Does Your Toddler LOVE Dinosaurs?

How Do DInosaurs... Go To The Museum!

Dinosaur Encounters at the Natural History Museum is a MUST SEE! I recently took my cousins (ages 3 & 5) to this show, and they went crazy for it. Kids (and adults!) of all ages watched the amazing puppetry and thought the dinosaurs had come back to life. Literally. Their incredibly realistic- and large!- T. rex and Triceratops puppets are extremely effetive.

These "puppet shows" run daily at the museum, and are free with your admission. Through informational performances designed by NHM's paleontologists and puppeteers, your child can "experience how these prehistoric animals actually lived. The performance artists demonstrate dinosaur anatomy...possible behavior and movement." It's pretty awesome. They do recommend arriving early, and I agree- this show is super popular. Also important to note, most seating is on the floor and is first-come, first-served.

Dinosaur Encounters

Saturday - Sunday: 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm*

Located in Level 2 North American Mammal Hall

*All times are subject to change. Please check the Museum calendar or upon arrival, the admissions desk.

WARNING: some little ones DO totally freak out! The museum says "Presentations depict realistic dinosaurs and may be frightening for very small children." Many kids scream and jump around, but (most) everyone stuck around and left all sparkly-eyed. If you think your child would enjoy seeing the puppets backstage and finding out how it all works, check this out:

See the Dino Puppets Backstage!

See life-sized juvenile dinosaurs, Hunter the T. rex and Dakota the Triceratops, backstage!

On view everyday in the Discovery Center on the Level 2.

There is a lot to see and do at the museum, and when visiting with kids it was great to break up the day by spending time in the Discovery Center (listed above). Here, they can sit down for some activities, see Dinosaur Encounters, have lunch or a snack, and run around the park next door in between looking at exhibits. Find out what else NHM has to offer for you and your kids here. Don't miss the new Butterfly Pavillion!