In 1831, the Mohawk & Hudson Railroad was the first passenger railroad operating a steam engine in New York on 100 miles of track. The first ride was quite exciting–and it’s the opening story in my book, What Was the Underground Railroad?. The train running on the tracks was named DeWitt Clinton, after the former long-time mayor of New York. While the Underground Railroad was not actually a railroad at all, it was named in honor of the new mode of transportation which whisked passengers through underground tunnels, transporting them somewhere else entirely. (Your kids will love the story of Tice Davids, the man who inspired the name of America’s system of escape for enslaved people. They’ll read it in What Was the Underground Railroad!)
The Underground Railroad helped force the events that led to the American Civil War. By the end of the conflict, some four million Americans were freed.
Teach your kids about Christian history with the Who What Why series for 8-11 year olds!
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
Our kids need to know about the Underground Railroad–and how it led to the freedom of four million Americans!
My narrative history from Christian Focus Publication, What Was the Underground Railroad?, is a fun way for your kids to learn about the system of escape from enslavement, and the people who fought for the freedom of their neighbors–and themselves.
God used the workers on the Underground Railroad to change lives, to change the history and laws of the United States of America, and to affect slavery throughout the world. The people supporting the Underground Railroad were quite often pastors, usually Christians, and they were motivated by the teachings in God’s Word.
During the time of the abolitionists, only one out of every twenty-three people was free. In the world your child is growing up in today, ninety-nine out of every one hundred people is free. The abolitionists of the Underground Railroad–including Harriet Tubman–had something to do with that!
What Was the Underground Railroad?
The Underground Railroad was a secret system through which runaway slaves could escape to freedom. Abolitionists hid fugitives in their houses during the day and sent them to another home at night. These safehouses became known as stations, the people who helped were station masters and conductors, and the paths people took to freedom were lines. Learn the stories of some of the people who escaped slavery this way, and the people who ran the Underground Railroad.
Have you ever taken a ride on a train? It can be a lot of fun. You board the train at the station, then enjoy the countryside as you race along the line. You disembark right where you intend to arrive.
Taking a ride on the Underground Railroad was a little different.
What Was the Underground Railroad?, Danika Cooley (Christian Focus Publications, 2023), page 16
Underground Railroad History Craft
Kids learn through story and hands-on activities. Check out this fun video of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad craft!
Your History Craft Supplies
- Cardstock (colored and white)
- Scissors
- Glue
- Pencil
- Permanent Marker
- Toilet Paper Rolls
- Printable Templates with Instructions
- Don’t forget this fun book that will help your kids learn all about Johann Gutenberg and the printing press: What Was the Underground Railroad?
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad | Instructions
Your child’s representation of a Dewitt Clinton train and Harriet Tubman is a great way to help them consider what they learn as they read What Was the Underground Railroad? from the Who What Why series!
1) Print your templates and labels.
Print the Harriet Tubman and train templates on cardstock. Cut out the templates and label.
2) Assemble your Dewitt Clinton train engine.
Print the template pages from the step-by-step instructions and cut out the pieces.
Lay the template pieces over the cardstock in the black, gold, and yellow colors as shown above. Trace the pieces on the cardstock and cut out the pieces.
Roll the rectangular pieces and glue them along the long edge to create three tubes, as shown.
Cut a slit in the circle from the edge to the center, as shown.
Next, overlap both sides of the slit in the circle and glue the overlapping edge to form a cone.
Glue the paper cone to the top of the short black tube.
Use your base template to trace and cut out a rectangle to cover the outer surface of the toilet paper roll. Cut out two round shapes to cover each open side of the roll.
Glue the paper over the roll.
Glue one circle over each end of the roll.
Use a permanent marker to draw spokes and rims on each wheel.
Glue two wheels on the lower side of each side of the train engine.
Glue a yellow piston to the wheels on each side as shown.
Glue the long black pipe to the front of the engine, with the small yellow pipe glued directly behind. Then, glue the short pipe behind the yellow one.
Last, glue the yellow stripes along the body of the engine, above the wheels.
3) Assemble your Dewitt Clinton train carriage.
Lay the template pieces over the cardstock in the black, gold, and yellow colors as shown above. Trace the pieces on the cardstock and cut out the pieces.
Use a permanent marker to draw spokes and rims on each wheel.
Fold the long, black rectangle on the lines shown on the template. Form a box and glue the end.
Fold the box top and glue the edges.
Glue the top of the box to the box to create a passenger car.
Glue three windows onto the gold carriage, as shown. Do this twice, to create a second gold carriage.
Use a permanent marker to draw outlines around the windows and door of each carriage.
Glue a carriage to both sides of the black box.
Use your base template to trace and cut out a rectangle to cover the outer surface of the toilet paper roll. Cut out two round shapes to cover each open side of the roll.
Glue the paper over the roll.
Glue one circle over each end of the roll.
Use a permanent marker to draw spokes and rims on each wheel. Glue two wheels on the lower side of each side of the train engine.
Glue the carriage to the top of the train truck (the roll). The DeWitt Hewitt train was created by placing horse carriages on top of train trucks–the wheels and frame. There were three carriages following the engine. It looked a little different, but it worked!
5) Attach the DeWitt Clinton engine to the carriage.
Glue one last rolled piece of paper between the engine and carriage to create your train.
4) Assemble your Harriet Tubman figure.
Print the template page from the step-by-step instructions and cut out the pieces.
Use permanent markers to give Harriet Tubman a simple face.
Glue the back of the body piece to the toilet paper roll, wrapping the roll completely.
Glue Harriet Tubman’s head to the body.
7) Apply the labels and display your Underground Railroad craft.
Glue your Harriet Tubman label to the bottom front of your figure.
Your child can display their Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad craft
to help them remember what they’ve learned about history from
What Was the Underground Railroad?,
and the rest of the Who What Why Series Christian history books!
Learn more about the Who What Why series and get your FREE Abolition Lapbooks here.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids
Christian History Matters for Our Kids.
History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.
Here’s why:
- God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
- Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
- Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
- Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
- Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.
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