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World Culture for Kids: Cape Cod, Massachusetts!

Today we are visiting Cape Cod, Massachusetts with Ann of Doodles and Jots! Here is Ann’s introduction:

Hi! I’m Ann from Doodles and Jots where I blog about nature inspired creativity for kids plus some practical mom stuff too. My life long passion for art and my twenty years experience as a product designer has provided me with the skills and process I draw on for my content creation. I live on Cape Cod with my musical husband and two inquisitive kids. I love being a mom and exploring, learning, and creating together!

Drop by her blog and check out these three fantastic posts: All Signs Point to Fun, Making Paintbrushes with Natural Materials, and Calling all awesome moms!

exploring geography at mama smiles

Come for a visit!
Where?
I’ll give you a clue…
Fun over the bridge
Is waiting for you!

canal train

You must take a bridge to get here but it’s not an island. It is actually a peninsula although it does include the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. A canal was cut through the neck of Cape Cod to save boats traveling up the coast from having to go all the way around. There are three bridges including a railroad bridge that raises and lowers.

Come for a visit!
Where?
I’ll give you a clue…
Wampum collecting
Is waiting for you!

quahog

Wampum are beads made of quahog shells that have ceremonial value to the Wampanoag people who are native to Cape Cod. When we were kids we collected bits of purple shells. It had value to us too!

Come for a visit!
Where?
I’ll give you a clue…
A cranberry rake
Is waiting for you!

cranberry rake

Cape Cod is a major producer of commercial cranberries. Cranberries are native to the Cape and have many health benefits but are very tart and usually sweetened. If you are a middle schooler on Cape Cod you might craft a rake for harvesting cranberries in woodshop class.

Come for a visit!
Where?
I’ll give you a clue…
A voyage by sailboat
Is waiting for you!

 sailing

During revolutionary times sailing was the fastest, most reliable way to travel from the cape to Boston. While this is no longer the case, many Cape Codders still enjoy sailing for fun or adventure!

Come for a visit!
Where?
I’ll give you a clue…
A clambake supper
Is waiting for you!

clambake

A clambake is a special native method of cooking a seafood feast on the beach. Layers of shellfish and lobster along with potatoes, onions, and corn are placed between layers of seaweed and steamed in a pit over glowing hot stones. Yum!

Come for a visit!
Where?
I’ll give you a clue…
A stay in a Half Cape
Is waiting for you!

half cape

The colonists built homes with local materials like cedar shingles, low ceilings to conserve heat during cold New England winters, and shutters for storms. If you couldn’t afford a whole cape, you built a half cape with the intention of adding on as your family grew. Many of these old homes are still around and continue to inspire home design on the Cape today.

Come for a visit!
Where?
I’ll give you a clue…
Sand for your pockets
Is waiting for you!

sand sand

Sand is everywhere on Cape Cod. It’s in our shoes, cars, yards, homes, AND pockets! This is because the Cape is really one big beach formed during the last ice age. With no bedrock its shape and size is constantly evolving and shrinking with winds and waves.

 

Thank you so much for this post, Ann! I know my family has thoroughly enjoyed the time we have spent on the Cape!

MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.

15 thoughts on “World Culture for Kids: Cape Cod, Massachusetts!”

  1. This looks fantastic! I am now excited for my trip to Cape Cod in August. I just finished booking my Cape Cod summer rental and I cannot wait to experience New England! I will have to show this to my kids so they get as excited as me!

  2. Beautiful post – so creative and informative. I’ve never been to Cap Cod but would love to visit! Thank you for sharing this!

  3. Elisa | blissfulE

    What a lovely introduction to the Cape! I didn’t know cranberries were local there or that they were harvested by rake. I always learn something from Ann!

  4. Thanks again MaryAnne for the opportunity to contribute to World Culture for Kids! And thanks Mama Smiles readers for the encouraging comments!

  5. I enjoyed your post. I recall visiting Cape Cod and other fun places in MA over the years.I recall going to the Ocean Spray Cranberry Museum in Plymouth MA once and had samples of all the Cranberry juices. Such beauty, and history in MA.

  6. Wonderful! I must visit her blog. She is fantastic!

    I love her illustrations. Thank you for the introduction. I love Cape Cod, and this post makes me miss Massachusetts so much!

  7. Jeanette Nyberg

    I love Ann’s posts with her illustrations and children’s book style. My kids had a blast inCape Cod a few years ago- definitely need to return with them and look for some cranberry bogs.

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