A Parent’s Guide to Weekly Themed Visits to Colonial Williamsburg
A Parent’s Guide to Weekly Themed Visits to Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg has put together an awesome 8 week visitation program. They have done all the hard work for us parents – we just have to choose which theme we want to do this week!
The folks at Colonial Williamsburg have put together online content you can look at online before you go – then places to visit at CW and then online content to follow up with after your visit. Each week has a different theme but you don’t have to do the weeks in any order.
So if you are looking for family activity ideas in Williamsburg and since you have the colonial capital in your backyard, why not visit each week? Use your Good Neighbor (then admission is unlimited) or Annual Pass to get your family thinking and exploring with these themes!
Remember, you can do them in any order! Here are the 8 weeks with links to Colonial Williamsburg full site on this program.
WEEK 1: MARVEL AT BRITISH GRANDEUR
Have an architect in the family or a tiny builder – have them learn about the architectural preservation before you arrive then make sure to visit the Governor’s Palace and grounds. There is online content to review after the visit too… Learn more!
WEEK 2: MEET NATION BUILDERS
Learn about our Nation Builders on their blogs by the interpreters who portray them before you arrive then Listen to a Nation Builder – those events are at the Hennage Auditorium. There is a follow up video online too – Learn more!
WEEK 3: FOCUS ON OFTEN UNTOLD STORIES
Not everyone gets remembered in the history books but that does not make their stories less significant. They have pre-research online and then make sure to visit the Randolph Yard and there is a virtual follow up online too. Learn more!
WEEK 4: NATURAL QUESTIONS
Got a nature lover in the family. Have them find out what it means to be a Level 2 Certified Arboretum, and take a look at the Interactive Arboretum map of trees and gardens at Colonial Williamsburg before you arrive. Then visit the Bassett Trace Nature Trail or visit the Gardeners in the Colonial Gardens. Learn more!
WEEK 5: GET ARTSY
For the artists in the family have them watch videos about the conservation of the museum objects to learn how paintings, textiles, and furniture are prepared for exhibitions. They even have some downloads of coloring pages from the collection for little kids! Then visit the newly renovated Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg – then do a scavenger hunt virtually when you get home. Learn more!
WEEK 6: EXAMINE EVIDENCE
This one is perfect for the archaeologist in the family! You can learn about the Custis Square Archaeology Project before you come and then visit it. Learn more!
WEEK 7: EXPLORE HISTORIC TRADES
First read about the apprentice life and they even have some videos for you to watch before you arrive. Once at Colonial Williamsburg you can see where to meet them and questions to ask! Learn more!
WEEK 8: DISCOVER RARE BREED ANIMALS
Learn about the animals of Colonial Williamsburg before you arrive then make sure to visit the sheep, chickens, oxen and horses. Chat with the coachmen about the horses. Learn more!
Make sure to check out this Summer Solved page on Colonial Williamsburg for 8 weeks of content that you can do during the summer and throughout the year. For those of us lucky enough to live in the Good Neighbor Pass zone – once you buy your GNP your admission is unlimited!
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