South Street Seaport Museum announces the free November Family Activity Weekends program on Saturdays and Sundays from November 1 through 30 2025 from 11am to 4:30pm.
seaportmuseum.org/family-activity-weekends
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.
Upcoming Schedule
Saturday November 1 2025; 11am–4:30pm
Sunday November 2 2025; 11am–4:30pm
Saturday November 8 2025; 11am–4:30pm
Sunday November 9 2025; 11am–4:30pm
Saturday November 15 2025; 11am–4:30pm
Sunday November 16 2025; 11am–4:30pm
Saturday November 22 2025; 11am–4:30pm
Sunday November 23 2025; 11am–4:30pm
Saturday November 29 2025; 11am–4:30pm
Sunday November 30 2025; 11am–4:30pm
About Family Activity Weekends
Weekends bring fun activities for the whole family to the South Street Seaport Museum. Timely 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 Seaport Museum’s galleries the tall ship Wavertree and the lightship Ambrose. Activities and their locations change each month to highlight various aspects of maritime history New York City’s beginnings as a port city or the Museum’s collections and offerings. seaportmuseum.org/family-activity-weekends
Enjoy More That the Museum Offers
Access to the historic ships and exhibition galleries at the Seaport Museum is not included with this event. If you would like to explore more that the Museum has to offer book in advance or ask Museum staff about admission tickets available Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm when you check in. Museum admission tickets grant access to the 1885 tall ship Wavertree and 1908 lightship Ambrose at Pier 16 as well as all current exhibitions on view in the introduction galleries inside Schermerhorn Row located at 12 Fulton Street. Admission tickets also include entry to the three-floor exhibition Maritime City in A.A. Thomson & Co. located at 213 Water Street. And make sure to check out the temporary outdoor exhibition Signs of Origins while it is on view from October 1 through November 30! seaportmuseum.org/admission
About the South Street Seaport Museum
The South Street Seaport Museum located in the heart of the historic seaport district in New York City preserves and interprets the history of New York as a great port city. Founded in 1967 the Museum houses an extensive collection of works of art and artifacts a maritime reference library exhibition galleries and education spaces working 19th century print shops and an active fleet of historic vessels that all work to tell the story of “Where New York Begins.” seaportmuseum.org
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Schermerhorn Row, South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038, United States
