Spring Saturdays, a new children’s program by Farm Hands, combines history and play at Hallockville Museum Farm

Photo courtesy of Farm Hands North Fork

Jessica De Vera Wells, founder of Farm Hands, a nature-based preschool and forestry homeschool program in Riverhead, knows exactly how to get kids excited about learning history: hands-on play!

For its newest program, Spring Saturdays, Farm Hands has collaborated with Hallockville Museum Farm to offer four themed sessions for kids this season coinciding with Hallockville Museum Farm’s upcoming Walking History Tours. Spring Saturdays will feature the same four topics and schedule as the Walking History Tours: Barn Architecture on April 13, Native Trees on May 11, Old Time Farm Equipment on June 1, and Plants that Heal on June 22. All sessions begin at 10 a.m. and run 1.5-2 hours long.

“I'm excited about the Farming Equipment session because the students will get to put some antique potato equipment to use and plant in our garden,” said Jessica. “It brings me back to my childhood when potatoes were such a big crop on our farm as well.”

While Hallockville Museum Farm has been offering its Walking History Tours program for years, it is best suited for adults. Farm Hands found a way to share these same themes with children in an approachable and age-appropriate way.  

“Developed to offer a kid-friendly version of Hallockville's History Walking Tours, the thought behind it was to bring families together to learn about similar local, historical topics at the same time through reachable modes,” Jessica shared.

This farm-based, hands-on outdoor program best suits children ages 5-12. During each session, children will listen to stories, build, craft, experience antique farming methods, garden, and play on the farm.

“These topics give kids a different viewpoint of their surroundings, highlight the hard work and thought it takes to build, work, and grow on a farm, appreciate the past, and care for their natural environment,” Jessica added. 

Each Farm Hands Spring Saturday session costs $30 per child and offers a $5 sibling discount. Children should prepare for the outdoors by dressing in proper layers, sturdy shoes, hats, etc. Protective wear including sunscreen and bug spray is recommended. Children should also bring a water bottle. Spring Saturdays will take place at on the grounds of Hallockville Museum Farm.

Learn more and register here for Spring Saturdays on the Farm. 

Learn more and register here for Hallockville Museum Farm’s Walking History Tours.