Program Examples

Museums and libraries are doing great work engaging families through programming. How do they do it? Explore these examples from the field and try some of the techniques at your site!

USS Constitution Museum Programs

Ready, Aim, Fire!

This drop-in gallery program gives every family member a role as they work together to build and fire an Alka-Seltzer™ cannon.

Emphasize teamwork

Built to Win

Families must work together in this fun and collaborative program to build a ship that meets the criteria of a design challenge.

Incorporate competition

Impress with a Quill Pen

Impress with a Quill Pen gives participating families a customized intergenerational experience that enriches their museum visit.

Use the real thing

Tools of the Trade: Caulking

Tools of the Trade: Caulking is a drop-by gallery program that invites families to try the distinctive, historic process of waterproofing a ship.

Provide a distinctive experience

Programs from Other Institutions

Lippitt Labs

The Lippitt House Museum’s family drop-in program, Lippitt Labs, utilizes the historic house’s unique rooms to offer stationed hands-on activities.

Design for your authentic space

Digital Scavenger Hunt

This unique take on a scavenger hunt invites participating families to complete the tasks in their own time outside of the library.

Let families decide

Ten Days of Play

This child-directed, drop-in activity promotes open-ended, creative play with simple materials in a large open space.

Keep it simple

Science Saturdays

This program offers STEAM activities directly linked to local school curriculum and reinforces that the Attleboro Public Library is a community center of learning.

Make it relevant

Pages of Time

As book club members, participating mother and daughter pairs are invited to plan a monthly meeting, keeping them invested in the program.

Give participants ownership

Toddler Time

This family program features art-making and a self-guided scavenger hunt. It helps families see the museum as a resource for lifelong learning.

Keep them coming

Family Gallery Tours

These family gallery tours interpret the exhibitions in a way that all members of the family can understand and appreciate.

Don't reinvent the wheel

Family Workshops

Design challenges that encourage collaboration and creativity are central to these Family Workshops and directly relate to what is happening at the Botanic Gardens.

Use design challenges