Move and Think Like an Animal in our Interactive Puppet Shows!

Please join us for a fun and active way to learn about animals, how they communicate, and how they move. You will also interact with our Performance Artists, talented Museum educators who transform into familiar animals using costumes and puppets. Hop, Slither, and Stalk Programs rotate seasonally highlighting our exhibits and pavilions.

Summer programs include:

"I, Butterfly"
Wednesday - Sunday 2:30 pm

"Buggin Out"
Wednesday - Friday 11:00 am

All ages will enjoy the Hop, Slither, and Stalk program, but most Hoppers and Slitherers are ages 3-9.

I, Butterfly

A giant butterfly puppet show all about a monarch butterfly’s life featuring our stiltwalking butterflies, our 25-foot caterpillar and…the audience!

Buggin' Out!

A giant insect and arachnid puppet show with a cockroach, a scorpion, honey bees, and a jumping spider. Bugs are nothing to be afraid of: They have jobs, homes, and talk to their friends just like we do.

For Teachers

Our interactive performance art programs satisfy many of the California Visual and Performance Arts (VAPA) Standards for grades Pre-K through 2. For details of how to make the most of your field trip to NHM by being sure to include a stop at Dinosaur Encounters or Hop, Slither, and Stalk presentation.
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Giant Butterflies

In order to complement our seasonal programming, several new puppets are appearing at NHM! This includes a stilt-walking monarch butterfly and luna moth, with 10-foot wingspans! You can catch these unique puppets at special Museum events, and the Hop, Slither and Stalk presentation of “I, Butterfly,” which also stars a 25-foot caterpillar. Specially commissioned by the Museum in celebration of the Pavilion of Wings, the beautiful hand-painted wings and costumes were created by a husband and wife team Ann and Robi Mukherjee. See more of their work at www.aurasilks.com.