For Families

Visitors with children may find this information on Exhibits, Programs, and Facilities useful.

Exhibits

The Big Dig: The Big Dig is a hands-on exhibit where budding paleontologists can dig for dinosaur bones. It's located on the Mezzanine in Dinosaur Hall.
Butterflies!: Come to to Butterflies!, walk in a tropical garden and discover a variety of live butterflies on the flowers, leaves, wall and floor.; Butterflies! is located on the Main Floor.
Dioramas: Meet large mammals from Africa, Asia, and North America in our dioramas. Download activity guides for children four to ten years of age for North America Hall and African and Asian Hall.
Dinosaur Hall: If you're into dinosaurs, this is obviously a place for you. Dinosaur Hall has dozens of mounted skeletons and skulls. In addition to The Big Dig, budding paleontologists may also be interested in the Fossil Prep Lab, where staff and volunteers work on real dinosaur fossils.; Dinosaur Hall is located on the Main Floor near the main entrance to the museum.
Live Animal Center: The Academy uses many live animals for its educational programs and naturalist shows. Visitors to the Florence R. Foerderer Live Animal Center can view the spaces where these animals live.; Please note: The Live Animal Center will be closed through October because of renovations to the 19th Street Entrance and Lobby.
Outside In: Outside In is our Children's Nature Center. It features many hands-on activities and provides frequent opportunities for visitors to meet live animals.; Outside In is located on the Third Floor.

Academy Explorers Camp: Campers learn about natural sciences in a safe, fun and engaging way during Spring Break and the Summer.
Birthday Parties: The Academy offers two packages for Birthday Parties.
Family Workshops: You and your family can connect with nature and each other during workshops held on selected weekends throughout the year.
Festivals: Join us for four special weekend festivals when we celebrate bugs, fossils, shells, and the Earth.
Gallery Experiences: Get more out of our exhibits by participating in our Gallery Experiences. These informal programs are held at selected times throughout the week in Butterflies!, Dinosaur Hall, and Outside In.
Naturalist Presentations: Naturalist presentations featuring live animals and museum specimens are held every day.
Nature Videos: Short nature videos are shown in the auditorium several times a day.
Safari Overnights: Safari Overnights are museum sleepovers for kids age 7-14 and their adults.
Science Live: Watch working scientists at Science Live on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons from 1-3 pm.
Tiny Tot Explorers: Tiny Tot Explorers is a interactive program for children ages 3 and 4 and their favorite adult. Sessions are being held in October and November.
Wild Weekends: Wild Weekends are special events that feature themed interactive presentations, kid-friendly crafts, and live animals.

Coat Room: A Self-Service coat room is located behind a wall across from the Auditorium on the Main Floor.
Food: A wide variety of meals and snacks is available in the Ecology Cafe, a dining facility located on the Ground Floor.
Lockers: Self-Service lockers are located near the Coat Room on the First Floor.
Restrooms: Boys and girls restrooms are located on the Ground Floor, the Second Floor, and the Third Floor.; The Ground Floor restrooms are located behind the Ecology Cafe. You can also reach them from the Main Floor by taking stairs near the Coat Room and Lockers (behind the wall opposite the Auditorium).; The Second Floor restrooms are located across from the tiger (boys) and yak (girls) dioramas.; All restrooms have changing tables and wheelchair-accessible stalls.
Shopping: The Academy Shop sells a variety of educational kits, natural history books and other items appropriate for children. It's located next to the Admissions Desk on the Main Floor.
Strollers, Stairs, and Elevators: The museum is stroller accessible, but there are many stairs. You may want to consider the elevators.; The Front Elevator connects Dinosaur Hall, the Auditorium and North American Hall, the Mezzanine, and the Second Floor.; The Back Elevator connects you to the Ground, Main, Second, and Third Floors. Use this elevator to reach Outside In.