April adventures: Spring into action for these fun, family-friendly events

Habits of the Rabbit

Sunday, April 4 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, Mattapan

Member adult, child: $10; Nonmembers adult, child: $13. 

Hop over to the Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary to learn why rabbits have such big ears and feet and what they like to eat besides carrots. Families will explore the meadow and forest seeking tracks and signs, play rabbit games and learn interesting rabbit habits. This program is for children ages 5-12 with an accompanying adult. Activities will include songs, crafts, running games and explorations. Pre-registration is required and groups are limited to 11 Participants are required to wear a face covering and follow social distancing guidelines. For more information visit massaudubon.org.

Hot Wheels Ultimate Drive-Thru

Thursday-Sundays through April 18

Gillette Stadium, Foxborough

$45 per car

Round up the kids and get revved up to see a larger-than-life showcase of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks and legendary vehicles in the Hot Wheels Ultimate Drive-Thru experience at Gillette Stadium. Families will experience more than 50 life-size vehicles including Hot Wheels favorites Tiger Shark™, Demo Derby, V8 Bomber™ and Bone Shaker®, plus the original monster truck BIGFOOT®, and the world’s tallest monster truck, BIGFOOT#5. The Hot Wheels Ultimate Drive-Thru delivers an immersive and exciting experience for the whole family, enjoyed from the safety of your own car. For a complete schedule and additional event information, visit: hotwheelsmonstertruckslive.com/event/foxborough

Peter Rabbit’s Pizza Party and Easter Egg Roll

Friday, April 2, 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m. ; 12:30-2 p.m. ; 2-3:30 p.m.

Powisset Farm, Dover

Member adult: $8, child: $12; Nonmember adult: $16, child: $24

Celebrate the Easter Holiday at Powisset Farm with an old-fashioned Easter Egg Roll. Children will compete rolling wooden easter eggs both in speed trials and on a slalom course. Each child will receive a prize for participation! When children are not rolling eggs they will enjoy a special Easter craft. There will be delicious farm fresh brick oven pizza available for purchase, as well as beverages and sweet treats. For more information visit thetrustees.org. 

Sunday Morning Bird Walks 

Sunday, April 11 7-9 a.m.

Flat Rock Wildlife Sanctuary, Fitchburg 

Member adult: $10, child: free; Nonmembers adult: $14, child: free. 

Practice your birding skills while exploring the Central region. Search for resident birds and returning spring migrants. Experience the magic of spring while improving your visual ID and birding-by-ear techniques. Birders of all skill levels are welcome. Ages 12-16 must be accompanied by a participating adult. Bring your binoculars, dress for the weather and wear sturdy waterproof shoes for walking on unpaved trails over uneven terrain. Registration is required. For information visit massaudubon.org.

Easter Nature Quest 

Friday, April 2 and Saturday April 3 1-4 p.m.

Francis William Bird Park, Walpole

Member adult: $2, child $6; Nonmember adult: $4, child: $8

Enjoy spring at Bird Park with an interactive Easter Nature Quest in which families follow the bunny trail searching for eight signs of spring. Using a quest guide, participants learn about some of the park’s flora and fauna and gather clues to figure out a secret message and find their way to the Easter Bunny. Each participant receives a bag of candy as a reward for completing the quest and photos with the Easter Bunny are welcome. Pre-registration is required for this event which is recommended for ages 2-8. For more information, visit thetrustees.org.

Spring Egg Hunt Trail

April 3,4, 15-19, 12-2 p.m.

Long Hill, Beverly 

Member adult: free, child: $9; Nonmember adult: free, child: $15

Celebrate spring at Long Hill on the Spring Egg Hunt Trail. Follow clues along woodland trails and through the apple orchard on this family-friendly scavenger hunt in search of the golden egg and a chocolatey surprise. This springtime celebration is held over two weekends in April, including the school vacation week, and engages families with the wonders of spring blooms, photo opportunities, and nature. Space is limited and  pre-registration required. For more information, visit thetrustees.org.

Vernal Pool Mysteries

Saturday April 10, 17 and 24, 2-4 p.m.

Blue Hills Trailside Museum, Milton

Members: adult, child: $25; Nonmembers: adult, child: $30 

Vernal pools are mysterious temporary bodies of water until you take a closer look. They are homes to frogs, salamanders, and even fairy shrimp and may be one of the best places to study the health of nature in Massachusetts. Learn more about these “wicked big puddles” and what thrives there by venturing out to explore a vernal pool at Blue Hills. Registration is required. This program is part of a month-long celebration of Earth Day, the nature of Massachusetts, and climate action. For more opportunities to get outside and celebrate with us, visit massaudubon.org/earthmonth.

Sheep Shearing Day

Sunday, April 11, 10-11:30 a.m. and 12-1:30 p.m.

Chestnut Hill Farm, Southborough

Member adult: $20, child: $12; Nonmember adult: $25, child: $15

Ewe won’t want to miss Sheep Shearing Day at Chestnut Hill Farm. Come see the sheep getting a spring trim and meet the new lambs. There will also be fun and educational demonstrations of sheep shearing, sheep herding and spinning, food and drinks and a craft for kids. Registration closes two days prior to the event. For more information visit thetrustees.org.

Fruitlands Fairy Forest

April 21-25, 11-4 p.m.

Fruitlands Museum, Harvard

Member carload: $5; Nonmember carload: $15

Don your wings, grab your crowns, and come play in the Fruitlands woods during School Vacation week. Visitors can build fairy and gnome houses around the Willard Archeological site along the yellow trail at Fruitlands Museum. Collect natural materials and build a house for the Fruitlands fairies and gnomes, then leave your house for the sprites to enjoy and other guests to see as the fairy forest grows. Register online to receive a digital DIY Fruitlands Fairy Forest Activity Kit (including map, fairy wand craft tutorial, storytime reading, and more) prior to your visit. For more information visit thetrustees.org

Wild for Wareham: Great Neck Volunteer Day

Thursday, April 22 (Earth Day), 5-6 p.m.:

Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Wareham

Free

Lend a hand to Mass Audubon staff to make the sanctuary more welcoming to humans and wildlife. Volunteer activities include trash pick-ups, trail improvements and installing bird boxes. This program is suitable for ages 10 and up, pre-registration is required and groups are limited to 11 participants. This program is part of Mass Audubon’s month-long celebration of Earth Day, the nature of Massachusetts, and climate action. For more information, visit massaudubon.org/earthmonth.

Full Moon Owl Prowl

Friday, April 30 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Fruitlands Museum, Harvard

Member: $15; Nonmember: $25

Stroll the trails of Fruitlands Museum to find out WHO might be out and about in the dark night woods. Join local naturalist and educator, Laurie Nehring, on this guided Owl Prowl. The program begins at sunset with a short outdoor, socially-distant presentation, learning about nocturnal animals and how to call in the owls before venturing out to do so. This program is recommended for ages 7 and up and will be capped at 10 participants. Pre-registration is required. For information visit thetrustees.org.