For Kids

Young Explorers and Learners

Junior Ranger Program at the Park

We are excited to offer engaging activities tailored for kids at our park. Our Junior Ranger program is designed to educate and entertain young visitors while fostering an appreciation for our nation's history and natural beauty. This program is ideal for curious kids eager to learn about the rich history of the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park.

Participants receive an activity booklet that guides them through various educational tasks and fun challenges as they explore the park. Upon completing the activities, kids earn a Junior Ranger badge as a symbol of their achievements and newfound knowledge.

Online Activities for Kids

Explore our "Junior Ranger" page for engaging online activities that kids can complete at home. While there's no official badge for these activities, they provide fun and educational experiences for young adventurers.

For more information about our Junior Ranger program and other activities for kids, please contact the Visitor Education Center at 510-232-5050.

Rosie the Riveter

During World War II, many men left their jobs to serve in the military, and women stepped up to take their place. Rosie the Riveter became a symbol of all the women who worked hard to help win the war. These women did important jobs in factories and shipyards, building airplanes, ships, and other tools needed for the fight. For many, it was their first time working in jobs that had traditionally been done by men, and they showed just how much they could achieve.

Rosie’s story started with a popular 1942 song about a fictional factory worker named Rosie, who worked hard to support the war effort. Soon after, artists created famous images of Rosie. One of the most well-known is the "We Can Do It!" poster by J. Howard Miller. The poster shows a strong woman in a red polka-dotted bandana, flexing her arm. Another famous image, painted by Norman Rockwell, shows a proud, muscular woman holding a rivet gun with an American flag in the background.

Breaking Barriers

Before the war, most women worked in jobs like teaching or as homemakers. But during World War II, women proved they could succeed in more technical and demanding roles, like welding and assembling equipment. Even though many women were asked to leave their jobs when the war ended, their hard work changed how people thought about what women could do.

Inspiring Generations

Rosie the Riveter didn’t just make a difference during the war—her story inspired women for generations. In the 1960s and 1970s, people remembered Rosie as they fought for women’s rights, like equal pay and more opportunities in jobs traditionally held by men. Today, Rosie’s image still reminds us that women can achieve anything they set their minds to, whether it’s working in science, engineering, or any other field.

At the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park, you can learn about the real women who inspired Rosie. Their stories show how teamwork, bravery, and determination can make a big difference.

Rosie’s message, "We Can Do It!" encourages everyone to believe in themselves, break barriers, and keep striving for what’s possible.

WWII Home Front: Learning and Fun for Kids

What Was the WWII Home Front?

During World War II, while soldiers fought far away, millions of people in America helped from home. They worked hard to make sure there was enough food, clothes, and equipment for everyone. This effort was called the "Home Front."

Rosie the Riveter

Have you heard of Rosie the Riveter? She is a symbol of all the women who went to work in factories to build planes, ships, and other things for the war. Before the war, many women didn't work outside the home. But during the war, they took on jobs that were usually done by men, showing that they could do anything!

Victory Gardens

Families planted "Victory Gardens" to grow their own vegetables. This helped make sure there was enough food for everyone. Kids helped plant, water, and pick the vegetables. It was a fun way to contribute!

Rationing

Rationing meant that people could only buy a certain amount of things like sugar, meat, and gasoline. Everyone got ration coupons, and kids helped their parents keep track of them. It taught people to be creative and not waste anything.

Recycling for the War Effort

Everyone collected and recycled materials like metal, rubber, and paper to make things for the war. Kids organized collection drives, gathering old cans, tires, and newspapers. It was like a giant recycling project!

Blackouts

To keep cities safe from enemy planes, people had "blackouts" where they turned off all the lights or covered windows with dark curtains. This made it hard for planes to see the cities at night. Kids learned to help quickly and quietly.

War Bonds

People bought "war bonds" to lend money to the government for the war. Kids saved their pennies and dimes to buy savings stamps, which they could trade for war bonds. It was a way to support the troops and feel proud.

Fun Facts

• Did you know that over 18 million American women worked during WWII?
• By the end of the war, over 20 million victory gardens had been planted.
• Kids across the country helped collect over a million tons of metal for recycling.