A few months ago, my older daughter was given a book about castles. Or more specifically, one hypothetical castle, and how it changed over hundreds and hundreds of years, the final page being castle ruins with sightseers crawling all over it.

It's triggered a new interest in royalty in our house. But instead of playing princess, my daughter now wants to know how that princess lived. She's curious about the structure of castles, how they were built, who lived in them, what life was like then. (She was particularly disgusted when I explained the concept of a chamber pot.) Best of all, there's no mention of a handsome prince that sweeps in to save the day.

Kids learn history in school, sure. But they rarely have time to take off on a path of learning that isn't in the district's curriculum. If you have a fourth grader who is interested in World War II NOW, they may have to wait several years before actually getting to study it. And that's no way to treat a teachable moment.

Ask a Librarian

When your child's interest is peaked, the place to start is your local library. Librarians can steer you not only to books on your subject, but also materials that are appropriate for your child's grade level. Sure, there's plenty of information on the Internet, but there's nothing like sitting together on the couch, pouring over pictures and facts together.

Get your hands dirty

Now that you know everything thing there is to know about medieval knights or colonial Williamsburg or Ancient Greece, it's time to plan a hands-on activity. History for Kids has some terrific history activities. For instance, kids can make chain mail, learn engineering by trying to build a Roman arch, or learn about African tie-dye.

A Book in Time is another great resource, with specific crafts, but also other techniques to help your child express her interest. For instance, she can make a book, or even create a board game with the information she's learned.

Make it personal

Learning about the past doesn't have to be ancient history. Kids are also interested in their own personal history, and that of their family. Spend time together digging up facts about your relatives, and give your kids a better sense of who's who on their own family tree. Family Fun has eight great activities to help your child celebrate their ancestors.

A final note

When making crafts based on history, a great lesson to teach your child is sensitivity. In many cases, the cultures you may be studying are still around today. Even if they aren't, it's a good idea to stay away from making replicas of items that are sacred or used in ceremonies.

Do you have a history buff in your house? How do you encourage their interest?