Set Sail for School

Get Ready to ‘Set Sail’ into the New School Year on August 24!
Ahoy, future scholars and adventurers! On August 24th, as summer winds down, prepare to embark on an unforgettable voyage at Port Discovery for our annual back-to-school event— Set Sail for School!
Join us alongside our incredible Baltimore community partners for a day packed with school-related resources, engaging activities, and fabulous free giveaways. Whether you’re gearing up for the new school year or just looking for a fun-filled day out, we’ve got something for everyone. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to get ready for school in style while having a ton of fun!
WBAL TV 11 News: Port Discovery Children's Museum to welcome kids to 'Set Sail for School'

Art Projects
Create a Fidget Toy
Get ready for school by making your very own bead snake fidget! Join us for a fun and creative workshop where you’ll design and create a personalized fidget toy using colorful beads and elastic cords. This hands-on activity is perfect for kids who love to craft and want a cool, custom fidget toy to help them stay focused and calm during the school day.
Details:
- Activity: Bead Snake Fidget Toy Creation
- Materials Provided: Colorful beads, elastic cords, and crafting tools
- Age Group: Suitable for children aged 5 and up
- Benefits: Enhances fine motor skills, creativity, and provides a fun, tactile tool for focus and relaxation.
Duct Tape Pencil Cases
Make your very own pencil case out of a bag and duct tape! Join us for a creative and practical workshop where you’ll transform a simple bag into a stylish and functional pencil case using colorful and patterned duct tape. This activity is perfect for kids who enjoy hands-on projects and want to start the school year with a unique, custom-made pencil case.
Details:
- Activity: Duct Tape Pencil Case Creation
- Materials Provided: Bags, various colors and patterns of duct tape, and crafting tools
- Age Group: Suitable for children aged 6 and up
- Benefits: Encourages creativity, resourcefulness, and provides a personalized, practical school supply.
Come and create a one-of-a-kind pencil case that’s as unique as you are!

Storytime & Performances
Teddy Talk: The First Day of School
Join us for Teddy Talks! This informative and engaging special back-to-school themed presentation is perfect for both little and big kids as they prepare for the first day of school. Featuring lively puppets and morale-boosting lessons, this program aims to ease any back-to-school jitters and equip children with the confidence they need for a successful start to the school year.
Details:
- Activity: Puppet Show and Back-to-School Lessons
- Presented By: Public Programming Team
- Age Group: Suitable for children of all ages
- Benefits: Builds confidence, provides useful tips for the first day of school, and fosters a positive attitude towards learning.
Get ready for a fun and uplifting experience with Teddy Talks as we gear up for an exciting new school year!
Adventure Expedition Storytime
Travel back in time with our Public Programming team and listen to exciting adventurous stories based on our Adventure Expedition exhibit! This immersive storytime session will transport children to different eras and far-off places through captivating tales of exploration and adventure. Perfect for young history buffs and budding adventurers, this program combines education and entertainment in an engaging storytelling format.
Details:
- Activity: Storytime with Adventure Expedition Themes
- Presented By: Public Programming Team
- Age Group: Suitable for children aged 4 and up
- Benefits: Fosters a love of reading, stimulates imagination, and provides educational insights into historical adventures.
Join us for a thrilling journey through time and let your imagination soar with our Adventure Expedition Storytime!

Hands-On Activities
Seashell the Mermaid
Dive into a magical adventure with Seashell the Mermaid! Join us for a delightful bubble blowing bonanza where children can interact with Seashell and learn the art of creating beautiful bubbles in an enchanting underwater setting. This imaginative and interactive program is perfect for mermaid enthusiasts and aspiring bubble artists alike.
Details:
- Activity: Bubble Blowing Session with Seashell the Mermaid
- Presented By: Seashell the Mermaid
- Age Group: Suitable for all ages
- Benefits: Encourages creativity, sensory exploration, and imaginative play.
Come and join Seashell the Mermaid for a whimsical experience filled with bubbles, laughter, and underwater magic!
Peake the Pup(pet) – Bedtime Routine
Join Peake the Pup(pet) for an adorable bedtime-themed presentation! This special hands-on program focuses on the importance of bedtime routines and offers tips for a calming and enjoyable bedtime experience for children. With Peake the Pup leading the way, children will learn about bedtime habits through storytelling, interactive activities, and gentle guidance, making bedtime routines fun and stress-free for the whole family.
Details:
- Activity: Interactive Storytelling and Bedtime Routine Tips
- Presented By: Peake the Pup(pet) and Public Programming Team
- Age Group: Suitable for children aged 2 to 6
- Benefits: Promotes healthy sleep habits, enhances storytelling skills, and fosters a positive bedtime routine.
Join us for a cozy and educational journey with Peake the Pup as we discover the magic of bedtime routines together!
Set Sail for School at Port Discovery offers kids and their families a great start to going back to school and entering Pre-K! It’s all about supporting success in school—from our partners who are there to offer resources and services to our museum activities that reinforce positive parenting skills for caregivers as they develop healthy routines at home. And of course, we will have plenty of fun on hand too, including jump roping, puppet shows and DIY back-to school art projects!
Dr. Rachel Demma, Vice President of Learning, Visitor Experience & Community Engagement
Port Discovery Children's Museum
2024 Special Guests & Local Partners
- Baltimore City Health Department-COVID Vaccine
- Baltimore City Health Department-Tobacco Education and Cessation
- Baltimore City Public Schools-Office of Early Learning
- Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL)
- Bedtime In a Box
- Enoch Pratt Free Libraries
- Giant Food
- Jubilee Arts
- Maryland Family Network
- Maryland Public Television-Early Childhood Education Services