Family Activities
Fun Interactives
The Watkins Museum is full of fun interactive exhibits for children and families to enjoy. Check out the highlights below. Then visit the museum and pick up a scavenger hunt or a family guide for a map of all our family-friendly activities!
Summer Events
What’s That? Wednesdays
Every Wednesday in June and July, 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM
School’s Out! Want to have fun and see some cool stuff with your friends? Then stop by the Watkins to participate in our newest program What’s That? Wednesdays.
Every Wednesday in June and July, Education Assistants Riley and Brittney will staff a cart full of artifacts that children can examine, touch, and hold! Talk with Riley and Brittney and let them be your guide on uncovering what the artifact is, how old it is, and how it’s used.
Pocket History Packets Summer Program
This summer the Watkins Museum is offering a new program for Douglas County students that have just finished kindergarten through fifth grade in the latest school year.
In June, July, and August students are invited to the Watkins Museum to pick up a Pocket History Packet! Each packet will direct them to find an artifact or exhibit at the Watkins or other museums in Douglas County. Students can take their packets home to learn more about the topic and participate in an activity. Once the activity is finished, the student will bring it to the Watkins and receive a small prize. We will supply some of the items needed to complete the activities, but families will need to have crayons, colored pencils, markers, scissors, and glue sticks. Each time a student completes a packet, their name will be put into a raffle to win prizes! The raffle will take place at the end of August 2023.
Please register your child by downloading and completing the document below. The first document is for activity packets related to the Watkins Museum of History. The second document is for activity packets at the Eudora Community Museum, Territorial Capital Museum, and the Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum.
Each time a student completes a packet, their name will be put into a raffle to win prizes! The raffle will take place at the end of August 2023.
This program is made possible by a grant from the Douglas County Community Foundation and the Watkins Museum of History. A special thanks to the Lawrence Public Library for curating book lists for the Pocket History Packets.
Annual Events
Tails & Traditions
A family-friendly event with free crafts and activities for children at the Watkins Museum. The event is in connection with The Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade.
Halloween at the Watkins
Free trick or treating and activities for families at the Watkins Museum on Halloween night. The event is in connection with Downtown Lawrence Trick or Treating.
