Cardinal in the snow Give the gift of membership.
Cardinal in the snow Give the gift of membership.
Snowy Egret standing on grassy island surrounded by water
Snowy Egret @ Clare Carvel

Drop-in Winter and Spring Family Programs at Joppa Flats

December 22, 2025

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. 

Holding Horseshoe Crab at Joppa Flats

Touch Tank Time!  

January 9 & 23, February 6 & 27, March 13 & 27, April 10 • 2:00-4:00 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, & 25 • 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 waking up from winter, 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. Enjoy presentations about whales (11:00 am) and sea turtles (2:00 pm)   

Plan Your Visit