11:30 am Magic Treehouse: Space Mission
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12 – 2 PM
American Perspectives, Colors
1 – 3 PM
Ocean Sensory Tubes. Learn about New Jersey sea life and make a calming ocean-themed sensory tube. Visit Written in the Rocks to discovery primordial seas and ancient sea monsters!
10 AM and 11 AM
Who’s in the Forest? It’s spring and all the forest creatures are coming out of hibernation. This interactive story introduces forest animals in a fun and playful way. Visit Written in the Rocks to learn more about New Jersey forest animals.
12 – 2 PM
Pretty Big Things
4:15 pm, Planetarium Join us for a free talk in the Planetarium with Dr. Jacob Hamer
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm Magic Treehouse: Space Mission
2:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
3:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
11:30 am Magic Treehouse: Space Mission
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12 – 2 PM
Planetarium Lobby, Astronomy in the Palm of Your Hand
1 – 3 PM
Make a bark cloth Tapa. You can choose to make note cards or turn it into home décor while you explore Pacific Island tapa symbols. Get inspiration for your project when you visit Bark! Indigenous Cultural Expressions.
11:30 am Magic Treehouse: Space Mission
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
10 AM and 11 AM
Art & Max. Two lizard friends, both artists, take a journey through the art world and explore many different styles of acrylic, watercolor and line drawings. Get inspired to create your own masterpiece and visit American Perspectives to see more.
12 – 2 PM
American Perspectives
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
11:30 am One World, One Sky
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12 – 2 PM
Written in the Rocks, Ice Age Animals
1 – 3 PM
Making Mammoths. Learn the difference between a Mastodon and a Mammoth and make a furry friend to take home. See real mammoth fossils in Written in the Rocks.
10 AM and 11 AM
Toby and the Ice Giants. Join Toby the Bison in this fact-filled adventure as he explores the Ice Age Tundra and meets some of the giants that roamed its icy surface. Visit Written in the Rocks to learn more about New Jersey during the last Ice age.
12 – 2 PM
Written in the Rocks
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
11:30 am One World, One Sky
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12 – 2 PM
American Perspectives, Portraits1 – 3 PM
Amate Bark Art. This indigenous art from Mexico is colorful and fun to create. Visit Bark! Indigenous Cultural Expressions to see more bark cloth from South America
10 AM and 11 AM
I Don’t Draw, I Color! A young boy explores color and feelings to create his art. Be sure to visit American Perspectives to get inspired.
12 – 2 PM
Pretty Big Things
10 AM – 12 PM
Join Dr. Dana Ehret, Curator of Natural History, as he leads fossil collecting trips to Big Brook Preserve Space for each date is limited. Tickets are $15 per person. For additional information and to buy tickets use this link.
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
11:30 am One World, One Sky
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12 – 2 PM
Written in the Rocks, Teeth!
1 – 3 PM
Aurora Art. Recreate an aurora in the sky and learn more about the interaction of solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field
10 AM and 11 AM
Our Stars. Explore the universe with bright pictures and simple text in a book that will delight any curious child’s mind! Don’t forget to visit the Planetarium at 11:30 (fee for Planetarium) for the show One World, One Sky, perfect for small explorers.
12 – 2 PM
A Much Moved People
4:15 pm, Planetarium Join us for a free talk in the Planetarium with Dr. Adrian Bayer
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
11:30 am One World, One Sky
1:30 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
2:30 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
12 – 2 PM
A Much Moved People, Lenape Games
1 – 3 PM
Pointillism & Pixels. Combine art and science into a masterpiece to take home! Pointillism uses the science of optics to create colors from many small dots placed so close to each other that they blur into an image to the eye. This is how pixels on computers work today.
10 AM and 11 AM
Hello Lighthouse! This Caldecott Award winning story introduces lighthouses to young readers. Learn more about New Jersey shore history in Pretty Big Things.
12 – 2 PM
American Perspectives
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
12:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
1:00 pm One World, One Sky
2:00 pm Worlds Beyond Earth
3:00 pm Dinosaurs of Antarctica
4:15 pm, Planetarium Join us for a free talk in the Planetarium with Dr. Riddhi Banyopadhyay
4:15 pm, Planetarium Join us for a free talk in the Planetarium with Shaunak Modak
4:15 pm, Planetarium Join us for a free talk in the Planetarium with Dr. Michael Strauss
4:15 pm, Planetarium Join us for a free talk in the Planetarium with Dr. Robert Vanderbei
July 27, 4:15 PM
Speaker: Dr. Jacob Hamer, New Jersey State Museum
Join us in the Planetarium for this free talk! To anyone who lives along the coast, the tides are a familiar celestial cycle. Dr. Jacob Hamer discusses why tides happen and offers some examples of tides in the universe. The Earth and Moon are the most familiar example, but even more extreme tidal interactions happen elsewhere in our Solar System. And beyond our Solar System, tides may actually spell destruction for giant planets very close to their stars.
Reserve your seat
July 5 – August 30
Drop by the Museum and enjoy a free activity all summer-long! Use this link for a complete list of programs by date, or visit the Calendar page.
Tuesdays – 12:00 to 2:00 PM
Every Tuesday a Museum volunteer with an activity cart will be set up in one of our galleries. Explore art, history and science with interactive games, touchable objects and simple arts and crafts. All ages.
Wednesdays – 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Every Wednesday visit the Imagination Studio to make and take a craft. Stop by for a fun, free family activity or a stress relief moment for yourself! All ages.
Thursdays - 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM
Every Thursday morning we have story time in the Discovery Den for our smallest visitors. Join us for a story followed by a simple craft.
Fridays – 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Every Friday interact with a Museum Docent to learn more about our galleries. Tours are informal and you can catch up anytime. Great for a lunchtime break. Each week is different so you can make sure to enjoy them all!
Join Dr. Dana Ehret, Curator of Natural History, for the final fossil collecting trip of the season to Big Brook Preserve August 17, 2024.
Learn the techniques of fossil collecting about prehistoric marine life, including fossil sharks! Dr. Ehret will help you identify your discoveries. Big Brook Fossil Preserve is known by fossil collectors along the East Coast as a hotspot for fossils from the Age of Dinosaurs. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend, but all attendees must have a ticket, including parents/guardians and children.
Space is limited. Tickets are $15 per person. For additional information and to buy tickets use this link. Members receive 50% discount, email Melissa.Mantz@njsmfoundation.org to confirm membership status and get discount code.
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.
The New Jersey State Museum is a wonderful setting for your special event with changing exhibits that can provide a unique backdrop for any occasion. The Museum is ideally located in the State Capital Complex in Trenton, and offers a one-of-a-kind venue with incredible architecture and beautiful views of the Delaware River. For rates and availability, please view our rental information or email Rentals.NJSM@sos.nj.gov.
Available Rental spaces:
This exceptional space is an ideal setting for buffet receptions, intimate sit-down dinners, business seminars and more. Available evenings and weekends only.
The 384-seat Auditorium is available for a wide variety of lectures, conferences, movie premieres, theater performances and more.