From These Lands Friday – Alaska!
Ivory carvings illustrate the strong ties between walruses and Alaska Natives who have relied on walruses for food as well as materials for boats, tools, art, and more for thousands of years. Join Dawn Biddison from the Arctic Studies Center in Anchorage, Alaska to learn more about this precious sculptural material and how Alaska Natives continue to harvest walruses sustainably today and create ivory artwork that honors these animals.
About the Series:
From These Lands Fridays
Join the National Museum of Natural History for From These Lands Fridays, a drop-in program featuring NMNH scientists, experts, and collaborators highlighting content from and connections to the Museum’s newest exhibit From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage.
Programs take place in Q?rius, the Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center.
Topics and speakers announced on a rolling basis!
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Ground Floor, Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Lectures & Discussions. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 31, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
From These Lands Friday – Dazzling Diversity: Insects!
No group of animals is more diverse than insects. There are over 90,000 insect species in the United States—and many more yet to be discovered. Join us to learn more about these animals and have the opportunity to handle live insects!
About the Series:
From These Lands Fridays
Join the National Museum of Natural History for From These Lands Fridays, a drop-in program featuring NMNH scientists, experts, and collaborators highlighting content from and connections to the Museum’s newest exhibit From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage.
Programs take place in Q?rius, the Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center.
Topics and speakers announced on a rolling basis!
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Ground Floor, Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Kids & Families. Related Exhibition: From These Lands: Sharing Our Natural and Cultural Heritage. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, July 31, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
The World & Me: Life ON and IN the Water!
Join us for The World & Me as we explore life IN and ON the water with our friends from Living Classrooms and the crew of the historic Living Classrooms Foundation vessel MILDRED BELLE, a 1948 Chesapeake Bay Buyboat! Join these professional mariners to explore the maritime history of the Chesapeake Bay, learn about traditional sailing tools, and try your hand at tying a variety of practical knots.
About Living Classrooms Foundation
The Living Classrooms Foundation (LCF) Department of Maritime Education has provided students with unique, hands-on programs since 1985. These dynamic, “learning by doing” programs emphasize applied learning in STEM and history. Leadership and teamwork are key objectives as students work together to support the operation of historic ships, trawl for marine life, perform scientific tests and explore the commerce, history, natural resources, and ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay.
Location: This program is held in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Ground Floor. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, August 1, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: At Home in a Habitat
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
Tuesday, August 4th is all about the rainforest! During this program, families will be able to make observations of different rainforest animals from our collection (including a leafcutter ant and a sloth) and learn about how the rainforest provides a safe place for many different animals to live. Families will also be invited to take a look at the rainforest area of the exhibit!
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners, their caregivers, and families to explore different natural history themes through art, play, and exploration.
Location: This program is held in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals exhibit on the 1st floor of the museum. Please note that space is dependent on the location of that week's event. Some locations have less capacity than others. It is possible that the program might be at capacity when you arrive. If this happens,…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, August 4, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: World Elephant Day!
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
This Tuesday is a special celebration for World Elephant Day (August 12th)! Come explore different elephant teeth, make your own habitat for our elephant toys, and create your own artwork on of an elephant herd.
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals exhibit on the 1st floor of the museum. Please note that space is dependent on the location of that week's event. Some locations have less capacity than others. It is possible that the program might be at capacity when you arrive. If this happens, please enjoy other areas of the museum and try again later in the program.
Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Behind the Science with Paleontologist Nick Pyenson
“Follow the Whale Bone Road: Fossils, 3D Data, and Discovering the Past and Future of Ocean Giants” For thousands of years, we have drawn sea monsters on our maps and conjured them into our myths. But some of these monsters are real; some have existed for longer than we have been a species. Dr. Nick Pyenson, a vertebrate paleontologist who studies how marine life changes over incredibly long periods of time, shares science stories about the many origins, extinctions, and fates of our favorite sea monsters, including whales, sea cows, sea turtles, penguins, and many others. Registration is encouraged. Space is filled on a first come first served basis. Image caption: Chilean and Smithsonian paleontologists study several fossil whale skeletons at Cerro Ballena, next to the Pan-American Highway in the Atacama Region of Chile, 2011. Image credit: Adam Metallo, Smithsonian Institution
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About the Series: Behind the Science
A monthly after-hours series featuring NMNH scientists and researchers, …
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Natural History (Ground Floor). Cost: Free; registration is required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/50052074/behind-the-scienceaugust-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. Watch Them Grow: Understanding our Forests for a Greener Future
How do trees grow, and why should we care? Trees play a vital role in fighting climate change by storing carbon in their wood. By monitoring tree growth and learning about the environmental conditions they need, we can predict how they’ll react in the future. This helps us understand how trees will handle changes in their surroundings.
Presented by Dr. Eugenie Mas, forest ecologist, ForestGEO, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
Image courtesy of Eugenie Mas.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Fossil Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Friday, August 14, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Smithsonian Sleepover at the Natural History Museum
In-person Family Program: Go on an interactive exploration of the Natural History Museum and participate in hands-on crafts projects and games. Then roll out your sleeping bag and dream away in the darkened halls of one of the world’s most famous museums! Geared for children ages 8 to 14 years old, accompanied by an adult.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Natural History 10th St & Constitution Ave NW. Cost: View registration price. Get Tickets/Register: https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/nh-sleepover-1P0913?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223. Categories: Kids & Families.
Friday, August 14, 2026, 7:00 PM – Saturday, August 15, 2026, 9:00 AM.
CANCELLED - Play Date at NMNH: World Orangutan Day!
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
This Tuesday is a special celebration for World Orangutan Day (August 19th)! Come learn through play about these animals, about make your own habitat for our orangutan and other primate toys, and create your own orangutan with arms built for climbing and hanging!
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals exhibit on the 1st floor of the museum. Please note that space is dependent on the location of that week's event. Some locations have less capacity than others. It is possible that the program might be at capacity when you arrive. If this happens, please enjoy other areas of the museum and try again later in the program.
Accessibility: Access services such as…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
The Ocean Around Us Tour
Explore the Sant Ocean Hall to learn about some of the exciting animals and habitats featured and how they are connected to your everyday life no matter where you live. This is a 30-minute interactive walking tour where you can meet a North Atlantic Right Whale, find out what is the most productive marine ecosystem, touch coral, and so much more.
Registration is required for this small group tour of up to 10 people. Each visitor may bring up to 3 guests, but the total number of visitors on the tour will be capped at 10.
Photo by Phillip R. Lee, Smithsonian Institution.
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall, Under the Large Jellyfish. Cost: Free. Registration is required. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Monday, August 24, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: From These Lands
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
Come join us as we celebrate our upcoming exhibit, From These Lands! This exhibit will explore the story of our nation through our collections. In this week's Play Date, we will be learning about different mineral science specimens highlighted in the new exhibit as well as some minerals and volcanic rock from our education collection. Families will be able to explore through play, art-making, and storytelling.
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners (ages 0-5) and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground Floor of the museum. Please enter through the Constitution Avenue entrance. Q?rius is located on the right as you enter the museum.
Accessibility: Access services such as American…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center (Ground Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, August 25, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: Animal Spotlight - Bison!
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
Tuesday, September 1st, is a special animal spotlight on bison! Families can celebrate our national mammal by making observations of bison specimens from our education collection, learn about ways they help their ecosystem, and explore how bison have been portrayed in art.
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals exhibit on the 1st floor of the museum. Please note that space is dependent on the location of that week's event. Some locations have less capacity than others. It is possible that the program might be at capacity when you arrive. If this happens, please enjoy other areas of the museum and try again later in the program.
Accessibility: Access services such…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, September 1, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: Volcanic Explorations
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
This Tuesday is all about exploring volcanoes! Families will learn about different types of lava flow, create their own lava-flow inspired volcano artwork, and look up close at Igneous rock specimen (rocks that are formed when magma or lava cools and solidifies) from the museum’s collection.
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners (ages 0-5), their caregivers, and families.
Location: This program is held in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground Floor of the museum. Please enter through the Constitution Avenue entrance. Q?rius is located on the right as you enter the museum.
Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time captioning (CART), or audio-description are available with advanced notice. However, accommodations may not be possible with less than two-weeks advanced notice.…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center (Ground Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Play Date at NMNH: Megalodon Day!
Join us Tuesday, September 15th, for a belated celebration of Megalodon Day (June 15th)! While Megalodons, an ancient shark that lived 23 – 3.5 million years ago, are no longer swimming in our ocean, people of all ages are fascinated by its size and large teeth! Together we will learn about this ancient shark that used to roam the ocean, make our own wearable artwork inspired by Megalodon teeth, and have the chance to hold a real Megalodon tooth!
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners (ages 0-5) and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, on the Ground Floor of the museum. Please enter through the Constitution Avenue entrance. Q?rius is located on the right as you enter the museum.
Accessibility: Access services such as American Sign Language interpretation, real-time…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center (Ground Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Behind the Science with Zoologist and Curator Missy Hawkins
Save the date for Behind the Science: September ft. Missy Hawkins, Research Zoologist and Curator of our new exhibit, Bison: Standing Strong. More details coming soon.
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About the Series: Behind the Science
A monthly after-hours series featuring NMNH scientists and researchers, Each month, join the National Museum of Natural History for the new series, Behind the Science, where NMNH researchers share insights into their latest discoveries and explore the fascinating questions driving their work—from the origins of life to the future of our planet. Come learn what’s happening behind the scenes and how science shapes our understanding of the natural world. Programs take place in Q?rius, the Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center.
Topics and speakers announced on a rolling basis, but save the dates now! Upcoming Dates:
Jun. 9: Matt Girard, Zoologist
Jul. 14: Torsten Dikow, Entomologist and Curator of Flies
Aug. 11: Nick Pyenson, Paleontologist (Marine Mammals)
Sep. 15: Missy Hawkins,…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Natural History (Ground Floor). Cost: Free; registration is required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/80750497/behind-the-scienceseptember-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com. Play Date at NMNH: Dive into the Deep Sea
Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators!
This Tuesday will be all about taking a closer look at what life is like in the deep sea at the bottom of the ocean! Even though it is very dark (except for the bioluminescent animals), the deepest parts of the ocean are still full of life. Together we will learn about some of the unique animals that have adapted to live in the deep sea, make artwork inspired by the deep sea, and have the chance to see specimens that once lived at the bottom of the ocean!
The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners (ages 0-5) and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.
Location: This program is held in the Explorer Theater in the Sant Ocean Hall. Ocean Hall is on the 1st floor. Please note that space is dependent on the location of that week's event. Some locations have less capacity than others. It is…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Explorer Theater in the Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.
Behind the Science with Paleontologist and Curator of Dinosauria Matthew Carrano
Save the date for Behind the Science: October, ft. Matthew Carrano, Paleontologist and Curator of Dinosauria for our Fossil Day celebration. More details coming soon.
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About the Series: Behind the Science
A monthly after-hours series featuring NMNH scientists and researchers, Each month, join the National Museum of Natural History for the new series, Behind the Science, where NMNH researchers share insights into their latest discoveries and explore the fascinating questions driving their work—from the origins of life to the future of our planet. Come learn what’s happening behind the scenes and how science shapes our understanding of the natural world. Programs take place in Q?rius, the Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center.
Topics and speakers announced on a rolling basis, but save the dates now! Upcoming Dates:
Jun. 9: Matt Girard, Zoologist
Jul. 14: Torsten Dikow, Entomologist and Curator of Flies
Aug. 11: Nick Pyenson, Paleontologist (Marine Mammals)
Sep. 15: Missy Hawkins,…
Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: National Museum of Natural History (Ground Floor). Cost: Free; registration is required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/86562911/behind-the-scienceoctober-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: After Five. Lectures & Discussions. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 6:30 PM – 8:15 PM.
For more info visit www.etix.com.