Topics Related to Kids' Activities

N.C. Executive Mansion Spring House and Garden Tours Announced

North Carolina’s Executive Mansion–the “people’s house”–will open its historic doors and beautiful gardens to the public for free tours this spring. School children, adults, civic groups and families are invited to experience the 127-year old mansion for guided tours conducted by volunteer docents.

The Executive Mansion boasts an outstanding collection of decorative arts while the beautiful grounds feature extensive flower and vegetable gardens and modern environmental practices.

Easter and Spring Celebrations with History and Nature

Spring is here and Easter is just around the corner. Hop into the season and enjoy an event at a state historic site, state park, aquarium or the zoo. These destinations within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources have something for everyone, from train rides or breakfast with the Easter Bunny to hunting sea turtle eggs, fun times await the family.

East

Historic Stagville Hosts Birthday Party for American Girl Addy

Visit Historic Stagville Saturday, April 7, for a birthday celebration for American Girl doll Addy Walker! Addy is based in part on the story of a real person from Stagville in Durham. The site will celebrate with traditional birthday party foods and hands-on activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $5 per child.

plenty of colorful cupcakes, make your own ice cream, and enjoy plenty of snacks. The many hands-on activities will include making cloth dolls and cowrie shell necklaces, dressing up in historic children’s clothing and trying popular hairstyles from Addy’s day.

“Rich in the Rare” at Town Creek

A rare chance to learn about seldom-seen plants and animals will be available at Town Creek State Historic Site at the “Rich in the Rare” exhibit March 3 through April 14. Learn about some of the unique species that call North Carolina home, such as the Venus flytrap and the red cockaded woodpecker.

The Road to Revolution at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson

Residents of the Lower Cape Fear region were not happy about the 1765 Stamp Act imposed by the British Crown -- a tax on all newspapers, gambling papers, books pamphlets and more.

The town of Brunswick returns to 1766 Saturday, Feb. 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as historic interpreters demonstrate trades and show how the dreaded Stamp Act affected their lives during the 252nd Anniversary of the Stamp Act Resistance program.  

Palmer Personalities at Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum

On a guided campus tour of Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum visitors will learn of notable personalities who have ties to Palmer Memorial Institute, the former incarnation of the museum. In its heyday in the 1940s and ’50s, Palmer was a unique private school for African Americans. The Feb.

Fall Festival at Bentonville Battlefield Offers Family Fun for Free!

Take a ride on a wagon around the historic Harper House at Bentonville Battlefield’s annual fall festival Oct. 28. The program will include demonstrations by costumed interpreters and a festival atmosphere that will offer wagon rides provided by End of the Drive Mule Farm, carnival games, corn shucking contest, town ball, crafts, pumpkin hunt, and more!

Colonial Cape Fear Life Showcased at Port Brunswick Days

Visitors can stop by a colonial tavern or get their hands dirty making bricks during Port Brunswick Days Oct. 21-22 at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site. Living historians will demonstrate daily life in this early port town on the lower Cape Fear River. The free public program will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Veterans Day Events Across the State: Friday, November 11, 2016

Many opportunities to experience art, history and nature await you on Veteran's Day from the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Most state historic sites are closed, but all state parks are open. 

Many DNCR venues are open, and offer free admission to all on Veteran's Day. To salute veterans and their families, we are offering free and discounted admissions to many venues to active military with ID. 

Free or low-cost activities across the state include:

Texts to PreK Parents Build Reading Skills in Children

Parents of 3, 4 and 5-year-old children are invited to sign up for free text messages from "Ready4K," provided by ParentPowered Public Benefit Corporation in partnership with the State Library of North Carolina. It's part of a program developed by Stanford University which shows that fun facts received by texts can greatly increase children's learning. Cell data and message rates may apply.