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Take your classroom learning to the next level! Located on 25 acres of parkland with over 20 heritage buildings and modern exhibition spaces, the Museum brings science, industry, and history to life through interactive exhibitions and hands-on experiences. Markham Museum is not interpreted as a village, but as a series of exhibitions that link our common experiences and technologies.
Markham Museum offers a wide range of curriculum-linked programs that meet Ontario Ministry of Education expectations, the Museum provides hands-on, cross-curricular learning experiences to enhance classroom learning.
All programs consist of indoor and outdoor components year-round.
Markham Museum Groups & Educational Programs
Minimum Number of Participants: 18
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon (includes approximately 15 minutes for a snack and bathroom break, snack not provided by Museum)
- A is for Apple - April to November
Discover the wonderful world of apples, from how they grow to the many ways that apples are used now and in our past. Children will visit the Museum’s heritage apple orchard where they will learn about the seasons in the orchard and how apple trees grow. Each group will also participate in their very own ‘Apple Schnitzing Bee’ peeling apples and discovering how important bees are to apple trees and visit a historic home where the children will learn about food preservation of the past. Each child will also create their own apple magnet craft to take home.
Maximum Number of Participants: 80 (4 rotations x 20 participants)
- ABC What can I Be?
Discover the people who make a difference in your community with a visit to Everyday Superheroes at Markham Museum. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the important roles played by first responders, healthcare professionals, educators, innovators, and more. Through interactive role-playing activities and hands-on engagement of the exhibition, students will gain insight into the real-life experience of these community helpers. They’ll also create a take-home craft to celebrate the heroes who support and inspire us every day.
Maximum Number of Participants: 90 (3 rotations x 30 participants)
Minimum Number of Participants: 18
- Community Superheroes - Grade 1
Discover the real-life heroes who keep our communities thriving with a visit to Everyday Superheroes at Markham Museum. In this hands-on exhibit, students will dive into the world of occupations through exciting role-play to learn about the ways the local community meets their needs thanks to healthcare workers, first responders, innovators, farmers, and many more. Students will create a take-home craft that celebrates how they can identify ways to practice positive, inclusive behaviours and leave inspired to show respect to others in the community.
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
Maximum Number of Participants: 90 (3 rotations x 30 participants)
- STEAM – Little Maker - Grades 1-2
Design – Build – Play! Celebrate the creativity and possibilities of Maker Culture at Markham Museum by exploring the Markham Community Makers exhibition. Students will use their imaginations to complete curriculum based hands-on team challenges and build structures from the local community or international landmarks with identical construction KEVA planks. Students will further put their STEAM knowledge, skills, and creativity to the test by discovering how everyday objects and structures are made from different materials and participating in a take home innovative building challenge using an array of materials including 3D pens.
Check out the official KEVA website to get a better idea of some of the amazing projects that your students can create as part of this program.
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
Maximum Number of Participants: 60 (2 rotations x 30 participants)
- Snowshoeing - Grade 1 and Up
Snowshoeing is a wonderful way to keep active during the winter months and has provided an important method of transportation and recreation throughout Canada’s history. Participants will learn the history of snowshoeing, how to care for snowshoes, the importance of dressing for winter weather and basic snowshoeing skills through a variety of activities and games. At the end of the program participants will warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.
Length: 2 hours, morning, afternoon or evening
Maximum Number of Participants: *please contact the Museum as participant’s weight, height and shoe size influences this number
- Simple Machines in Action - Grade 2
Levers, pulleys, wheels and axles! Discover what Simple Machines are all about at Markham Museum. Students will tour three historical exhibitions to identify the six basic Simple Machines. They will test how Simple Machines make our lives easier and how objects can move in different ways. Students will also compare modern examples of Simple Machines to the past, while participating in hands-on demonstrations to measure the force required to move objects. Students will evaluate their knowledge with a Scavenger Hunt and experiment with their own Simple Machine creations in a Design Lab.
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
Maximum Number of Participants: 75 (3 rotations x 25 participants)
- STEAM — Maker Challenge - Grades 3 - 6
Design – Build – Play! Celebrate the creativity and possibilities of Maker Culture at the Markham Museum. Participants will discover the evolution of how things are made by exploring a variety of artifacts and visiting our Markham Community Makers exhibition. Using imagination, students will complete curriculum based hands-on team challenges and build structures using identical construction KEVA planks. Students will further put their STEAM knowledge, skills, and creativity to the test by participating in a take home innovative building challenge using an array of materials including 3D pens.
Check out the official KEVA website to get a better idea of some of the amazing projects that your students can create as part of this program.
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
Maximum Number of Participants: 60 (2 rotations x 30 participants)
- Creating Pathways to Success - Grades 6 - 8
Discover the many pathways to success with a visit to Markham Museum. In this three-part program, students will realize that success comes in many forms by exploring the inspirational stories and career opportunities featured in the Everyday Superheroes gallery, including first responders, innovators, educators, and more. Students will also tour historical exhibits to learn how technology has influenced careers in the past and why revising and adapting remain essential skills throughout their lives. Students will also take part in an engaging and challenging teamwork activity that reinforces the importance of working with others, communication, and collaboration. This approach reflects the Ontario Ministry of Education’s vision that all students can be successful, that success comes in many forms, and that there are many pathways to achieving it (Creating Pathways to Success, 2013, p. 9).
Length: 3 hours
Maximum Number of Participants: 90 (3 rotations x 30 participants)
Summer Fun Programs are available to book Tuesdays through Thursdays during July and August 2026. Please contact museumeducation@markham.ca for further information and availability on our Summer Fun Programs.
Minimum Number of Participants: 18
- A is for Apple - Preschool Ages 2-6
Discover the wonderful world of apples, from how they grow to the many ways that apples are used now and in our past. Children will visit the Museum’s heritage apple orchard where they will learn about the seasons in the orchard and how apple trees grow. Each group will also participate in their very own ‘Apple Schnitzing Bee’ peeling apples and discovering how important bees are to apple trees and visit a historic home where the children will learn about food preservation of the past. Each child will also create their own apple magnet craft to take home.
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon (includes approximately 10 minutes for a snack and bathroom break, snack not provided by Museum)
Maximum Number of Participants: 80 (4 rotations x 20 participants)
- ABC What can I Be? - Preschool Ages 2-6
Discover the people who make a difference in your community with a visit to Everyday Superheroes at Markham Museum. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the important roles played by first responders, healthcare professionals, educators, innovators, and more. Through interactive role-playing activities and hands-on engagement of the exhibition, participants will gain insight into the real-life experience of these community helpers. They will also create a take-home craft to celebrate the heroes who support and inspire us every day.
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon (includes approximately 10 minutes for a snack and bathroom break, snack not provided by Museum)
Maximum Number of Participants: 90 (3 rotations x 30 participants)
- All About Archeology - Ages 6-12
Explore the mysteries of archeology at Markham Museum. Participants will visit an exhibition called From the Ground Up that showcases archaeological discoveries from excavations conducted on Markham Museum grounds. Participants will also engage in exciting hands-on activities including cleaning and caring for artifacts and will complete a take home craft related to archeology.
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
Maximum Number of Participants: 75 (3 rotations x 25 participants)
- Future Heroes - Ages 6-12
Step into the world of Everyday Superheroes in an interactive, experience-based exhibit. This action-packed program celebrates the real-life heroes in our community—first responders, healthcare professionals, educators, innovators and more! This two-part program includes spending time exploring the exhibit using an interactive guide to learn how local community helpers make a positive impact, followed by a fun superhero themed craft activity.
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
Maximum Number of Participants: 90 (3 rotations x 30 participants)
- Simple Machines in Action - Ages 6-12
Levers, pulleys, wheels and axles! Discover what Simple Machines are all about at Markham Museum. Participants will tour three historical exhibitions to identify the six basic Simple Machines. They will test how Simple Machines make our lives easier and how objects can move in different ways. Participants will also compare modern examples of Simple Machines to the past, while participating in hands-on demonstrations to measure the force required to move objects. Participants will evaluate their knowledge with a Scavenger Hunt and experiment with their own Simple Machine creations in a Design Lab.
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
Maximum Number of Participants: 75 (3 rotations x 25 participants)
- Time Travel and Tee-Off - Ages 6-12
Program Description: Come explore Markham Museum with this interactive guided tour and mini golf experience! Participants will learn about life and technologies of the past during a guided tour of our heritage buildings on site: The 1910 Print Shop, Wilson Variety Hall, Maxwell Cabin and Blacksmith Shop. After the tour, participants will play a round of mini golf at our 9-hole mini golf course that features miniature models of our historical buildings.
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
Maximum Number of Participants: 80 (4 rotations x 20 participants)
- Tools, Trades, and Towers - Ages 6-12
Program Description: Explore – Build – Play! Discover the tools of the trades at Markham Museum in this two-part program that blends history and creativity. Participants will partake in an interactive historical guided tour to learn how early artisans used resources and technology available to create homes, tools, toys and household items. Participants will further put their building skills to the test by visiting the Community Makers gallery and participating in a fun and cooperative team building activity using KEVA planks.
Check out the official KEVA website to get a better idea of some of the amazing projects that your participants can create as part of this program.
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
Maximum Number of Participants: 60 (2 rotations x 30 participants)
Minimum Number of Participants: 22
Length: 2 hours, morning or afternoon
- Snowshoeing - Ages 6 and Up
Snowshoeing is a wonderful way to keep active during the winter months and has provided an important method of transportation and recreation throughout Canada’s history. Participants will learn the history of snowshoeing, how to care for snowshoes, the importance of dressing for winter weather and basic snowshoeing skills through a variety of activities and games.
Maximum Number of Participants: Please contact the Museum as participant’s weight, height and shoe size influences this number
NOTE: Hot chocolate is not available as part of the outreach.
- STEAM – Little Makers - Grades 1-2
Design – Build – Play! Celebrate the creativity and possibilities of Maker Culture at Markham Museum by exploring the Markham Community Makers exhibition. Students will use their imaginations to complete curriculum based hands-on team challenges and build structures from the local community or international landmarks with identical construction KEVA planks. Students will further put their STEAM knowledge, skills, and creativity to the test by discovering how everyday objects and structures are made from different materials and participating in a take home innovative building challenge using an array of materials including 3D pens.
Check out the official KEVA website to get a better idea of some of the amazing projects that your students can create as part of this program.
Maximum Number of Participants: 60 (2 rotations x 30 participants)
- STEAM – Maker Challenge - Grades 3-6
Design – Build – Play! Celebrate the creativity and possibilities of Maker Culture at the Markham Museum. Participants will discover the evolution of how things are made by exploring a variety of artifacts and by visiting our Markham Community Makers exhibition. Using imagination, students will complete curriculum based hands-on team challenges and build structures using identical construction KEVA planks. Students will further put their STEAM knowledge, skills, and creativity to the test by participating in a take home innovative building challenge using an array of materials including 3D pens.
Check out the official KEVA website to get a better idea of some of the amazing projects that your students can create as part of this program.
Maximum Number of Participants: 60 (2 rotations x 30 participants)
NOTE: If located outside of Markham, mileage will also be charged on top of per participant fee.
Come and explore Markham Museum on your own! Self-Guided Exploration Visits are available during public operating hours and include access to our 25-acre outdoor site, exhibitions such as Everyday Superheroes and Markham Community Makers and all other activities included with general admission.
- Minimum Number of Participants: No minimum
- Ages: 2-12
- Length: Up to 3 hours
- Cost: General Admission, all adults/leaders will be charged regular adult admission.
All education programming can be adapted and customized to suit the needs of your group. We can accommodate most group sizes and offer flexible dates and times.
How to Book a Program
Fill the below enquiry request form.
- Please contact the Education and Volunteer Administrator at 905.477.7000 extension 3174 for any questions. Programs should be booked at least two weeks in advance to ensure availability.
- Upon receiving the form, you will receive written confirmation via email that your program is booked, along with your invoice, confirmation letter and information package. You will be told the price of the booking at the time based on the estimated number of participants and adult supervisors. If your booking is for more than 80 people you will be asked to provide the Museum with a 20% deposit for the program within the next two weeks.
- 2 hour programs are $10 per child.
- 3 hour program are $15 per child.
- Combine any 2 hour programs for 4 hours of fun for $20 per child. 3 and 4 hour programs will also include a 30 minute lunch space at no additional cost.
- Children’s program bookings are exempt from tax. Full payment for the program is required on the day of the program.
Please check your board/organization's supervision requirements or aim for our recommended minimum supervision ratios, you may be denied entry if supervision ratios are not met:
- Preschool to Senior Kindergarten: 1 free adult for every 5 children
- Grade 1 to Grade 8: 1 free adult for every 8 children
- Grade 9 to Grade 12: 1 free adult for every 15 youth
- All adults/leaders over this ratio will be charged at the participant fee for the program.
A 30 minute lunch space will be added to all 3 and 4 hour programs.
Programs take place rain or shine! Think about dressing in layers: hat, sweater, jacket, boots, gloves (if necessary). You can always peel layers off and place them in your backpack. Here are some suggestions:
- Extreme heat: hats, sunscreen and bug spray
- Extreme cold: hats, mitts and winter boots*
- Wet conditions: waterproof jacket, rubber boots and rain hat
* Note for the Snowshoeing Program: Appropriate clothing and footwear for outdoor activity must be worn to prevent injury or risk of frostbite. Students in sneakers will not be permitted to participate in the Snowshoeing Program.
Please contact the Education Administrator at 905.477.7000 extension 3174 or museumeducation@markham.ca to confirm any changes in the number of participants. Adjustments/changes in the number of participants must be made no later than 3 business days prior to your visit. Refunds will not be granted for groups with fewer participants than booked. Additional participants will be invoiced on the day of the visit.
Markham Museum reserves the right to cancel a program at any time to ensure the safety of participants and the site. Cancellations can be requested no later than five (5) business days prior to the date of the program without penalty. If you submit a written or verbal request to cancel less than five (5) business days before the start of the program, you will be charged for 50% of the total program cost. If you submit a written or verbal request to cancel on the day of the program, you will be invoiced in full for the program.
Hours
Mon-Tues: CLOSED
Wed-Fri: 12 to 5 PM
Sat-Sun: 10 AM to 5 PM