Stars, Stripes, and Smiles

 

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

We have so much in store for you starting at Old Fort Jackson and ending up at Tricentennial Park – home of Savannah History Museum, Battlefield Memorial Park and Georgia State Railroad Museum… But first, here are a few great ideas of how to celebrate our Nation’s holiday with your kids, leading up to Monday July 4th!

Patriotic Bubble Play

You’ll Need:

• Aluminum pan
• Dawn liquid dish detergent
• Water
• Star-shaped cookie cutters

Add liquid dish detergent (Dawn really does make the best bubbles, but you can substitute another liquid soap) to an aluminum pan filled half way with water. Invite your kids and their friends to use the star-shaped cookie cutters as bubble makers by dipping them into the bubble solution and blowing.

Star Painting

You’ll Need:

• Aluminum pan (paint dish)
• Tempura paints and/or
• Large stamp pads
• Star-shaped cookie cutters
• Light-colored construction paper

If using paint, pour paint into aluminum pan. Leave spaces in between colors. If you prefer to use stamp ink, try the JUMBO stamp pads sold by Discount School Supply (my favorite)! Invite your children to create their own starry masterpiece by dipping the cookie cutters in either the paint or the ink and then decorating their construction paper. Note: This is a great way to create seasonal wrapping paper as well! Roll out some butcher paper and have them create wrapping paper for summer birthday parties, or transform plain paper bags into unique gift bags!

Bald Eagle Handprint Art

I just love the scensory experience kids get out of painting with their little hands! This project is particularly special to the Coastal Heritage Society staff, as there are a pair of beautiful American Bald Eagles that live in the trees surrounding Old Fort Jackson! If you’re luck, on your next visit they may fly out and catch their dinner in the Savannah River, in front of our beautiful Fort!

You’ll Need:

• Brown, white, black and yellow tempura paint
• Light-colored construction paper
• Two paint brushes
• Wet paper towel or baby wipes

First, have the children paint bothof their hands brown – except for your thumbs! Paint one thumb white and leave the other one clean. Help your child fan-out his/her fingers and press palm/paint down SIDEWAYS on the paper (this will be one wing). Then, repeating the same steps and matching up the second hand to the ‘wing image,’ create the second wing by pressing the second hand paint down and sideways in the other direction on the paper. Make sure the white-thump print is as close to the middle of the ‘wings’ as possible. Have your child or help your child make two black dots for the eyes. Now paint  a yellow dot or an upside down triangle for an eagle beak.

Tip: Done with fabric paint, this can make a handsome patriotic shirt, or fun holiday throw-pillows for your living room.

Miss Rebecca Recommends

 Hats Off for the Fourth of July by Harriet Ziefert is filled with illustrations of a fun-filled Independence Day parade in the small town of Chatham, Massachusetts.  It shows the goings-on of the traditional ways to celebrate our nation’s birthday.  I love the rhyme:  “Cowboys on horses yell out loud.  We all shout back.  What a happy crowd!” 

Recommended to be read aloud from 2-year-olds to 2nd grade. 

 

JOIN US JULY 2, 3 & 4

@ TRICENTENNIAL PARK

SCHEDULE  July 2^nd

STEAM LOCOMOTIVE TRAIN RIDES

 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.

DEMONSTRATIONS

 10:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. Tour the Backshop

Learn about the of a steam locomotive. 

1:30 p.m. Talk to the Engineer

View the inside of a Restored 1913 Steam Locomotive

12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. 1858 Smith & Porter Steam Engine

Learn How Stationary Steam Engines Work (in Tender Frame Shop)

12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. Demonstration of the Line Shaft

Learn how steam power was used to drive machinery.

12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Blacksmithing

Blacksmithing with periodic demonstrations of the Power Hammer (in Blacksmith Shop)

10:30 – 12:30 & 1:30 – 3:30 (ongoing) Replica Handcar Activity

TOURS

• 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 Rolling Stock Tours
• 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Executive Car Tours

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

• 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Art Activities & Games (Ongoing in the Baggage Car)
• 11:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m. & 2:45 p.m.  Story Time

SCHEDULE July 3rd

STEAM LOCOMOTIVE TRAIN RIDES

1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.

DEMONSTRATIONS

 12:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. Tour the Backshop

Learn about the of a steam locomotive. 

11:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Talk to the Engineer

View the inside of a Restored 1913 Steam Locomotive

10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. 1858 Smith & Porter Steam Engine

Learn How Stationary Steam Engines Work (in Tender Frame Shop)

11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. Demonstration of the Line Shaft

Learn how steam power was used to drive machinery.

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Blacksmithing

Blacksmithing with periodic demonstrations of the Power Hammer (in Blacksmith Shop)

10:30 – 12:30 & 1:30 – 3:30 (ongoing) Replica Handcar Activity

TOURS

• 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 3:30 Rolling Stock Tours
• 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Executive Car Tours

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

• 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Art Activities & Games (Ongoing in the Baggage Car)
• 11:45 a.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. Story Time

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING JULY 4th

DEMONSTRATIONS

12:00 p.m. Reading of the Declaration of Independence

Read from the platform of the open air car (at Georgia State Railroad Museum); followed by a musket salute.

10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Battle of Savannah

Tour of Savannah History Museum Exhibit, then tour Battlefield Memorial Park experiencing drill and musket demonstrations! 

10:30 – 12:00 & 1:00 – 4:00 (ongoing) Replica Handcar Activity

STEAM LOCOMOTIVE TRAIN RIDES

12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.

TOURS

• 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 Rolling Stock Tours
• 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Executive Car Tours

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Art Activities & Games (Ongoing in the Baggage Car)

• Decorate Uncle Sam Hats
• Writing with Quill Pens
• American Flag Tattoos
•  Hoop Rolling
• Skittles and Pins

11:45 a.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m. & 3:45 p.m. Story Time

OLD FORT JACKSON

 July 2^nd, 3^rd & 4^th

Visit Old Fort Jackson and step into the shoes of those soldiers that were stationed at Georgia’s oldest fort (still standing), during the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and the Civil War.  Experience what life was like for those soldiers: try on period uniforms, participate in an artillery crew, and watch cannon and musket demonstrations. Unique children’s activities each day. Special blacksmith demonstrations July 4^th.   

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