New-York Historical Society’s Winter School Break Programs

The New-York Historical Society is hosting programming for kids and tweens during winter and mid-winter breaks when school is closed.

During winter break (Dec. 26-Jan. 3, 2016), the New-York Historical Society will host School Vacation Week: Ride the Rails!, geared toward the younger set, which celebrates the museum’s exhibit Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection—a display of model trains, scenic elements, and toys. During the week, families will learn about America’s past through a museum-wide scavenger hunt for centuries-old objects, listen to a story time, and create a train-themed souvenir in a hands-on activity.
The Ride the Rails! story time is daily at 2pm, and includes train-themed books such as The Caboose Who Got Loose by Bill Peet, How to Train a Train by Jason Carter Eaton, and Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton. Story time is followed by a related craft activity.
The New-York Historical Society will also host Camp History: Civil War in Minecraft for middle-school students ages 11-13. During Camp History, tweens will learn how to use the popular computer game to create a Civil War landscape to explore the innovations that impacted the Civil War while developing Minecraft building and coding skills. Each day, campers will get inspired by the museum’s Silicon City exhibit, which celebrates New York’s role in the digital revolution; explore art, artifacts, and documents from the Civil War era; and get help in Minecraft from tech experts.

 

minecraft landscape

During New-York Historical Society’s Camp History: Civil War in Minecraft, campers will create a Civil War landscape in Minecraft and explore the innovations that impacted the outcome of the war.

The first session, held during public school’s mid-winter recess, will run Feb. 16-19, 2016, and the second session, geared toward home-school and private-school students, will run March 29-April 1, 2016. Both sessions are held 9am-4pm. The camp is $500 ($400 for members), but register on or before Friday, Nov. 20 for a 20-percent discount.

The New-York Historical Society is open Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-6pm; Friday, 10am-8pm; Saturday, 10am-6pm; and Sunday, 11am-5pm.

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Main image: Kids can have fun with train-themed activities during New-York Historical Society’s School Vacation Week: Ride the Rails! activities.