There are just some weeks where you know you need to shake up your routine and go do something special. We were in that rut a couple weeks ago, so I had my eyes open for some sort of family activity that we could do. On the spur of the moment, we decided to go on a short road trip and visit Conner Prairie interactive history park in the Indianapolis area.
What is Conner Prairie?
Conner Prairie is a historical reenactment park made up of 5 historical areas: the Lenape Camp, Conner Homestead, 1836 Prairietown, 1859 Balloon Voyage and 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana.
I never can get all the kids looking at the camera at the same time!
Our first stop was the Lenape camp. The Lenape Indians (also known as the Delaware) lived in Indiana from 1795–1820. We saw beaded belts being made, visited a wigwam, and traded furs at the trading post.
Our next stop was 1836 Prairietown. Our first chore was to help make candles. We really appreciated our light bulbs after doing this chore!
Once we hit the center of Prairietown, each child was given an Achievement Card. These cards had a specific role they were to play plus challenges for them to find. One of my kids picked naturalist, another socialite, another criminal (yeah, that’s what I thought too–lol!), and baker? (can’t remember what the specific title.) This was a new activity since I had last been to Conner Prairie. What I liked about it was that it gave the kids something specific to do and look for while in Prairietown. One of my kids had to order groceries from the store, go and help set the table for dinner at another historical house, and then help in the garden. In order to complete the challenges on the cards, they had to actually talk to the historical reenact0rs. We really enjoyed this section of Conner Prairie.
Lil Pumpkin chilling with her brother.
Even my almost 2yr. old was able to enjoy parts of the trip. She got to pet sheep, see a calf, visit the hands-on activities in the welcome center and play at the Steamboat park.
Her favorite activity though was collecting pebbles on the paths. 🙂
Next we headed to the 1863 Civil War Journey. After crossing a covered bridge, we entered the camp. A soldier greeted us upon arriving.
This section portrayed Morgan’s Raiders, pursuing Union cavalry and southern Indiana civilians of the 1863 Civil War Journey: Raid on Indiana. There was a very cool (so I was told by my older children) presentation, but I stayed outside with my younger children as I thought they might get overwhelmed and scared at the war scenes.
After that we went up in a hot air balloon. Ok, not really! There are tethered hot air balloon rides that you could go on if you wanted.
Whew! It was a good, but tiring day! We saw lots of cool, historical things, walked a bunch, and made great memories. If you are ever in the Indianapolis area, stop by Conner Prairie!
What field trips have you been on recently?
Very cool place. We haven’t been doing too much lately because of only having one car and limited funds but we do try to always get a nature walk on each week
We did this spur of the moment because we found out it was free that day! 🙂 Now that the weather is getting cooler, I need to get the kids out on our weekly nature walks too. It just does the soul good to get out of the house and enjoy nature!