Daily Museum Activities

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.

Saurian Seasons
Weekdays
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Through May 4, 2025
Dinosaurs have always been cool. Learn about the strategies that allowed them to survive a challenging climate and get hands-on examples of their amazing adaptations. Explore the connections dinosaurs and birds share and see how scientists were able to reconstruct this lost world by diving deeper into the exhibit with Academy staff.
Action and Impact
Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
2 to 4 p.m.
Through August 31, 2025
Change is hard. Making a difference can feel difficult. There are a multitude of small ways, however, to alter your clothing habits that can make a measurable difference. Learn what you can change in your style, as well as some new ideas to try to get the most out of what you wear and reduce your fashion footprint.
This activity takes place in the Panda Lobby.
What Was That?
Thursday and Saturday
2 to 4 p.m.
Through August 31, 2025
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 about what to do with your favorite shirt you don't want to throw away.
This activity takes place in the Panda Lobby.
Seed Dissection
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Through February 17, 2025
Plants represent over 80% of the Earth's biomass. Nearly two-thirds of plants derive from seeds we rely on to feed ourselves. Human cultures have developed many ways to cultivate and preserve seeds, from food to clothing. But what makes a seed useful or important? Join us to learn about the fantastic world of seeds and why they are essential to communities worldwide.
This activity will take place in the Heirloom Plants Exhibit.
Bugs on the Big Screen
Saturdays and Sundays
2:30 p.m.
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 that are larger than life! Have a conversation with Academy experts and ask them everything that's been bugging you!
This activity will take place in the Auditorium.
Botanical Plant Tour
Saturday and Sundays
11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Through February 17, 2025
Since the mid-1930s, the Academy's dioramas have captured guests' imagination, showcasing animals from around the world in their habitats. However, plants, which are the basis of all ecosystems, are often overlooked. From trees to cacti, learn the secret benefits these plants provide for their environments and those living in their areas. Join us on this diorama plant walk and gain a newfound appreciation for the rich histories of plants and how they support the survival of life on Earth.
This activity will take place in North American Hall.