Natural History Museum

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American Bison Cart Chat

One-Time Events Join educators in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals to discover more about the Nation's Mammal - the American Bison. Learn how these fascinating animals alter their ecosystem in ways that benefit other animals and their habitat, as well as their importance to humans. Image by Jean Beaufort, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83971372. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: First floor, Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Making Noise and Leaving A Mess: Why Did Early Hominins Make Stone Tools?

One-Time Events Humans live in a global diaspora more than 8 billion strong, immune to all but biosphere-level extinction threats. Our ancestors overcame difficulties, surviving long enough to reproduce in greater numbers than other hominins. But how did they do it? John J. Shea, Professor of Anthropology at Stony Brook University, poses the “Noise/Mess” hypothesis as an explanation- that Plio-Pleistocene hominins made stone tools at least in part to transmit social information and the effects contributed to their success. Shea discusses how percussive stoneworking created loud, distinctively anthropogenic “noise” and left behind equally distinctive fracture products (a “mess”) and used both as platforms for transmitting social and cultural information, including nearby presence of potential mates and social allies/rivals. This “Noise/Mess" hypothesis explains aspects of Plio-Pleistocene lithic evidence from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, and other Early Stone Age sites that the "Stone Cutting-and-Pounding Tools" hypothesis does… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Online; Internet connection required. Cost: Free; Registration Required. Get Tickets/Register: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/94763193/making-noise-and-leaving-a-messwhy-did-early-hominins-make-stone-tools-washington-national-museum-of-natural-history. Categories: Webcasts & Online. Accessibility: Captioning. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Thursday, November 20, 2025, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM. For more info visit www.etix.com.

American Bison Cart Chat

One-Time Events Join educators in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals to discover more about the Nation's Mammal - the American Bison. Learn how these fascinating animals alter their ecosystem in ways that benefit other animals and their habitat, as well as their importance to humans. Image by Jean Beaufort, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83971372. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Sunday, November 23, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Science on a Sphere

Ongoing Tours & Activities Come explore our blue planet with NMNH Ocean Educators. Through NOAA’s Science on a Sphere technology, you’ll encounter a series of interactive visualizations projected on the Sant Ocean Hall’s giant globe. Watch sea turtles migrate coast to coast, track ships through global waters in real-time, explore the changing climate patterns shaping our planet, and much more! Photo credit: Jennifer Renteria, Smithsonian Institution. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Monday, December 1, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: Marvelous Meteorites

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! Tuesday, December 2nd, is all about exploring the colors, shapes, and textures of objects from space! Families can learn about and make close observations of meteorites from our collection, explore different colors of planets, and create your own play telescope. Come and join us for a fun time learning through play and exploration! 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 captioning (CART), or audio-description are… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

American Bison Cart Chat

One-Time Events Join educators in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals to discover more about the Nation's Mammal - the American Bison. Learn how these fascinating animals alter their ecosystem in ways that benefit other animals and their habitat, as well as their importance to humans. Image by Jean Beaufort, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83971372. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Sunday, December 7, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Science on a Sphere

Play Date at NMNH: Lights, Color, Action!

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! Tuesday, December 9th, is all about exploring bioluminescent animals! Did you know that many animals in the ocean (and even some animals on land) are able to produce and give off light? Living organisms that can produce and emit light are called bioluminescent. During this Play Date at NMNH, families will learn reasons why bioluminescence might be important, make observations of different bioluminescent animals, and play with light in different ways. Come and join us for a fun time learning through play, art, and exploration! 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 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 possible… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Explorer Theater in the Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Down on the (Fish) Farm

One-Time Events More than half of the seafood we eat comes from aquatic farming, also known as aquaculture. Hundreds of species of plants and animals are grown in the water, including in the open ocean! But what exactly does an ocean farm entail? Come learn about what it means to farm in the sea – who grows what, where, and how?Presented by: Dr. Robin Fail, Marine Social Scientist, Marine Mammal Commission Hayley Lemoine, Marine Social Scientist, NOAA Fisheries Photos courtesy of Dr. Robin Fail and Hayley Lemoine. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Thursday, December 11, 2025, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

Ocean Topics Cart Chat

One-Time Events Looking for a deeper dive into ocean topics? Come and find one of our Ocean Educators to explore some of the latest discoveries in marine science, stationed at an interactive cart in the Sant Ocean Hall. Image Credit: Phillip R. Lee, Smithsonian Institution. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Sunday, December 14, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Kelp! I Am Stuck in a Forest!

One-Time Events Come under the canopy to learn about giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, and its ecosystem! This brown alga can grow a foot per day and provides a habitat to many species in its dense forests. Join us to learn more about kelp forests, how they are found around the world in cold waters, and how rising sea temperatures may affect kelp growth and the animals that rely on this foundation species. This program will be presented by Roxanne-Alexa Garibay, Marine scientist, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories / NOAA Knauss Ocean Policy Fellow. Photo by Roxanne-Alexa Garibay. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Event Group: Earth Optimism LSP. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Monday, December 15, 2025, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: Pockets & Pouches

One-Time Events Tuesday, December 16th, is all about ocean animals with pockets and pouches! Families will learn look up close at specimens that have pockets and pouches and learn what they hold in their pocket or pouch. Families will also be invited to create their own pouch to carry their own favorite or special item. 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,… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

The Ocean Around Us Tour

One-Time Events 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. Photo by Phillip R. Lee, Smithsonian Institution. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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. Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM.

Connecting Communities: The Power Behind the Signal

One-Time Events What keeps us connected in a world that never stops moving? Meet experts from T-Mobile and the Telecommunications Bureau of Puerto Rico to explore how networks, education, and innovation come together to bridge the digital divide. From 5G to Project 10Million, discover how technology connects students, families, and communities across the nation and beyond. Presented by: Dr. Kiesha King – Head of U.S. Education Strategy, T-Mobile , Paola Saad-Castillo – Solutions Engineer, T-Mobile , Osvaldo Soto García – President of Telecommunications for Puerto Rico. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 2nd Floor, Cellphone Exhibition Hall. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Thursday, December 18, 2025, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

American Bison Cart Chat

One-Time Events Join educators in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals to discover more about the Nation's Mammal - the American Bison. Learn how these fascinating animals alter their ecosystem in ways that benefit other animals and their habitat, as well as their importance to humans. Image by Jean Beaufort, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83971372. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Sunday, December 21, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Coral Reef Tank Talk

Ongoing Tours & Activities Swim by the Sant Ocean Hall to meet some of the coral reef species that call the Smithsonian NMNH home! Hosted by an Ocean Educator, this interactive cart experience will walk you through the world of saltwater fish, coral colonies, and invertebrates galore! Image Credit: Phillip R. Lee, Smithsonian Institution. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, The Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Related Exhibition: The Sant Ocean Hall. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Monday, December 22, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Ocean Topics Cart Chat

Coral Reef Tank Talk

American Bison Cart Chat

One-Time Events Join educators in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals to discover more about the Nation's Mammal - the American Bison. Learn how these fascinating animals alter their ecosystem in ways that benefit other animals and their habitat, as well as their importance to humans. Image by Jean Beaufort, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83971372. Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals. Cost: Free and open to the public. Categories: Gallery Talks & Tours. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Central OPA use ONLY. Topics: Science & Nature. Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: Spots & Stripes

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! Tuesday, January 6th is about different patterns found in nature! Families can make close observations of select pieces from our collection, learn why some animals have spots or stripes, and create their own take-home artwork inspired by patterns in nature! The event is part of our drop-in program, Play Date at NMNH. Play Date at NMNH is a program designed for early learners (0-5) and their caregivers and families. 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 captioning (CART), or… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: At Home in a Habitat - Arctic Edition

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! On Tuesday, January 13th, explore the different needs animals have that keep them safe and healthy in their habitat with a special focus this week on the Arctic. During this Play Date at NMNH, families will practice identifying needs of animals and create habitats out of different play materials. 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 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,… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: Investigating Insects

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! This Tuesday is all about insects! Families can make close observations of select pieces from our insect collection, learn about what makes an insect an insect, and create their own take-home craft to help them remember key physical traits of insects! 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 captioning (CART), or audio-description are available with advanced notice. However, accommodations may not be possible… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: Animal Spotlight - Bison!

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! Tuesday, January 27th, 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 stamp art. Our friends from the National Postal Museum will also be here to celebrate alongside us as we learn together through play, exploration, and 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… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals (1st Floor). Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: Backyard Bird Count!

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! This Tuesday we invite you to join us to celebrate birds! Together through play and art-making, families will engage in different ways to observe and record their own observations of birds they see outside (or even inside) the museum as well as learn about the Backyard Bird Count event happening February 13-16 all around the world! 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 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… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. 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. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.

Play Date at NMNH: Prehistoric Sea Creatures

One-Time Events Join us on Tuesdays for special family play dates with museum educators! This Tuesday is all about prehistoric creatures of the Cretaceous ocean! Families can learn about and make close observations of select pieces from our specimen collection, see a mosasaur in a nearby exhibit, and create your own Cretaceous ocean mural. Come and join us for a fun time learning through play and exploration all about these prehistoric sea creatures. 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 possible that the program might be at capacity when you arrive. If this happens, please enjoy… Sponsor: Natural History Museum. Venue: Natural History Museum. Event Location: 1st Floor, Explorer Theater in Sant Ocean Hall. Cost: Free. Categories: Kids & Families. Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Featured Event: Museum Level Featured Event. Topics: Science & Nature. Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM.