Looking for a unique way to teach your kids about the past? Enjoy taking the family to living history museums?
Keep an eye out on your travels for events called “Knap-ins” or “primitive arts festivals,” where your kids can revel in their inner Sacajawea or Daniel Boone.
Similar to reenactments or battlefield encampments, a Knap-in brings together many enthusiasts who enjoy re-creating the daily lives, dress and meals of people who lived long ago (the term Knap-in is derived from the ancient practice of knapping flint into tools.)
Other primitive skills include hand-beading of cloth and skins, tracking animals, herbal medicine, knot-tying, making fires with friction tools and creating basic musical instruments. There are usually vendors and artists at a Knap-in selling such items, either already made or sometimes in kits to take home.
Children can learn a lot in one day about basic skills and tools that kept our ancestors alive.
We attended a Knap-in at beautiful Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park in north central Florida; look for such events January-April in many warm weather/Deep South US states, to avoid searing heat and bugs.
The big winner for my son was a chance to work with a costumed reenactor to learn how to throw an ancient spearing weapon, the atlatl (there’s even a World Atlatl Association for mega-enthusiasts.)
I found a few calendars for scheduled Knap-in events, and also take a look at your regional or state tourism events Website as well for possible announcements.
*** Directory of Primitive Living Skills Gatherings and Knap-ins of North America
*** Eskimo.com Upcoming Knap-ins
*** Missouri Trading Company Calendar of Events
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
What a fabulous idea! Thanks for posting on “Knap-ins” — never heard of them, but love the idea, and will look for some locally.
Great idea. We always try to make learning fun on family road trips. Last spring we drove the Natchez Trace from Nashville to Natchez (read about it here: http://familyroadtrippers.blogspot.com/search/label/Natchez%20Trace) and then we drove down to New Orleans for a week. WHAT A GREAT DRIVE, and plenty of chances for learning opportunities.
We happened upon one spot, French Camp, where they were having re-enactments of trapper and mountain life. Also had a wonderful lunch there.
Dan
http://www.familyroadtrippers.com
What a great idea. Thanks for the article, always looking for a new ways to entertain and teach the kiddies.
Hi Irv, PhotoDad and Bibi - Glad you enjoyed the post; sometimes I wonder what I’m doing when I publish rather obscure stuff, but readers usually always turn up anyway.