Dinosaur Experiences

There are lots of dinosaurs at NHM. During Dinosaur Encounters, a T. rex and Triceratops come alive! In the Dino Lab, you can watch real paleontologists work on ancient fossils. There are also dinos on display on two levels.

Level 1: Dueling Dinos

Level 2: Dinosaur Encounters, Dino Lab, Dinos on Display

VIP Sleepover on March 6, 2010

When our visitors have left for the day, the Fellows are invited to play. Fellows will have the rare opportunity to sleep in our enchanting diorama halls, complete with the VIP treatment. Learn more >

First Fridays: Get Hip to Science

Our latest installment of what might be L.A.’s hottest, smartest nighttime event starts January 2010. Come have a cocktail, explore the Museum after hours, and get enlightened.
Learn more >

Curator’s Cupboards

These special weekend events are your chance to meet members of our curatorial team, ask your own questions, and get a first-hand, up-close look at many amazing curiosities of our collections.
Learn more >

Let Us Bug You!

Check out our permanent Insect Zoo exhibit! We have bugs all year round.
Learn more >

Ongoing Fun

Dinosaur Encounters

Wednesdays - Fridays 10:30 am, 11:30 am   
Saturdays 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm
Sundays 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm 

Story Time

Weekdays, 2 pm; Weekends 12:00 pm
Located in the Discovery Center

Gallery Exploration Tour

Every day, 2 pm; meet at Dueling Dinos

Live Animal Presentations

Weekdays, 3 pm; Weekends 11 am
Located in the Discovery Center

Families and Kids

Come Learn as a Family With Us!

On the weekends, we have Critter Clubs for 3-5 year olds, and Junior Scientists for 6-9 year olds. In Curator's Cupboard events, our staff brings out special items not usually on display.

If you're creative and brainy, come to an Art + Science, or even a B-Movies and Bad Science screening.

Butterflies and Spiders

Outside the Museum's South Entrance, you'll find enclosed habitats filled with life.

From late September to November, the Spider Pavilion houses web-weavers, hard at work. Come check out their intricate webs!  

From April to September, the Pavilion of Wings of  is fluttering with over 40 species of live butterflies.

See Creatures Come to Life

If you want to see creatures come alive, check out our Dinosaur Encounters and Hop, Slither, and Stalk programs.

Grown Up

A Drink with a Dinosaur

Roam the Museum after hours, and see cutting-edge music and discussion in First Fridays.

Getting Earthy

Learn easy, cool ways to get green in Sustainable Sundays.

Science Seekers

Forget About the Hard Way, Learn the Hilarious Way

You'll be surprised how much you can learn at a movie screening and discussion where the science is all wrong! Learn more about the film series B-Movies and Bad Science.

Get Behind the Scenes

For our members, there are special Behind the Scenes Tours and Scavenger's Safaris. And every year around Halloween, the Museum opens up for Haunted Museum!

Day Camps for Kids

Our Adventures in Nature day camps are offered every summer and winter, for children in kindergarten through Grade 8.

The Adventurous Type

Come Away with Us

Dig for fossils, explore tide pools, and investigate our state's surprising geoogic features! On our Field Trips and Expeditions, our curatorial staff and educators come along for the ride. You'll do what they do out in the field on their own expeditions prospect, excavate, collect, study!