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!
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
Upcoming Programs
Chickadees: Fall Homeschool Series for Young Explorers
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Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield
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8 classes starting
Wednesday, September 16
10:00am-12:00pm
Families - children 4 - 5 years
75th Anniversary Talk: Colonial Settlement Through 1951
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Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield
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Thursday, September 17
7:00-8:15pm
Adults & Families - 12 - 17
Full(ish) Moon Family Paddle
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Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield
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Saturday, September 19
5:30-8:30pm
Families - children 6 - 12 years
Terrific Toddlers - Terrific Turtles
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Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield
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Friday, September 25
9:30-10:45am
Families - children 2 - 4 years
Ipswich River Canoe Exploration
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Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield
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Saturday, September 26
9:30am-12:00pm
Adults & Families - 7 - 17
Full Moon Family Paddle
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Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield
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Saturday, September 26
6:00-9:00pm
Families - children 6 - 17



