Historic places hold the stories of our past, are an important part of building community, and create connections between who we were and who we aspire to be. But how effective is the work of preservation if the next generation doesn't understand the value and significance of these places to our present moment? How do we ignite a passion for history and culture, sparking a lifelong affinity and understanding of the power of place along the way?

Here are 11 things to do with kids—in the classroom and at home—to get them involved in and excited about historic preservation.

2. Talk to the neighbors

Encourage kids to talk to neighbors who have lived on their street for a long time. Find out what they remember about living there and about the people who have moved on. Maybe they have old photographs of how the street and houses used to look.

You can also consider recording these conversations. Oral histories are an invaluable resource and provide a tangible link to the places of our past. Plus, this is good interview practice.

3. Take a walk down Main Street

These authentic and traditional commercial districts are full of historic buildings and feature locally owned stores that are a vital part of the community. Take this time to begin a discussion about why buying local and supporting local stores is so important.

As you walk around your Main Street talk to them about what building, site, and tradition is important to you. Ask them to talk about what place in their community they connect with and why. Discuss together how these places might be protected. This way kids can learn about you and you learn about them. It's a Win, win!

4. Visit a historic site

Take kids to visit a historic site in your area, or stop by the local historical society or museum. Is there a National Trust Historic Site nearby? Talk about what stories are told at these places. You can often find an original map of the surrounding area at the historical society or museum. Make a project out of comparing old maps to today’s roads and neighborhoods. What’s changed? What’s stayed the same?

Another way to keep them engaged is to give them a camera (maybe even an old disposable camera if you can find one!) and have them take the pictures. Ask them about the shots they are taking and why that particular view caught their eye. This helps give them a sense for how buildings and landscapes fit together, providing a vocabulary for conversations about the larger built environment.

6. Participate in a community project

Ask your historical society or local preservation organization if there are any projects that your kids can get involved in. Help clean up and repair neglected buildings, plant trees in or around historic areas, or clean headstones in a local historic cemetery.

If there is a descendants organization that volunteers at these sites have your kids talk with them about why these places are important.

7. Write letters to local public officials or congressmen

In another toolkit, we laid out various steps to take when lobbying for preservation. One of those is to let your member know what historic resources are important to your city or town. Ask kids to write to a member of Congress about a certain historic place and explain what make it special and worth preserving.

8. Create a historical record for a landmark

Brainstorm the items that should be included in a historical record, like photographs, construction dates, architectural styles and features, and stories of who lived there or used the building and for what. What kinds of things would someone want to know about this place in 50 or 100 years? Then, put together your own historical record.

9. Volunteer at a museum or historical society

Volunteering can offer kids an opportunity to organize historical records, set up displays, or create exhibits by collecting photographs and artifacts and writing label descriptions. Look for opportunities to become a junior docent at a historic site or help with research, such as title searches at the county courthouse. (Note: Some of these activities might be better suited for an older age group.)

10. Create a historic walking or biking tour of your city

Ask kids what places they think are historic in your city or town. Draw a map of where these places are and create a tour that you could take a visitor to your city on. This is a great way to get kids thinking about what buildings are historic, why, and how they all tell a story of the history of their city. In what ways do these places tell pieces of the same story? Do they tell different stories from different eras?

If you live in an area with a biking path or greenway have your kids consider what might make a great tour along that route. What are some points of interest that are easier to get to on a bike that might not be possible to see when walking? How do these pathways provide connections from one part of the city to another? You can also take this as an opening to talk about the value of sustainable and walkable cities. What does this mode of transportation provide those who might not have cars? Why is accessibility important?

11. Introduce history through different forms of media.

Today, children absorb information through a variety of different forms of media. If your kids loves to read consider getting them hooked on history through one of these books. Do they enjoy podcasts? Have them explore the world around them through podcasts like Who, When, Wow! Want to be smarter about thier screen time? Share with them programs like the PBS Kids show "Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum." Each of these options meets children where they are at and provides even more opportunities to build connections between the past and the present.

For more ideas check out the National Park Service’s Teaching with Historic Places site.

An earlier version of this story was published on February 26, 2013.