Colonial Children’s Day at Fort Frederick State Park

Annual Event Takes Place June 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Children can experience what life would have been like in the 18th Century by taking part in Colonial Children’s Day June 3 at Fort Frederick State Park.

Youngsters, ages 8 to 12 years old, can participate in pastimes offered by the Maryland Park Service, with games such as stilt walking, blind man’s bluff, trap ball and badminton, and activities including a fort tour, a musket-firing demonstration, musical entertainment, kite creation and a make-and-take craft.

“Each year our Colonial Children’s Day features a different aspect of 18th-century day-to-day living for children to experience,” Fort Frederick State Park Ranger Rob Ambrose said. “During the most recent event, we showed children the work that had to be done to keep the fort going and had them participate in chores like washing laundry, baking bread and stocking supplies. So this time, we’re allowing the children to have fun in old-fashioned ways as children would have in the mid-1700s, enjoying the outdoors and playing with simple toys rather than digital technology.”

With National Trails Day being celebrated June 3 this year too, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources also encourages visitors may also want to take advantage of the many trails for hiking and biking available at Fort Frederick, including the newly renovated Plantation Trail, the Western Maryland Rail Trail, or the easy Beaver Pond Trail that passes by wetlands and allows for occasional glimpses of wildlife along the way. Another option for an outdoor walk is the C&O Canal National Historic Park tow path which runs through the park.

The Captain Wort’s Sutler Shop is also on-site at the park, where visitors can purchase souvenir items such as toy muskets, flags, historical books, maps, patches and clothing, in addition to snacks and beverages.

Colonial Children’s Day costs $20 per child to participate and includes a deli-style lunch. Advanced registration is required and is limited to 20 children. To sign-up and for more information, please call 301-842-2155.