Events for Kids and Families:
Museum Adventures
You don’t have to go away during April vacation week or summer to have an adventure — simply make your way to Heritage Museums & Gardens! These programs for children ages 4 to 13 are packed with museum visits, craft projects, games, and carousel rides.
For complete April vacation week and summer program listings, registration times and fees, or more information click here.
Little Museum Explorers Club
Calling all families with children 3 to 5 years old! Join Heritage Museums & Gardens each month for Little Museum Explorers Club, with a different theme offered each time. Click each listing for a full description of the fun that awaits your little explorer!
March 24 – Attention!
April 14 – Terrific Toys
May 19 – Magic and Mystery
September 15 – Follow That Footprint
October 13 – Set Sail
November 17 – Slime + Goo = Fun
December 15 – Movers and Shakers
All programs are 9:30-10:30 am. Fee: Member rate of $3 per person, Non-Member rate of $4 per person. Registration is required by the Monday before each program. To register or for more information, please contact Kristen Hoeker, Manager of Family and Community Programs at 508-888-3300, ext. 159 or at khoeker@heritagemuseums.org.
Earth Celebrations
Saturday, April 24
10 am - 5 pm
In honor of both Arbor Day and Earth Day, Heritage Museums & Gardens is 
hosting “Earth Celebrations.” Stroll through our grounds and learn about tree care from our local arborist, tour our tree collections with our Director of Horticulture: Jeanie Gillis, partake in a tree scavenger hunt, sculpt with natural objects, build a self-propelled boat out of a milk carton, play a game of “recycle relay,” participate in our green-themed tour, get your face painted by an international artist Kara Andrews from Art on the Spot, explore more about green living from community vendors and get a sneak peak at elements from our newest feature Hidden Hollow: Nature Discovery Center. Each family will leave Heritage with a tree seedling of their very own to plant and enjoy. Join us as we work to promote the “3 Rs!” Free with museum admission. For more information click here.
African Dance & Drumming Performance
11:30am – Noon and 1:30 – 2:00pm
Cape Cod African Dance & Drum, including ENTRAIN's Sam Holmstock, 
offers an exciting interactive family show, with authentic West African dance, drumming and song. Our performances are fun, hands-on and highly energizing for everyone. The audience can join in on the drumming and dance, and the whole family can take something very special home with them: lively African rhythm!
Mode 4 Music Studios Concert
Sunday, June 13
1 pm – 4:30 pm
Outdoor Concert Stage
Heritage Museums & Gardens is proud to support our community by hosting a recital of a local music school that's sure to blow you away! Mode 4 Music Studios of Hyannis will present musical acts ranging from solo performances to rock bands playing hits you know and love! Student musicians range from ages 10 to 17 and will display their proficiency on guitar, bass, drums, piano, and voice. You don’t have to be a family member of a performer to enjoy this concert…anyone can come and enjoy an afternoon of music and fun!
The recital is free with Museum admission and will begin at 1 pm. This program will be held rain or shine. For additional information please contact Kristen Hoeker, Manager of Family and Community Programs, at 508-888-3300, ext. 159 or visit the school’s website at www.mode4music.com.
Outdoor Discoveries
Week 1: June 29, 30, July 1
Week 2: July 6, 7, 8
Heritage Museums & Gardens and Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries, Inc. have teamed up once again to share the wonders of the outdoors with children ages 4-9. Come explore with us at Bourne Farm! Click here for more information.
Summer Family Fun Fridays
July 9, 16, 23, 30 and August 6, 13
11:00 am – 1:30 pm (July 9: 11am – 5pm)
Enjoy a musical performance on the Outdoor Concert Stage (Automobile Museum if raining) from 11 am – noon, then complete a craft, get a temporary tattoo, play giant games, and complete the passport challenge from noon – 1:30 pm. Free with museum admission! Check back soon for additional details!
A Walk on the Wild Side of Heritage!
Saturday, September 25
9:30 – 11:30am
Barnstable Land Trust and Heritage Museums & Gardens have partnered to offer a family nature hike in honor of Take A Child Outside Week! Click here for more information.
Museum on the Road Community Programs
Are you looking for a fun and educational program for your community group? Heritage Museums & Gardens has a wide variety of programming that can be brought to your community group, club meeting, or camp program by a Heritage education department staff member. These programs can be designed for any age level, time frame, and theme to be brought into you facility. We work directly with the community group to find the best way to use our unique museum resources to give the children a memorable and exciting learning experience!
Example program topics include: Pirates of New England, Outdoor Explorer, Nature Artwork, First Americans, Birds, Butterflies, & Bugs, Terrific Toys, Cars from the Past, and many more! Activities include hands-on artifacts, games, crafts, scavenger hunts, and music.
Programs can be scheduled any day of the week. Please call to schedule programs at least three weeks before your desired date. There must be a minimum of 10 children in the group. Please inquire about the program fee.
If you would like more information or would like to schedule your group, please contact Kristen Hoeker, Manager of Family and Community Programs, at 508-888-3300, ext. 159 or at khoeker@heritagemuseums.org.