Head to Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport for a family-friendly drop-in program this winter and spring. These programs, which are geared to families with children ages 3-12, are free but donations are encouraged.
Touch Tank Time!
January 9 & 23, February 6 & 27 • 2:00-4:00 pm
March 13, 27, & 28, April 10 • 3:00-5:00 pm
Touch and hold hermit crabs, moon snails, sea urchins and more! Come see what sand and tiny seashells look like 200x magnified and spend some time in our Kid Zone with a science station, take-home craft and coloring pages.
Meet Beach Creatures
February 19, 20, & 21; April 23 & 24 • 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Spend time handling tide pool creatures such as sea urchins and sea stars, meet moon snails and hermit crabs from the sandy beach, and learn about minnows and horseshoe crabs from the salt marsh. Enjoy viewing our aquarium tanks and interacting with live marine animals, visiting our self-guided science stations, and creating a craft to take home.
Family Open House: Signs of Spring Celebration
March 21 • 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Learn about returning songbirds, animals preparing for spring, and migrating ocean creatures! Test your knowledge and skills at a science station, examine natural objects with a digital microscope, and take home a fun nature craft or two. Children's author, J. Roach-Evans will read her book Little Piping Plover at 10:15 am and her Marine Animals book at 11:15 am. At 1:15 pm & 2:15 pm, children’s author Nancy Kaplan Corbett will read her book, Polly’s Sparkling Water Friend and share a fun water cycle activity with her audience. Families are encouraged to stay after the readings to participate in an outdoor game!
Stay Connected
Don't miss a beat on all the ways you can get outdoors, celebrate nature, and get involved.