Child-Friendly Activities and Exhibits
The museum is definitely child-friendly. Some kids max out quickly at traditional “look, don’t touch” museums, so we’ve got lots of fun stuff to touch and do. And when they’re done with the exhibits, there’s plenty of room to run, play, and picnic on our spacious campus.
Set Sail
What was it like to sail on a square-rigger? Find out in the Set Sail Demonstration. Kids can steer a real ship’s wheel. Walk around the capstan and listen to its rhythmic clanking as they pretend to raise the anchor. Or climb out on the footropes on a large model of a ship’s mast to furl the sail.
Savage Education Center
Savage Education Center is a play-and-learning area full of hands-on activities. Children can dress up in 19th century costumes and purchase provisions in a chandler’s shop or make a meal in a ship’s galley. Other activities include exploring ship models, tying maritime knots, spelling with signal flags, or learning to play Skittles. Visitors of all ages will discover something new in this interactive space.
At Home, At Sea: Crew’s Life
At the entrance to the At Home, At Sea exhibit in the Fowler-True-Ross House, the Crew’s Life explores the lives of the sailors. Children can climb the rigging, swab the deck, and sing sea chanteys in this interactive exhibit.
Look Around – There’s More!
Don’t hesitate to take children through the “adult” exhibits too! There are hands-on activities for children in most exhibit buildings, and kids are often fascinated to see our exhibits of boats, ships, and the way people lived in days gone by.
Teen Club
Teen Club meets every Thursday from 3:00 to 4:30 PM in the Old Vestry Building at 2 Church Street. Activities range from arts, games, crafts, tech, and more. Homework help is available and there are occasional community service opportunities. Ages 12-18 are welcome. Free for Searsport and Stockton Springs residents, and $5 for all others. Email Veronica Maresh Mead at [email protected] with any questions.
Junior Adventures
Junior Adventures takes place on Wednesdays in July from 11am to 3pm and is included with museum admission. These drop-in programs are designed for children and their families to have fun at the museum. Each will explore a different topic that relates to our exhibits. Families can read together, do a craft, play a game, and go on a scavenger hunt.
Daily Activities
While the museum’s exhibits are open, we offer daily activities including crafts and Set Sail demonstrations. These daily activities are included with museum admission. Check our schedule here.
