Join us for an interactive Storytime at the Natural History Museum of Utah, designed to ignite the imagination of young visitors as they explore fascinating tales inspired by our natural world. Each month an engaging book based on the natural world will be chosen and read. Then a small game, craft, or interactive activity will end the hour based off the subject of the book. 

This program is FREE with admission to the Museum. Become a Museum Member today!

Questions? Contact Youth & Family Programs Manager, Shelli Campbell, at programs@nhmu.utah.edu

NHMU Family Yoga
Offered in partnership with Jayme Vetz of Emerald Kids Yoga 

Bring your little ones to a joyful, family-friendly yoga session led by Jayme Vetz of Emerald Kids Yoga! Through engaging stories, fun games, and sensory play, Jayme incorporates meditation, breathing techniques, and deep relaxation to help kids (and adults!) find focus and flexibility. Yoga mats are provided, so just wear comfortable clothing and be ready to move. Programming is designed for children ages 3 to 10 accompanied by an adult, with a maximum of three kids per adult. (Please note: no solo adults or unaccompanied children.) Program fee applies in addition to Museum admission.

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Registration Notes

• Limited number of spots available. While you can register on-site, we strongly encourage pre-registration to secure your spot and enjoy a discount on your tickets.
• Basic registration package is for one adult and one child. You can then add additional adults or kids as an add-on. Museum Members do get a discount!
• Pre-registration rates will close 2 days prior to program date so we can prepare. After this deadline, on-site or day-of registration rates will apply.
• A max of three kids per adult. No solo kids or adults; all must pay program fee.
• Museum admission is separate from program fees. Museum Members enjoy free admission to the Museum, but will still need to pay the program fee. Non-Museum Members will need to pay both Museum admission and the program fee. Join NHMU now!

Family Participation: 

• Children must be accompanied by a paying adult. This is not a drop-off program; a paying adult must attend.
• At least 1 adult for up to 3 kids is required.
• No solo kids or adults.

About this Program

When it comes to nature, the basics are far from boring! Listen to experts from the Natural History Museum of Utah and the University of Utah who will provide an introduction to their topic of study and a fascinating look into their worlds of research; no background knowledge required!

These 45-minute talks offer opportunities for asking questions and engaging with scientists, allowing audience members to build a foundation as a naturalist by learning from the ground up.

See a full list of speakers with event dates and times below.

Nature 101 lectures are included with Museum admission, which is free for Museum Members.

Dive into the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) with this FREE hands-on, interactive program designed for families. Held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday evenings from 5:15 to 8:15 PM, this drop-in event invites visitors to engage in exciting, rotating STEAM topics every other month.

Highlights:

• Interactive Learning: Explore STEAM concepts through engaging, hands-on activities.
• Family-Friendly: Designed for families, so children must be accompanied by an adult.
• No Extra Fees: Participation is included with Museum admission—no additional charges. Museum Members receive free admission. Join today!
• Flexible Schedule: Drop by anytime during the event hours for a fun and educational experience.
• Location: Level 2, Earth Lab

Visit the Museum and experience the wonder of STEAM together!

Questions? Contact Youth and Family Programs Manager, 
Shelli Campbell, at programs@nhmu.utah.edu

Celebrate the seasons and holidays with our Family Seasonal Science programs, designed for families to enjoy holiday-themed science activities together.

Program Details:

• Cost: $5/person when you pre-register online; $7/person for on-site registration.
  • Museum admission for non-Museum Members is required in addition to the program fee. Members receive free admission. Join NHMU now!
• Activities: Engage in fun, holiday-related craft projects and science experiments.
• Flexible Schedule: Drop by anytime during the event hours and stay as long as you want.
• Registration: While you can register on-site, we strongly encourage pre-registration to secure your spot and enjoy a discount on your tickets. Online registration will close 2 days prior to program date so we can prepare. On-site registration opens at 10am on the day of the program.
• Family Participation: Children must be accompanied by a paying adult. This is not a drop-off program, a paying adult must attend.

Please note: 

• Pre-registration rates will close 1 day before the event. After this deadline, on-site or day-of registration rates will apply.
• Activities are open from 10:15am-1pm; feel free to arrive at your convenience and stay as long as you like. 
• Children must be accompanied by a paying adult (solo children not allowed). Everyone attending the program must register. 
• Museum admission is separate from program fees. Museum Members enjoy free admission to the Museum, but will still need to pay the program fee. Non-members will need to pay both Museum admission and the program fee. 

Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel your registration, email programs@nhmu.utah.edu no later than one week prior to the program start date/time. If refunds are requested after that timeframe, we will process on a case by case basis.

Questions? Contact Youth and Family Programs Manager, 
Shelli Campbell, at programs@nhmu.utah.edu

Indulge your taste buds at the Utah Food Festival on May 4th and 5th at NHMU, a celebration of our region's rich culinary heritage, spanning from ancient ancestral foods to contemporary delicacies. Guests can sample and shop an array of tantalizing flavors from local artisans, delve into delicious workshops led by culinary experts, and enrich their knowledge of food history with insightful lessons.

Workshops are hosted by our amazing partners at Harmons, Caputos, Caffe Ibis, Prime Corn, and Wasatch Community Gardens. They sell out fast, so register soon by following the links below.

The festival will also feature Scientists in the Spotlight, an Oolitic Sand Experience, a Kid's Drop Off Zone, a Dino Diner Activity Zone, and Food of Utah Gallery Tours! Museum scientists will also present talks on topics such as Fermented Foods and Fungal Delights, Harvesting the City: The Case for Urban Foraging, Importance of Getting Lunch in Human Evolution, and the Four Corners Potato: The 10,000-year-old Utah Food.

The festival is included with regular Museum admission, and is free for Museum Members and University of Utah faculty, staff, and students. Admission can sell out so we encourage you to reserve tickets in advance. 

Workshops require an additional fee and seats are limited. Register by following the links below.

Thank you for helping make the 2024 Lecture Series a great success. We will update this page with details on the 2025 series when available. 

The 2024 Lecture Series

This spring, join the Natural History Museum of Utah as we explore the latest thinking on thinking in our 2024 Lecture Series: The Science of Intelligence: Human. Plant. Animal. Machine.

What we know about intelligence is changing fast. Scientists are publishing groundbreaking research expanding our understanding of how animals view the world around them. We hear news of surprising findings that suggest plants may “think” in ways we never considered possible. And with Chat GPT’s sudden arrival, artificial intelligence – formerly the realm of science fiction – is now a presence in our daily lives.

Through a world-class lineup of experts, this year’s Lecture Series will delve deep into the science of reason and understanding, the ability to solve complex problems, and more. These four science storytellers will explore intelligence across a variety of forms – from the untold impacts of artificial intelligence to the hidden realms of animal senses to the interconnectedness of trees.

This year’s Lecture Series theme is inspired by the Museum’s current special exhibition, Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall. The exhibition shares the remarkable story of the life and work of renowned scientist Jane Goodall, whose early research delivered groundbreaking revelations on the intelligence of humankind’s closest living relatives, chimpanzees.

Teens using critical thinking to create change in their communities. 

What is the Critical Action Lab? 

The Critical Action Lab (CAL) is a paid internship program for teens passionate about climate action. CAL Fellows apply critical thinking skills as they work together to plan activities designed to engage their peers in spreading awareness about climate change and learning how to take action in their communities.  

The first group of CAL Fellows began work in Fall 2023! They are designing and hosting a series of activities, including the upcoming events listed below.

What Does it Take to be a Critical Action Lab Fellow? 

The Critical Action Lab program is designed to support dedicated, driven teens who are witnessing the effects of climate change on the world around them and want to do something about it. Through the program they are provided with the resources and learn the skills needed to make an impact. 

The Fellows meet weekly to discuss and plan activities aimed community building and helping other teens learn how to take action on issues that matter to them. 

Interested in Joining? 

Applications for the 2024-25 program are now closed. Check back soon for more information about the events we'll be hosting this year!

Questions about the Critical Action Lab Program? 

Please email us to learn more. 

Sign up here to receive email updates about the program and our activities. 

Looking for more great information about climate change and its impacts? 

Celebrate Women in Nature and Science on February 10

Join us at the Natural History Museum of Utah on February 10, on the eve of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, as we proudly present our inaugural Women in Nature & Science celebration. (See the full event schedule here.) While our mission at NHMU is to illuminate the natural world and the place of humans within it, we also aim to inspire future generations of scientists. In particular, we are dedicated to breaking barriers and encouraging the participation of underrepresented minorities in STEM careers.

This is a celebration of the invaluable contributions made by women scientists in diverse fields, many of whom have excelled in traditionally male-dominated disciplines. Our event brings together exceptional guest speakers and community partners who share a common goal: to inspire and excite women and girls to pursue fulfilling careers in science and nature-related fields.

We invite you to be a part of this incredible gathering that will cultivate a supportive community for women in science. Join us on February 10 for an enriching experience that celebrates diversity, breaks down barriers, and fuels the aspirations of the next generation of Women in Nature & Science.

Follow the event link below for more details and a schedule of our amazing guest speakers.