Spring Break {part II}

One of our favorite Museums in Balboa Park is the San Diego Natural History Museum  a.k.a The NAT. My kids love their permanent exhibits with fossils, but also I love their traveling exhibits like "All That Glitters" -which closes April 8th-. Every visit to the NAT is always different and there are many ways for kids to enjoy the visit.

Here are some special events that the NAT will be hosting over Spring Break.

San Diego Natural History Museum Honors President and CEO for 20 Years of Service to Museum and Community with Fossil Days Special Events for Public, Museum Members

Sunday March 25th - Sunday April 1st 

The NAT will host a variety of events ranging from giveaway prizes at the admissions desks to a fundraising gala, all in honor of Dr. Michael Hager, the Museum’s President and CEO, who during this fiscal year celebrates his 20-year anniversary as leader of the institution.

During Fossil Days, visitors who dress up in a dinosaur costume will receive free general admission on that day (offer does not include admission toTitanic: The Artifact Exhibition). Visitors will be able to watch the 3D film Sea-Rex 3D, draw their favorite dinosaurs at a coloring station, receive a free dinosaur-themed gift at the Visitor Services desks (while supplies last), enjoy special offers at the Dinosaur Café, take a tour of the Museum’s Paleontology Department (first-come, first served; times posted on the Museum’s website), watch Museum paleontologists at work doing research in the Hazard Family Demonstration Lab, or take a Docent tour of the Museum’s Fossil Mysteries exhibition.

“When Mick was hired in 1991 the Museum was in a dire financial condition and experiencing an identity crisis,” said Thomas Deméré, Ph.D., who is the Museum’s Curator of Paleontology and a longtime friend of Hager. “Twenty years later, the Museum has doubled in physical size, regained its focus as a regional institution, developed a healthy mix of new permanent and temporary exhibitions, and emerged as a leader in binational research and education. It is unlikely that these accomplishments would have been achieved without someone with Mick’s vision, work ethic, and contagious enthusiasm. For these reasons and many more, we are taking the time to celebrate Mick’s stewardship of our 138-year-old institution.” 

Museum visitors during Fossil Days, especially the youngest ones, will be among the first to visit the all-new Camp-o-Saurus play area designed by the Museum’s exhibition staff. Camp-o-Saurus is a “dinosaur campground” with tents, robotic butterflies, a plush “campfire pit,” books, and a dinosaur’s nest for kids to play in. There will be chairs and benches for parents and grandparents to relax nearby while the kids safely play.

Thursday March 29th 

At 7:30 PM paleontologist Jack Horner, a longtime friend of Dr. Hager’s and one of the world’s most renowned dinosaur paleontologists, will give a lecture entitled “Growing up a Dinosaur.” Horner is a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship “genius grant.” He also served as the technical adviser for all three Jurassic Park movies and is the inspiration for the movie's lead character, Dr. Alan Grant. There will be a booksigning after the lecture. Tickets for the lecture are $12 per person, or $8 for Museum Members. Registration is available by phone at 619.255.0210 or here.

More information about Fossil Days is available  here. More information about the Fossil Ball, including ticket and table information, click   here.

The San Diego Natural History Museum is the second oldest scientific institution in California and the third oldest west of the Mississippi. Founded in 1874 by a small group of citizen scientists, the Museum’s mission is to interpret the natural world through research, education and exhibits; to promote understanding of the evolution and diversity of southern California and the peninsula of Baja California, Mexico; and to inspire in all people respect for the environment.

Fossil Days Schedule:

Sunday, March 25

All Day                  Opening of Camp-o-Saurus

15% off all toy or youth items in the Alex and Elizabeth Wise Museum Store

10 AM                                   Dinosaur Egg Hunt on the North Lawn—Members-only!

10 AM–noon                      Fossil Family Day— Members-only!

               

Thursday, March 29

10:15 AM                             Nature and Me Storytime, featuring a dino tale!

7:30–9 PM                           Lecture and booksigning with dinosaur paleontologist Jack Horner

                                                Nonmembers: $12; Members: $8

                                                Register  here or call 619.255.0210.

Saturday, March 31

6 PM                                      Fossil Ball, honoring Museum President and CEO, Dr. Michael Hager

                                                Ticket and table information: www.sdnhm.org/fossil-ball

Sunday, April 1

12:15 and                             Ms. Frizzle—Dinos!

2:15 PM                               

For more information on admission and hours visit here and don't forget to stop by their wonderful gift shop which sells excellent gifts for any age :)