At the Academy, we offer a wide variety of engaging daily activities that provide hands-on learning and fun for visitors of all ages. Below are our daily activities.

Fall Daily 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. Visit the mezzanine of Dinosaur Hall to pick up a brush and a map ID card to practice real paleontology skills in locating, unearthing and identifying 6 different species of popular dinosaurs. Dino-loving staff are on hand to answer all your dinosaur and natural history questions.

Ask Me About...!

Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday and 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! Featuring new specimens and science stories daily, you can see something new each time you visit and enjoy sharing your excitement for the natural world with experts who love the planet as much as you do!

Academy Exhibition Hall Tour

Friday to Sundays,
11 a.m.

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. Join knowledgeable and excited guides on a tour to uncover the mysteries of the Academy’s Exhibition Halls. Explore the history, check out touchable specimens, and discover how our understanding of science has changed over time. If you dare to head back to the past, join us under the Elasmosaurus, where the tour will begin.

Academy Naturalist Presentation

Friday to Sundays, 2:30 p.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.

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.