Field Trip Kit Zoo, aquarium, museum & park days

Natural History Museum · Washington, DC

💎 National Museum of Natural History

Mall fossils and ocean hall — free, crowded, finishable if you pick two halls.

  • Timehalf day
  • SettingMostly indoors
  • TicketsFree; lines at peak times.
  • Get thereNational Mall Metro.

Local shortlist · confirm on arrival · 2026-08

Who
Time
Style

No printer? Open the sheet on your phone, or print later. Classic · Bonus · Alpha (extra-hard cool finds).

Official map Open the official map page Official map · National Museum of Natural History · opens in a new tab

Short on time? Start here

Do these 3 in order if you can — enough for a short visit. Tap a stop for talk tips & photos. Create and print your mission is above.

More if you have energy

More stops if you have the energy.

  • 🔬 Hands-on lab — Hands-on corners when available.
  • 🧭 Free explore — Worth a look if you have time.
  • ✨ Imaginarium — Multi-sensory world — explore, notice, imagine.

What the sheet may include

Print from the button at the top of this page. No app at the venue.

Example finds
  1. Find something taller than you
  2. Spot a model or artifact
  3. Try one hands-on activity
  4. Read a kid label out loud
  5. Find a planet or sky clue
  6. Notice three materials
  7. Ask one wonder question
  8. Pick your favorite — draw it later

Also look for

Flexible backups if a favorite is closed, crowded, or napping — no fixed path.

  • Something taller than you Point up — buildings, necks, trees, rockets…
  • Bright feathers or wings Birds, butterflies, or wing shapes in exhibits.

Official site: National Museum of Natural History website. Always check hours and tickets before you go.