Mandarin Museum at Walter Jones Historical Park is the perfect place for our young visitors to get unplugged and enjoy the world around them!

Adventure Backpacks

We’ve partnered with the Jacksonville Public Library for their Summer 2026 UNEARTH A STORY Program! Visit any JPL Location to pick up your Reading Dragons and Friends Starter Pack, Summer Reading Tracker, and more! Then head on over to Mandarin Museum to check out an Adventure Backpack to earn our EXCLUSIVE Water Expansion Pack! All Adventure Backpack details below.

Plein Air Painting Adventure Backpack

Discover the world of Plein Air Painting by checking out an Adventure Backpack from Mandarin Museum’s Guest Services. Famous names in Plein Air Painting include Claude Monet, Winslow Homer, and Mary Cassatt. The Mandarin community also has a strong history of local Plein Air painters. Each Adventure Backpack comes with everything children need to become their own plein air painter, including a step-by-step guide, canvas, and paints.

Cost to check out: FREE
Availability: No reservation required, walk-ins only, 5 backpacks are available on a first come, first serve basis
Additional Info: Kids take home their masterpiece and how-to guide; backpack and all other supplies must be returned to Museum Guest Services

Wander Walter Jones Adventure Backpack

With our Wander Walter Jones Adventure Backpack, you become the explorer! Discover the native plants that grow throughout Walter Jones Historical Park and how they help support the ecosystem. Spot birds, insects, and other animals and learn how they live, move, and interact in this natural space. Support our pollinators by planting native wildflower seeds in our raised Children’s Garden beds!

Cost to check out: FREE
Availability: No reservation required, walk-ins only, 5 backpacks are available on a first come, first serve basis
Additional Info: Kids take home their Wander Walter Jones Guide Book; backpack and all other supplies must be returned to Museum Guest Services

Picture-based Scavenger Hunt

Also available at Museum Guest Services, the young and young-at-heart can pick up a free scavenger hunt to complete as they visit the exhibits and stroll through Walter Jones Historical Park. Once completed, return to Guest Services to pick out a sweet treat!

The Art Yard at Mandarin Museum

Registration is open for FREE children’s art classes at Mandarin Museum! Geared toward children ages 8 to 15, sessions begin in June 2026 and continue through April 2027. Register for some or all sessions. See below for all details.

***Please email Mandarin Museum Executive Director Brittany Cohill at director@mandarinmuseum.org to express interest and to receive the online registration form.***

The Art Yard at Mandarin Museum was developed and will be led by Nora Morrow. Nora, an award-winning published artist, attends Douglas Anderson School of the Arts High School where she is a member of both the National Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society. She has earned numerous awards, including the Lowell Milken ARTEFFECT Spotlight Award, a National Gold Key and numerous Regional Gold and Silver Keys in the Scholastic Arts and Writing Competition, and several additional regional and local awards. Nora has published two artworks in the Celebrating Art Books and displayed her work in various galleries. She is also certified in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Nora’s artistic journey began in public art schools, and her unique methodology and perception of life’s experiences has inspired critical, thoughtful, and interesting pieces that convey her vision. She often portrays reality with a distinct flair that explores deeper meanings through unexpected use of language, subject matter, or medium. Nora has lived in Mandarin her entire life and wishes to give back to her community and inspire her students through art.

Mandarin Museum Executive Director Brittany Cohill will oversee the program.
Parents can choose from the following options the day of each session:
– Drop off children and return for pick up at the end of each session
– Parents can remain at Mandarin Museum or in Walter Jones Historical Park during the session
– OR kids can arrive to each session by bike, scooter, on foot, etc.

Session Two’s Project