Preparing authentic foods is a great activity for learning about a historical period or culture. Fortunately, colonial foods are not exotic or difficult to prepare. Johnny cakes require only four ingredients (1 cup yellow cornmeal, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 cup boiling water and a 1/2 cup milk) and are easily cooked in a frying pan. Other colonial foods include corn on the cob, applesauce, corn bread, pumpkin pie, stews and baked beans.
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Gaining insight into the lives of early colonists is as simple as studying their everyday occupations. Assign each student an occupation to research in advance of Colonial Day. Occupational ideas include blacksmith, gunsmith, cooper, printer, weaver, wigmaker, saddler, shoemaker, milliner, barber and chandler. Students need to answer questions about the types of tools used, clothing worn and fun or difficult parts of their jobs. Have students give a short report to their class on Colonial Day.
While we take electric lights for granted, colonists had no such luxury. Colonists either purchased candles from a chandler or hand dipped them at home. Students can replicate this task by creating hand-dipped candles. On a hot plate set a large coffee can with a smaller one inside it. Partially fill the outer one with water and the smaller one with beeswax.Tie a string to a dowel longer than the width of the cans. Students may take turns dipping candles, allowing the wax to dry between dips.
Colonists used lanterns as a way to safely move candles. A fun Colonial Day activity is to create tin lanterns out of old cans. Provide an empty vegetable or coffee can for each student. Check each can for sharp edges. Fill the cans with water and allow to freeze solid. Create a dot pattern on paper and then secure the paper on the can. Use a hammer and nail to punch the pattern. Allow ice to melt and securely place a small candle inside. Attach a hangar that will not catch on fire or allow one's hand to get burned.