The State Museum, in collaboration with the NJ State Police, has instituted enhanced security measures at the Museum. Personal items and bags are subject to search upon entering the Museum. Security may consist of electronic, physical and/or visual inspection of individuals and/or personal items. We suggest leaving backpacks/large bags in your vehicle. Passage through magnetometers and wanding procedures will be conducted at entry for all visitors. Video surveillance is in use throughout the Museum.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Step into the shoes of a naturalist and scientific explorer in our newly redesigned Discovery Den. Designed with current early learning research and best practices in mind, children 0-8 can immerse themselves in New Jersey environments, examine fossils, complete puzzles and read books, all focusing on nature and the outdoors. Interactive experiences throughout the Den encourages children and caregivers to explore nature and scientific concepts together through play in a positive learning environment.
The centerpiece of the update is a mural highlighting New Jersey environments that fills the inside of the newly enclosed half of the Den - an immersive experience in nature for young learners! The mural is modeled after a naturalist’s field notebook, with stunning watercolor illustrations celebrating three New Jersey environments – the Skylands, the Pine Barrens, and the shore modeled after Sandy Hook. Appropriate animals and plants for each environment fill the mural, along with prompts to encourage immersive play and exploration. Interactive components are included in the mural, with panels to uncover hidden animals and a sensory touch board. The exploration continues off the mural, with grass and water sensory tiles covering the floor and puppets and stuffed animals available. There is even a rocking boat modeled after the lifeguard boats on the shore and soft, climbable stools representing tree stumps.
New stations in the other half of the Discovery Den continue the naturalist theme. Practice your description skills at the Observation Station, complete with microscopes and fossils with magnifying glasses, with some fossils touch-friendly for all! Enjoy our new selection of books at the Reading Station, and explore the Arts & Puzzles station with new puzzles, sensory items, and coloring sheets with facts about the animals. Look for our AR ActiveFloor stationed in the Den full-time, with interactive nature-based and sensory games for all ages. To help our young visitors move through the space, there is a Junior Naturalist guide available in the Den with prompts for each of our stations and our mural.
The Discovery Den is located on Level 2 in the Written in the Rocks exhibit hall, right next to the gift shop. The Discovery Den is free to explore and is open during Museum hours.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all families, please observe the following rules:
Capacity: 15 children at a time. If the Den is full, please explore other areas of the Museum and check back later.
Safety of all families and the Museum is our top priority. Failure to follow these rules will result in visitors being requested to leave the space.
The Discovery Den is home to all of our Small Explorers programs – look for the Small Explorers logo throughout the Museum to find fun and engaging activities, carefully developed for early learners and children up to 8 years old.
Looking for a quality learning experience for your child? Small Explorers Learning Together offers 45-minute monthly classes designed for ages 1-5 and led by our Early Learning educator. Each month, families meet in our Discovery Den and begin class with an interactive story time before moving together to playfully explore a gallery and end in our classroom space with thematic activity stations that include a craft to take home. Classes are $20 for the first child, 20% off for additional siblings, and are offered October to June with a new theme each month. Visit our Calendar page for upcoming classes and registration information!
Looking for something short and fun that still encourages learning? Small Explorers Story Time is a free drop-in program for ages 2-8. Stop by the Discovery Den the 3rd Saturday of each month at 10:00 am for a story and related craft, then explore the rest of the Museum. You can find out what the book and craft are for upcoming story times on our Calendar page. No advanced registration required!
Looking for new ways to explore the galleries with your child? Pick up a Small Explorers guide in our permanent galleries, located in a wall pocket near the entrance to each of the galleries. Small Explorers guides are designed for ages 0-5 and provide prompts about objects in our galleries to help focus our littlest visitors, as well as related activities to do at home. We are also now offering Small Explorers gallery tote bags, available at the main entrance on select days. Look for the sign to check out a tote bag and enjoy our specially designed learning prompts for each permanent gallery. Just make sure to return each tote bag before leaving the Museum!
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