We’re always on the hunt for fun things to do with the kids during summer months. This year we decided to head to Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium for O’Shea’s fifth birthday.
Since the kids’ birthdays fall in July and August, we decided to swap birthday parties for family vacations a few years ago. Besides, most families are away on vacation during that time. I learned that lesson after planning Anastasia’s 4th birthday party when most of the kids didn’t show up for her birthday party.
Each year we choose a different place to visit that’s both fun and educational. Mystic Seaport in Connecticut offered the perfect combination.
The museum is known for its collection of sailing ships and boats from the 19th-century. There are over 60 historic buildings, most of them donated from different parts of New England. The clerk gave us a map of the 19 acre landmark, which made navigating through the exhibits easy.
5 Must-See Things at Mystic Seaport Museum
Artist Kevin Sampson of Newark, New Jersey has an exhibit featuring remnants of the American Maritime experience. He’s known for transforming materials such as cement, bones, tiles, fabric, paints, and wood into powerful sculptures through the lens of the African American culture.
Children’s Museum offers seasonal activities that includes cooking, sailing, and art. The museum also has storytime throughout the year and sensory objects that pertain to each story.
The kids seem to enjoy storytelling the most. The museum had a production of “A Whale’s Tale,” which told the story of how whales were captured, and how sailor used their blubber to make oil. Anastasia and her Dad even made a cameo appearance.
The Charles W. Morgan Ship is The Last wooden whaleship in the world. Visitors can board the ship and learn about how whales were hunted and processed.
The Treworgy Planetarium is another highlight at Mystic Seaport Museum. Before there were smartphones and other navigation systems, mariners were able to navigate by using the position of the stars.
They looked up to the sky and took angle measurements. The position of the stars told them their location and help therm reach their destination. There are consoles and projectors dating back to the 1960s that illustrate the old navigation techniques.
You can see more of our trip to the Mystic Seaport Museum by heading over to my Weather Anchor Mama Youtube Channel. Please like and subscribe.
