Dino Trail Week* – Find us at the Great Greenfield DinoFest!
2026-07-18 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Greenfield Common, 16 Court Square, Greenfield, MA, 01301, United States
In Greenfield, join Piti Theatre, Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association and Great Falls Discovery Center staff for interactive exhibits, activities, fossils and a chance to make up a dino story with Story Wizards: Dino Drama. Location: on the lawn in front of the 2nd Congregational Church on the Common. For All ages.
* Dino Trail Week
An asterix identifies Dino Trail Week programs, part of a celebratory week in July of performances, films, talks, exhibits, and activities inspired by dinosaur footprints in the Connecticut River Valley. Look for events from 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. Visit the website dinotrail.org to learn more.

Ongoing - Chill Out Indoor Story Walks® – Sploot by Sadonna Heathman
2026-07-23 - 2026-08-11 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Come on inside and Chill Out with DCR! You can find “Cool” activities for kids and families inside, including indoor StoryWalk® all summer long! Meet at the welcome desk. Accessible during open hours.
Enjoy the story Sploot by Sadonna Heathman. Two squirrels. One mission: stay cool! When the summer sun is blazing, two silly squirrels will try anything to find the perfect cool-down spot. For ages 6 – 8 and everyone cool.
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.

Drop-in and Chill-out Activities: Sploot! How Animals Keep Their Cool
2026-07-26 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-08-23 10:30 - 12:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Join us inside the Center for drop-in family-friendly activities and crafts all about how animals keep cool, including a story about splooting squirrels. What can we learn from animals during the heat of summer? What’s your plan to keep cool? Come on in and chill out and make your own Flat Squirrely to take on cool adventures and consider painting a scene with acorn cap ink. For ages 4 and up including youth and adults.

Tom Ricardi: Birds of Prey
2026-08-09 14:00 - 15:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Come see the raptors up close and personal! Meet in the Great Hall for a free program for all ages. See birds of prey presented by Tom Ricardi, a licensed rehabilitator and wildlife biologist. Tom provides an educational presentation on their lives and habitats as well as conservation. You may see a variety of raptors such as a turkey vulture, a peregrine falcon, hawks, owls, and more!

Geology Talk: Amazing “Deep Time” Mysteries of Turners Falls and Vicinity
2026-08-15 14:00 - 14:30 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Why does Turners Falls have a waterfall? Why are the rare Jurassic Armored Mud Balls found here? Why is the Connecticut River in Franklin County so strange? It has sharp 90-degree bends plus mysterious 100-foot-deep holes in its riverbed! Did you know the Connecticut used to flow into Greenfield? Join Prof. Richard Little, the discoverer of the Jurassic Armored Mud Balls, as he explains the unique and dramatic Earth events preserved in our scenic views and in the rocks under our feet. After the program there is a short walk to look at some amazing rocks. All ages. Meet in the Great Hall.

Art Naturally: Cyanotype Sun Prints from the Garden
2026-08-16 10:30 - 12:00 | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Discover nature through story, poetry and art in our series of free art programs. Create cyanotypes—or sun prints— to take home with sensitized paper, plants or stencils, glass, and the power of UV light. Rain or shine (we’ll use special light boxes if it rains). For adults, teens, and children ages 6 and up. All art materials provided. Meet in the Great Hall at 10:30am for complete instructions.
