Families

Exhibitions

In March of 2010, the Adler opened Planet Explorers, a new exhibition for children ages 3-8 and their caregivers. Additionally, a number of our exhibitions are of interest to visitors of all ages. Please visit our exhibitions page to learn more about our other exhibitions and find information regarding age-appropriateness of the content.

Theater Shows

The Adler offers a number of shows that are appropriate for children of varying ages. Suggested shows include One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure for little ones and Night Sky Live for ages 8 and up. Visit our shows page to learn more about our theater offerings and find information regarding age-appropriateness of the content.

Activities

Check out our Adler Family videos on YouTube.

The Adler offers a variety of daily and special event activities specifically designed for families.

Activity Carts

Our activity carts encourage Adler visitors to actively engage with the processes of science and science topics. Facilitated by trained staff and volunteers, these quick hands-on experiences are located throughout our galleries. Please see the daily activity sign throughout the building for exact times.

Astro-Overnights

Get ready to pack your bag and spend a night at the Adler! Through hands-on activities, discover what it would take to sleep over in space. As you move from station to station, learn about basic human needs for space travel - air, food, and water. Gather 'round the "campfire" to hear amazing stories about the stars we might visit someday. For dates and registration, visit the Astro-Overnights page.

Camps

This summer, join the Adler for summer camp. To learn more about our summer camp programs, visit our summer camp page.

Special Planet Explorers Activities

Role Based Interpretation

Let one of our Interpreters help you and your family take on the role of a scientist. Guided by our Interpreter, your family can use scientific tools and processes to playfully observe, compare and discover something new about our planet Earth and an imaginary planet called X. Our Interpreters are available Saturday and Sunday during open hours in our Planet Explorers’ gallery. For more information, visit our activities page.

Family Workshops

These 30-minute educator led workshops can focus a families experience on specific topics. Families can design a spacecraft cable of landing on rocky planet, a watery planet and a planet somewhere in between in our Planet Landers Workshop; engineer a water system to deliver water form one end of the exhibit to the next in our Up and Over Water Workshop; as well as, learn to grow plants without soil in our Growing Hydroponics Workshop. For detailed descriptions, dates, times, and registration, please visit our activities page.

Kid's Explorers Club

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 new 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.

Dining

Café Galileo's offers a variety of options for our younger visitors, as well as freshly made entrees for the adults who accompany them. Additionally, vending machines are located on Mid-Level South. While there are no dining facilities for bring-your-own meals, picnics are allowed in the park lands surrounding the Adler.