Writing with quill pens and sifting for ancient artifacts will help keep children entertained during summer vacation.
The Nanaimo Museum is hosting two weekly drop-in programs for children, Quill Pens & Ink Wells and Junior Archaeologist.
The hands-on activities appeal to children ages five to 12 years and the cost is included in museum admission.
They’re designed for children to participate along with their parents, grandparents or caregivers.
“These programs are a great way for parents and grandparents to help children learn about history,” said Aimee Greenaway, the museum’s program coordinator. “The kids have fun doing the activities and the adults are happy because the kids are getting some educational time in the summer.”
The activities are offered on an ongoing basis during the programs and take approximately one hour for children to complete. Registration is not required. Caregivers must supervise children at all times during activities.
The Quill Pens & Ink Wells program takes place Tuesdays in July and August from 10 a.m. to noon.
“This program was popular last summer because kids loved finding out what school was like 100 years ago, especially sitting in wooden desks and dipping quill pens into ink wells,” said Greenaway. “The activities help bridge the generation gap so parents and grandparents can share childhood school experiences with their kids in a more meaningful way.”
The Junior Archaeologist program was a surprise hit at the museum during spring break and will be offered again Thursdays in July and August from 1-3 p.m.
The activities include using sifting screens to find artifacts in soil, recreating broken pottery jars and touching First Nations artifacts from the museum’s education collection.
The program will expand to include activities related to the Copper Inuit once the museum’s new feature exhibit Expedition: Arctic opens Aug. 14.
The Nanaimo Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until Labour Day weekend. Admission is $2 for adults, $1.75 for seniors/students and 75 cents for children.
For more information, please call 250 753-1821 or visit www.nanaimomuseum.ca.
The museum is in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.