Family Activities
Family-friendly events for families with children of all ages.
In Gallery Activity
Offering different in gallery activities as part of admission. During extended hours on Thursdays, starting June 4th and on Saturdays during the Summer. Thursday activity begins at 5:15 pm, Saturday activities will be at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Below are the potential in-gallery activity, dependent upon which staff is working.
- Children's Reading & Activity Time - Join Hailie, educator, for a children's story and associated activity.
- Garbology - Join Stephanie, anthropologist, to find out about the scientific study of trash, including its origins, patterns, and society and the environment.
- Basket Weaving Bracelet - Join Kristal, local artist, in creating your own unique bracelet from cornhusk.
- Origami - Join Sarah, local artist, to guide you through the process of making your own origami animal
How Do You Know It's a Fossil?
June 10, 2025
6 to 8 pm
$3- Single or $10 - Family (2 adults, 4 youth)
Join Dr. LJ Krumenacker as he visits about ancient Idaho: Dinosaurs, extinctions, and new life. From the field to new science explores the research he has done in Idaho! LJ will answer the questions of how does a scientists know they are looking at a fossil, how is it collected, how do they clean them up, and how are they used in museum collections.
LJ is a Blackfoot native, received a Bachelor's from Idaho State University, Masters of Science from Brigham Young University, and his PhD from Montana State University. LJ has been collecting and describing Idaho fossils for over 20 years. His research on Idaho and other dinosaurs, extinction and recovery events, birds and mammals. LJ is also a full-time professor at College of Eastern Idaho and adjunct at ISU.
Space is limited and registration is required. Museum Members and ISU Community receive free admission, didn't receive email ambertews@isu.edu
Snake Encounter
June 21, July 19, August 16
12 to 3 pm
Dr. Charles (Chuck) Peterson will be on-hand to change our view of snakes with this afternoon snake encounter. Snakes are important for many reasons. They are important elements of biodiversity with over 4,000 species of snakes worldwide. They play key ecological roles as both predators and prey. Snakes benefit humans because they help control rodent populations thus preventing the loss of crops and the spread of some diseases. They also provide important model systems for biological research and are symbolically important in many cultures throughout the world.
After interacting with a Great Basin Rattlesnake, made secure by Dr. Peterson, join us for making "snake skins" crafts and other related snake activities.