colorful graphic with icons of birds and mammals, a bigger graphic of a wood thrush and words that say Let your adventures begin...Become a Mass Audubon member. Join today.
Stone bridge over water with trees in background
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield
Programs & Activities at Ipswich River

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.

Nature Play: Drop-in Activity

Ipswich River hosts Nature Play on most Saturday afternoons from 1:00-3:00 pm, stop by the sanctuary for nature play. Trained volunteers will be on hand to lead seasonal activities, games, crafts inspired by sanctuary wildlife and habitats that are ideal for families with children ages 3-8. Check in at the Visitor Center to be directed to the location, which can vary. We aspire to offer this every Saturday but may be cancelled due to weather or volunteer availability. 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
Ipswich River's nature play area

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

Upcoming Programs