Summer Season Family-friendly activities

The Former Governors' Mansion State Historic Site is offering free weekly activities throughout the summer season to promote learning and fun for adults and children. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Daycares and school groups are encouraged to attend. Cookies and lemonade will be served, unless otherwise noted.

May 27, Flowers Are Fantastic, 2-4 p.m. April showers bring May flowers! Come to the mansion to paint planters, then plant them with flowers.

May 29, Yarn Painting, 2-4 p.m. Did you know you can paint with yarn? Learn this fun technique to make your own work of art.

June 3, Watercolor Art, 2-4 p.m. Residents of the Former Governors’ Mansion may have sat outside and used watercolors to paint what they saw around them. Paint your own masterpiece using watercolors.

June 5, Chalk Fest, 2-4 p.m. Spend the afternoon drawing with chalk on the mansion sidewalk.

June 10, Rock Painting, 2-4 p.m. Come to the mansion to paint or draw on rocks to “plant” all over the city (with respect to private property) or just take home. Rocks and paint will be provided, but participants are also welcome to bring their own.

June 12, Screen Printing, 2-4 p.m. The wallpaper in the Former Governors’ Mansion parlor was reproduced through an art technique called screen printing. View the parlor wallpaper, and create your own screen print.

June 14, World Wide Knit in Public Day, 1-4 p.m. Knitters, crocheters, spinners, and other fiber artists are welcome to enjoy an outdoor day of socializing and crafting. Meet on the east lawn and bring your own lawn chair or blanket. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside the mansion.

June 14, Fibers & Flavors, 1-4 p.m. Fiber craft enthusiasts, bring your crochet, knitting, or preferred fiber craft projects to work on in the ambiance of the Former Governors’ Mansion.

June 17, Miss Sparkles, 2-4 p.m. Join Miss Sparkles for story time at the Former Governors' Mansion. Listen to her read a story from 2 to 2:30 p.m., then make a bookmark to take home and enjoy with your favorite book.

June 19, Bubbles, 2-4 p.m. Blowing bubbles is a great outdoor activity. Create your own personalized bubble wand.

June 24, No-sew Pillows, 2-4 p.m. Learn a fun technique to create a no-sew pillow without the use of a sewing machine or needles.

June 26, Miss Sparkles, 2-4 p.m. Join Miss Sparkles for story time at the Former Governors' Mansion. Listen to her read a story from 2 to 2:30 p.m., then make a bookmark to take home and enjoy with your favorite book.

For more information, contact Site Supervisor Johnathan Campbell, phone 701.328.9528 or email [email protected]. The Former Governors’ Mansion, 320 East Ave. B, Bismarck, is managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Admission is free. The Former Governors’ Mansion is open by appointment. The site will be open daily May 24-Sept. 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Additional upcoming educational programs sponsored by the State Historical Society of North Dakota can be found at history.nd.gov/events.