Plimoth Plantation with Kids: the Perfect Pit Stop
We had no real plan on our weekend adventure to Plymouth, Massachusetts beyond going to Edaville Family Theme Park (also known in the Pre-K playground as ThomasLand). So what else should we do, we wondered…we had heard that Plymouth Rock was, well, just a rock. And Plimoth Plantation with kids? We had our reservations. Our middle little doesn’t understand the difference between yesterday and tomorrow let alone hundreds of years ago.
Still, it was a sunny Spring day and we wanted to be outside. Plimoth Plantation is outside. And other than the basics of what we grown ups remembered from our elementary school days, we didn’t know much else. At least not the specifics of THE Plimoth Plantation. Still, we decided that whether or not the littles really understood what Plimoth Plantation really was or why it was important, it’d still be pretty cool for them to see what it was like in that original little village. And that’s how we ended up at Plimoth Plantation with kids.
Background
So what is Plimoth Plantation exactly? Well, it’s a not-for-profit living history museum that aims to recreate the 17th century settlement of the Plymouth Colony, which consisted of the British settlers that became known as the Pilgrims (and cue the biggest little’s sense of recognition). The historical interpretations found throughout the museum are based upon first- and second-hand records, as well as articles, period paintings, and artifacts to make the experience as authentic as possible.
Don’t be fooled; Plimoth Plantation is not the original settlement. The museum’s origination date is 1947, a far cry from the year 1624, which is the year it aims to replicate. At it’s opening, it consisted of just two English cottages and a fort constructed on the Plymouth waterfront by Henry Hornblower II. Since this time, though, the museum has grown to include an entire English Village, a Mayflower replica (the ship that brought the settlers from England), the Wampanoag Homesite, the Hornblower Visitor Center, the Craft Center, the Maxwell and Nye Barns, and the Plimoth Grist Mill.
Interesting fact: the Mayflower replica, Mayflower II, is seaworthy. It was built in 1955-56 in Devon, England by English shipbuilders who used traditional methods. Afterwards, in 1957, it sailed across the Atlantic, recreating the original 1620 voyage the Pilgrims undertook. Crew journals of this 1957 voyage can be read to get a deeper understanding of the difficulties of the voyage.
Important Info
The 1624 English Village is only open from late March through November and the activities that the “historical interpreters” perform during this time depict what life would be like during those particular times of year. Generally, their activities follow chronologically, so the activities, beyond the day-to-day, are seasonal. They also have some special celebrations or historical events (not to mention just day to day demonstrations).
One great thing about this, then, is that no two visits will be the same as the activities will change depending on time of year and weather. On a rainy day, the “interpreters” will be found in their homes or on hot days they’ll be seeking out shade.
The museum is open seven days a week from 9-5, with their busiest times being between 9 and 1 on weekdays (usually for school groups). The busiest time of year though should come as no surprise: November and the weeks before Thanksgiving. While the Visitor’s Center is open at 9, the English Village doesn’t open until 9:15 with the last tickets being sold a half hour prior to closing.
The Mayflower II is not accessible at the main site, as it is docked at the State Pier on the Plymouth Waterfront. Currently, though, it is docked in Mystic, Connecticut where it is undergoing a full restoration in preparation of the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the original sailing.
Plimoth Plantation itself does require a bit of walking. Mainly the paths are stroller friendly but once you enter the English Village the terrain turns into a thick river of small pebbles, making it quite difficult to push (or pull or shove), especially once you get to the bottom of the hill and have to make your way back up.
Our Top Things to Do at Plimoth Plantation with Kids
Visit the English Village
This collection of small cottages and gardens with animal pens is designed to replicate the original colony, though the size of it is much more condensed. There are homes of real members of the 1624 colony, many of whom are still roaming the village. At the top of the hill, where one enters the settlement, is a fort and it looks down into the small village below as it makes its way towards the water.
In this living museum, “historical interpreters” interact with visitors by responding in the first person. They have been trained to speak, act, and dress for the period. Interpreters answer questions, discuss their lives and habits, and the “politics” of the town, among other things. Additionally, they can be seen throughout the village in and around their homes performing general tasks of the time period that their “character” would actually have been performing in 1624. (There are, fortunately, other guides there who can interact in third person–answering questions that the settlers, in their fully-embraced roles, would have no ability to answer.)
Visit the Wampanoag Homesite
This is a small, settlement along the banks of the river Eel. Here there are traditional homes of the Wampanoag people as well as different demonstrations on how the Wampanoag people lived, such as how they made canoes (it involves fire!), what games they played, and making clothing.
The people who are here are unlike those found in the English Village. All of the staff at the Wampanoag Homesite are Native People, either from the Wampanoag tribe or other Native Nations. While they will wear traditional dress, they do not speak as though they are from the 17th century; instead, they give you a modern perspective on their cultures.
Watch Demonstrations at the Craft Center
The craft center is perched right in the middle of the Wampanoag Homesite and the English Village, which is wonderful considering that crafts of both groups are found within the building. Here you can run into a demonstration (from non-role playing staff) of how to make a traditional headdress to how to make the perfect loaf of bread, all using traditional tools, customs, and techniques (and ingredients!).
While we were there, all of the artisans that were working that afternoon were more than happy to answer any of the questions we had regarding their work. And the bakers made some pretty pretty fabulous bread that you can then buy in the store located at the Craft Center (and let me tell you, I’m talking bread I still compare other bread to).
Visit Animals at the Nye Barn
What visit to anywhere that has animals is complete without a visit to see said animals? Visiting Plimoth Plantation with kids is no exception. Here you will find rare and heritage breed livestock like cows, goats, sheep, and chicken (some are in the barn itself and others will be grazing throughout the pastures).
What does it mean to be a rare and heritage breed? Well, to be considered rare, there must be less than 1000 annual registrations of a certain breed and heritage means that these are livestock whose breed predates the modern genetic standardization of farm animals. The main difference that anyone can see though, is that most of the cows, regardless of gender, have horns. (So there goes all of those things I’ve been telling my little people each time we visit the farm down the road from our house…)
Get Prepared for a Voyage at the Waterfront Experience
Now, while I’d love to list visiting the Mayflower II as one of our top things to do at Plimoth Plantation with kids, it looks like we won’t be able to do that until at least 2020. Fortunately, once it returns to Plymouth, it will be restored and we’ll be able to get on board and imagine what that voyage was like.
Being so unprepared as we were, we didn’t quite know that the Mayflower II wasn’t in town, so we showed up a the waterfront full of anticipation. And then we couldn’t find it. Anywhere. Finally, we actually read the documents given to us and realized it wasn’t there (but hey, we did get to see the Plymouth Rock, so there is that).
Ultimately, that lack of Mayflower II turned out quite well for our littles. We then did the Waterfront Experience, which helps little ones conceptualize the difficulties the (to be later called) Pilgrims faced when crossing the Atlantic. While there were no “historical interpreters,” there were plenty of museum guides who helped facilitate hands on experiences with the littles.
We found them trying to figure out how they would manage to store the items they needed on the interior of the ship, having to make difficult decisions of which items they needed and which they had to leave behind. After this, they then, quite literally, stowed items on a small replication of a ship, working to pack everything away. Finally, they worked with pulleys and nets and ropes of all kinds to see the physical labor required of the voyagers.
Why we Loved Plimoth Plantation with Kids
The reason this museum works so well with little people is, without a doubt, the fact that they are immersed in the living museum. It’s not pictures, paintings, or documents. They quite literally walked into the Winslow House and spoke to a member of the 1624 Plimoth community. Now, my littles were a bit shy (for once) when in such close corridors with grown ups they didn’t know, but they were still able to listen in on the conversations that others were having with the village people.
My littles loved exploring the rooms of both the English Village and the Wampanoag Homesite, letting their imaginations soar. What would it be like to have such a tiny bed? How do you keep a dirt floor clean? The fire is just out in the open? It made them think. They wandered in awe, in and out of houses, through gardens, looking in chicken coops, spying on the village from the meeting house/fort.
Starting to imagine themselves in these circumstances, they came up with new questions about how people lived, some of which were answered at the Craft Center. Here, we were, fortunately, able to watch the artisans make bread. They were attentive, explaining step by step to the littles, who were warmed up at this point and read to ask questions. And of course, after watching the process, so different from the process they know (but so not too), we bought a loaf of bread right out of the oven. Now, I don’t know what they were expecting, but I think it was to taste the difference. And we did. But it wasn’t the difference they expected–they all loved the bread and devoured it like hungry little villagers.
For not knowing what to do with a day in Plymouth, Massachusetts, I’d say we chose pretty well. It kept us all engaged. So, maybe the littles still don’t quite understand the importance of this slice of the United State’s history, but they did get a bigger lesson. They were able to understand that things haven’t always been so easy and convenient and found at least a drip of appreciation for the privilege, ease and comfort that time, discovery, and location (among a multitude of other things) have given them.
34 Comments
Brittany
What a cool family trip! A great way to get kids interested in history! I wish we had taken more trips like this when I was little hehe.
Erica Edwards
What a cool spot! I bet the kiddos had a blast, I used to love this kind of thing growing up. Sounds like your trip was a perfect combination of fun thrills at the amusement park and learning fun at Pilmouth Plantation 🙂
Valentina
That sounds like the perfect outing for kids. Children benefit in so many ways from interactive history.
Ariana - World of Travels with Kids
This sounds a great day out!!! i love places that are interactive that can teach kids history, and even if they are too young to get the real “proper” story, it sounds like they learnt a lot anyway!
Diana
I am a fan of exploring (and experiencing) history when I travel with my grandchildren. I just added this to my travel list.
Kisha Stewart-Harris
Can I just say how much I admire you and love reading about your adventures. I guess I didn’t really realize how little your kids are and just the fact that you actually travel with them at that age just blows my mind. When mine were that young, I just didn’t have the fortitude to hardly leave the house, I found it just too mentally draining. As for this little town, It is actually kind of cool. I mean, they really did do a good job of trying to make it look “old” and “rickety”, for lack of better words. I can see why for school aged children this place is such a draw!
Corinne Y Vail
Plimouth Plantation certainly looks to be worth a visit in the future. Thanks for the info about the Mayflower II, we’ll delay our trip till 2020 so we can get a look at it.
Elaine
What a fun trip! We always try to mix in something educational with the carnival that is our summer vacation. My kiddos are always at the front of the tour group asking all the questions. Thanks for the recommendation!
Brittany McCabe
I visited this place as a kid and remember it to date. I loved how I could ask them questions about their journey. These types of hands-on learning experiences for kids are crucial and these are the ones that will make a difference.
Three Kids and A Car
Mine were a bit shy about asking questions. I think having an open flame in the same room as them (they were cooking if I recall) just totally mesmerized them and since they knew it wasn’t “safe” they were having none of it. Then I remember another interpreter, a gentleman, was telling them about the items in his room and they were also intimidated into silence. But they listened. And I think it’s a great way to learn!
Nina
Such an interesting place! I bet the kids learned a lot. I know my little one would have loved it and he’d be asking a million questions for weeks after.
Three Kids and A Car
Now that I really think about it…they did. Maybe not dates or a clear understanding of timeframes, but how difficult it was at that point, yes. They certainly absorbed that.
Ms Stacy Liz
This looks like a great family trip with so much to do! I love the pictures you posted. I’ll have to find something like this in California when my son gets older, but I’m sure it’s almost impossible because this place is unique to the East coast, haha! Thanks for sharing!
Three Kids and A Car
You can always swing by on an epic East Coast trip! Enjoy that CA sun!
Katie
I love taking my daughter to places like this. Yes, she is two so doesn’t really “get it” but I think she can sense that it is different from how the world is today. That’s important, too! We are also big on taking her to art museums (balanced of course with zoos and aquariums).
Three Kids and A Car
I totally agree with you. Little ones still get something out of places like this or art museums. Glad to hear you take her to them!
Stephanie
Wow this sounds like an amazing family trip!! I love history so personally I think everything the Plimoth Village has to offer sounds amazing!! Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Three Kids and A Car
You’re welcome! It was great. I’d even go back a few times with my kids. I’d love to see it at a different time of year.
Emily Yeafoli
Looks like such a fun trip! I love doing stuff like this with my kids!
Three Kids and A Car
It really was. And I didn’t expect it to be.
Andrea
Love this! Such a fun idea. We’re always looking for new places to take our boys. I appreciate the detail. It helps to know as the person who plans our adventures what to look for in a new place. Thank you!
Three Kids and A Car
You’re welcome. I’m glad it was helpful!
MIamiGirlFoodie
Great post! So much wonderful information. I have to visit this place next time I go up north.
Three Kids and A Car
You should. It’s a great go at your own place kind of thing.
Mai Le Edwards
Love that although as a family you weren’t too sure about bringing kids to Plymouth plantation you still decided to do it anyways and found some fun for the kiddos.
Three Kids and A Car
Thanks. If the little ones aren’t having fun, is anyone really having fun?
Soumya Gayatri
I found this adventure of yours really really exciting especially because it involves a quaint little English village. I am a big fan of anything historical and would love to go down there one day with my 5-year-old and get him to see how people lived hundreds of years ago. And it is lovely to see how you could talk to your kids about those little things like the small bed, dirt floor and keep them engaged in something they would otherwise find boring.
Daniel
Seems like a great idea for an amazing family trip and a great way to get kids interested in history! Two birds with one stone 🙂
Kavita Favelle
As a real history lover, I would have loved this as a child, indeed I’d still find it interesting as an adult. And it looks like the way the site has expanded over the years since it opened has really created a place with plenty to keep you busy for several hours.
Hendrik
This looks like a lot of fun, especially for a visit with kids. What I truly like about the Plimoth Plantation is this great combination of historical events and the very “live” and obviously playful approach to make that history touchable and understandable, even for kids. It is always so interesting for me in such locations to imagine how people have lived back in those time and how life was in general for them. But here I can clearly see a lot of passion for details to bring back the old times, even though it is just a replicate.
Jen Morrow
I love living history museums! This is such a fun way to learn through the hands on experience. It really makes you appreciate hand crafted items.
Annick
Plimouth Plantation turned out to be the perfect place to visit with kids! I always love spending time watching the crafters do their thing. I hadn’t really considered that the weather might affect what they’re doing. Kids get introduced to the pilgrims so early so what a fun way to expand that concept!
Amar Singh
Looks like the perfect place for a pit stop or spend a day with the kids on a sunny day. The Plimoth plantation has a lot of open spaces and some activities to keep the little ones occupied which is so helpful when you travelling with kids. Like the way they have merged fun with education is a great way and the museum is fun as well. Wish I could visit Plimoth plantation some day. Thanks for sharing a great place.
Yukti
Plimoth Plantation is perfect with kids as there are lots of natural and countryside tours. This English village is looking authentic typical countryside and that too near Massachusetts. Also, it is good to have handicrafts and art activities here. Thanks for sharing this hidden gem.