April 22 – 25, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Visit the Museum during spring break and enjoy a different free activity each day! All programs take place 12:00 – 2:00 pm, locations noted.

April 22 - Earth Sand Art – Imagination Studio
Visualize the Earth through sand art!

April 23 - DIY Bird Feeder – Riverview Court
Make your own bird feeder to hang outside!

April 24 - Oil Spill Clean Up Experiment – STEAM Center
Learn why oil spills are dangerous and explore different clean-up methods. Suitable for elementary school age students and up.

April 25 - Story time and craft – Discovery Den
Listen to the story “Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt” then make a bee to take home as we explore the role of pollinators. Suitable for Pre-K to 1st grade students.

April 26, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm

Celebrate Earth Day and the new exhibition "Ecosystems at Risk: Threatened and Endangered in New Jersey."
Enjoy hands-on activities, talks, urban birdwatching (weather permitting), and more with Museum curators and guests from the Tulpehaking Nature Center, New Jersey Audubon, Mercer County Master Gardeners, and New Jersey DEP Watershed Ambassador. Visitors can also pick up coupon valid for $2 off the 1:00 pm Planetarium show "We are Guardians," at the main entrance desk upon check in, while supplies last.

Program schedule:

• 10:30 am - Urban birdwatching; meet in front of Museum
• 11:30 am - Water health talk & I.D. activity; Riverview Court
• 1:00 pm - Planetarium show "We are Guardians"
• 2:00 pm - Tidal marshland talk; Riverview Court

Ongoing activities - sun printing, sun spotting/sun telescope (weather permitting); interactive sandbox; bird activity station, gardening station, EnviroScape and pollinator activities.

April 26, 4:15 pm

Join us in the Planetarium for a free talk with Dr. Cyril Creque-Sarbinowski, Center for Computational Astrophysics. The Universe had a fiery birth and will eventually face a distant, uncertain fate. By studying cosmic relics and the fundamental forces shaping space and time, we can trace its journey from the Big Bang to its ultimate destiny. Join us as we explore what we know about the Universe’s origins—and what might await it in the far future.
Reserve your seat

May 9 & 23

On May 9th we will have a special extended star talk in the planetarium at 7:15pm. We will discuss what is visible in the night sky that evening, with an extra focus on deep sky objects that are observable with telescopes. After the star talk ends around 8pm, we will caravan for the drive to Washington Crossing State Park where the Amateur Astronomer’s Association of Princeton has the Simpson Observatory. There, we will use the historic telescopes maintained by the club to view the objects we discussed at the planetarium. For detailed directions to the Simpson Observatory and how to enter the park to access it, go to https://princetonastronomy.org/public_nights.

Make sure to dress warmly, as it cools off significantly after sunset!

If weather does not cooperate, the extended star talk will instead be followed by a showing of our new planetarium show, Spark. The program repeats on May 23rd but begins slightly later, at 7:45pm.

May 10, 9:45 am, 11:15 am, and 12:00 pm

Shiver me timbers! No, we aren't learning about pirates, we’re exploring Ice Age animals and will check out some cool ice activities. A little art, a little science and a lot of fun. Three sessions will be offered, 9:45 am, 11:00 am, and 12:15 pm. The program is free but registration is required. Registration Link: https://forms.office.com/g/6UM9DEzt6N

Small Explorers is the Museum’s program for Trenton-area families with children ages six months to five years old. The program is supported by a grant from PNC Grow Up Great.

Local families are welcome to register for the Small Explorers program, taking place in the Discovery Den on the second Saturday of the month, October through June. This playgroup is an opportunity for you to explore the Museum with your child and connect with other families for support. Families are encouraged to sign up for a full year of sessions to build knowledge, skills and relationships. The program is 45 minutes long and begins promptly. Sessions take place in-person at 9:45, 11:00 and 12:15 PM in the Discovery Den, The program is FREE, but space is limited; advance registration is required. Contact Susan.Kozak-Buckley@sos.nj.gov to learn more and register.

Small Explorers is supported by a grant from PNC Grow Up Great.

NOTE: Registration requests must be received by 10:00 am the Friday before the event in order to allow time for staff to confirm space availability.

Visit the Events/Calendar page for monthly program details and to register.