Planet Explorers

The Adler has launched the most immersive, hands-on exhibition ever created for families at the museum. The exhibition Planet Explorers offers a great space adventure packed with excitement and fun. Each child becomes a space explorer and embarks on an awe-inspiring journey through the Universe to the mysterious Planet X.

Location: Upper Level (see map)
Appropriate for: Families with children ages 3-8

Exhibition Tour

Activities engage all of the senses as future space explorers and their caregivers climb, crawl, control, fly, land, discover, and excavate their way through the Experience/Exhibitions/PlanetExplorers_GirlsBackpack exhibition. Families feel the wonder of discovering a new world and the excitement of solving its mysteries.

Planet Explorers is divided into three different play areas: Exploring Earth, which includes backyard stargazing, Exploring Space, which includes Mission Control, a rocket, and space station, and Exploring Planet X, which includes the Planet X Research Station. All of the play areas engage and entertain families with children ages 3 - 8.

Exploring Earth

The experience begins in a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home and backyard where families explore on their own planet using MiScopes, electronic magnifying lenses that zoom in on the fine details of products and then display the details on TV monitors.

Exploring Space

Children can role-play as members of the Mission Control ground team. Families will do planetary research together by operating rovers and space orbiters. Also, families will make preparations for space flight using interactives that simulate a rocket launch.

Future astronauts can climb aboard a two-story rocket and experience a simulated blast-off into outer space. Using computer simulations, children will check Experience/Exhibitions/PlanetExplorers_RocketChair rocket systems, turn on the rocket's internal instruments and launch the rocket. First stop, the Space Station where families will find out that things work differently in space than they do here on Earth.

Exploring Planet X

Young adventurers can play the role of planetary explorers and conduct research on the surface of another planet far, far away. Explore the caves and tunnels and search for evidence of water or life. Using X MOVERS, mini land-based vehicles, children can manuever and explore the Planet X terrain. Learn what life is like living in the Planet X Research Station.

Resources

Kid's Explorers Club

Experience/Exhibitions/PlanetExplorers_FamilyResources Enroll your family in the Kid's Explorers Club for a learning adventure at the Adler! The Club provides tools to play and learn in the Planet Explorers exhibition, throughout the museum, and at home. Kid's Explorers Club members receive a Mission Log and lanyard. In the Mission Log, kids collect stamps by completing activities, certifications, and special assignments. With the required number of stamps collected, kids can win a special prize!

Learn more about this exciting membership opportunity on our Membership page.

Daily Activities

Experience/Exhibitions/PlanetExplorers_PlanetX Expand your experience from the Planet Explorers exhibition to the rest of the museum with the Explorer's Tool Belt. The tool belts offer a variety of free, self-guided experiences that utilize your family's sense of exploration and several tools to discover something new at the planetarium.

The Explorer's Tool Belts can be checked out at the Planet Explorers Docent Desk. A valid ID must be presented and left with the docent in exchange for access to the tool belt.

Play, Explore, Discover!

Let one of our Mission Specialist team members help your child take on the role of a scientist. Use scientific tools and processes to playfully observe, compare, and discover new things about our planet Earth and the mysterious Planet X.

Our Mission Specialists are available during open hours in our Planet Explorers gallery. This activity is free with admission.

Make your way through the Planet Explorers exhibition with this detailed guide.

Planet Explorers Exhibition Guide (PDF)