There is perhaps nothing of greater importance than the education of our children, through both traditional and inventive means. Engage and inspire your children through the endless educational opportunities across New Hampshire. From agricultural history, to heritage trails, to whale watching, your children will enjoy every moment of these activities. Revitalize and amaze kids and curious adults with an educational outing only New Hampshire could bring to the table!
It can be easy to lose sight of one’s own history, focusing instead on faraway lands with exotic pasts and unfamiliar peoples. Manchester’s Millyard Museum addresses such folly, offering an exciting look at a hyperlocal history many New Hampshirites may know little about. A permanent exhibit, “Woven In Time: 11,000 Years at Amoskeag Falls” reflects on a past, both ancient and contemporary, that is simultaneously familiar and fascinating. From Paleolithic tools to Manchester’s heyday as a New England hub, this exhibit, alongside other rotations, is a great way to get kids interested in their local roots, and general history as well.
Open seven days a week, year-round, free of charge, Stonewall Farm is almost too good to be true—almost. This very real, very cool, opportunity in Keene is a stepping stone for teaching children about animals, life on a farm, and healthy living. Whether you hit the on-site trails for a hike, observe cheese-making, or just get to know the animals, Stonewall is one of the most enjoyable kids activities around.
June through September, a 100-acre parcel of historically important New Hampshire opens to curious children and parents alike. The Poore Family Homestead represents 150 years in the life of one North Country family, with buildings, land, and belongings. This Colebrook gem is a great way to learn about history, as well as nature, and the arts thanks to concert series and on site Shakespeare.
We all know our beloved New Hampshire as the Granite State, but how many know just where that name originates? Enter Polar Caves Park, a stunning collection of nine granite boulder caves connected via boardwalk. Load up the kids and a picnic lunch, and take a fascinating self-guided tour to learn about our origin as a granite giant. Children under four enter free, and military members and veterans receive discounted passes.
Take advantage of our mini-but-mighty presence as a coastal state and explore both the natural beauty and animal life of the Atlantic. Al Gauron hosts whale watching cruises seven days starting in mid-June, and also pirate-themed cruises for the rowdier crew. Weekend reservations recommended, but walk-ins are always welcome for last minute adventures on the high seas!
A collection of 27 locations of historical, African-American importance throughout the city of Portsmouth, celebrating the triumphs and commemorating the trials of some of the city’s earlier black inhabitants. From the sites of slave auctions to abolitionist meeting places, the contributions of African-American New Hampshirites are one of the most fascinating areas of our collective history to study, and the Black Heritage Trail is a hands-on history worth exploring.
The saga of the American Revolution can seem dated and distant when discovered within the bounds of a common classroom, but comes alive through hands-on interaction and robust storytelling. The American Independence Museum in Exeter, New Hampshire’s Revolutionary capitol, does this and more with its collection of more than 3,000 works of art, books, and documents painstakingly collected over the past century. Take a guided tour, or just check things out at your own pace.
Aimed at fostering interest in and concern over the fate of the Merrimack River, Amoskeag Fishways is a year-round way to get children involved in local environmental concerns. Visit during the “Fish Season” (May to mid-June) to view anadromous fish making their way from the ocean to the Merrimack to reproduce through the center’s underwater viewing window. Visitors in the off-season can still participate in activities such as an interactive watershed exhibit, and this Manchester treasure offers extremely affordable special events perfect for children and parents alike.
All aboard the enjoyable education train at the Mount Washington Cog Railway! The first mountain climbing cog railway in the world, this Bretton Woods attraction has been around for well over a century. Take advantage of exciting programming commemorating this sesquicentennial, and explore 6,288 feet of elevation. Learn about railroad and local history with this adventurous ride!
Visit the birthplace of famed orator and politician, Daniel Webster, and teach children about local and national history. One of only two people ever to serve as U.S. Secretary of State under three presidents, Mr. Webster also represented both Massachusetts and New Hampshire in Congress, and the former in the United States senate as well. Select weekends offer Living History Exhibits put on by the Franklin Historical Society, and New Hampshire residents are always welcome free of charge.
