Hands-On History Day
On Monday, September 14, 2026, homeschool students (grades K-5) and their parents will learn practical handicrafts that would have been common household knowledge for farmers in 19th-century Littleton.
Activities:
- Broom Making – How can broom corn be turned into actual brooms?
- Historic Tools – What tools were used daily for essential tasks? Give them a try.
- Handwriting – Learn to write with a dip pen.
Demonstrations:
- Meat Preservation – See how meat was kept for later use before refrigerators and freezers.
- Blacksmithing – Watch an expert volunteer use the forge and anvil to repair equipment and make tools, an essential piece of farm life.
Register now for Hands-on History
Pre-registration is required for all children and adults. Students must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Unaccompanied minors will not be allowed into the event.
Sessions and Registration
The day is split into a morning and an afternoon session, each limited to 125 children and adults total. Each session includes the same content, so please choose one.
- Morning Session: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Afternoon Session: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
It will take about 90 minutes for each child to experience all of the activities and demonstrations. Please plan accordingly, as late arrivals will miss out on experiencing every station.
Please note that the museum and farms are closed to the public during this event. No visitors who are not pre-registered for this event will be allowed entry during Hands-On History Day.
Registration opens on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 9 a.m. All registrations will be done online.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does registration open?
Registration opens on Thursday, July 14, 2026 at 9 a.m. All registrations will be done online.
Who Needs to Register?
Pre-registration is required for all children and adults. There will be no opportunity to register at the door on September 14. Students must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
To ensure a safe experience for larger groups, we require one supervising adult for each five students.
Please contact Ryan Badger, Curator of Education & Interpretation, at rbadger@littletonco.gov with questions.
Can I register children for whom I am not the guardian?
To help us avoid duplicate registrations we kindly ask that parents and guardians coordinate ahead of time to be sure the same child isn’t registered more than once.
Can my family visit the farms and museum while some of us participate in the program?
Please note that the museum and farms are closed to the public during this event. No visitors who are not pre-registered for this event will be allowed entry during Hands-On History Day.
What is the cost?
This event is completely free to attend, however, pre-registration is required.
Is food provided?
No meals, food, or samples are provided at this event, for the safety of those with food allergies and sensitivities.
Can we bring food?
Please feel free to have a picnic on the Museum front lawn before or after your session. Food and drink cannot be brought into the Museum or onto the farms. We have multiple water fountains and water-bottle filling stations in the Museum for your use.
(The Museum houses irreplaceable historical artifacts that bugs find delicious. Crumbs and spilled drinks attract bugs, so we do not allow food or drink inside the Museum building. The farm animals are fed specific diets, so for their safety we also do not allow food or drink on the farms. Thank you for protecting Littleton’s artifacts and animals.)
Can I bring my dog?
Only trained service animals are allowed in the Museum building or on the living history farms, for their safety and the safety of our farm animals. A service animal is trained to perform specific tasks that help those with a disability. Animals used purely for emotional support are not classified as service animals and are not allowed on the premises.
What should my child wear?
Participants must wear closed-toed shoes to prevent possible injury from nails, wires, and other debris found on the farmyards. We strongly recommend a hat and sunscreen, as many areas on the farms where the activities take place are in direct sun.
Will my child be touching the animals or mucking out stables?
This event does not involve touching or riding any animals or entering their pens. We will be looking at and talking about the livestock.
My child has particular needs I'd like to discuss.
Please feel free to reach out to Ryan Badger at rbadger@littletongov.org or 303-795-3711. We’re happy to talk with you about how we can help make your visit a positive experience.
What if my family has a change of plans?
Please let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend so we can contact those on the waitlist.
This event fills up very quickly and there are others who would very much appreciate the chance to attend.
Accessibility
American Sign Language interpreters are available at no charge for Museum live programs, events, and lectures. Please call at 303-795-3950 or email at jhankinson@littletonco.gov to request an ASL interpreter for this event, by September 4.
Sensory needs backpacks for guests may be checked out at no charge from the Reception Desk on a first-come, first-served basis. An ID is required as a deposit. Backpacks are available for both children and adults, and include sunglasses, fidget toys, communication cards, weighted lap pads, and noise-reducing headphones.
The main barrier-free entrance to the Museum is on the north side off the main parking lot. The doors are fully accessible with push-button entry. Pathways on the historic farms are made of gravel and can be muddy or icy depending on the weather.
Visitor Accessibility Littleton Museum