Saturday and Sunday | 11am–4:30pm | Free with General Admission
Weekends bring fun activities for the whole family to the South Street Seaport Museum. Hands-on activities and engagement stations for visitors of all ages provide creative opportunities that illuminate history and life at sea while enhancing your visit to the Museum’s galleries, the tall ship Wavertree, and the lightship Ambrose.
No additional registration needed, these activities are free with your General Admission tickets. Engagement stations may be located indoors in the Seaport Museum galleries at 12 Fulton Street, or on the tall ship Wavertree at Pier 16. Museum staff will be happy to point you in the direction of the weekend’s activity when you check in.
September 2024: Lenape Games
Weekends in September offer families the opportunity to come aboard the tall ship Wavertree for a journey into the Greater New York region’s rich past through fun, interactive games! Discover the traditions of the area’s Indigenous people and play the same games that were enjoyed here long before the city we know today.
Family-friendly activities include Selahtinalìtin (sˈɛlɑːtˌɪnɐlˌɪtɪn): a scattering straws game similar to Pick Up Sticks or Jackstraws, and Mamantuhwin (mˈæmɐntˌuːwɪn): a dice-and-bowl game possibly named after the whirligig beetle. Experience the excitement of these traditional games and connect with the history of Lenapehoking, the land and water now known as South Street Seaport.
Come aboard, learn, and play! This family activity is not intended for children younger than 3. The games are free with Pay What You Wish General Admission and will be offered from September 7 to September 29. No additional registration required. Stop by anytime from 11am–4:30pm to participate in this enjoyable experience. Access to Wavertree involves climbing a few stairs, walking up an angled gangway, and descending a few stairs onto the deck. The lower decks are accessible via stairs, while the upper deck requires navigating steep ladder-like stairs.
October 2024: Sailors Scrimshaw
Join the Seaport Museum every weekend throughout October for an all-ages scrimshaw-inspired activity! Carving and engraving on ivory and bone has been an art form among many cultures throughout the world and throughout history. Scrimshaw in its maritime context was a type of carving on marine mammal ivory, made by sailors on board whaling ships.
Come to the Museum’s 207 Water Street program space––or aboard the tall ship Wavertree if the weather is nice––for an update on this mid-late 19th century shipboard pastime. Using recycled plastic in place of ivory and push pins instead of carving knives, learn this artistic etching technique and take home your very own hand-made scrimshaw items.
This activity is open to all ages, though children under 5 may find etching challenging. For those who prefer not to etch, we’ll provide crayons and a whale tooth printout so everyone can still join in the fun without using sharp objects. Bring the whole family and create something special together!
This family activity is free with Pay What You Wish General Admission and will be offered from October 5 to October 27. For a special Halloween treat, there will be an opportunity to scrimshaw a gourd!
No additional registration required. Stop by anytime from 11am–4:30pm to participate in this enjoyable experience. Access to 207 Water Street includes walking up and down a few stairs and access to Wavertree involves climbing a few stairs, walking up an angled gangway, and descending a few stairs onto the deck. The lower decks are accessible via stairs, while the upper deck requires navigating steep ladder-like stairs.
November 2024: Build a Baggywrinkle
Join the Seaport Museum for an all-ages activity where you get to learn about the common ships’ tool known as a baggywrinkle––a soft covering used to protect sails from damage. You’ll get to see a real example from one of the Seaport Museum’s historic ships, and then learn how to make one!
Traditionally, baggywrinkle is made from unraveled ropes, but on weekends throughout November, you can come aboard the 1885 tall ship Wavertree and learn to make these important tools from scratch using colorful yarn. This fun craft makes for unique maritime-inspired Autumn decoration!
This family activity is free with General Admission and will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays from November 2 through November 24. No registration required. Stop by anytime from 11am to 4:30pm to participate in this maritime-inspired experience. Access to Wavertree involves climbing a few stairs, walking up an angled gangway, and descending a few stairs onto the deck. The lower decks are accessible via stairs, while the upper deck requires navigating steep ladder-like stairs.
December 2024: Holiday Collages
Inspired by the works on paper of artist Robert Warner (1956–2023) preserved within the collections of the Seaport Museum, the December family activity invites people of all ages to create seasonal collages of their very own.
Whether you chose to create a festive piece inspired by the holiday season or a reflective collage looking back at 2024 as the year comes to a close, let your imagination and creativity lead the way. With a selection of letterpress stamps, materials from Bowne & Co., found objects, and craft supplies at your disposal, you’ll have everything you need to roll up your sleeves and create something unique. Join us this holiday season and bring your artistic vision to life!
This family activity is free with Pay What You Wish General Admission and will be offered from November 30 through December 26. No additional registration required. Stop by anytime from 11am–4:30pm to participate in this enjoyable experience. Access to 207 Water Street includes walking up and down a few stairs.
South Street Seaport Museum
By subway: Take the A, C, 2, 3, J, Z, 4, or 5 train to Fulton Street.
By bus: Take the M-15 SBS or M-15 to Fulton Street.
By water: The NYC Ferry, and New York Waterway provide service to Pier 11. The Staten Island Ferry provides services to Whitehall Terminal.
Parking: Parking lots can be found at Front and John Streets, as well as 294 Pearl Street.