PHILADELPHIA, June 19, 2017

This fall, Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum offers visitors a unique look at T. rex and his pals in a new exhibit, and two popular events return with shell-tastic displays and spellbinding crafts.

Tiny Titans: Dinosaur Eggs and Babies opens Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and runs through Jan. 15. Tiny Titans features more than 100 real fossilized dinosaur eggs and other dinosaur fossils, plus a variety of hands-on activities for all ages.

On Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 28 and 29, the Academy celebrates the annual Philadelphia Shell Show, a festival where amateur and established shell collectors display their amazing shell collections. The market of shell trinkets, jewelry, arts and crafts is always a hit.

Walk off the Thanksgiving turkey Friday through Sunday, Nov. 24 through 26, at Wild Wizarding Weekend. Make a wand, meet live animals, and watch a Bunnies and Broomsticks game. Wear a costume (come as a turkey!) and receive a $2 discount.

Here’s what’s coming up this fall. For updates and to purchase discounted tickets online, visit ansp.org.

Special Exhibit

Tiny Titans: Dinosaur Eggs and Babies

Saturday, September 30, through Monday, January 15

Take a rare and exciting look at dinosaurs through their eggs, nests and embryos. Tiny Titans: Dinosaur Eggs and Babies blends the arts and sciences in an astonishing array of authentic dinosaur eggs and nests collected from around the world, including examples from each of the major plant- and meat-eating dinosaur groups. Visitors can touch dinosaur fossils, play paleontologist and dig for dinosaur eggs, examine real dinosaur embryo skin and eggshells under magnification, get up close to a Protoceratops family, and much more.

Tiny Tot Explorers

Mondays, October 2, 9, 16 and 23, 11 a.m.–noon

Children ages 3–5 years old and their favorite adult are invited to explore nature through songs, games, museum adventures, and hands-on fun. Each week Academy educators lead children through the discovery of exciting new themes, including water, owls and dinosaurs. Register for a single session or an entire series. For details, visit ansp.org or call 215-299-1060.

Special Exhibit

A Peek at the Past, A Look Toward the Future

Tuesday, October 10–October 4, 2018

Long before the grand Benjamin Franklin Parkway was built, the Academy of Natural Sciences was drawing tourists to the site with the first dinosaur skeleton ever displayed. As Philadelphia celebrates the centennial of our version of the Champs-Élysées, the Academy presents A Peek at the Past, A Look at the Future, an intimate exhibit that illustrates a century of progress at the parkway’s first cultural institution and offers a glimpse of our future focus. Experience the dramatic changes to the museum’s architecture and exhibitions; explore scientific field expeditions; discover famous Academy members through the years, and see where the next century will take us.

Access to Science

Sunday, October 15, 9–11 a.m.

Children on the autism spectrum and their families are invited to experience Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum before it opens to the general public. Visit with the dinosaurs, meet live animals at Outside In, and wander through the dioramas without the extra visitors. Pre-registration is required; same-day registration is available at the door. To register, call Visitor Services 215-299-1060.

Philadelphia Shell Show

Saturday and Sunday, October 28 and 29, All day

Thousands of shells will be on display and for sale at the annual Philadelphia Shell Show. The largest of its kind in the Northeast, the show features beautiful, competitive displays of mollusks by collectors, amateur scientists, and artists. Visitors will have the chance to shop an international shell market packed with jewelry, shells, books, and more. Members of the Philadelphia Shell Club will be on hand to answer questions and identify shells you’ve collected during your travels. Free with general museum admission.

Wild Wizarding Weekend

Friday through Sunday, November 24–26, All day

Explore the magical world of the Academy’s phenomenal beasts with a weekend of spellbinding, hands-on activities! Meet the museum’s live animals and learn about the actual animals that inspire your favorite wizarding stories. Play a Bunny and Broomsticks game, make a magic wand, and take home a dragon’s egg during this wild weekend where all wizards are welcome. Wear a costume and get a $2 discount at the door or save when you purchase online.

Dino-mite Winter

Wednesday through Saturday, December 27–30, All day

It may be cold outside but you can warm up in the Academy during Dino-mite Winter. Enjoy four days of special winter programming and learn all about why cold is hot. Come face-to-face with live cold-blooded creatures; make a winter-themed animal craft; enjoy educational shows featuring your favorite live animals; talk with Academy scientists; and view specimens from the Academy’s world-renowned research collection—including weird things in jars. Free with museum admission.

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