Educational Programs

One of our most popular field trip programs, Children Across Cultures, introduces students to the ways in which children around the world accomplish the tasks of daily life, emphasizing our human similarities while giving the students a chance to handle objects, try on costumes, and imagine differences between their own experience and that of the 95% of the world’s population who live in other parts of the world!

Seasonal programs include The Day of the Dead in Mexico a national holiday in which the Mexican people prepare for at the end of October when it is believed that the souls of the dead return to be fed once a year. It is a festival that is celebrated with love and humor. Altars are set up and examined which include photographs of deceased family members, toys, objects the person enjoyed and favorite foods such as oranges, sugar skulls, bread, and apples. Students then decorate sugar skulls of their own.

Festivals of Light explores holiday traditions from around the world and the use of light within these celebrations whether it is a star, candles, or lanterns. Artifacts from these celebrations and costumes will be present to try on and explore!

Games from Around the World is a fun and educational program, which introduces games from many countries that can be played by both children and adults. Participants will learn of the origins and to play games like Nim, Mancala, Achi, and Tangram. Some of these games date back thousands of years and are still played today!

The Chinese New Year program focuses on the traditions, values, and beliefs of the Chinese people as they celebrate this important festival, which starts in February and lasts fifteen days with two months of preparation. It is also celebrated in many regions of Asia such as in Vietnam where it is called Tet. Students explore the Chinese New Year through artifacts such as Chinese lanterns, lions, and dragons while analyzing their meaning within the festival and the lives of the Chinese people. Books and crafts are used to further explore these themes!

We are located in the heart of the Monadnock region, in scenic Peterborough NH. Our address is 26 Main Street, Peterborough, NH.

For more information contact info@mariposamuseum.org or 603-924-4555 to explore or book field trips or outreach programs.