Join the Natural History Museum for special family play dates with museum educators!

Play Date at NMNH is a free program designed for early learners (ages 0-5), their caregivers, and families.

Mar 18, 2025
Teeth in the Ocean
Families can make close observations of different sizes and shapes of ocean animal teeth and learn about how different shaped teeth help animals eat.

Mar 25, 2025
Cambrian Critters
Families will be able to make observations of trilobite fossils, create their own trilobite model to take home, and learn about other extinct ocean life that roamed the ocean alongside the trilobites.

Apr 11, 2025
Exhibit Takeovers!
Educators from the National Museum of Natural History, National Zoo, Air & Space, and other Smithsonian museums will join us with hands-on and play experiences throughout Ocean Hall, Deep Time, and Hall of Mammals.

May 13, 2025
Lights, Color, Action!
Families will learn reasons why bioluminescence might be important, make observations of different bioluminescent animals, and play with light in different ways.

May 27, 2025
Marvelous Meteorites
Families can learn about and make close observations of meteorites from our collection, explore different colors of planets, and create your own play telescope.

Join in for a fun time learning through play, art, and exploration! The program is held in the Explorer Theater in the Sant Ocean Hall on the 1st floor.

No registration required.