Hands On Activities for Groups
Hands On and Interactive...along the Heritage Trail
These options are GROUP-FRIENDLY and the perfect way to get your group active and engaged in their experience.
NOTE: Offerings and pricing subject to change without advance notice.
Ben’s Pretzels Make your own Pretzel Demo
Ben’s Pretzels was founded in 2004 by Ben and Elizabeth Miller, an Amish family from Shipshewana, needing to provide for their family. Ben and his wife, 3rd generation Amish bakers, spent years perfecting the Amish/Dutch dough recipe that makes a perfect soft pretzel. Ben’s has grown to over 71 locations nationwide as well as a mobile / concession program. Ben’s pretzels are preservative free. Groups will enjoy a short presentation highlighting Ben’s story and history of the company followed by an opportunity to roll your own pretzel then watch it being baked before your eyes. Enjoy this tasty treat with cheese dip and a beverage of your choice before departing. A great treat anytime of day!
Weave Your Own Basket at Sonshine Baskets
Welcome to Sonshine Baskets homestead and workshop as you meet Anna and her daughters, Amish artisans. Watch as they construct and weave their custom designed baskets. Tour the workshop and observe the various steps to bring a piece of handcraft to life including cutting, weaving, staining and finishing with leather handles. Browse thru the showroom featuring hundreds of baskets on display. Groups can weavetheir own basket and custom select individual stain colors for a lasting keepsake of your Amish Country tour.
NOTE: Due to time required for drying of stains, this program must occur first on arrival in Amish Country and the baskets will then be delivered to group hotel prior to departing the area or would require shipping to guests home after departure from the area (extra expense required to cover shipping). Not enough time available to weave your own basket? Then select the option to include a custom made basket that group members can select from the showroom. Different shapes, sizes, function, colors and options will be offered as an immediate take-away.
The Nappanee Center and Historical Collection PLUS paint an Amish Quilt Barn Art piece
Explore inside the Nappanee Center and see the quilts depicting historical Quilt Gardens while enjoying the fascinating display chronicling Nappanee’s storied past. Enjoy the beautiful Quilt Garden on site and then sit down with local artist, Linda Pieri, and be shown painting secrets developed throughout the ages. Linda has taught over 1000 people in the art of acrylic painting encouraging them to “not just look at what you are drawing or painting, but to see what is really there.” You will be able to observe a demonstration and follow step-by-step instructions that will help you create your own masterpiece. This is not a paint by number situation. Linda helps each person discover the creative artist inside of each of them.
Teaberry Wood Products Create a Wooden Quilt Block
Meet LaVern and Rachel, the Amish-Mennonite dynamic duo that has made Teaberry Wood Products one of Great Life Tour’s most requested stops. This experience appeals to men and women with a something-for-everyone flair! Groups enjoy one-on-one time with this artisan team creating a wall quilt pieced entirely with beautiful exotic hardwoods.
The experience will include a woodshop tour, “weaving” demo, hands-on wood quilt kit with choice of materials and shopping time. Participants leave with an 8”x 8” quilt block complete with engraved center tile and hanger. It is a work of art worthy of gifting or kept as a treasured memory of their travels. Highly collectible, a new pattern each season - keeping it fresh and new year after year. This is endlessly customizable with two frames, optional holiday and decorative laser engraved tiles available to choose from.
Jar Leaf Lantern “make take” hands-on project at Nappanee Heritage Center
Local artist, leads your group on a fun, festive fall craft that is perfect to keep or give as a gift.
Popcorn Olympics at Shirley’s Popcorn Classic Flavor Game
Compete against your group friends and family members in this fun, interactive game! Race the clock, test your skills, and munch on freshly popped Original Movie Theatre flavored popcorn kernels as you have fun. Some games are independent, some in teams of 2 or more. All are led by the Shirley’s Popcorn staff and coaches complete with supplies and instructions. Choose Three games for your group Olympics (in advance) from fun activities like a “cup toss”, “straw blow”, “distance throw”, “basket toss” or popcorn toothpick swap. Winners receive fun and tasty prizes!
Coffee with the Curator at the Midwest Museum of American Art
This neo-classical style bank building, in the heart of downtown Elkhart, houses 19th and 20th century art from American Primitives to Pop art and includes original works by Grant Wood and Norman Rockwell. Each Fall the Midwest finest artists from 24 regional counties submit their best and finest art for a juried competition. Your group will have an opportunity to see and hear about some of these amazing Midwest artists on this “coffee walk/chat” with the expert curator of the Museum and exhibition.
Teaberry Wood Products Holiday Ornament, Tour, Shopping
Choose from:
Create your own wooden star Christmas ornament at the engraving center, followed by a guided tour and time to shop.
Christmas Traditions Tour: Receive a keepsake nativity, discover Amish and Mennonite holiday traditions, and finish with a little retail therapy.
Taste of Shipshewana Make-Take Food Fun options inside an Amish home
Welcome to Brenda’s banquet room newly added to her nice Amish home. Each program includes Brenda’s recipes and plenty to taste and take home. You’ll get your own hands into the fun after hearing Brenda’s tips and tricks too! Add on a two meat Thresher’s Meal, a famous Haystack meal or even a light soup/salad meal option to round out your tasty time in Brenda’s home. Amish Peanut Butter Oftentimes referred to as “Church Peanut Butter”, this is the famous spread found on every Amish dining table in Northern Indiana. You’ll watch, taste, and mix your own to take home.
Chocolate Lovers Simple Fun
Brenda and her family gather each Holiday and have a fun Chocolate Holiday party rolling peanut butter balls and dipping peanut butter crackers. She’ll share her holiday traditions while you dip, taste, and take your own chocolate treats.
Christmas Cookie Decorating
Featuring Brenda’s family favorite cookie recipe that is rolled and cut into any shape at any time of the year. They are especially appealing at Christmas time. Your group will ice and decorate your own Cookie plate perfect to take home or munch in on the bus.
Fall Caramel Apple Dunk
Brenda pre-makes her famous homemade caramel sauce and provides you your own apple complete with stick and add-ons to get you in the fall spirit.
Roll your own Pretzel at Jo Jo’s Pretzels
Hear the story behind the pretzel shape! Roll your own soft pretzel made from the King family secret pretzel dough recipe perfected by generations over the years. Some say they are the “world’s greatest soft pretzels”! In a flash, your pretzel will be hot out of the oven and will be served with your beverage of choice.
NOTE: Offerings and pricing subject to change without advance notice.
