Family Fun at Joppa Flats
Family Drop-in Programs at Joppa Flats
Throughout the year, Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport offers family-friendly drop-in programs. These programs, which are geared to families with children ages 3-12, are free but donations are encouraged.
Types of Programs
Touch Tank Time!
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
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.
Seasonal Family Open Houses
Celebrate the season with science stations, outdoor activities, and nature crafts!
Family Open House: Birds, Birds, Birds on May 16, 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Celebrate Birdapalooza at Joppa Flats by looking for birds from the 2nd floor bird blind, learning how to “band a bird”, taking part in a feeding challenge to experience the life of a Piping Plover, and more. And, at 11:00 am, author Laurie Powers LeBlanc will read from her children’s book, TyTy Tells a Tale about the Beach.
Upcoming Schedule
| Date | Activity | Time |
|---|---|---|
| May 1 | Touch Tank Time | 2:00-4:00 pm |
| May 16 | Family Open House | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| May 22 | Touch Tank Time | 2:00-4:00 pm |
| June 12 | Touch Tank Time | 2:00-4:00 pm |
| June 26 | Meet Beach Creatures & More: Tide Pool Treasures! | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| June 27 | Meet Beach Creatures & More: Tide Pool Treasures! | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| July 3 | Meet Beach Creatures & More | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| July 4 | Meet Beach Creatures & More | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| July 10 | Meet Beach Creatures & More | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| July 11 | Meet Beach Creatures & More | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| July 17 | Meet Beach Creatures & More | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| July 18 | Meet Beach Creatures & More | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| July 24 | Meet Beach Creatures & More | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| July 25 | Family Open House: Butterflies & Bugs! | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| July 31 | Meet Beach Creatures & More | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| August 1 | Meet Beach Creatures & More | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| August 7 | Meet Beach Creatures & More | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| August 8 | Meet Beach Creatures & More | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| August 14 | Meet Beach Creatures & More | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
| August 15 | Meet Beach Creatures & More | 10:00 am-3:00 pm |
More Family Programs
See MoreIn addition to drop-in family programs, Joppa Flats hosts programs throughout the year for families and children.
Family Day at the Bird Banding Station
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Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport
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Saturday, May 23
9:00-10:30am
Families - children 6 - 17
Feed the Beach Creatures: Rocky Shore Inhabitants
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Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport
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Wednesday, June 24
4:00-5:30pm
Families - children 4 - 12 years
On-the-River Cruise for Families
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Newburyport Harbor, Newburyport
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Saturday, June 27
8:45-10:45am
Families - children 3 - 17
Stay Connected
Don't miss a beat on all the ways you can get outdoors, celebrate nature, and get involved.