For Families

Visitors with children may find this information on Exhibits, Activities 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!
Our newest permanent exhibit, Butterflies!, will open on November 4, 2006. Visitors can walk among the live butterflies in a tropical garden, see the life cycles from caterpillar to adult, and play interactive games.
Butterflies! is located on the Main Floor.
Changing Exhibit Hall
Our next changing exhibit, "Gregor Mendel: Planting the Seeds of Genetics" will open on May 24 and run through September 28, 2008. This exhibit is more appropriate adults and older children.
The Changing Exhibits Hall is located on the Main Floor near Butterflies!.
Dinosaur Hall
If you're into dinosaurs, this is obviously a place for you. Dinosaur Hall has dozens of full skeletons and skulls, as well as other fossil specimens to see; some of the displays on the Mezzanine provide a more hands-on experience. There's also a green-screen video studio where visitors can place themselves into a prehistoric scene with a variety of dinosaurs. Budding paleontologists can dig for dinosaur bones in The Big Dig. Budding dinosaur hunters may also be interested in the Fossil Prep Lab where paleontologists 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, naturalist shows and in Outside-In, our Children's Nature Center. Visitors to the Florence R. Foerderer Live Animal Center can view the spaces where these animals live.
The Live Animal Center is located across from the Ecology Cafe (Dining) on the Ground Floor.
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.

top of page

Activities

Auditorium Shows
Naturalist Shows (often featuring live animals) and Nature Videos are presented in the Auditorium every day.
Birthday Parties
The Academy offers two packages for Birthday Parties.
Safari Overnights
Safari Overnights are museum sleepovers for kids age 7-14.
Science Live Station
The Science Live Station frequently features live animals and museum specimens. It's located in front of the Auditorium on the Main Floor.
Tiny Tot Explorers
Tiny Tot Explorers is a summer program for children ages 3 and 4 and their favorite adult.
Wild Weekends
Wild Weekends are special events that usually feature kid crafts and live animals.

top of page

Facilities

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.
Restooms
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
The museum is stroller accessible, but there are many stairs. You may want to consider the elevators. From the First Floor, the Front Elevator can be entered from Dinosaur Hall and from near the entrance to the Auditorium. The Back Elevator is located near Butterflies! and Changing Exhibit Hall.

top of page