For Kids

Fourth grade students pay a visit to historic Jacob & Sarah Ebey House. Families and Teachers of 4th Grade Age Children: Research shows that children ages 9-11 (fourth grade) are at a unique developmental stage in their learning where they begin to understand how the world around them works in more concrete ways. What better way to learn about the world than by exploring Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve? For more information about the Open OutDoors for Kids program at Ebey's Reserve, contact Island County Historical Museum. Here's four things you can do with your fourth graders at Ebey's Landing NHR: 1. Take a Walk! There are several family friendly walks throughout Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. One of the most popular is the 0.8 mile Bluff Trail from the Prairie Overlook to the Bluff Overlook. Along the way, pass working farm fields, ocean views, and the historic Jacob and Sarah Ebey House. 2. See What's Growing! Throughout the year you can see crops as they grow, mature, and are harvested. Ebey's Landing was founded by farmers to protect the rural landscape you still see today, and the fields you see throughout the reserve are privately owned family farms. Check out local farmer's markets for chances to sample local products, and remember to always respect working fields by viewing them from roads and overlooks. 3. Step Into the Past! You can explore the Admiralty Head Lighthouse used to guide ships through the Juan de Fuca straight, explore a World War II era military bunker at Fort Ebey, and walk to the end the historic wharf in downtown Coupeville. The past is alive and visible throughout Ebey's Landing. 4. Discover Wildlife! Wildlife abounds throughout the Reserve. You can watch for Orca whales in Penn cove, spot birds of all kinds on Crockett Lake, and see Harbor Seals floating off shore along the Ebey's Landing beach trails.   Children standing on a farm gate looking out at a farm field. From parks to beaches, forts to forests, there is no lack of places to see and explore at Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve! You can hike the trails around the Reserve, go beachcombing, visit a lighthouse at Ft. Casey, walk through fields of lavender, and have an ice cream cone in downtown Coupeville - the second oldest town in the state of Washington! Mammoth bones and ice age artifacts along side Native American canoes tell a part of the story of Ebey's Reserve and Whidbey Island, which you can discover at the Island County Museum. Visit the Alexander, Ebey, Crockett and Davis blockhouses that were once used for protection against potential threats. And if you like to go camping, be sure to visit Fort Casey and Fort Ebey State Parks or Rhododendron Park. Come on, Discover Ebey's! We look forward to hearing all about what you discovered at Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve!   DISCOVER EBEY'S! Become a Junior Ranger You can get your Junior Ranger booklets and badges at four locations throughout the Reserve. With the exception of the Jacob Ebey House, these locations are not National Park Service Visitor Centers. They are operated by our partners in the Reserve. If you're not able to visit the Reserve, but still want to participate in the Jr. Ranger program, check out the Junior Ranger Activity Pages! Download the Discover Ebey's Junior Ranger Activity Pages here.