Country Kids Trail

Country Kids Trail

Black Creek Pioneer Village

There’s plenty to see and do for young children in the Black Creek Pionner Village of Toronto, and the Country Kids Trail is a perfect place to start. This route includes ten stops around the Village with an activity at each location, and visitors can let their children lead the way and go at whatever pace suites their energy and mood.

Burwick House and Stable: Kids can take a lesson in etiquette to be a proper lady or gentleman – and then visit the stable yard to meet Clydesdale Horses and the geese.

Roblin`s Mill: Kids become detectives! They search the Mill to discover how grain becomes flour.

Blacksmith Shop: They try to solve the Blacksmith`s puzzles and watch the sparks fly while the Blacksmith works at the forge.

Hands on History Center in the Dominion Carriage Works: Kids jump into pioneer times, build a log cabin, dress up, weave on a giant weaving wall, and shingle a roof.

Half Way House Inn: Play a game in the tap room and then follow your nose to the kitchen.

Stong Family First House: Get greasy! Tease, card, and twist the sheep`s fool into yarn.

Daniel Stong`s Piggery: Meet the Berkshire pigs and say hello to the fowl, – another name for birds. How many different types of birds can you find?

Daniel Stong`s Grain Barn Pasture: Meet the sheep and watch them in action! Can you find the apple cellar? It`s hidden in plain sight!

Tinsmith Shop: Drop by the Tinsmith shop and try your hand at working with tin.

Photographer`s Studio: Dress up in pioneer clothes and take your photo in a real pioneer setting!

Printing letters. Photo by Elena

Example of a Country Kids Trail: Printing. In the 1860s, people believed that men should earn money to support their families. They should also read newspapers and know what was going on in the world. People thought it was funny if a woman wanted to do either of these things. Do we think it is funny today if a girl wants to read or make a newspaper? Some men worked in the printing office. Their job was to make the newspaper for other men to read. One job in the printing office was setting type. Each piece of type had an upside down letter on it. The typesetter had to learn to read these strange-looking letters. Try your hand! Can you read the magnetic type that is in the bucket? Try setting the letters together to spell you name – The letter on a piece of type might look like this; What letter is this? What is wrong with this letter? What happens if you look at this letter in the mirror? Using the magnetic letters and board, set type to print “Black Creek”.

RoseBlacksmith. Photo by Elena

Rose Blacksmith: Manufacturers of Scythes & Forks, hoes, rakes &c. & c. Nobleton, Canada West Established in 1855. Black Creek Printing Office. Greey’s Ales & Porter. Spadina Brewery, Toronto. S. Greey having had many years’ experience in a first class Brewery in England, is prepared to supply superior Ale & Porter in Cask or Bottle. Specially suited for invalids, being perfectly free from adulterations. Orders by post, and St Davis corner of King and 1 Bay streets. Toronto, March 12, 1860. Black Creek Printing Office.

Blacksmithing. Blacksmiths make items out of iron. The blacksmith heats the iron in the forge and as it heats up, iron becomes easier to bend. Once it is hot, the blacksmith bangs the iron with a hammer to bend and shape it. Blacksmith’s puzzle: In Black Creek Pioneer Village, blacksmith makes a puzzle and kids try to get the ring off and put it back on again.

Blacksmith Trade. Photo by Elena

From the undersigned, in June last, Robert Hix, a regular indented apprentice to the Blacksmith trade. This is to caution all persons from employing or harbouring him. And any one giving information concerning him shall receive one penny reward. Josiah Bennett. Black Creek Villa, 28th August 1867.

Swine Notice. Photo by Elena

The owners of Swine running at large in the Village of Black Creek are hereby notified, that the By-law imposing fines on such owners will be enforced, and the Swine will also be impounded according to Law. By order of the Reeve. John Rogers, Clerk. Council Chamber, Black Creek. Black Creek Printing Office. 1867.

Needlework. Try your hand. Photo by Elena

Needlework : Girls were encouraged to do needlework because it taught them to sit quietly, pay attention to detail, and work patiently. People believed that these were important qualities in a girl. Boys were encouraged to play baseball because it taught them to be a team member, build their muscles, and develop a sense of fair play. People believed these were important qualities in a boy. Try your hand: Using a wooden needle follow the numbers and stitch by sending the needle up through a hole, and back down through another hole, and so on. Would you rather play baseball or do needlework? Would you like to do both?

Victorian Games. Photo by Elena

Victorian Games. People played many board and card games in the 1800th. Some of the games, like Patience and Poker are still popular today. Try your hand: Try playing crokinole, a game that was invented in the 1800s. Player A: Flick the game piece toward the centre of the board. Try to get it close to the hole. Player B: Flicks another piece. Try to move Player A’s piece while making sure you land closer to the hole.

Penmanship. Photo by Elena

Penmanship: Both boys and girls went to school in the 1860s but some of the subjects they studied were different. One of the subjects, that both girls and boys studied was penmanship. It was very important for children to learn to write properly because neat handwriting showed that they had received a good education. They practiced writing until it looked just like the letters on the board below. Try your hand! Practice writing your name by copying these letters.