photo: georgiaaquarium.org/explore-the-aquarium/events-and-programs/sleepovers.aspx
Aquarium and museum sleepovers are an unforgettable experience for students. Enjoy great activities throughout the evening and sleep near the amazing artifacts! Exhibits take on a different flair after dark! Here are 12 awesome aquarium and museum sleepovers available this year for youth:
Aquarium and Museum Sleepovers
“Ocean Odyssey” “This program is designed for grades 2 – 5. Let the Georgia Aquarium staff take your group on a cruise aboard the “SS Star” through the deep waters of the ocean and its coral reefs. The program focuses on the aquatic animals and habitats including sharks and whales and what you can do to help preserve these wonderful resources. Get ready to explore the Aquarium through a variety of special activities, tours, animal encounters and more!”
“Ocean Lights” “This interactive program designed for middle school students, grades 6-8, takes them on a scientific journey. They will explore geological oceanography, which focuses on the topographic features and physical makeup of the ocean floor; meteorological oceanography, which pertains to the study of the ocean’s interaction with the atmosphere and the effect on weather and climate; and biological oceanography, which concentrates on deep ocean animal life. This program is also perfect for Boy Scouts earning their Oceanography badge.”
Cost: $99.95 per person / Members: $90.95 per person
2. American Museum of Natural History, New York City:
“A Night at the Museum, the American Museum of Natural History’s wildly popular sleepover experience, is as exciting as ever.
As the doors close and the lights dim, you and your group will head out with flashlights in search of a variety of adventures.
Meet your relatives in the Anne and Bernard Spitzer Hall of Human Origins. Climb the stairs and enter the Age of Dinosaurs, standing beneath a fearsome T. Rex. Explore our live-animal exhibitions with knowledgeable Museum explainers or encounter live animals—bats, wolves, birds of prey—and learn all about their habitats. Or perhaps discovery the Mysteries of the Unseen World now showing in the LeFrak Theater.
As the night comes to a magical close, settle down beneath the 94-foot-long blue whale, next to African elephants, or at the base of a striking volcanic formation and fall asleep in the darkened halls of one of the world’s most beloved museums. “
Age Group: 6-13 year olds
Cost: $145 per person / $125 for scout groups
photo: mos.org/overnights
“Ever wonder what happens to the Museum at night? The Overnight Program allows students in grades 1 – 7 and their adult chaperones to discover science in an entertaining, educational, and interactive way through hands-on science activities, a Theater of Electricity Lightning! show, science demonstrations, an Omni film, time to explore the Museum, and much more. Plus, where else do you have a chance to sleep under a dinosaur or a giant grasshopper?”
Age Group: Youth in grades 1 – 7.
Cost: Not listed. Email overnights@mos.org for rates.
4. International Spy Museum, Washington DC:
“When the lights go down, the adventure begins! The Museum doors have been locked for the night, but in the shadows a group of exclusive recruits stand ready to begin a night of top-secret KidSpy training. This could be you! Perfect your alias and cover-story, check in at “Border Patrol,” and prepare for a night of intrigue and adventure. As a spy school recruit, your mission begins with taking on a secret identity and gathering intelligence about real spy skills. During the night, you will transform yourself through disguise, make and break secret codes, uncover important secrets, interrogate real spies, and hunt for a mole within your ranks! At the same time, the adults lurking nearby will be kept on their toes with their own super-clandestine mission. As day breaks, enemy agents will be exposed in a dramatic finale, KidSpy agents and adults will reclaim their “real” (how do we know you are who you say you are?) identities and this adventure-filled mission will be accomplished.”
Age Group: Operation Secret Slumber is designed for children 9 to 13 years old.
Cost: $115 per person / $105 for members
5. National Archives, Washington DC:
photo: archivesfoundation.org/sleepover/
“Have you ever wondered what happens in a museum after the building closes and the lights go out? Now’s your chance!
Join us for a special sleepover at the National Archives Museum in Washington, DC, and spend the night next to America’s most precious treasures: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
This summer’s sleepover theme is “Explorers Night,” and will feature hands-on activities to help young explorers investigate – through music, chats with historical figures, games, and more – some of the greatest adventures of all time. Campers will journey to the Arctic, visit Outer Space, and discover the American West as they explore the National Archives Museum’s treasured records. Guests also will be treated to movies in the museum’s William G. McGowan Theater before turning in for the night, and will enjoy breakfast – including pancakes flipped by Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero – and more activities the next morning.”
Age Group: These events are open to children 8-12 years old. Cost: $125 General Admission / $100 Members
6. Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Washington DC:
“Solve a Smithsonian mystery of historic proportions! The devious diva Miss Rose has stolen six valuable objects from the National Museum of American History—and you need to discover what’s missing before evening’s end.
Become a detective and roam through the museum’s galleries. Use your cunning and skills to collect clues that guide you to the crime scene. Along the way, take part in some great games, experiments, and craft projects—and even become a presidential candidate. A film screening is also part of the night of mystery.
After you have solved the crime, roll out your bag and sleep soundly knowing that you’ve protected some of America’s treasures—and had plenty of fun.”
Age Group: 8 to 12 years old.
Cost: $135 General Admission / $120 Smithsonian Associate members Price includes exclusive access and activities in a Smithsonian museum, evening snack, interactive exploration, arts and crafts activities, film screening, and light breakfast.
7. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC:
photo: http://smithsoniansleepovers.org/natural-history/index.shtm
“A night of adventure awaits you as you enter the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, just as the doors are closing, the lights dim, and the crowds shuffle out…
…the wonders of the museum’s Mammal Hall and Sant Ocean Hall are yours to explore. Go on an interactive exploration of the museum, participate in hands-on crafts projects, and view an IMAX film: Island Of Lemurs: Madagascar 3D. Then roll out your sleeping bag and dream away in the darkened halls of one of the world’s most famous museums!”
Age Group: 8 to 12 years old.
Cost: $135 General Admission / $120 Smithsonian Associate members Price includes exclusive access and activities in a Smithsonian museum, evening snack, interactive exploration, arts and crafts activities, IMAX screening, and light breakfast.
8. Field Museum, Chicago: “The lights dim as you explore the rituals of ancient Egyptian culture, guided by the light of your flashlight. Next, you prowl an African savannah with giraffes, hippos, and man-eating lions. Take a break by playing games from around the world or touching giant bugs from right in your backyard. Cap your night of exploration and adventure with cozy bedtime stories, before drifting off to dreamland in one of our amazing exhibits. Bring your family and friends for a night at the museum you’ll never forget!”
Age Group: Overnights are available for families and groups with children ages 6-12.
Cost: $63 per person / $55 for Field Museum members
9. Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago:
photo: msichicago.org/education/community/snoozeum/
“Explore the Museum’s one-of-a-kind exhibits after everyone else has gone home. Participate in special science activities and make your own science toys. Complete a scavenger hunt for a special patch! Sleep nose-to-nose with a 727, next to a giant heart or steps away from a toy-making factory.”
Age Group: Participants ages 6-12 are welcome.
Cost: $65 per person fee includes overnight admission, parking, an Omnimax® film, activities, a Snoozeum patch and breakfast.
10. Franklin Institute, Philadelphia
“Experience live shows and workshops, stargazing in the observatory (weather permitting) and sleep next to some of our famed exhibits! On your overnight adventure, you’ll have access to all of the museum’s offerings AND children will earn a souvenir activity patch that entitles you to FREE admission for a year!” Age Group: Camp-ins are open to children ages 6-13.
Cost: $54.50 per person – Saturday Nights \ $48.50 per person – Friday Nights \ $45.50 per person – Franklin Institute Members
11. Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh
“Bring your family or Scout troop on a science siesta! Discover the science of shuteye as you explore circadian rhythms and hibernation. Investigate ultraviolet light in our glow room. Test your reflexes in our simulated sleep deprivation challenge and make a sleep mask to help you slumber the night away. You might get to snooze next to R2-D2, dream beside seahorses, or catch some Z’s near a space station.”
Age Group: Not listed.
Cost: $35 per person Price includes themed activities, omnimax movie, planetarium or laser show, live theater show, science workshop, official Science Center patch, late-night snack, continental breakfast, free admission for the day following the sleepover, including Highmark SportsWorks® and USS Requin, and parking.
photo: aqua.org/visit/immersion-tours/dolphin-sleepover
12. National Aquarium, Baltimore
“Your fun-filled evening begins with a stop in Dolphin Discovery reserved seating in the dolphin amphitheater, where you can see our dolphins in action! Throughout the evening, you will explore behind-the-scenes areas and learn interesting facts in the Dolphin Discovery Lab! You’ll even get the chance to walk the catwalk, where sharks swim silently just inches below you. Finally, fall asleep in our underwater viewing area. After breakfast, join our marine mammal experts for a private talk and exclusive enrichment session with our dolphins.”
Age Group: Participants in the sleepover must be at least 8 years old.
Cost: Adult, Senior, Child $114.95 / Member $102.95 Price includes Aquarium admission, behind-the-scenes tour, 4D Immersion Film, dinner, and continental breakfast.
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