Family Activity Weekends at South Street Seaport Museum

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.

November 2025: Sailors Scrimshaw
Join the Seaport Museum every weekend throughout November for an all-ages scrimshaw activity! Scrimshaw is a form of folk art from around the second quarter of the 19th century until the early 20th century. Usually made by whalers at sea, scrimshaw was often made by engraving designs on whale ivory and bone. Historically, this practice also included carved and built-up “utilitarian” items such as cooking utensils, hair and clothing accessories, household goods, and more.

Get inspired by scrimshaw on view in the Maritime City exhibition and then come to the Museum’s 207 Water Street program space for an update on this maritime tradition. 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 activity will be offered Saturdays and Sundays from November 1 through November 30. Access to 207 Water Street includes walking up and down a few stairs.

December 2025: Holiday Collages
Inspired by the works on paper and collages of artist Robert Warner (1956–2023) on view in Maritime City and stored within the Collections of the Seaport Museum, the December family activity invites people of all ages to create seasonal letterpress collages and paper sculptures of their very own.

Whether you chose to create a festive piece inspired by the holiday season or a reflective collage looking back at 2025 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 will be offered Saturdays and Sundays from December 6 to December 28. Access to 207 Water Street includes walking up and down a few stairs.

Location:

South Street Seaport Museum
12 Fulton Street
NY, NY 10038