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I have decided to enter my three younger boys into our counties History Fair. I would love some idea's. I was thinking of having them build their own log cabin and make oiled windows. (that's are activity this week with Beyond) What would be other idea's? I'm a big global thinker and I need some nutsheller's to come in and give me some idea's.

Also, has anyone here ever done a history fair before? Should I do one project for all the boys or separate projects?

How fun for them! Is the topic for the display Pioneers? Will they have a table to lay things out on? Those nice folding cardboard display boards are great for a background on a table top. They could use one to make a big laptop of sorts, with maps of pioneer territory and their routes when traveling. Maybe a model of a covered wagon? Maybe a big iron skillet with fake pioneer food or a recipe card inside for fried taters and onions or sourdough bread. Cookskin cap, pictures of big names during the period, maybe a flip up card stack of pioneer words or items they used like flintlock rifles or something? Just a few thoughts to consider~
Ginger

I don't have any suggestions right now, but how fun! That sounds like it will be such a neat experience for them.

Allison

Oh Ginger, Those are GREAT idea's! I was not planning on doing pioneers, but Pilgrims. I could put a map with the route the Mayflower took. What else? Pewter dinnerware? Give me more..., give me more! ( )

Let's see...for the Pilgrims you could put a big black Bible in the middle of the table, and maybe find on the internet pictures of famous paintings about the coming of the Pilgrims to place around it. You could have an old china or pewter plate and place some dried kernels of corn in it to represent their hunger. Perhaps a simple pilgrim hat from cardboard and felt and a white collar, or black boy's dress shoes with a cardboard golden buckle on the top? Maybe a handwritten list of a simple Pilgrim meal or a plate of roasted meat (jerky) and more corn or dried pinto beans or a cool gourd or tiny pumpkin and an Indian feather or two for their helping them not to starve...They brought herbs along so maybe a pot of basil by the plate. I think they also brought along flower bulbs, so maybe some tulip pictures or real bulbs. Just a few random thoughts here. I know you will all have fun!
Ginger

Mary I mostly just want to say you go girl! I love your enthusiasm and passion for your children! You are an awesome mama!

One place you might want to look is at some of the Time Travelers from HSITW just to see some of the things that they do you could possibly get a few ideas there and see some crafts that were typical of the time. You probably can't actually use their material but for me it is easy to take something someone else has done and make it my own or else it just jiggles my mind to something else.

Not much help but mostly just wanted to cheer you on!

GingerN wrote:Let's see...for the Pilgrims you could put a big black Bible in the middle of the table, and maybe find on the internet pictures of famous paintings about the coming of the Pilgrims to place around it. You could have an old china or pewter plate and place some dried kernels of corn in it to represent their hunger. Perhaps a simple pilgrim hat from cardboard and felt and a white collar, or black boy's dress shoes with a cardboard golden buckle on the top? Maybe a handwritten list of a simple Pilgrim meal or a plate of roasted meat (jerky) and more corn or dried pinto beans or a cool gourd or tiny pumpkin and an Indian feather or two for their helping them not to starve...They brought herbs along so maybe a pot of basil by the plate. I think they also brought along flower bulbs, so maybe some tulip pictures or real bulbs. Just a few random thoughts here. I know you will all have fun!
Ginger

Ummm Ginger, could you just come and do this with my boys? I LOVE your idea's!

Brenda, I am going to go check out those kits too!

You are a hoot, Mary! What a good time you all will have. All your creative juices flowing will have a river rushing soon! Please send a picture when you get it done! Maybe you can 'award' them with a ribbon for all their creativity and history knowledge!
Ginger