Goldie's Kids Club
The State Historical Society of Iowa hatched a program called Goldie’s Kids Club to introduce children aged 12 and under to Iowa history – starting with Goldie the eastern goldfinch, the state bird. Goldie's Kids Club members have exclusive access to select museum programs and events. All programs are free for Goldie's Kids Club members.
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History Mystery: Live From the Museum Vault
Register to join museum staff on Zoom for a virtual version of the popular Goldie's Kids Club's "History Mystery" program. The digital format brings the museum and thousands of objects from Iowa history into any home. This virtual program, recommeded for ages 8-12, provides young historians unique access to artifacts and historic images from the State Historical Museum to determine how they were used and who might have used them. Help your young historian become a history super sleuth!
This program is free to attend and advanced registration is required. Program registration closes at 4 p.m. on the Friday before each program. While attending this virtual program, each child (recommended for ages 8-12) must be accompanied by an adult for its duration.
Innovative Iowans
Innovative Iowans is another digital "First Saturday" program for families to do together at home. Innovative Iowans involves interactive activities with easy-to-follow instructions that connect history with STEAM education – science, technology, engineering, art and math. This at-home program is recommended for young historians (ages 8-12))
Storytime
Iowa is full of colorful characters! Meet a few on the third Wednesday of each month with Goldie's Kids Club's digital storytime program. Each month, a new book recommendation with an Iowa connection and a fun activity will be digitally released. This at-home program is recommended for young historians (ages 3-7)
School Break & Special Programs
Join Goldie's Kids Club for seasonal break & special programs throughout the year. Plan ahead for future school breaks and register your young historian to attend a workshop and day camp at the museum.
Free, Downloadable Activities To Do Right Now
The activities listed below can be downloaded and printed out at home for children to use immediately and independently.
| Goldie's Kids Club Activity Book | This illustrated activity book contains fun games and activities like connect-the-dots, word search, artifact mazes and more. |
| Goldie's Home Scavenger Hunt | Create your own museum collection by discovering artifacts like photographs, postcards, quilts and more from home. |
| Museum Exhibit Guide | Visit the State Historical Museum of Iowa from the comfort of your own home. Check out exhibits and artifacts that teach about Iowa history. |
| Visual Literacy with Goldie | You can read a book, but did you know you can also read a photo? Use these instructions to search for clues and better understand a historic photo. |
| Goldie's Movie Recommendations with an Iowa Connection | Looking for a movie to watch? This list includes recommendations from animated films, specific Iowa directors, and much more for your movie night. |
| Goldie's Movie Bingo | Can you get a movie BINGO? Using Goldie movie theme suggestions, try to fill all the squares with this fun Goldie activity. |
| Blank Goldie's Recipe Card | Use this blank recipe card to write favorte (and delicious) family recipes. |
| Spring Break Coloring Sheets | |
| Winter Break Coloring Sheets |
Help Us Improve Our Programs
The State Historical Museum of Iowa is looking for ways to improve Goldie’s Kids Club programs. Please take a short survey and tell us how we are doing.