Family Backpack Adventures
The History Center is proud to launch its latest educational program, Family Backpack Adventures which is funded by the Jacarlene Foundation. This program is designed to encourage parent and child interaction and promote learning in a fun way. The backpacks are filled with a variety of hands-on activities such as simple art projects, scavenger hunts, puzzles, games and books related to different themes. They provide a do-it-yourself adventure for families, allowing for independent exploration into the History Center's galleries.
Each backpack contains five drawstring pouches filled with various games and activities as well as an easy-to-follow instruction booklet to help parents facilitate the activities. Most of the backpack components were custom-designed for this project using images of actual History Center artifacts.
The backpacks are available in the History Center's Lykes Atrium for $5 per visit. These activities are appropriate for children ages six to twelve and each backpack takes approximately an hour to complete. We hope that you'll try one out during your next visit.
History Adventures Summer Camp
Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes at a museum? Ever wonder what Florida pioneers did for fun, or how archeologists uncover long-lost artifacts? Find the answers to these questions and more at the Tampa Bay History Center’s History Adventure Summer Camp for kids entering grades 3-6.
Tampa’s Urban Treasures August 2-6 - SOLD OUT
Explore Tampa’s many traditions through exciting games, creative crafts and field trips to local urban historic gems. Travel by streetcar and water taxi and get a behind-the scenes pass to the Tampa Theater, Plant Museum, Ybor City Streetcar Depot and much more! Wrap up your week of adventure by making a scrapbook of all your memories.
Each week-long camp is $150 for non-members/ $135 for TBHC members. Camps begin at 9:00 a.m. and run until 5:00 p.m. Extended care is available from 8:00 - 9:00 am and 5:00 - 5:30 pm for an additional fee. Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, contact Jennifer Tyson at (813) 675-8960. Download the registration form by clicking here.
Summer camp registration is handled on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a minimum and maximum number of students for each week of camp. Please register your child at least two weeks prior to camp. If a session still has openings after that date, registration will remain open until the Friday before the first day of camp.”
A Little History
The History Center’s early childhood educators will entertain and enlighten with stories, songs, crafts and other age-appropriate activities related to the History Center’s exhibits.
September 15 (Wednesday) – Little Ybor:
Little ones explore Ybor City’s rich Hispanic heritage by playing the same games young immigrants loved as well as embarking on a scavenger hunt for Ybor’s artifacts. Kids will even practice making a pretend Cuban sandwich! Story time, music, and crafts add to the fun.
October 6 (Wednesday) - Museum Mysteries:
Enjoy a spooky (not scary!) adventure as you solve the case of the missing artifact! Fingerprints may even be taken as we search behind-the-scenes and through the galleries to find the culprit. Age appropriate crafts and games add to the exciting mystery!
November 15 (Monday) - Big Movers:
Planes, trains, and ships abound here at the museum. See how many you can spy in our galleries and even get a glimpse of a real cruise ship only a few feet away! Check out our new train exhibit in addition to games, songs, and crafts!
December 1 (Wednesday) - A Pioneer Holiday:
Have an old-fashioned holiday this year as you learn the many traditions of Florida’s first pioneer kids. Make old timey decorations, then mosey on into our reproduction cabin and decorate it for the season! Dress up in pioneer clothes and even make butter the old fashioned way!
"A Little History" is open to children ages 3 to 5 with an adult companion. One adult must accompany every two children. Programs are held one weekday per month from 10:30 -11:30 a.m. Each program is $10.00 per child and $6.00 per adult. Members of the Tampa Bay History Center will receive a $2.00 discount for both children and adults. Gallery admission is included in the fee. Space is limited, pre-registration is required. For more information on A Little History, contact the History Center’s Assistant Curator of Education, Jennifer Tyson, at (813) 675-8960.