What do Native Americans and early English settlers have to do with the environment?  From the food they prepared to the homes they built, they all used “earth friendly” ways to live their lives.  Hundreds of years later, Windsor families can still make a difference!  This April vacation, come to the Windsor Historical Society’s Hands-On-History Learning Center, where kids will find a variety of “green” programs to delight, entertain and even educate! 

 

The Society will offer a range of fun activities and craft projects that change from day to day. 

 

On Monday, children will find different way to use paper products and create a bouquet of flowers and rain sticks out of egg cartons and paper town rolls. 

 

On Tuesday, create bird feeders and piggy banks using plastic milk and soda bottles. 

 

On Wednesday, get in touch with nature while exploring the different uses of plants and gardens.  Create a mini garden to take back to your home using cleaned out tin cans! 

 

On Thursday, we’ll concentrate on the natural resources our ancestors used without the conveniences of electricity, indoor plumbing and central heat.  Create animal friends out of rocks and pipe cleaner to take home. 

 

On Friday, celebrate Arbor Day by making a pinecone bird feeder to hang in your yard.  We’ll also be recycling the weeks activities for a pick and choose day! 

 

In addition to crafts, we will also offer daily guided walking tours down to the Farmington River, where families can connect with nature while exploring the importance of the river to early settlers.  Or peek through our 18th century homes and see what life was like before modern conveniences and the different ways families were “green.”  Don’t forget to pick up a brochure with simple suggestions on what you can do to make a difference for our environment.   

 

Activities for children in grades Pre-K through 5 will run continually from 10am – 1pm starting Monday, April 21 through Friday, April 25, with new activities offered daily.  Programs will run rain or shine and a parent or guardian must accompany their children, and participants are encouraged to wear clothing suitable for messy play.  Costs are $10 per family or $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children, and $2 for WHS members.  Parking is available around Palisado Green and in the First Church and Windsor Discovery Center Parking lots.   Children can always enjoy a variety of activities at the Society’s Hands-On-History Learning Center, including playing dress-up in reproduction colonial clothing during normal business hours.