Homeschool Programs
Strawbery Banke welcomes families to step into the past in-person and virtually for learning and discovery in the historic neighborhood of Puddle Dock. Explore traditional arts and crafts such as basket weaving and woodworking, learn how to write a historical fiction book, solve mysteries using documents, images, and objects, and so much more!
Strawbery Banke offers financial assistance through the History Within Reach fund to make programs accessible to as many families as possible. Please fill out the form via the button below to apply.
History Within Reach is sponsored in part by the Georgia-Pacific Foundation and the generosity of individual donors
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History Science Fusion!
Dates: September 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM–12 PM
Ages: 5–8, grades K–2
Cost: $100Discover the history behind early 20th-century inventions through hands-on experiments, building challenges, and creative activities. Participants explore how innovations like automobiles, Crayola crayons, airplanes, and Slinkys changed everyday life while learning the science that made them possible. From testing motion and flight to experimenting with color and design, kids connect history, engineering, and discovery in a fun and interactive way.
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History in Action
Dates: September 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM–12 PM
Ages: 9–12, grades 3–6
Cost: $100Travel back to the early 20th century and explore major events that shaped everyday life in America. Participants learn about events like the Great Migration and World War II while discovering how children and families lived during times of change. Kids create their own silent film, help tend a Victory garden, ride in a Model A car, and try cooking “Make-Do” recipes inspired by Depression-era resourcefulness. This interactive program brings history to life through creativity, problem-solving, and immersive activities.
Building the Past Homeschool Day
Date: October 6, 2026
Time:10 AM-1:30 PM
Ages: 5+
Cost: $15 per workshop
Explore historic architecture and building traditions through hands-on workshops, model building, and guided visits inside historic houses.
Families may choose from age-based workshops offered throughout the day. Workshop times and lengths vary by age group.
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Little Builders Workshop
Times: 10–11 AM & 12–1 PM
Cost: $15
Ages: 5–7Explore how houses were constructed in the past and discover the materials and skills used by early builders. Participants learn about traditional post-and-beam construction while working together to assemble a simple model of a timber-framed house. Then, go behind the scenes in a 17th-century house to compare the model to a life-sized structure.
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Abenaki Architecture Workshop
Times: 10–11 AM & 12–1 PM
Cost: $15
Ages: 5–7Explore how different Indigenous communities designed and built traditional dwellings adapted to their environments. Assemble a scale model wigwam and discover how natural resources like saplings and bark were thoughtfully used to create strong, seasonal homes. Through guided discussion and building activities, the program highlights Indigenous innovation, environmental knowledge, and everyday life in historical context.
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From Log to Lodging Workshop
Times: 10–11:30 AM & 12–1:30 PM
Cost: $15
Ages: 8-12Explore how trees are transformed into the parts of an 18th-century house. Then, put that knowledge into action by constructing a model of a timber-framed building. Finally, visit a historic home to see life-sized structural elements up close. Through building, exploring, and observing, children gain a fun and engaging introduction to architectural history and early construction methods.
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House Detectives Workshop
Times: 10–11:30 AM & 12–1:30 PM
Cost: $15
Ages: 8-12Students become architectural detectives and discover how to compare historic house styles using real-world clues. Through games, hands-on activities, and guided exploration of historic buildings, participants discover the key features of Post-Medieval, Georgian, and Federal architecture. Then, they practice spotting details like rooflines, windows, symmetry, and building materials, and use their new skills to “read” buildings like historians.
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Architectural Ghost Hunting Workshop
Time: 10–11 AM
Cost: $15
Ages: 13+Take a guided tour through several historic buildings, looking for “ghosts” that have been left behind. Participants find clues that signify old construction methods and decorative details, from traces of mantels to closets. Along the way, visitors learn how people used creativity and resourcefulness to build, repair, and adapt their homes using available materials. Through observation and discussion, participants uncover the stories that historic buildings still have to tell.
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Winter Celebrations Guided Tour
Date: December 10, 2026
Times: 9:30 AM, 10 AM, 10:30 AM, 11 AM, 12 PM & 12:30 PM
Ages: 6–12, grades 1–6
Cost: $15Take a walk through 150 years of winter celebrations in New England. Hear about the importance of New Year’s Day while exploring a hands-on exhibit and making a gift to take home. Visit an elaborately decorated Victorian home. Learn about Hanukkah in the early 20th century and other winter celebrations around the world. Finally, speak with a member of the Abbott family at their 1943 store and hear how World War II has impacted the Christmas holidays.
Winter Celebrations is a family program designed for children ages 6–12. Children ages 6–7 must be accompanied by an adult. Children ages 8–12 may participate without an accompanying adult.
