Join us this summer for Maritime Activity Days at the Maritime Heritage Centre! Every Friday from July 3 through August 28 from 10am to 2pm, visitors can enjoy a different hands-on maritime-themed activity designed to explore the skills, traditions, and stories of life on the water.
These interactive programs are included with regular admission and are suitable for all ages. Whether you’re a curious child, a lifelong mariner, or simply looking for a fun family outing, there’s something for everyone to discover.
Each Maritime Activity Day includes opportunities to explore, create, learn, and play. Activities are designed to be approachable for children while still offering interesting insights for adults. Drop in for your favourite theme or attend them all to experience a different aspect of maritime heritage each week.
Maritime Language – July 3 and 31, and August 28
Have you ever wondered what mariners mean when they say “aft,” “starboard,” or “batten down the hatches”? Explore the unique language of the sea through games, challenges, and hands-on activities that bring maritime terminology to life. Test your knowledge, learn new nautical expressions, and discover how generations of sailors communicated on the water.
Knot Tying – July 10 and August 7
Knot tying is one of the most important skills in maritime life, and now you can learn it for yourself. Try your hand at tying classic nautical knots, including the famous bowline, while learning how and why they were used aboard working vessels. Visitors can participate in knot challenges, demonstrations, and interactive activities suitable for all skill levels.
Communication and Signaling – July 17 and August 14
Before radios and cell phones, mariners relied on flags, lights, and coded messages to communicate across the water. Discover the fascinating world of maritime communication through signal flags, Morse code, and other traditional signalling methods. Hands-on activities will give visitors the chance to send messages, decode signals, and learn how communication at sea has evolved over time.
Navigation – July 24 and August 21
How do sailors find their way across vast stretches of ocean? Explore the tools and techniques mariners have used to navigate for centuries. Through engaging demonstrations and interactive activities, participants will learn about direction, charts, navigation aids, and the skills required to travel safely on the water.
