The following activities are free with museum admission unless otherwise noted. No registration required.

Exploration Basecamp
Carnegie Museum of Natural History has long offered a collection of more than 10,000 authentic objects to educators for use with their classrooms or groups. This amazing collection has recently been moved out of a basement storeroom and onto the first floor as a fully accessible exhibition. Families and school groups can now take a minute—or an hour—to study the construction of a Hopi basket, compare color patterns on bird eggs, test the hardness of various minerals, and use a wide selection of bird and mammal taxidermy mounts as drawing models. Visitors discover what many teachers already know—that actual objects provide powerful learning experiences. This unique space is also the site for activities related to current research of our museum scientists, seasonal changes in western Pennsylvania, and science topics straight from the headlines.

Interactive Exhibitions
Families with children should be sure to check out Bonehunters Quarry and Discovery Room for hands-on science fun.

Guided Tours of Dinosaurs in Their Time
Weekends, 1:30 and 3 p.m.
Travel back to the Mesozoic with museum staff as your guide! See highlights of Dinosaurs in Their Time, including two colossal Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons, a mother and juvenile Apatosaurus, and world-famous Diplodocus carnegii.

Behind-the-Scenes Peek in the Section of Mollusks
Most Saturdays, 1–3 p.m.
Meet at the Mollusks entrance in the third floor rear for a behind-the-scenes peek in the Section of Mollusks. See scientists in action and see some of the millions of research specimens in the collection. Check the TODAY sheet at the admission desk to be sure Mollusks is open on the day of your visit. To find out whether Mollusks will be open for a planned visit, please email the website team.

Hands-on Carts & Exploration Stations
Saturday, noon–4 p.m.
Sunday, 1:30–3:30 p.m.
Check TODAY sheet for daily schedule.
Learn with your hands by investigating real and replica specimens and artifacts in natural history museum galleries. Let museum educators and experts answer your nature and science questions.

Free Weekend Nature Hikes at Powdermill Nature Reserve

Saturday, 1 p.m.
Free; no registration required

Powdermill Nature Reserve, the environmental research center of Carnegie Museum of Natural History, offers lectures, indoor and outdoor activities, and exhibitions year-round for naturalists of all ages! Join naturalists and educators for family-appropriate, seasonal nature hikes. These hour-long hikes take place in rain, wind, or cold, so please dress for the weather.

Powdermill programs are supported by the Mudge Environmental Education Program and the Martha Edwards Lazear Foundation. Free weekend programming is sponsored by Plextronics.