In-Person Programs Return
PROGRAMS NOW OPEN
In-person programs have returned. Scroll down for more information.
SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Join us at the PumpHouse for exciting education programs! Our trained program facilitators offer fun, interactive and educational cultural programming specifically designed for school and camp groups.
The historic building houses steam machinery that played an important part in building Canada’s success. We have many events, programs and exhibits to capture your imagination, as well, we offer tours for larger groups with advanced notice.
To see a full list of the education programs, please click here.
TRAINS & TOTS
Each week we engage our eyes, ears, and hands in developmentally appropriate activities designed to stimulate and support child development in the early years. Each week there is a different theme that will keep your tot entertained and learning!
To see the Trains & Tots schedule and to learn how to register, please click here.
FORT NIGHT
Fort Night is a by donation, drop-in program that takes place on Thursday evenings throughout the summer. Each visiting group is provided with a Fort Bundle that includes building materials and a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) based challenge. Join us for a challenge unlike any other! We can’t wait to see what you build!
To learn more about Fort Night and how to reserve a spot, please click here.
#YGKMuseumFromHome
The PumpHouse and MacLachlan Woodworking Museum are happy to offer downloadable PDF Activity Pages to keep your family engaged with STEAM education.
Activities are adapted from our regular programming for Trains & Tots (0-3 years) and education programs (Grade 1-8).
WE'D LOVE TO SEE YOUR CREATIONS!
Tag us on social media @KingstonPumpHouse and @WoodworkingMuseum with #YGKMuseumFromHome or email us at education@cityofkingston.ca
Let's Explore Textures!
We love to explore objects with our hands! Let's use our hands and dough to see what impressions we can make with objects. Click here to download: Let's Explore Textures! - English
Colour & Collect!
Let's explore the world through colour! Using eyes and hands, tots, will create a colourful container and go on a hunt to fill it with colourful objects. Click here to download: Colour & Collect! - English French
Orange You Interested
When life gives you oranges, try experiments with buoyancy! Using water and a healthy snack, explore displacement and how it helps things float. Click here to download: Orange You Interested - English French
Mission Possible
When life gives you lemons, make invisible ink and write secret messages! Send those messages to other agents in your home and share the secret for them to read. Click here to download: Mission Possible - English French
Penny For Your Drops
Water molecules like to stick together! Let's explore the attraction between molecules and demonstrate surface tension at home using coins and water. Click here to download: Penny For Your Drops - English French
Power of the Pump
Machines, such as the the pumps in the PumpHouse use fluids to make work easier. Let's explore the properties of water in a fluid system using a water blaster! Click here to download: Power of the Pump - English French
A Car That Rolls
Toy cars use simple machines to create movement. In this activity, use science to build a car that rolls. After your car is built, use math to calculate the car's speed. Click here to download: A Car That Rolls - English
Build-a-Structure
What makes a structure strong and stable? Let's build structures using materials found at home and explore material properties! Click here to download: Build-a-Structure- English French
The Solar Still
The sun is an incredible star and a source of energy! Let's use the power of the sun and simple items around our house to turn saltwater into clean water. Click here to download: The Solar Still - English
Kinetic Sculpture
What forces make things move? What are the objects that move in the wind? Using wind as a force, design a kinetic sculpture that uses wind to move. Click here to download: Kinetic Sculpture - English French
I Spy... Simple Machines!
I spy with my little eye... simple machines! Simple machines can be found everywhere. Let's review the 6 types of simple machines and see how many we can find at home! Click here to download: I Spy... Simple Machines! - English
Spinning Pinwheel
Pinwheels are a toy that use a wheel and axle to create movement. Create your very own pinwheel toy and explore how this type of simple machine works! Click here to download: Spinning Pinwheel - English French
Tents & Tunnels!
Are you holding down the fort at home? Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel? Build a fort with creative tunnels to exercise your STEAM skills. Click here to download: Tents & Tunnels - English
Toilet Paper Puppets
Puppets are objects that are animated to tell stories. In this activity we will bring ordinary items from around the house to life with our creativity and imagination! Click here to download: Toilet Paper Puppets - English French
Let's Explore Textures!
We love to explore objects with our hands! Let's use our hands and dough to see what impressions we can make with objects. Click here to download: Let's Explore Textures!- English
Colour & Collect!
Let's explore the world through colour! Using eyes and hands, tots, will create a colourful container and go on a hunt to fill it with colourful objects. Click here to download: Colour & Collect!-English French
Patterns and Printmaking
Let's go for a walk and explore textures through art! We will create rubbings to capture the different textures of objects we find outside or in our home. Click here to download: Patterns and Printmaking - English
Home is where the Treasure is
X marks the spot! Let's hide treasure and send our family on a treasure hunt! Let's explore what maps can do, how we read them and design a treasure map at home. Click here to download: Home is where the Treasure is - English
Home is where the Treasure is
X marks the spot! Let's hide treasure and send our family on a treasure hunt! Let's explore what maps can do, how we read them and design a treasure map at home. Click here to download: Home is where the Treasure is - English
We're only a click away! Did you know that you can explore our museums online? While we're together at home, try our virtual scavenger hunts and see what you can discover at the PumpHouse and MacLachlan Woodworking Museum!
Click the links below to download each scavenger hunt:
PumpHouse Virtual Scavenger Hunt
PumpHouse Story Scavenger Hunt
Nature Journal
Stop and smell the roses! Or in this case, stop, look, and journal about nature. Your journal could include sketches, questions, notes or photographs. There are no rules! Click here to download: Nature Journal - English French
The Solar Still
The sun is an incredible star and a source of energy! Let's use the power of the sun and simple items around our house to turn salt water into clean water. Click here to download: The Solar Still - English
Colour & Collect!
Let's explore the world through colour! Using eyes and hands, tots, will create a colourful container and go on a hunt to fill it with colourful objects. Click here to download: Colour & Collect!-English French
Be a Field Naturalist!
Field naturalists identify plants, animals, insects and rocks. They like to share their information and educate others. Let's be field naturalists by exploring the nature near us! Click here to download: Be a Field Naturalist! - English French
