Interesting Facts about Massachusetts

These interesting facts about Massachusetts for kids include the Salem Witch Trials, the first subway system, Benjamin Franklin, and basketball.

This is part of the 50 states unit study as we travel around America, learning about the history of each state. Check out these Arkansas facts for kids below! Find some fun crafts, activities, and books for each state that will engage kids of all ages.

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5 Interesting Facts about Massachusetts

Massachusetts is on the eastern coast of the United States and has the nickname, The Bay State. It became a state in 1788 and was the 6th state inducted into the nation. The capital is Boston and was the center of culture for many years in this country’s early stages.

Fact One: The Salem Witch Trials were held here

The mass hysteria of the Salem witch trials took place in 1692 and 1693 in Salem, Massachusetts. Authorities accused more than 200 people, leading to the deaths of 25. We must remember this tragic time to prevent its repetition.

Here are some fun crafts and activities that you can do with your kids:

Make this handprint witch craft with your kids.
These lollipop witches are fun for your toddlers to make.
Read What Were the Salem Witch Trials with your kids.
These smoky witch cauldrons are made with construction paper and cotton balls.
Make a popsicle stick magnet with this fun activity.

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Fact Two: The first subway system was built in Boston

Builders constructed the first subway system in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1897. It had four tracks and is now a National Historic Landmark. It was the beginning of an extensive subway system in the United States.

Here are some fun crafts and activities that you can do with your kids:

Do this trains in ice activity with your kids.
This transport sensory bin is great for toddlers.
Read this thrilling story about kids on a subway in Subway.
Do train math with your preschooler with this fun STEM activity.
Make this DIY train set for the bath.

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Fact Three: Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1706. He was a scientist, newspaperman, freemason, author, and inventor. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and helped develop the Declaration of Independence.

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Here are some fun crafts and activities that you can do with your kids:

Make a homemade kite with your kids.
Download these inventions and experiments with Benjamin Franklin worksheets.
Read Who Was Ben Franklin with young readers.
This easy electricity science experiment is perfect for kids learning about Ben Franklin.
Do this Benjamin Franklin word search for early readers.

Fact Four: The first basketball game was played in 1891

James Naismith invented basketball in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891. The sport gained popularity after colleges across the country introduced it, and it is now a major part of American culture. This is also where the Basketball Hall of Fame is located.

Here are some fun crafts and activities that you can do with your kids:

This cotton swab painted basketball is fun for any kid to make.
Entertain your kids for hours with this basketball in a cup craft and activity.
Read The Everything Kids Basketball Book to learn all about the sport.
Involve your kids with math with this basketball craft.
Create your own basketball shoe with this fun craft.

Fact Five: Harvard was the first college established in North America

In 1636, founders established Harvard University as the first college in the country in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It’s one of the most prestigious schools in the world and accepts only top-tier students. It also has one of the largest library systems in the world with 79 libraries and over 20.4 million items.

Here are some fun crafts and activities that you can do with your kids: