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.

September 2025: My View of the Seaport
Get inspired by the views of New York on display in Seaport Museum’s Maritime City exhibition and take part in a hands-on art activity that invites you to see the Seaport in a whole new way!

Every Saturday and Sunday families are invited to explore the historic Seaport district through sketching and observation. Stop by 207 Water Street to borrow art supplies—including a clipboard, folding stool, cardstock, and pencils, crayons or pastels—then head outside to draw your view from nearby spots like Little Water Street, Cannon’s Walk, or the Titanic Memorial Lighthouse, or take your materials to other Museum locations like Pier 16.

Whether you’re drawn to the natural environment or intricate architectural details, this activity encourages close looking, reflection, and creativity. Consider how the neighborhood has changed over time, how industry and the waterfront have shaped the city, and what hidden details you notice when you pause to look closely.

This drop-in activity is open to all ages and artistic abilities—no art experience necessary. Just bring your curiosity and creativity! This activity will be offered Saturdays and Sundays from September 6 through September 28. Access to 207 Water Street includes walking up and down a few stairs.

October 2025: Sailors’ Skills
Families and guests of all ages can step aboard the 1885 tall ship Wavertree and discover the timeless maritime skills sailors have relied on for centuries—then put those new talents to the test with fun, hands-on activities right on the ship’s main deck.

Learn how to coil a line to keep the deck safe and ropes tangle-free, follow 3D models to master a sailor’s knot that’s strong yet easy to untie, and try your hand at lassoing a bitt, just like sailors do to secure a ship in port. This experience brings history to life while letting families play like a true mariner.

This activity will be offered Saturdays and Sundays from October 4 through October 19. 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 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