NJ History for Kids

Junior History Detectives

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For other themes: All About the Arts, Animal & Nature Lovers, Dinosaurs,
Knights & Dragons, Mad About Science, Outer Space & Astronomy,
Planes, Trains, Autos & Ships, Princesses & Fairies, and Superheroes

Upcoming Historic Events

Kids can be a Revolutionary War Soldier for Encampment Weekend at Jockey Hollow this weekend (April 20-21) http://www.nps.gov/morr/encampment-weekend.htm

Historic Programs for Kids in New Jersey

Raritan Valley Community College (Branchburg) - youth programs include spring and summer offerings for children 6 to 16 years old including history classes such as "The Ancient World," 5 sessions for ages 7 to 12 years during the summer; (908) 526-1200 x8404 (x8868 for sports camp)
Liberty Hall Museum (Union) - special events throughout the year; also a summer History Day Camp for kids ages 8 to 12
Lenape Lifeways - educational programs & online information for kids
National Park Service - offers programs for kids

Annual Historic Events in New Jersey

Journey Through the Past - for one special weekend every October, historic sites in Somerset County that aren't always open to the public are available for visits; activities for children at various locations
Battle of Bound Brook (Bound Brook) - re-enactors and historians will bring the Middlebrook encampments of 1777–1779 to life every April; other weekend activities include historic house tours, lectures, demonstrations
Lord Stirling 1770s Festival (Basking Ridge) - every first Sunday of October, step back in time at the Environmental Education Center
Victorian Week (Cape May) - early or mid-October; 10-day extravaganza of tours and events that celebrate the Victorian lifestyle
Four Centuries in a Weekend (Union County) - visit historic sites throughout Union County; held a weekend in October

Historic Attractions in New Jersey

NJ's Historic Homes & Sites - ParenthoodNJ's list of attractions by county
Revolutionary War in NJ - information about this historic conflict in the Garden State as well as NJ's Revolutionary War sites

Online Historic Resources for New Jersey

History Buff's Guide to Middlesex County - summary of the county's history including the impact of the Civil War & Revolutionary War
New Jersey History Kids - interactive website for kids focusing on NJ's history, geography and state government; designed for kids in kindergarten through 4th grade
Somerset County Kids' Clubhouse - includes all sorts of Somerset County information including famous people and historic Somerset County houses

Other Resources

On this Day - free iTunes app with various historic events listed on a particular day; can also view it online
Brittanica Kids - encyclopedia online geared for kids; free 7-day trial; also have apps for various topics including Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome (average cost $4.99)
Mysteries at the Museum - a TV show on the Travel Channel that highlights some museum exhibits (some you can see) and their historical backgrounds from around the United States including New York and Philadelphia (Mutter Museum and Eastern State Penitentiary); alas none in NJ yet
Off-Limits - another TV show on the Travel Channel that features interesting and historic sites that aren't usually open to the public (however, some sites are hoping to eventually become public); New York's islands are the subject of one episode
Family History & Genealogy - list of resources to inspire kids interested in genealogy

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