Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Chipmunks
2025-04-18 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Learn more about our wildlife neighbors in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, activities, and crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

Ongoing: Earth Week Investigation Station and Indoor Storywalk® - One Earth
2025-04-19 - 2025-04-27 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Join us at the welcome desk during school vacation week for activities to inspire taking care of where we live. Enjoy indoor and outdoor scavenger hunts, crafts, and activities to honor the Earth, our shared home. Includes the indoor StoryWalk® — One Earth by Eileen Spinelli, which is an invitation to both celebrate our planet and honor it through stewardship. For all ages.

Buildwave: A Hands-on Building Game!
2025-04-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Have fun building, using the materials provided! Call the Carnegie Library 413-863-3214 to register your child. For families with children ages 5 and up, accompanied by an adult. Sponsored by the Montague Public Libraries. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Who Lives in a Tree?
2025-04-25 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

“The Extincts” Event and Drawing Demo
2025-05-07 15:30 - 16:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Join the Montague Public Libraries and the Great Falls Discovery Center for a program and drawing demo with graphic novelist and illustrator Scott Magoon! This Mass Kids Lit Fest event is presented in partnership with the Mass Center for the Book. For ages 7 and up, accompanied by an adult. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour —Birds
2025-05-09 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Learn more about our wildlife neighbors in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, activities, and crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

Ongoing - Outdoor StoryWalk®— We Planted a Tree
2025-05-13 - 2025-06-25 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Ongoing: Outdoor StoryWalk®— We Planted a Tree
Enjoy a story, fresh air and exercise! Join us on the Discovery Center’s grounds for a free self-guided StoryWalk® featuring a children’s picture book. Follow the path to book pages posted along the route. We Planted a Tree by Diane Muldrow is for ages 3 to 7
and everyone who loves trees. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Story Walk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. This StoryWalk® is provided by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Services.

Find Us at the Farmers Market!
2025-05-24 10:30 - 13:00, 2025-07-26 10:30 - 13:00 | Peskeompskut Park, Avenue A between 6th and 7th Streets, Turners Falls, 01376
Join DCR staff for family activities at the Great Falls Farmers Market, located between 6th and 7th streets along Avenue A at Peskeompskut Park. In case of rain, you can find our activities inside the Discovery Center’s Great Hall instead. For all ages.

First Friday: Migratory Fish on 3rd Street
2025-06-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Third Street – Downtown Turners Falls, 24 - 42 Third Street, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Join us on 3rd Street for RiverCulture’s First Friday event and learn all about migratory fish at our investigation station. During the event 3rd Street, from Avenue A to the Brick House, is open to pedestrians only.

Rain or Shine! 18th Annual Free Family Fishing Day
2025-06-07 10:00 - 14:00 | Barton Cove Day Use Area, Barton Cove Road, Gill, MA, United States
Our annual Family Fishing Day, at Barton Cove, with additional activities at the Great Falls Discovery Center. Join us for a day of FREE fishing fun. Adults and children of all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Event is held rain or shine. Parking is free. Free shuttle bus between sites.
At Barton Cove Campground: Barton Cove Road in Gill

Free fishing from 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. All ages welcome.
Fishing equipment provided – limited supplies available. Bring your own pole if you have one.
No MA fishing license needed.

At Great Falls Discovery Center: 2 Avenue A

Fly lure tying demonstrations.
Come see a guest fish from the USGS Conte Anadromous Fish Research Lab.
Fish printing – The art of Gyotaku, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm.
CATCH THE FISH BUS HERE! Free shuttle bus to and from Barton Cove, as needed, from 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.

https://greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Family-Fishing-Day-2025-2.mp4

Fields & Forests—What Do Bees Need?
2025-06-15 10:30 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Help us kick off Pollinator Week! Make your own native bee habitat by “painting” with yarn, fleece, pre-felt shapes and water. Will your bees live in a tree trunk or holes in the ground, in a nest made of mud or leaves? Learn how important native bees are, especially for growing food. For ages 4 and up, including teens and adults! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Designed for families. All are welcome! Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Turtles
2025-06-20 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Fish
2025-06-27 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

JAMB-O-Ree: A Jurassic Armored Mud Ball Unveiling and Celebration
2025-06-28 14:00 - 15:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Join us in celebration of the arrival of an ancient boulder full of Jurassic Armored Mud Balls! Enjoy refreshments, a multi-media presentation by Professor of Geology, Richard Little, and meet our new favorite geologic sedimentary structure right here on the grounds of the Center. Learn about our Friends Group in a brief annual meeting, the very group that organized the mud ball move to be enshrined on the Center’s grounds! Meet in the Great Hall.

Ongoing - Dino Trail Week Program: Indoor StoryWalk®—Daring to Dig: Adventures of Women in American Paleontology
2025-07-01 - 2025-07-31 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Enjoy the story Daring to Dig by Beth Strickler. For young readers ages 8—12, and everyone who appreciates women in science. Includes the stories of Mary Anning, the unsung hero of fossil discovery, and of Mignon Talbot and the discovery of Podokesaurus. Meet at the welcome desk.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Story Walk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. This StoryWalk® is provided by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Services.
* Dino Trail Week:
Dino Trail Week is a celebratory week of performances, films, talks, exhibits, and activities inspired by dinosaur footprints in the Connecticut River Valley. Look for events from all of our partners during Dino Trail Week: Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Piti Theatre, the Beneski Museum, the Trustees of Reservations, Springfield Science Museum, Wistariahurst, and the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at: dinotrail.org.

Ongoing: Outdoor StoryWalk® — Agua, Agüita: Water, Little Water
2025-07-01 - 2025-08-26 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Enjoy a story, fresh air and exercise! Join us on the Discovery Center’s grounds for a free self-guided StoryWalk® featuring Agua, Agüita: Water, Little Water by Jorge Tetl Argueta. For ages 4 to 7 and anyone who appreciates the water cycle! Follow the path to book pages posted along the route.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Story Walk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. This StoryWalk® is provided by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Services.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Eagles
2025-07-04 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Yes, we are open on the holiday, ready with a story for you! For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Learn more about our wildlife neighbors in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, activities, and crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

First Friday: Eagle Day!
2025-07-04 15:00 - 18:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Yes, we are open today! All ages. Enjoy Independence Day by celebrating the eagle, our national bird. Join us at our eagle investigation station outside the center on our grounds. We’ll have artifacts and crafts as we imagine the freedom of flight. In case of rain, join us inside the center.

Needle-Felting for Teens and Tweens
2025-07-10 15:00 - 17:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
For ages 11-19, Learn tips and tricks for needle felting while making a 2D monarch butterfly. Visit montaguepubliclibraries.org to sign up or call 413-863-3214. Sponsored by the Montague Public Libraries. This program is supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Meet in the Great Hall.

DINO TRAIL WEEK PROGRAM: Dinosaur Kidleidoscope Story Hour
2025-07-11 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Learn about the giant creatures from the past that roamed the Connecticut River Valley. Program includes a story, activities, and crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.
* Dino Trail Week:
Dino Trail Week is a celebratory week of performances, films, talks, exhibits, and activities inspired by dinosaur footprints in the Connecticut River Valley. Look for events from all of our partners during Dino Trail Week: Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Piti Theatre, the Beneski Museum, the Trustees of Reservations, Springfield Science Museum, Wistariahurst, and the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at: dinotrail.org.

DINO TRAIL WEEK: * Art Naturally: Gel Printing Trace Fossils
2025-07-12 14:00 - 15:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Discover nature and pre-history through story, poetry and art in our series of free art programs. Create an art piece inspired by the valley’s fossilized dinosaur footprints using paint, paper and gel, with instruction and techniques. For adults, teens and children ages 6 and up. All art materials provided. Arrive at 2:00 p.m. for complete instructions
* Dino Trail Week:
Dino Trail Week is a celebratory week of performances, films, talks, exhibits, and activities inspired by dinosaur footprints in the Connecticut River Valley. Look for events from all of our partners during Dino Trail Week: Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Piti Theatre, the Beneski Museum, the Trustees of Reservations, Springfield Science Museum, Wistariahurst, and the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at: dinotrail.org.

Gel Printing for Teens and Tweens
2025-07-17 15:00 - 17:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
For Ages 11-19, try your hand at gel printing, a fun way to explore color, texture, and layers. The process is fairly easy. No experience needed! Dress for a mess. Sponsored by the Montague Public Libraries. No registration needed. This program is supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Coyotes
2025-07-18 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Bees & Flowers
2025-07-25 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Whalemobile
2025-07-25 15:30 - 17:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
For ages 7—12. Whale watch naturalist, Cynde McInnis, offers a brief presentation about whales. Then 20 people at a time will see the Whale Mobile inflate and get to go inside! Registration required through this link or call 413-863-3214. Funded in part by a grant from the Greenfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Dragonflies
2025-08-01 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Outdoor StoryWalk® at Unity Park — Mosbas and the Magic Flute
2025-08-02 - 2025-08-03 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
For thousands of years people have gathered at the Great Falls to tell stories. Enjoy a self-guided StoryWalk,® Mosbas and the Magic Flute by Western Abenaki author Jesse Bruchac, at the Pocumtuck Homelands Festival at Unity Park on First Street along the river’s edge. Find out how Mosbas is changed forever when he finds the power of a magic flute too much to control! For all ages.
* The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Story Walk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. This StoryWalk® is provided by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Services.

Pocumtuck Homelands Festival: Fish Printing
2025-08-02 10:00 - 17:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
A free two-day celebration at Unity Park on First Street in Turners Falls, sponsored by the Nolumbeka Project and RiverCulture. This festival is the perfect combination of live music, drumming, dancing, storytelling, native crafts and food. On Saturday August 2, 10 a.m.— 5 p.m., families may visit the Northfield Mountain & Great Falls Discovery Center tent to make your own vibrantly colored fish print to take home. All materials provided. For more information on the entire event visit nolumbekaproject.org/events.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Ants
2025-08-08 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
