Bugs, Slugs, Slither, and Slime: “Yucky” Programs for Young Explorers

Let’s face it—kids love the “Yuck Factor.” And thankfully, there’s a lot to learn from the world of slime! At Mass Audubon’s wildlife sanctuaries, kids  are encouraged to look under rocks and rotting logs to see what they can find, because there’s a whole world of wonder waiting to be discovered.

We’ve rounded up more than two dozen upcoming programs for Young Explorers that feature frogs, pollywogs, snakes, worms, slugs, bugs, bats, and all manner of creepy crawlies!

Eastern Red-Backed Salamander © Richard Johnson

Eastern Red-Backed Salamander © Richard Johnson

Greater Boston

Blue Hills Trailside Museum, Milton

The Secret Life of Dragonflies—June 23

Broadmoor, Natick

Fun with Butterflies & Dragonflies—June 18, June 26, July 10July 16, and August 6
Ice Cream and…Frogs—July 8
Ice Cream and…Fireflies—July 22
Ice Cream and…Bats—August 5

Drumlin Farm, Lincoln

Baby Bugs—June 7
Splish Splash—June 10
Fairies and Fireflies—June 24
Flutter by Butterfly—June 29
Dragons and Damsels—August 3

Habitat, Belmont

Fireflies are Fun—June 29
Night Fliers—July 12
Insects and Ice Cream—August 3

South of Boston

Moose Hill, Sharon

Bubbles and Bugs (morning)—June 8
Bubbles and Bugs (afternoon)—June 8
Firefly Night—June 8

North River, Marshfield

Little Naturalists: Frogs—June 14

Oak Knoll, Attleboro

Nature Ramblers: Wiggly Worms—June 21

Stony Brook, Norfolk

Family Ponding—July 9

North of Boston

Ipswich River, Topsfield

Nature Adventures with Picture Books: Ponds—July 12
Eco-Art: Salamanders—July 28
Nature Adventures with Picture Books: Butterflies—August 2

Joppa Flats, Newburyport

Imagine, Sing, & Learn 6A: Hermits, Sea Stars, & Snails—June 16
I
magine, Sing & Learn 6B: Hermits, Sea Stars, & Snails—June 17
See, Think, and Wonder Walks for Preschoolers: Riverside Yard Bug Hunt—July 14
Imagine, Sing, & Learn 7A: Frogs, Turtles, & Water Bugs—July 21
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magine, Sing, & Learn 7B: Frogs, Turtles, & Water Bugs—July 22
Butterflies & Bugs Free-for-All!—July 24
See, Think, and Wonder Walks for Preschoolers: Pond Detectives at Mill Pond—August 11
Imagine, Sing, & Learn 8A: Moths, Caterpillars, & Butterflies—August 18
Imagine, Sing, & Learn 8B: Moths, Caterpillars, & Butterflies—August 19

Cape & Islands

Felix Neck, Edgartown

Snake and Turtle Tuesdays—June 14, June 21, June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19, July 26, August 2, August 9, August 16, August 23, and August 30
Creature Feature: Butterflies—June 16
Creature Feature: Snakes—June 27
Creature Feature: Salamanders—June 30
Creature Feature: Frogs—July 4
Creature Feature: Slugs and Snails—July 11
Creature Feature: Spiders—July 18
Creature Feature: Dragonflies—July 21
Creature Feature: Jellyfish—August 8
Creature Feature: Insects—August 18
Creature Feature: Caterpillars—August 22

Long Pasture, Barnstable

Tidal Flat Explorations—June 29, July 26, August 9, August 23, and August 24

Wellfleet Bay, Wellfleet

Small Fries: Nature Adventures for Preschoolers—June 22

Central Massachusetts

Broad Meadow Brook, Worcester

Butterfly Walk—July 16
Third Week Wonders: Are You A Dragonfly—July 23
Dragonflies at Broad Meadow Brook—August 6

Connecticut River Valley

Arcadia, Easthampton & Northampton

Insects of the Field and Forest—June 18
Fireflies, Fields, and Father’s Day Solstice Celebration—June 19

Berkshires

Lime Kiln Farm, Sheffield

Lime Kiln Farm Sanctuary through the Seasons Series: Butterflies & Dragonflies of the Pond & Meadows—August 7

Pleasant Valley, Lenox

Evening with Birds & Bats—July 20August 3, and August 17

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About Ryan D.

Where: Mass Audubon Headquarters, Lincoln | Who: A Vermont ex-pat, lifelong skier, musician, photographer, motorcycle enthusiast, budding native plant gardener, and pun master | Favorite part of the job: Working with wonderful colleagues to make nature accessible to everyone