School Programs

History, Architecture & More | Science Programs | Art & Language

We offer a wide array of special programs for your class, homeschool group, scouting troop or any other group visiting us during school hours. Check out our detailed list of programs or download and print a copy from this PowerPoint file!

Book a Group Program

You must call in advance to reserve a date and time for your visit, once you have reserved you space, we will send you a pre trip packet that can help in preparing your students for their visit.

• The cost for each program is $7 per person (one adult for every 10 students may join you for free)
• Class size for each program is limited to 25 students
• All programs include a visit to the museum (consider bringing two classes on the bus and while one class takes part in the program the other class explores our museum).
• We have a lunch area including vending machines if you would like to include a snack or lunch break with your visit.
• Home Schooling groups, scouting troops, and other groups are welcome, call to get further information on how we can tailor a program to fit your needs.
• If you are interested in a full day of activities, we can help you arrange a visit to the South Hadley Falls fish lift and Heritage State Park as part of your trip.

History, Architecture and More!

In addition to being at home on the river, the Chldren’s Museum is proud of it home town too! Holyoke was the “paper capitol of the world” during its heydey and today hosts some of the most beautiful and unique architecture in the area. Join us in programs that celebrate out past, present and future here in Holyoke.

Science Programs at the Museum

We’re exploring our backyard this year and focusing on the Connecticut River. The Children’s Museum is uniquely positioned along the first of three canals that connect with the Connecticut River. Teaching about the river, the canals and the many exciting properties of water is what we do best! Join us for these group education programs that will help infuse science into your classroom curriculum and bring a sense of fun and adventure to your field trip experience. All programs are linked to Connecticut and Massachusetts frameworks and include pre and post trip packets sent to your classroom.

Stream Study (1 hour, Grades 3-5)
The Children’s Museum is uniquely positioned along the first of three canals that connect with the Connecticut River. Using the canal (along with our indoor water exhibit) as our classroom we will explore moving water as math and science intersect in many fun ways. Volume, flow, and animal adaptations to moving water will be covered.

Build a Watershed (1.5 hours, grades 3-5)
Where does river water come from? Join us as we explore our home on the Connecticut River. Using the Pioneer Valley and Holyoke as our context, we will take a close look at the physical properties of watersheds. This program includes mapping, demonstrations on our stream table and student construction of a watershed.

Water Wheels (1 hour, Grades K-5)
How much water does it take..? Holyoke was the first “planned industrial city” in America and water power was the driving force. We will experiment with the energy of water and build a working model of a water wheel.

History of Holyoke (1.5 hours, Grades K-5)
Holyoke’s fascinating past will be our starting point as we explore how industrialization, immigration and water all collided in the late 1800’s. Learn who came to the area, what they did for a living and how the canals were built to support the paper industry. Younger grades will explore immigration through role playing and interactive games, older grades will re-enact the era by building a canal and discovering paper-making.

River Trip (1 hour, Grades K-2)
Come take a virtual tour from source to sea on the Connecticut River. Using our beautiful new mural of the river we will learn about the New England landscape, who lives by the river, how we use it, and how it helps us. Then we will build our own river complete with the plants and animals living there.

Water Cycle (1 hour, Grades K-2)
Water appears and disappears, how does it do that? In our kitchen lab we will take a close, hands-on, look at each station of the water cycle. Join us as we explore evaporation condensation and all the other “ations” that make up the water cycle.

Animal Adaptations (1 hour, Grades K-5)
The river is home to hundreds of different kinds of plants and animals. How do they survive here and what neat characteristics have they developed to fit into their habitat? Using games, props and impersonations we will learn a few and come up with some of our own too!

Build a Boat (1 hour, Grades K-5)
How do things float? Starting with paper clips and working our way up to boats we will explore flotation and water displacement as a concept. Then we will finish with a boat race here at the museum.

Art and Language Programs at the Museum

To Book a Field Trip:

• You must call in advance to reserve a date and time for your visit, once you have reserved you space, we will send you a pre trip packet that can help in preparing your students for their visit.
• The cost for each program is $7 per person (one adult for every 10 students may join you for free)
• Class size for each program is limited to 25 students
• All programs include a visit to the museum (consider bringing two classes on the bus and while one class takes part in the program the other class explores our museum).
• We have a lunch area including vending machines if you would like to include a snack or lunch break with your visit.
• Home Schooling groups, scouting troops, and other groups are welcome, call to get further information on how we can tailor a program to fit your needs.
• If you are interested in a full day of activities, we can help you arrange a visit to the South Hadley Falls fish lift and Heritage State Park as part of your trip.