Pre-Trip Fun for Williamsburg, Virginia

"Pocahontas" -- The animated Disney classic features John Smith and his crew as they discover the new world, settle in Jamestown, and make contact with Native Americans. (Toddlers through school-aged)

"Felicity: An American Girl Adventure" -- Follow a high-spirited colonial girl on her adventures in Williamsburg (although it was not filmed in the historic city). (School-age and preteens)

"The Patriot" -- The Mel Gibson movie about the American Revolution and one family's sacrifice is a great primer for teens on the events leading up to the revolution; graphic violence, however, means this movie is only for older kids. (Teens)

"John Adams" -- Although a quite lengthy examination of the life of John Adams, the film sets the scene of the rise to the American Revolution and colonial Virginia's importance in that period of history. (Teens)

Tea and scones -- The ultimate after-school snack in colonial times.

Colonial peanut soup -- Serve this hearty peanut soup along with fingers of toasted bread called sippets, as they do at Williamsburg's King Arm's Tavern.

Apple Brown Betty -- Apples were a plentiful fruit in colonial times; this no-crust recipe is a sweet treat for the whole family.

"Virginia: An Alphabetical Journey Through History" by Betty B. Shepard -- From the colonial capital to Old Dominion, the history of Virginia comes alive for little ones. (Toddlers)

"Meet Felicity: An American Girl" by Valerie Tripp -- The curious little girl from Colonial Williamsburg learns about friends and independence. (School-age)

"James Towne: Struggle for Survival" by Marcia Sewall -- The story of the first English colony in Virginia as told through the eyes of an 18-year-old. (School-age)

"We the People: The Powhatan and Their History" by Natalie M. Rosinsky The story of the Powhatan people, their culture, and history, as well as their interaction with the English settlers. (Preteen)

"Jamestown, 1607" by Michael Cooper -- Timelines, maps, and illustrations bring the Jamestown settlement to life -- and put it in perspective -- for teens. (Teens)

"Hard Labor: The First African Americans, 1619" by Patricia C. McKissack -- The first indentured servants and slaves from Africa arrived in the colonies in 1619, and were a large part of the social fabric of Colonial Virginia. (Preteens and teens)

Village People -- Construct an entire village of the people -- Native Americans and pilgrims -- who met at Jamestown.

Festive Fan -- It was text-messaging, eighteenth-century style: The way a girl held, waved, and used her fan was anything but accidental.

Pilgrim Girl's Bonnet -- A bonnet was the fashion must-have in colonial times.