School Break Programs
Join Goldie's Kids Club and the State Historical Museum of Iowa for seasonal break programs throughout the year. Even if school is in session, everyone can learn more about Iowa history any time of the year by exploring the digital library of past Goldie's Kids Club Storytime and Innovative Iowans activities.
Interested in becoming a Goldie’s Kids Club member? Join today – it's free!
School Breaks at the State Historical Museum of Iowa
Adventure into the past with special programs and events with the State Historical Museum of Iowa. Join the museum and Goldie's Kids Club for a variety of fun programs and activities for all ages to learn about Iowa history during school breaks throughout the year. Historians of all ages can explore the museum exhibits, register to join a guided tour, participate in a day camp, get up close while examining artifacts and learn about Iowa's fascinating past.
Continue to check back throughout the year to discover all the fun things to do at the State Historical Museum of Iowa.
Goldie's Birthday Bash at the Museum
Help us celebrate Iowa’s birthday on Saturday, December 28 with our fun-filled Goldie’s Birthday Bash. Head to the museum and join us for a variety of programs and drop-in activities throughout the day. Programs include a special butter sculpting program with Sarah Pratt, storytime with a craft, a guided tour of the museum collection vault and lots of hands-on activities for all ages. Also, celebrate the state’s birthday with a small sweet treat (while supplies last) starting at noon and complete our Goldie’s scavenger hunt to be entered into a drawing for special prizes.
You can find the full program schedule online, and make sure to register in advance for programs to save your spot.
Museum Collections Tour
Sign up today to step inside the State Historical Museum of Iowa’s collections storage for a behind the scenes look at objects from Iowa’s past. The museum offers two different tours for all ages of learners. Advance registration is required to attend this program.
Family Museum Collections Tour - The Family Museum Collections Tours takes young historians (ages 9 and up) and their families on a 30 minute guided tour through the museum collection vault as we explore a small sample of the museum’s 80,000 objects. This tour is recommended for younger learners and their families.
| Date | Time |
| December 28, 2024 | 2 p.m. |
Museum Collections Tours - Looking for a more in-depth tour? The Museum Collections Tour (ages 12 and up) is a 60 minute comprehensive guided tour through the museum collection vault. This tour is recommended for older learners and historians.
| Date | Time |
| Check back for future dates | -- |
Family Exhibit Tours
Join State Curator Leo Landis at the State Historical Museum of Iowa for guided tours of selected museum exhibits. Each 30-minute tour will explore one of the museums exhibits and highlight objects from Iowa's past. Advance registration is requested to attend each guided tour.
| Exhibit & Tour Themes | Date | Time |
| Check back for future dates | -- | -- |
Workshops and Day Camps
Young historians can learn about Iowa history with unique educational experiences only available at the State Historical Museum of Iowa. Using the museum and exhibits as a unique classroom, participants in the day camps and workshops will explore the museum and the history of Iowa while examining historical artifacts, diving into historical research and learning special skills.
| Program | Date | Time | Cost |
| Check back in early 2025 for next year's schedule | -- | -- | -- |
History Mystery Program Returns!
You can read a book, but did you know you can also read an object or an image? Join museum education staff at the State Historical Museum of Iowa for an upcoming History Mystery program. This program allows young historians (recommended for ages 8-12) and their adults to examine and investigate selected artifacts and historic images from the museum collection. During the program, participants become history detectives and help determine how the objects were used and who might have used them. Are you ready to become a history super sleuth?
| Program Date | Time | Virtual/In-Person |
| Check back for future dates | -- | -- |