Programming
All special programs are free with Museum admission on a first-come-first-served basis. No registration is necessary.
Art Adventures
Art Adventures are guided art activities that children and their caregivers can create together and either take home or replicate in the home.
These activities take place Tue – Sun in the Adventures in Art exhibit from 9 AM to noon (11:30 on Saturdays) and 1 to 3 PM . (Beginning Sept 2022, this program will end at 12 PM on Sundays.)
Underwritten by:
Dog Safety
Join Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy to learn safety tips for young children aimed at prevention of dog bites. Program takes places select Wednesdays at 10 AM.
Garden Buddies (Seasonal Program)
Taking place every Friday from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Habitat Park from mid-spring to mid-autumn, weather permitting, this program lets children learn about seeds, weeds, worms, fruits and vegetables, and the joys of digging in the dirt and growing and harvesting plants. Master gardeners from University of Illinois Extension and other local horticultural institutions lead sessions.
Science Sleuths
Science Sleuths lets children become little scientists as they study evidence, make predictions, and test their hypotheses with the guidance of a Museum educator or local professional. Programming occurs select Wednesdays and Fridays at 2 PM through August and select Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 PM beginning in September.
STEAM Explorers
Our mobile STEAM cart provides hands-on experiences and activities designed to spark curiosity and experimentation.
STEAM Explorers activities take place in August from 1:30 – 2:30 PM on Tuesdays, as well as from 9 – 9:30 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays during members-only hours. Beginning in September, STEAM Explorers will switch to Wednesdays from 1:30 – 2:30 PM. (Tuesday and Thursday members-only hours remain the same.)
Story Time
Story Time takes place in our Sheridan’s Books & Crannies exhibit, and includes early elementary age appropriate stories (but all ages are welcome to attend!). Current story times are Thursdays at 1 PM and Fridays at 10 AM.
Theatre Games
It’s time to let your inner actor out with Theatre Games. Through a variety of creative dramatic exercises, we will explore gross and fine motor skills, problem solving, listening and speaking skills, following directions, and building confidence. Theatre games takes place Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
Tinkering
The Museum’s Tinkering program encourages children to do what they do best – let their curiosity take over! Explore the world of engineering by building machines and creating processes, and then explore what happens when you make changes or do things differently.
Programming occurs select Wednesdays and Fridays at 2 PM through August and select Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 PM beginning in September.