New England Travel

Six nature spots close to Boston for kids

By Legacy User

September 14, 2012

5 minutes to read

Greater Boston abounds with nature centers to satisfy the most curious and indelibly-grass-stained child, from working farms selling homemade ice cream to wildlife preserves with canoe trails and an island campground. Here are some nature-kid-approved spots to explore this fall, all within about 25 miles of Boston. – By Caitlin Hurley, Globe Correspondent
Massachusetts Audubon’s Drumlin Farm

 
Lincoln
 
 Not only can kids explore a working farm, ride a hay wagon, climb inside a tent of beans, andtest their weight versus a piglet, they also can learn firsthand what a drumlin is – an elongated hill in the shape of a half-buried egg, and the Drumlin Trail brings you to one of the highest spots in Greater Boston. 
208 South Great Road, 781-259-2200, www.massaudubon.org/drumlin, Mass Audubon members free, nonmember adults $7, seniors and children ages 2-12 $5
Massachusetts Audubon’s Drumlin Farm

 
Lincoln
 
 The farm offers a Discover Drumlin Activities series for families, free with admission, every weekend year-round and weekdays from April 16-Oct. 31. The series includes October Harvest Weekends, celebrating fall on the farm. 
208 South Great Road, 781-259-2200, www.massaudubon.org/drumlin, Mass Audubon members free, nonmember adults $7, seniors and children ages 2-12 $5
Massachusetts Audubon’s Drumlin Farm

 
Lincoln
 
 Upcoming activities include a Friday Evening Hayride and Campfire (Sept. 14) and Morning Chores, where neophyte farmers help feed the animals, clean out stalls, and prepare and eat a hearty farmer’s breakfast (Sept. 22, 8-10 a.m.). 
208 South Great Road, 781-259-2200, www.massaudubon.org/drumlin, Mass Audubon members free, nonmember adults $7, seniors and children ages 2-12 $5
South Shore Natural Science Center

 
Norwell
 
 The nonprofit, which banded together with the YMCA last year, is dedicated to educating the public about the natural and cultural environments of the area. The onsight EcoZone Museum is a big draw for the sippy-cup set, with Creature Corner teeming with local species. 
48 Jacobs Lane, 781-659-2559, www.ssnsc.org, adults $7, seniors $5, 2-15 $3, under 2 free. Free admission to Vine Hall Art Gallery, the gift shop, and trails.
South Shore Natural Science Center

 
Norwell
 
 Family programs abound, from the Saturday afternoon Meet an Animal naturalist-led sessions, featuring a different animal each week, to biweekly Feed the Animals sessions. 
48 Jacobs Lane, 781-659-2559, www.ssnsc.org, adults $7, seniors $5, 2-15 $3, under 2 free. Free admission to Vine Hall Art Gallery, the gift shop, and trails.
World’s End Reservation

 
Hingham
 
 World’s End juts into Hingham Harbor and has all the elements of a perfect family nature excursion: panoramic views of the Boston skyline and surrounding towns; 4½ miles of tree-lined carriage trails for hiking or mountain biking; and a shoreline just waiting to be picked over by eager shell collectors. 

www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/greater-boston/worlds-end.html, Trustees members and children free, nonmember adults $6.
World’s End Reservation

 
Hingham
 
 In 1890 this peninsula was slated for a 163-home subdivision, in 1945 it was short-listed as a site for the United Nations, and in the 1960s it was considered for a nuclear power plant, until it was acquired by the Trustees of Reservations in 1967 and became part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area in 1996. 

www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/greater-boston/worlds-end.html, Trustees members and children free, nonmember adults $6.
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

 
Topsfield
 
 The sanctuary has over 10 miles of glaciated trails for exploring its forests, meadows, and wetlands. Families can canoe along eight miles of the Ipswich River that run through the sanctuary, and camp on Perkins Island, located a half-mile upriver. 
87 Perkins Row, 978-887-9264, www.massaudubon.org/ipswichriver, Mass Audubon members free, nonmember adults $4, nonmember children (2-12) and seniors $3
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

 
Topsfield
 
 Families will have a blast on a hike to the Rockery, a man-made maze of enormous boulders that kids love to climb over, crawl under, and spelunk through. For less mobile families, the 700-foot boardwalk with an interpretive trail brings you through a cool quacking bog. 
87 Perkins Row, 978-887-9264, www.massaudubon.org/ipswichriver, Mass Audubon members free, nonmember adults $4, nonmember children (2-12) and seniors $3
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

 
Topsfield
 
 Seasonal programs for kids and tots are extensive and include Backpack Babies (starting Sept. 14), Sense of Wonder Walks (age 3 and up), and a late summer ice cream paddle (Sept. 18, ages 6 and up). 
87 Perkins Row, 978-887-9264, www.massaudubon.org/ipswichriver, Mass Audubon members free, nonmember adults $4, nonmember children (2-12) and seniors $3
Great Brook Farm State Park

 
Carlisle
 
 The farm offers more than 20 miles of trails for hikers and mountain bikers through corn fields, past vernal ponds, and through thick, rolling woods. Sept. 23 is the annual Down on the Farm day (free admission and parking), with a country band, old school sack races, hayrides, pin the tail on the cow, pony rides, and the ever-popular name the new calf contest. 
984 Lowell St., 978 369-6312, www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/gbfm.htm, parking $2
Great Brook Farm State Park

 
Carlisle
 
 The farm stand offers drinks, hot dogs, and an assortment of ice cream, from graham central station to salted caramel chocolate pretzel, the perfect treat after hiking the two-mile Pine Point Loop. 
984 Lowell St., 978 369-6312, www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/gbfm.htm, parking $2
Great Brook Farm State Park

 
Carlisle
 
 Back at the barn, Holsteins (separated by age) are kept company by goats, pigs, sheep, rabbits, and ducks, all of whom kids can feed. Kids will learn all sorts of facts, like how many gallons an average cow produces in a day (6-14) and how much a Holstein eats daily (a staggering 115 pounds of food). 
984 Lowell St., 978 369-6312, www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/gbfm.htm, parking $2
The Garden in the Woods

 
Framingham
 
 This is a hidden gem for families to explore. From the wetlands teeming with turtles and frogs to the Idea Garden where you can learn about edible plants and roof gardens, kids will have so much fun they’ll forget they are learning. 
180 Hemenway Road, 508-877-7630, www.newenglandwild.org/visit/Garden-in-the-Woods, $10 (ages 18-64), $7 (65 and up), $5 (3-17), under 3 and members free
The Garden in the Woods

 
Framingham
 
 Don’t forget to pick up a scavenger hunt sheet in the Garden Shop, with easier hunts for the younger set and more difficult clues for blossoming botanists. 
180 Hemenway Road, 508-877-7630, www.newenglandwild.org/visit/Garden-in-the-Woods, $10 (ages 18-64), $7 (65 and up), $5 (3-17), under 3 and members free