Friends of The Great Falls Discovery Center

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Winter Insects
2025-01-24 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | 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.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Groundhogs
2025-01-31 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Who Do You Love? Valentines for Wildlife
2025-02-09 10:00 - 17:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
For all ages, stop by our Welcome Desk to make Valentines to give to the ones you love, keep for yourself, or give to your favorite wildlife biologist — all in honor of your favorite animal.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Porcupines
2025-02-14 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Building a Blizzard: Snowflakes in the Great Hall!
2025-02-15 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Get inspired by the story of Vermont’s Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley and his obsession with snowflakes. In this drop-in program make your own unique snowflake art. Keep it simple making paper snowflakes or use gel printing techniques. All art materials provided. Along the way learn just what makes each snowflake unique. Families welcome! For adults, teens, and children ages 6 and up who have mastered basic scissor skills. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Winter Birds
2025-02-21 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Beavers
2025-02-28 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Salamanders
2025-03-21 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Haiku Tiny Books *
2025-03-23 13:00 - 15:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Co-sponsored by PVMA and Montague Public Libraries, join Denise Fontaine-Pincince in this hands-on workshop to create a ‘Tiny Book’ to showcase a haiku of your choice. Bring up to five of your favorite haikus. Registered participants receive a sample selection of modern-day haiku prior to the workshop to help you choose. All book-making materials are provided for free. View sample ‘tiny books’ on the YouTube video— Haiku Gifts: art with poetry by Denise Fontaine-Pincince. For adults and young adults ages 16 and up. Limited space. Registration is required: call the Carnegie Library at (413) 863-3214. Meet in the Great Hall.
* The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Frogs
2025-03-28 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

Haiku postcards *
2025-04-05 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
In this hands-on workshop for families, Denise Fontaine-Pincince teaches participants how to create a haiga (art with haiku) postcard. Poems and all materials are provided. Sample ‘haiga postcards’ can be viewed by looking up Haiku Gifts: Art with Poetry by Denise Fontaine-Pincince on YouTube. Ages 8 and up. No pre-registration required. Sponsored by PVMA and Montague Public Libraries as part of NEA Big Read activities. Meet in the Great Hall.
* The Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), in partnership with Montague Public Libraries, celebrates its eighth National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read. Focused on Ross Gay’s book of poetry, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, exhibits and events explore this year’s theme of “Where We Live.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Osprey
2025-04-11 10:30 - 11:30 | 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.

Vernal Pool Variety Hour: Secrets to Frog and Salamander Survival
2025-04-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Why are the still waters and muck of vernal pools the most attractive pieces of real estate for amphibians in the spring? What is a “Big Night”? Join us for this drop-in program exploring the soggy lives of frogs, toads, and salamanders and their dangerous migration journeys. For children ages 7 and up and their families. Includes a game and crafting. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Chipmunks
2025-04-18 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

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.

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

Kidleidoscope Story Hour —Birds
2025-05-09 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States

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.

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

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.

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

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

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Who Lives in the River?
2025-08-15 10:30 - 11:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
