Official Site of The State of New Jersey
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
4:15PM, Planetarium. Free.
Join us in the Planetarium for guest speaker David Ackerman of Dark Skies Hopewell. Life began on Earth synchronized by astral rhythms of the Sun, Moon and stars. Then came artificial light. Over the last century or so, humans have learned to turn night to day, producing cities that never sleep. With this advance, viewing the Milky Way over Mercer County has become a thing of the past. The collision of light pollution with our reliable day-night cycle has produced subtle and disturbing consequences. We’ll talk about the physics of light pollution, its effects on us living things and ways to remediate its effects, starting locally.
Register for this event on Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/science-under-the-stars
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 - 3:00 pm, Imagination Studio. Free.
Enjoy a free craft activity in the Museum's Imagination Studio!
Make your own decorative box inspired by birch bark boxes in the Museum's collection. Blank boxes will be provided for participants to decorate with birch paper, markers, construction paper, and twine/yarn, creating patterns and details.
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 - 3:00 pm, Imagination Studio. Free.
Enjoy a free craft activity in the Museum's Imagination Studio!
Make a 3D painted owl using cardboard paper towel rolls and tempera paint in natural colors. Photos of owls in the Museum's collection will be on view for reference, or stop by the Written in the Rocks gallery to see specimens on display.
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
4:15 pm, Planetarium. Free.
Trying to catch a shooting star? Join us in the planetarium to learn about the upcoming Geminid and Quandrantid meteor showers, including when, where, and how to look for them, as well as other meteor showers throughout the year. We'll also talk about small objects in our Solar System, such as comets and asteroids, which are deeply connected with both meteor showers and the history of our planet. Discover these amazing visitors from outer space!
Reserve your seat in advance by registering on Humanitix and bringing your ticket. https://events.humanitix.com/winter-meteor-shower-talk
12:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
1:00 pm Little Eve: Stories of Planet Earth
2:00 pm The Great Solar System Adventure!
3:00 pm Encounters in the Milky Way (NEW!)
12:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
1:00 pm Little Eve: Stories of Planet Earth
2:00 pm The Great Solar System Adventure!
3:00 pm Encounters in the Milky Way (NEW!)
10:00 - 11:00 am. Civil War Flag Gallery, 1st floor.
In the American Civil War, flags guided troops into battle and served as symbolic emblems of dedication, pride and patriotism. Join flag historian Dr. David Martin and Cultural of Cultural History Nicholas Ciotola for the history of the five new flags to be unveiled in the New Jersey State Museum exhibition, The Civil War Flag Collection of New Jersey. Highlights of this rotation include the National Colors that the 12th New Jersey Infantry Regiment carried into battle at Gettysburg and a rare Confederate “Stars and Bars” flag captured by New Jersey troops.
12:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
1:00 pm Little Eve: Stories of Planet Earth
2:00 pm The Great Solar System Adventure!
3:00 pm Encounters in the Milky Way (NEW!)
11:00 am Season of Light
2:30 pm Encounters in the Milky Way (NEW!)
11:00 am Season of Light
11:00 am Encuentros en la Vía Láctea NUEVO!
12:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
1:00 pm Little Eve: Stories of Planet Earth
2:00 pm The Great Solar System Adventure!
3:00 pm Encounters in the Milky Way (NEW!)
12:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
1:00 pm Little Eve: Stories of Planet Earth
2:00 pm The Great Solar System Adventure!
3:00 pm Encounters in the Milky Way (NEW!)
10:00 am Dinosaurs of Antarctica
11:00 am Little Eve: Stories of Planet Earth
12:00 pm The Great Solar System Adventure!
1:00 pm Encounters in the Milky Way (NEW!)
Page Last Updated: 10/13/26
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