Official Site of The State of New Jersey
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm, Imagination Studio. Free.
Free art making program for teens (ages 13+). Draw birds from the Museum collection and learn to record detail and proportion.
9:30 am, Discovery Den Children ages 1 - 5
Explore the changing colors of the season! We'll read a story, explore the Fine Art gallery to find paintings that remind us of autumn, then enjoy play and craft time. $15 for first child, discount for siblings.
Advance registration required, register with this link: https://collections.humanitix.com/small-explorers-20262027-program-season.
12:00 pm Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries
1:00 pm Little Eve: Stories of Planet Earth (NEW!)
2:00 pm Dynamic Earth
3:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
6:00 pm, In the Planetarium, then drive to Washington Crossing State Park. Free.
Enjoy a special extended sky talk in the Planetarium focusing on what is visible in the night sky and deep sky objects observable with a telescope. After, follow us to the Simpson Observatory at Washington Crossing Park where members of the Amateur Astronomer's Association of Princeton will help visitors see the sky objects with telescopes. In the event of poor viewing conditions we'll stay at the Planetarium and watch "Encounters in the Milky Way."
10:00 am - 3:00 pm, Free.
Explore historic archaeology of Colonial and Revolutionary New Jersey. History organizations from around the state will present artifacts, posters and activities highlighting their archaeological findings. Kids can pick up an “Archaeology Passport” and visit each station to fill in the pages. Visitors of all ages can join us in the Auditorium for presentations throughout the day.
Don’t miss this deep dive into New Jersey history during our 250th year. During your visit, be sure to see "The Power to Change: Revolutionary Stories from the New Jersey State Archives" on display until January 2027.
10:00 am, Discovery Den. Free.
Join us in Discovery Den to hear a story and make a craft to take home. For children ages 2-8. This month we're reading "Lawrence in the Fall," about a fox who needs a collection for show & tell. He discovers he can find a collection in the forest!
12:00 pm Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries
1:00 pm Little Eve: Stories of Planet Earth (NEW!)
2:00 pm Dynamic Earth
3:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12:00 noon, STEAM Center. Free.
Join Richard Hunter to hear about archaeology at the Old Barracks, the William Trent House and some of the finds his company made when the Route 29 tunnel was built.
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
11:00 am We Are Guardians (Somos guardianes)
12:00 pm Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries
1:00 pm Little Eve: Stories of Planet Earth (NEW!)
2:00 pm Dynamic Earth
3:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12:00 pm Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries
1:00 pm Little Eve: Stories of Planet Earth (NEW!)
2:00 pm Dynamic Earth
3:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Bring the children in costume for our annual trick or treat parade on the front lawn! Trick or treating begins at 11 am and lasts until all the candy is distributed. In the Riverview Court, play games, make some crafts, go on a Boo hunt around the Museum and earn a prize! Participants will receive a coupon for a discount on any show in the Planetarium.
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, STEAM Center. Free.
This new adult art program is free of charge and includes all supplies, although participants are welcome to bring some of their own. Open to all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Class size is limited and advance registration is required. October's class will be making observational drawings inspired by bones and skulls from the Museum's collection.
Register with this link: https://events.humanitix.com/inspired-by-art-workshops
12:00 pm Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries
1:00 pm Little Eve: Stories of Planet Earth (NEW!)
2:00 pm Dynamic Earth
3:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
2:30 pm Encounters in the Milky Way NEW!
12:00 pm One Sky Project
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Encounters in the Milky Way NEW!
3:00 pm We Are Guardians
2:30 pm Encounters in the Milky Way NEW!
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm, Imagination Studio. Free.
Inspired by nature and Native cultures, we’ll be creating colorful feather paintings. For teens 13+.
2:30 pm Encounters in the Milky Way NEW!
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Grace Banker (1892-1960) of Passaic, New Jersey, served during World War I as the Chief Operator of the United States Signal Corps. In 1918, Grace, along with 223 other women, joined as switch board operators and were known as the “Hello Girls.” She was eventually chosen to join a group of six women sent to the Meuse-Argonne offensive, a series of battles that led to the Allied victory. In 1919, Grace was presented with the Distinguished Service Metal.
Meet author Claudia Friddell and Carolyn Timbie, granddaughter of Grace Banker. They will read from the book “Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls Answer the Call” at 11:45 am and sign copies of the book afterward. Books can be purchased in the Museum gift shop, or you can bring your own. Before and after the book signing, kids can explore several stations to learn more about World War I and telephone switchboard operation.
Activities include:
A viewing of The Hello Girls (2018) Documentary Film will take place at 1 pm in the auditorium.
While you are here, be sure to visit the exhibit “The Power to Change: Revolutionary Stories from the New Jersey State Archives” and see Grace Banker’s uniform on display!
9:30 am, Discovery Den.
November is Native American Heritage Month! Come celebrate by learning more about Native American dance traditions including Jingle dance. We’ll read “Jingle Dancer” by Cynthia Leitich Smith, then walk through the “A Much Moved Peoples” gallery to see examples of regalia and talk about the importance of dance to the community. We’ll also talk about what dance is and how it makes us feel. We’ll head back to the STEAM Center for active play with music and movement.
The program is held on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 9:30 am. Every month, enjoy engaging activities and crafts, imaginative pretend and sensory play. Fee: $15 for child, caregiver is free. Advance registration required.
12:00 pm One Sky Project
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Encounters in the Milky Way NEW!
3:00 pm We Are Guardians
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Stop by the Museum for a free, curator-led tour of “The Power to Change: Revolutionary Stories from the NJ State Archives.” The exhibition is on view through Jan. 10, 2027.
2:30 pm Encounters in the Milky Way NEW!
10:00 am, Discovery Den. Free.
Join us in Discovery Den to hear a story and make a craft to take home. Story Time is for children ages 2-8 and their caregivers. This month we’re reading “Rock Your Mocs” by Laurel Goodluck, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight. This book is a happy, vibrant tribute to Rock Your Mocs Day, observed on Nov. 15, which celebrates the joy and power of wearing moccasins-and the Native pride that comes with them.
4:15 pm, Planetarium
Guests of all ages are invited to encounter one of mythology’s most exciting stories… as a laser show! In Laser Legends of the Night Sky: Perseus & Andromeda, join the hero Perseus as he grows into a powerful warrior, encounters terrifying trials, and races to rescue Princess Andromeda from a sea monster. The story and characters are recreated on the dome through a dazzling display of multicolored laser animations in this retro production.
Following the laser show, our presenters will show you the locations of Perseus, Andromeda, and other constellations in the night sky, as well as some amazing astronomical objects you can observe near them. Guests may park in the lot behind the museum. Note: Laser shows may contain flashing lights and rapidly changing images, affecting photosensitive viewers. Viewers with epilepsy should not attend.
Tickets must be purchased in advance at Humanitix. Adults are $10, Children are $5.
Members should contact Melissa.Mantz@njsmfoundation.org for member discount information.
12:00 pm One Sky Project
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Encounters in the Milky Way NEW!
3:00 pm We Are Guardians
2:30 pm Encounters in the Milky Way NEW!
12:00 pm One Sky Project
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Encounters in the Milky Way NEW!
3:00 pm We Are Guardians
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, STEAM Center. Free.
Try your hand at weaving a small bowl with raffia. Modeled after a contemporary design, you will experience the art, craft and technique of basket weaving. Inspired by baskets in “A Much Moved Peoples” exhibition. Program taught by the Museum’s Teen and Adult Program Specialist Amy Stevens. Open to all skill levels; all supplies included. Limited to 12 students. Advance registration required.
11:00 am Encuentros en la Vía Láctea NUEVO!
12:00 pm One Sky Project
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Encounters in the Milky Way NEW!
3:00 pm We Are Guardians
Page Last Updated: 10/9/26
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