Kids Zone
A place where you can learn about pioneer life in the Mead area, what kids did for fun, learn how to do crafts and play games, just like the pioneer children did.
Life in Pioneer Days
Ever wonder what children who grew up in the early days of Mead and the surrounding area wanted? Just like you, they desired many of the same things that you do, such a spending time with their families, learning new things, and playing with friends. However, in other ways, their lives were very different from yours. For instance, They didn't have the Internet, TV, video games, or most of the other things that you might take for granted today.
In 1871 when the first settlers came to the Highlandlake region, farm families were often very large and even children as young as four or five years-old helped with the chores. Girls learned to cook, clean house, grow gardens, and sew. Boys learned to hunt, raise crops, tend to farm animals, and build things. Both boys and girls learned to milk cows, gather fuel, and gather eggs.
The families who came to this area also wanted their children to go to school. They knew how important it was for their children to learn to read and write.
The Pearl Howlett school was founded in 1874, just the 28th school in Weld County. The Pleasant Hill (later Liberty) was #32, the Highlandlake school was #33, and the Mead Consolidated Schools founded in 1917 was # 117.
In the early years, most children only went to 8th grade. Many didn't even get that far. For a few years in the late 1800s, there were high school classes in the Highlandlake school, but if a child wanted
to go to a real high school, they had to board with family or friends in Longmont, Loveland, or Greeley, as it was too far to walk back and forth to school from here. Once the Mead Consolidated school was built in 1917, there was a local high school and children no longer had to leave their family to get a high school education.
The Mead Consolidated Schools brought many advantages to the children living here. The large school was able to offer more classes, including music and yes, even sports.
To learn more about life in the early days of Mead, go here.
Below: children working in their family's sugar beet field.
Let's Make Some Butter!
Making your own butter is fun and easy, but it does take some muscles. Grab your siblings or a friend or two to help you make it. See how here.
Button Spinners
Got an old, plastic milk carton laying around? Make an old-fashioned button spinner using new materials. See how here
Homemade Soap
These days, "handmade" can mean unique, high-quality, and, often, expensive. But it doesn't have to be. Best for middle schoolers and older. See how here.
