History for Kids

We are always looking for ways to share SLP history with kids.  If you have an idea for how to bring history to kids, or an interest in helping us execute these ideas please let us know. Here are some of the programs we have done:

  • Drawing Sheets – We try to always have coloring sheets at our public events so kids have an activity.  You can download the Depot and the Bee Hive for the kids in your life too.
  • Cub Scouts – As part of earning their history badge, scouts needed to visit a museum.  We brought the museum to them at their den meeting and shared the story of St. Louis Park history.  The first graders had great questions and were great listeners!
  • Ambassador Program – In 2015, as part of the 75th anniversary of the Ambassador/Miss SLP program the Ambassadors went on a scavenger hunt to learn about various historic sites in the city.  We helped curate the locations and kicked off the hunt with a presentation about the history of SLP.  The kids were great ambassadors for our city – showing their curiosity and manners!
  • National History Day – Several members volunteered as judges for this annual competition in the schools.
  • Junior Achievement – One of our Board members taught a class at the Middle School as part of Junior Achievement.  He used materials provided to him by the program and taught a lesson on commerce.
  • Kids Vote – We volunteered with the organization Kids Vote that teaches kids civics by having them learn about the candidates in a real election, vote and discuss the results of their class.
  • 2nd Grade History – As part of the IB unit on history, we went into the classroom to share the history of SLP.  The focus for the students in the classroom is to connect history to their world today, so we focused on 5 stories that do just that: How SLP got its name; TB Walker’s imprint on the city; When we changed the street names; the first shopping center in MN; and the growth and consolidation of schools.