Dino-mite Summer

July 1–August 31, 2025

Dino-Mite Summer "Dig into adventure. Discover real science"

Dino-Mite Summer 'Dig into adventure. Discover real science'

Connect with the wonders of the natural world through hands-on discovery, dinosaur exploration, and real science in action this July and August at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Unearth fossils like a paleontologist at The Big Dig, meet live turtles and insects, and chat with Academy scientists. From stormwater science and sustainability to fashion, dinosaur tours and a weekend-long celebration of insects, every visit brings new opportunities to investigate biodiversity, ecology, evolution and more.

Experiences and Activities

The Big Dig

Daily, 10 a.m. to close
Dinosaur Hall, Mezzanine

Calling all (future!) paleontologists; if you dig dinos, then The Big Dig is the place for you. Pick up a brush and practice real paleontology as you unearth and identify six different species of popular dinosaurs.

The Scrap Lab

Daily, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ecology of Fashion, Level 2

Weaving, sewing, mending, dyeing, crafting – what will you imagine in the Scrab Lab today? BYOG (bring your own garment) to practice the art of visible mending, or use our supplies to make-and-take an upcycled fabric bag, mini woven mat or naturally dyed bandana. Use natural materials to explore the world of textile repurposing and discover how you can make both a fashion statement and a positive impact on the planet.

Ask Me About...!

Wednesday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location rotates

Do you have a favorite fossil, a preferred bird or a most-beloved bug? Academy experts are here to answer your burning science questions and share their passions and expertise! With a new specimen or science story daily, you can see something new each time you visit!

Parkway Pals at Sister Cities: Investigation Station

June 11–August 13;
Wednesdays, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Sister Cities Park, Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Learn about animals and dinosaurs through games, experiments, and unique activities.

Action and Impact

Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, 2–4 p.m.
Panda Diorama Lobby, African and Asian Halls, Level 2

Change is hard. Making a difference can feel difficult. But there are so many small ways you can make a difference through your clothing habits! Learn what you can change in your style, and find some new ideas to get the most out of what you wear and reduce your fashion footprint.

What Was That?

Thursday and Saturday, 2–4 p.m.
Panda Diorama Lobby, African and Asian Halls, Level 2

A piece of clothing is not the end point for fabric. Ingenuity and flexibility can lead to brand-new uses for that ripped pair of jeans or worn-down pair of shoes. See how clothing can be repurposed and take home some ideas for your own wardrobe.

Where Does Rainwater Go?

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 2–4 p.m.
Living Within the Watershed, Level 1

Through hands-on model demonstrations, explore how storms affect individual homes and entire neighborhoods and how we can work together to reduce stormwater runoff. Experience how sewers and green spaces function and discover how flooding impacts neighborhoods such as Germantown.

Science Now

Sundays, 12–2 p.m.
Science Live, Level 1

Science Now brings today’s most exciting science headlines to life with interactive, hands-on experiences for visitors of all ages! Join us for lively conversations and activities exploring topics like climate change, evolution, biodiversity, extinction and water.


Live Shows and Tours

Academy Naturalist Presentation

Wednesdays–Fridays, 11:15 a.m.
Auditorium, Level 1

Natural science is full of surprises — from feathers and weather to bugs, dinosaurs, fossils and animal adaptations! Join our experienced Academy Educators as they explore natural history in these informal and interactive presentations.

Turtle Talks

Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 1 p.m.
Dinosaur Hall, Lobby Level

Come out of your shell and discover everything there is to know about the live turtles, tortoises and terrapins that call the museum home. We’ll talk the talk while they (slowly) walk the walk! Find out how these highly adapted reptiles evolved to survive in habitats as diverse as the driest deserts or the watery depths of the ocean. Learn which species you can find in your local park and what you can do to keep their habitats healthy.

Dinosaur Academy Tour: The History of Paleontology at the Academy

Thursdays, 1 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.
Dinosaur Hall, Lobby Level

Make no bones about it, the Academy is the original dinosaur museum. For more than 200 years, the Academy has studied the ancient creatures that capture our imagination. Explore the history of paleontology, check out famous fossils and discover how our understanding of dinosaurs has changed over time. Tours meet under the T. rex in Dinosaur Hall!

Bugs on the Big Screen

Daily, 2:30 p.m.
Auditorium, Level 1

Have you ever looked an arthropod in the (compound) eyes? This unique, tech-enabled live animal show takes a high-definition peek at what makes bugs beautiful, amazing and important. Meet multiple live invertebrates and ask Academy experts everything that's been bugging you!


Special Events

Science Story Times

Monthly Scheduled Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Have some fun with Academy educators and other young natural history fans during a very special science story time. Each week will feature a family-friendly science story and hands-on craft to try. Summer Series Dates:

  • June 14–15: “Rain!” by Linda Ashman
  • July 12–13: “Crab Moon” by Ruth Horowitz
  • August 23–24: “Water Can Be” by Laura Purdie Salas

Drop-in Family Workshop: Snail Tales

Saturday, June 21, 2–4 p.m.

What is species diversity and how can it affect a habitat? What snails can you find in the Delaware river, and why are they so essential in helping an ecosystem thrive? Check out some snails from our Malacology Collection.. Use your observation skills to identify some specimens with tools used by the Academy’s watershed researchers.

Drop-in Family Workshop: Summer Styles

Saturday, July 5, 2–4 p.m.

How does making clothing impact the global environment? What is upcycling and why is it so important? Take a peek at the Academy’s Botany Collection. Bring an old pair of shorts and repurpose them into a lunch bag to take home!

Dinosaur Days

Wednesday, July 16 and August 20, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

We dig dinos, don’t you? Enjoy a fun- and fossil-filled visit to the Academy to explore hands-on paleontology activities. Explore real specimens, watch fossil prep demos and even help us dust our dinosaur mounts and casts. Catch a screening of The Bone Wars and talk to a scientist about the surprising scandals surrounding paleo research. Take a Dino Hall tour and do a dino craft!

Bug Fest

Saturday and Sunday, August 9–10, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Join us for a wild weekend celebrating more than a few of our favorite (invertebrate) things. Enjoy scientist-guided Bug Walks on the Parkway and our famous Roach Races or discover the unexpected insect biodiversity of your local park. Explore specimens from the Academy’s world-class Entomology Collection, including recently discovered beetles, bees and butterflies. “Ask the Experts” at scientist meet-and-greets. Talk with Academy researchers and fellow bug enthusiasts to find out how their passion for all things invertebrate impacts and shapes our communities.


Summer of Science Membership

There’s so much going on at the Academy this summer—you'll have to visit more than once to experience it all! Take advantage of our Summer of Science Membership to take the weight off your wallet and get unlimited access to the Academy all summer long — including Bug Fest, our biggest weekend of the year! 

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, you and your family receive:

  • Unlimited museum admission for 2 adults and up to 5 children (under 18)
  • 10% off in the Academy Shop
  • Discounts on programs, events, and summer camp
  • Free admission to Academy festivals
  • Discounted parking at Logan Square Garage

And memories that last a lifetime! 

Summer of Science memberships are valid from the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through the Sunday before Labor Day of the current year. Memberships are non-transferable. Plus, you can upgrade your membership to an annual Academy membership by September 30.