The Best Places for Kids at the Nauvoo Historic Sites
Exploring history with kids is easy in Nauvoo, where hands-on experiences, open spaces, and engaging stories bring the past to life. This family-friendly itinerary highlights the best historic sites for kids—perfect for keeping young visitors curious, active, and entertained while discovering Nauvoo’s rich history.
Next, visit a few historic homes or buildings. You don’t need to see them all—pick a couple and take your time. Encourage kids to notice details: How are the rooms different? What would it feel like to live here?
As you walk between stops, give kids small “missions” to keep things fun:
-
Count how many wagons or tools you can find
-
Look for animals or gardens
-
Spot something that looks different from today
Pioneer Pastimes is perfect for families and gives an interactive play break. Try on Pioneer costumes, play old time games, and spend time playing like a kid in the 1840's.
End your day with a walk along the Trail of Hope on Parley Street, where you can follow the path of the Saints as they left Nauvoo and began their journey west, taking time to read the markers, reflect, and let the kids run and explore along the way; this easy, self-paced walk invites both movement and meaning, ending at the banks of the Mississippi River, where you can cool down by dipping your toes in the water (no swimming allowed) and take in the view at the very spot where the journey across the river once began.
Nauvoo has so many places that are perfect for kids to run and play and learn about history. In Nauvoo, history isn’t just preserved—it’s shared in a way kids can step into, explore, and remember.
Looking for more?
