For Kids and Families
Upcoming Events
Family Movie Nights Under the Stars, August 29; September 5, 12, & 19
Talk Like a Pirate Day, September 19
ModelT 100th Birthday Celebration, October 4
Young Museum Explorers, October 5; November 12 & 17
Halloween Carnival, October 24
Looking for adventure this summer? Just around the corner at Heritage Museums & Gardens, we’re ready to take your children on exciting journeys into the past as we explore museum objects, create arts and crafts, conduct hands-on experiments, go on scavenger hunts and play games. Our popular Museum Adventures programs for kids ages 4 to 13 will keep them busy and happy!
Family Movie Nights Under the Stars
Fridays, August 29 and September 5, 12, and 19 (Rain date: September 26)
7:30 - 9:30 pm
Outdoor Concert Stage
When the sun sets, families can come to Heritage to enjoy a family movie under the stars! Each week a new movie is featured on the giant outdoor screen, and families are invited to bring chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets to the show. You can also purchase freshly popped popcorn, candy, and beverages before and during the movie at our concession stand! There will also be a special activity featured before each movie, so be sure to arrive early for a night of fun! For more info on the movies, click on the title:
August 29 - The Spiderwick Chronicles (Rated PG)
September 5 - Bee Movie (Rated PG)
September 12 - Wizard of Oz (Rated G)
September 19 - Hook (Rated PG)
Click here for all Movies and Other Family Activities
As a special treat, your family can register for the Talk Like a Pirate Day program on September 19 from 5:30 – 7 pm as a combined ticket for the program and the movie afterwards to make it a whole night of pirate adventure!
Talk Like a Pirate Day
Friday, September 19
5:30 – 7 pm
Art Museum
Ahoy me buccaneers! Use yer deadlights, matey, and look at yer calendar. September 19 be “International Talk Like a Pirate Day,” and Heritage is the place to celebrate! Leave yer landlubber days aft, go “on the account” and join the jolly pirate crew. See the Pirates of New England exhibit like never before, with a special tour and discussion time with pirate expert Steven O’Neil, learn the secret language of the pirates, make a pirate costume, sing a sea chantey or two, and find the hidden treasure! After the program, head over to the Outdoor Concert Stage to enjoy the Family Movie Night Under the Stars special pirate feature, Hook, starring Robin Williams! This exhibit will be closed on October 31, so don’t miss the last chance for Heritage pirate adventure. Fair winds, lads and lassies!
Registration and sign up information click here
Registration deadline: September 17
Fees: $2 Members, $3 Non-Members (Fee will be added to the Family Movie Night ticket price)
Scout groups, ask about our group discount rate!
Please contact Kristen Hoeker, Manager of Family and Community Programs, at 508-888-3300, ext. 159 or khoeker@heritagemuseums.org to register or for more information.
Model T Birthday Celebration
Saturday, October 4
11 am – 3 pm
J.K. Lilly III Automobile Museum
October 2008 marks the 100th birthday of the Ford Model T car! Help us celebrate this milestone on Saturday, October 4th from 11am-3pm in the J.K. Lilly III Automobile Museum. Everyone will receive a piece of birthday cake and will get the chance to construct their own mini-Model T to take home. Also, complete a scavenger hunt and enter the drawing for a special prize! This event is free with museum admission.
More information on the Model T Birthday.
Young Family Programs
Young Museum Explorers Club
Wednesdays, October 15, November 12, and December 17 9:30 – 10:30 am
Meet at the Ticket Office
Introduce your 3 and 4 year olds to the wonders of a museum by joining the Young Museum Explorers Club! This program is specially designed for our young museum visitors in order to share with them the fun and excitement that can be found in learning about history, art, and horticulture. Each day a new exhibit is featured, with activities including games, songs, stories, crafts, and hands-on artifact time. Your family can register for one program or all three to become a true museum explorer! After the program, your family has the option to add museum admission (at the special discounted group rate for Non-Members) to the program price in order to freely explore the entire museum and grounds.
Click here for all Movies and Other Family Activities
Our Feathered Friends
October 15 –
Our newest exhibit on the bird carvings of Elmer Crowell will be the setting for an adventurous bird safari! Families can discover bird beaks by playing a worm pick-up game, hear and make bird calls, listen to a story about a very unique feathered friend, and create a special bird craft to take home.
Check back for the program themes on November 12 and December 17.
Registration deadline for the October 15 program: October 13
Fees: $2 Members, $3 Non-Members (Program only, general admission can be added on at the discounted group rate)
Please contact Kristen Hoeker, Manager of Family and Community Programs, at 508-888-3300, ext. 159 or khoeker@heritagemuseums.org to register or for more information.
Halloween Carnival
Friday, October 24
5:30 – 8 pm
J.K. Lilly III Automobile Museum, Art Museum, and Grounds
Save Friday, October 24 on your calendar for the Heritage Halloween Carnival! Due to popular demand, this year’s Carnival will be bigger and better than ever, with activities for kids of all ages in both the auto and art museums, and even on the grounds! Check back later this summer for more details on the highlight event of the fall! This event sells out every year, so call early for your family’s reservation.
For more information on the Halloween Carnival
Registration: Members only registration from September 1-7, general public registration begins September 8.
Fees: $6 Members, $8 Non-Members. Payment is due upon registration.
Please contact Kristen Hoeker, Manager of Family and Community Programs, at 508-888-3300, ext. 159 or khoeker@heritagemuseums.org to register or for more information.
Every Day Fun
Every day there are lots of fun experiences you and your family can enjoy at the museum at no extra cost. In addition to a ride (or two!) on our antique carousel, try one or all of these exciting activities during your next visit.
Museum on the Road Community Programs
Are you looking for a fun and educational program for your community group? Heritage Museums & Gardens has a wide variety of programming that can be brought to your community group, club meeting, or camp program by a Heritage education department staff member. These programs can be designed for any age level, time frame, and theme to be brought into you facility. We work directly with the community group to find the best way to use our unique museum resources to give the children a memorable and exciting learning experience!
Example program topics include: Pirates of New England, Outdoor Explorer, Nature Artwork, First Americans, Birds, Butterflies, & Bugs, Terrific Toys, Cars from the Past, and many more! Activities include hands-on artifacts, games, crafts, scavenger hunts, and music.
Programs can be scheduled any day of the week. Please call to schedule programs at least three weeks before your desired date. There must be a minimum of 10 children in the group. Please inquire about the program fee.
If you would like more information or would like to schedule your group, please contact Kristen Hoeker, Manager of Family and Community Programs, at 508-888-3300, ext. 159 or at khoeker@heritagemuseums.org