Featured Events
PLAY FOR KCUA Pickleball Tournament
Benefiting KC Urban Advantage
Saturday, September 20, 2025
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Chicken N Pickle – Overland Park
Join us for the Fourth Annual PLAY FOR KCUA Pickleball Tournament, a high-energy morning of fun, excitement, food, drinks, and community impact — all to benefit KC Urban Advantage (KCUA)!
KCUA is dedicated to providing equitable access to high-quality STEAM education for Kansas City’s most underserved students. This event celebrates collaboration, partnership, and access for all as we work together to build bridges across Kansas City and break the cycle of poverty through education.
Grab your paddle, rally your team, and be part of something amazing!
Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play
Get Ready to Play, Learn & SLIME!
Join us for Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play on September 27th, 10am-12n— a jam-packed celebration of movement, fun, and fitness!
Learn pro tips from an AdventHealth Sports Medicine Specialist on the best snacks to fuel your body and simple daily moves to keep you in peak performance shape. Whether you’re into Baseball, Cheer, Football, Gymnastics, Soccer, Basketball, Dance — or ANY sport — staying strong and ready is the secret to success!
After that, hit the Patio Free Play Stations on the Terrace for hands-on fun and active games.
Then get ready, because it’s… TIME. TO. SLIME!
This is a FREE event — but space is limited and registration is required. Don’t miss out on the ultimate day of play!
Science Happy Hour: Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Tsunamis...Oh My!
The Earth Shook. The Ocean Answered.
On July 29, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake ripped through the seafloor off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, unleashing tsunami warnings across the Pacific — reaching as far south as Santiago, Chile. It stands as the largest earthquake ever recorded in human history. What forces unleashed such unimaginable power beneath our feet? And more importantly — could it happen again?
Join us for an eye-opening presentation with renowned geologist Dr. Allen Macfarlane as he takes us deep inside the science, the mystery, and the future of our restless planet.
Don’t miss this unforgettable journey into the Earth’s most powerful forces.
Wednesday, October 8th
Doors open at 5:30 PM for Happy Hour drinks
Talk begins at 6PM
Tickets are FREE for membership and $10 for non-members

Little Explorer’s Club: Stone Age Tools
Step back in time with us! In this hands-on session, preschool-age children will discover how early humans created tools and expressed themselves through art. Little explorers will learn about Stone Age life and then create their own ancient-style artwork using sticks and paper bags—just like early artists did with natural materials. It’s a creative journey through history that’s perfect for curious young minds!

JAM Sessions: Build a Gumdrop Geodesic Dome
Dome building are loved for their unique looks, but why would one build using a dome over a standard design? What kinds of building are generally built using domes, and what are their benefits? In this hands-on activity, JAMmers build a geodesic dome out of gumdrops or candy corn and toothpicks.

Little Explorer’s Club: Pyramids
Join us on an ancient adventure as we explore the incredible world of pyramids! Designed for preschool-age children, this hands-on session will introduce young learners to the wonders of ancient Egypt. Kids will discover how pyramids were built, learn about their importance, and use simple, ancient-inspired techniques to build their very own mini pyramids. Come ready to dig into history and build like the Egyptians!

JAM Sessions: Build a Gumdrop Geodesic Dome
Dome building are loved for their unique looks, but why would one build using a dome over a standard design? What kinds of building are generally built using domes, and what are their benefits? In this hands-on activity, JAMmers build a geodesic dome out of gumdrops or candy corn and toothpicks.

Little Explorer’s Club: Pyramids
Join us on an ancient adventure as we explore the incredible world of pyramids! Designed for preschool-age children, this hands-on session will introduce young learners to the wonders of ancient Egypt. Kids will discover how pyramids were built, learn about their importance, and use simple, ancient-inspired techniques to build their very own mini pyramids. Come ready to dig into history and build like the Egyptians!

JAM Sessions: Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play
Get Ready to Play, Learn & SLIME!
Join us for Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play onSeptember 27th, 10am-12n— a jam-packed celebration of movement, fun, and fitness!
Learn pro tips from an AdventHealth Sports Medicine Specialist on the best snacks to fuel your body and simple daily moves to keep you in peak performance shape. Whether you’re into Baseball, Cheer, Football, Gymnastics, Soccer, Basketball, Dance — or ANY sport — staying strong and ready is the secret to success!
After that, hit the Patio Free Play Stations on the Terrace for hands-on fun and active games.
Then get ready, because it’s… TIME. TO. SLIME!
This is a FREE event — but space is limited and registration is required. Don’t miss out on the ultimate day of play!

Little Explorer’s Club: Pyramids
Join us on an ancient adventure as we explore the incredible world of pyramids! Designed for preschool-age children, this hands-on session will introduce young learners to the wonders of ancient Egypt. Kids will discover how pyramids were built, learn about their importance, and use simple, ancient-inspired techniques to build their very own mini pyramids. Come ready to dig into history and build like the Egyptians!

JAM Sessions: Natural Sun Prints
Dome building are loved for their unique looks, but why would one build using a dome over a standard design? What kinds of building are generally built using domes, and what are their benefits? In this hands-on activity, JAMmers build a geodesic dome out of gumdrops or candy corn and toothpicks.

Little Explorer’s Club: Sneaky Shadows
Get ready to explore the science of light and shadow! In this playful, hands-on session, preschoolers will discover how shadows are made, experiment with different objects, and even create their own shadow shapes. It's a fun and sneaky way to learn all about how light works!

Little Explorer’s Club: Sneaky Shadows
Get ready to explore the science of light and shadow! In this playful, hands-on session, preschoolers will discover how shadows are made, experiment with different objects, and even create their own shadow shapes. It's a fun and sneaky way to learn all about how light works!

JAM Sessions: Natural Sun Prints
Dome building are loved for their unique looks, but why would one build using a dome over a standard design? What kinds of building are generally built using domes, and what are their benefits? In this hands-on activity, JAMmers build a geodesic dome out of gumdrops or candy corn and toothpicks.

Little Explorer’s Club: Sneaky Shadows
Get ready to explore the science of light and shadow! In this playful, hands-on session, preschoolers will discover how shadows are made, experiment with different objects, and even create their own shadow shapes. It's a fun and sneaky way to learn all about how light works!

JAM Sessions: Trick or STEAM
Parents often joke that Halloween candy will rot your teeth, but how true is this claim? Can we test to see how acidic some of our favorite candies are? In this hands-on activity, JAMmers will learn aspects of science by conducting experiments on candies. The session will end with making glow-in-the-dark slime.

Little Explorer’s Club: Spider Webs
Join us for a creepy-crawly adventure as we learn all about spider webs! Preschoolers will discover how spiders spin their sticky traps, explore the different kinds of webs they make, and work together to create a giant class spider web. We'll even “catch” some pretend insects to see how webs really work! Perfect for curious little ones who love nature and hands-on fun!

Little Explorer’s Club: Spider Webs
Join us for a creepy-crawly adventure as we learn all about spider webs! Preschoolers will discover how spiders spin their sticky traps, explore the different kinds of webs they make, and work together to create a giant class spider web. We'll even “catch” some pretend insects to see how webs really work! Perfect for curious little ones who love nature and hands-on fun!

JAM Sessions: Trick or STEAM
Parents often joke that Halloween candy will rot your teeth, but how true is this claim? Can we test to see how acidic some of our favorite candies are? In this hands-on activity, JAMmers will learn aspects of science by conducting experiments on candies. The session will end with making glow-in-the-dark slime.

Little Explorer’s Club: Spider Webs
Join us for a creepy-crawly adventure as we learn all about spider webs! Preschoolers will discover how spiders spin their sticky traps, explore the different kinds of webs they make, and work together to create a giant class spider web. We'll even “catch” some pretend insects to see how webs really work! Perfect for curious little ones who love nature and hands-on fun!

JAM Sessions: Fruit Batteries
What would happen if there was a power outage and you had no electricity in your house? Maybe you could rely on the fruits you have in your refrigerator for electricity. In this experiment, JAMmers will see just how much electricity can be generated from a fruit battery, and what you could actually power in your home if you needed to.

Little Explorer’s Club: Insect Classification
Join us for a bug-tastic adventure! In this Little Explorers Club session, preschoolers will discover the world of insects through hands-on fun. We'll explore how scientists classify insects and what makes them special—like having six legs and three body parts! Little ones will also get creative and make their own colorful ladybug paintings to take home. Perfect for curious minds who love to learn, play, and explore!

Little Explorer’s Club: Insect Classification
Join us for a bug-tastic adventure! In this Little Explorers Club session, preschoolers will discover the world of insects through hands-on fun. We'll explore how scientists classify insects and what makes them special—like having six legs and three body parts! Little ones will also get creative and make their own colorful ladybug paintings to take home. Perfect for curious minds who love to learn, play, and explore!

JAM Sessions: Fruit Batteries
What would happen if there was a power outage and you had no electricity in your house? Maybe you could rely on the fruits you have in your refrigerator for electricity. In this experiment, JAMmers will see just how much electricity can be generated from a fruit battery, and what you could actually power in your home if you needed to.

Little Explorer’s Club: Insect Classification
Join us for a bug-tastic adventure! In this Little Explorers Club session, preschoolers will discover the world of insects through hands-on fun. We'll explore how scientists classify insects and what makes them special—like having six legs and three body parts! Little ones will also get creative and make their own colorful ladybug paintings to take home. Perfect for curious minds who love to learn, play, and explore!

JAM Sessions: Turkey Balloon Races
We usually think of turkeys waddling and gobbling on the ground, but those who see turkeys in the wild know they can run fast, and fly, when they feel like it. In this hilarious and exciting hands-on activity, students construct their own turkey balloon racers and then conduct races with each other. Who will come out on top?

Little Explorer’s Club: Insect Exoskeletons
Join us for a buggy good time as we explore the fascinating world of insects and their exoskeletons! Designed for preschool-aged children, this hands-on program will introduce little learners to what makes insects unique—from their hard outer shells to how they grow and move. Kids will get crafty making their very own egg carton ants to take home while learning fun facts about our six-legged friends. Perfect for curious minds who love to crawl, climb, and create!

JAM Sessions: Turkey Balloon Races
We usually think of turkeys waddling and gobbling on the ground, but those who see turkeys in the wild know they can run fast, and fly, when they feel like it. In this hilarious and exciting hands-on activity, students construct their own turkey balloon racers and then conduct races with each other. Who will come out on top?

Little Explorer’s Club: Insect Exoskeletons
Join us for a buggy good time as we explore the fascinating world of insects and their exoskeletons! Designed for preschool-aged children, this hands-on program will introduce little learners to what makes insects unique—from their hard outer shells to how they grow and move. Kids will get crafty making their very own egg carton ants to take home while learning fun facts about our six-legged friends. Perfect for curious minds who love to crawl, climb, and create!

Little Explorer’s Club: Insect Exoskeletons (Copy)
Join us for a buggy good time as we explore the fascinating world of insects and their exoskeletons! Designed for preschool-aged children, this hands-on program will introduce little learners to what makes insects unique—from their hard outer shells to how they grow and move. Kids will get crafty making their very own egg carton ants to take home while learning fun facts about our six-legged friends. Perfect for curious minds who love to crawl, climb, and create!

JAM Sessions: Crystal Holiday Decorations
Crystals are a favorite among geologists, but they're also important when forming snow. If you have the right recipe, you can even form crystals yourself! In this hands-on activity that is to be completed at home, JAMmers grow crystals on pipe cleaners to make fancy Holiday decorations.

Little Explorer’s Club: Fur and Blubber
Join us for a chilly adventure as we learn how animals like polar bears stay warm in icy places! Preschool-aged children will explore the science behind fur and blubber, then get creative by making their very own polar bear paintings to take home. Perfect for curious little minds and busy hands!

JAM Sessions: Crystal Holiday Decorations
Crystals are a favorite among geologists, but they're also important when forming snow. If you have the right recipe, you can even form crystals yourself! In this hands-on activity that is to be completed at home, JAMmers grow crystals on pipe cleaners to make fancy Holiday decorations.

Little Explorer’s Club: Fur and Blubber
Join us for a chilly adventure as we learn how animals like polar bears stay warm in icy places! Preschool-aged children will explore the science behind fur and blubber, then get creative by making their very own polar bear paintings to take home. Perfect for curious little minds and busy hands!

Little Explorer’s Club: Fur and Blubber
Join us for a chilly adventure as we learn how animals like polar bears stay warm in icy places! Preschool-aged children will explore the science behind fur and blubber, then get creative by making their very own polar bear paintings to take home. Perfect for curious little minds and busy hands!

JAM Sessions: Designer Ears
We don't think about the shape of our ears often, but human ears look very different compared to other creatures. JAMmers will experience what it’s like to have differently shaped ears and how it affects hearing and perhaps be able to answer the questions: Why do animals’ ears look different from yours? What would life be like if your ears were shaped differently?

Little Explorer’s Club: Stone Age Tools
Step back in time with us! In this hands-on session, preschool-age children will discover how early humans created tools and expressed themselves through art. Little explorers will learn about Stone Age life and then create their own ancient-style artwork using sticks and paper bags—just like early artists did with natural materials. It’s a creative journey through history that’s perfect for curious young minds!

Little Explorer’s Club: Stone Age Tools
Step back in time with us! In this hands-on session, preschool-age children will discover how early humans created tools and expressed themselves through art. Little explorers will learn about Stone Age life and then create their own ancient-style artwork using sticks and paper bags—just like early artists did with natural materials. It’s a creative journey through history that’s perfect for curious young minds!

JAM Sessions: Designer Ears
We don't think about the shape of our ears often, but human ears look very different compared to other creatures. JAMmers will experience what it’s like to have differently shaped ears and how it affects hearing and perhaps be able to answer the questions: Why do animals’ ears look different from yours? What would life be like if your ears were shaped differently?

Little Explorer’s Club: Totem Poles
Discover the stories and symbols of totem poles! Little explorers will learn about their cultural significance and explore the fascinating traditions behind these towering works of art.

JAM Sessions: Science of the Cicada Symphony
We are now in the dog days of summer, the hottest part of the year. It is no surprise, then, that the noisy cicadas you’re hearing are called dog day cicadas! These are fascinating insects, and their calls seem to instantly bring warm summer evenings to mind. There are several species that fall into this group - and did you know that you and actually identify the different species by their song?
In this JAM, you will learn how and why cicadas make their calls and how they can be so loud! We’ll test our knowledge of cicada calls and walk along the wetlands trail for observation…possibly even handling. (They are harmless!)

Little Explorer’s Club: Totem Poles
Discover the stories and symbols of totem poles! Little explorers will learn about their cultural significance and explore the fascinating traditions behind these towering works of art.

Little Explorer’s Club: Totem Poles
Discover the stories and symbols of totem poles! Little explorers will learn about their cultural significance and explore the fascinating traditions behind these towering works of art.

JAM Sessions: Science of the Cicada Symphony
We are now in the dog days of summer, the hottest part of the year. It is no surprise, then, that the noisy cicadas you’re hearing are called dog day cicadas! These are fascinating insects, and their calls seem to instantly bring warm summer evenings to mind. There are several species that fall into this group - and did you know that you and actually identify the different species by their song?
In this JAM, you will learn how and why cicadas make their calls and how they can be so loud! We’ll test our knowledge of cicada calls and walk along the wetlands trail for observation…possibly even handling. (They are harmless!)

Little Explorer’s Club: Native Americans in Kansas
Journey through history as we learn about the Native American tribes of Kansas! Little explorers will discover their traditions, stories, and daily life through hands-on activities and engaging storytelling.

JAM Sessions: Sketching From Nature
Think of the last picture of a plant or an animal you saw in a book - was it a photograph or a drawing? We are all used to seeing images of nature through photographs in our books, magazines, and videos. Photography is a pretty young field, and early scientists couldn’t simply pull out a phone and snap a picture! So, how did they record the tiny details of natural objects? In this natural history JAM, we’ll take a look at some of the earliest drawings, even from ancient Roman and Greek times, of plants and animals these early scientists made. We will also go on our own exploration along the wetlands trail to find objects to sketch.

Little Explorer’s Club: Native Americans in Kansas
Journey through history as we learn about the Native American tribes of Kansas! Little explorers will discover their traditions, stories, and daily life through hands-on activities and engaging storytelling.

Little Explorer’s Club: Native Americans in Kansas
Journey through history as we learn about the Native American tribes of Kansas! Little explorers will discover their traditions, stories, and daily life through hands-on activities and engaging storytelling.

JAM Sessions: Sketching From Nature
Think of the last picture of a plant or an animal you saw in a book - was it a photograph or a drawing? We are all used to seeing images of nature through photographs in our books, magazines, and videos. Photography is a pretty young field, and early scientists couldn’t simply pull out a phone and snap a picture! So, how did they record the tiny details of natural objects? In this natural history JAM, we’ll take a look at some of the earliest drawings, even from ancient Roman and Greek times, of plants and animals these early scientists made. We will also go on our own exploration along the wetlands trail to find objects to sketch.

Little Explorer’s Club: Human Body
Discover the amazing human body! Little scientists will explore how our bodies work, from our beating hearts to our busy brains, through fun hands-on activities and interactive learning.

Little Explorer’s Club: Human Body
Discover the amazing human body! Little scientists will explore how our bodies work, from our beating hearts to our busy brains, through fun hands-on activities and interactive learning.

JAM Sessions: What’s Swimming in your Creek?
When you think of a wetland (maybe a marsh, swamp, or small creek flowing from a pond), what living things come to mind? Most of you can probably name a few large animals and at least one or two plants. Did you know, though, that these large living organisms actually depend on tiny, even microscopic, plants and animals to survive. Without them, a wetland would not function the way it does.
In this natural science JAM, you will each be given some sampling tools for collecting specimens in our creek water behind the museum. You’ll observe your “catch” through microscopes and learn about the amazing tiny things swimming in the creek!

Little Explorer’s Club: Human Body
Discover the amazing human body! Little scientists will explore how our bodies work, from our beating hearts to our busy brains, through fun hands-on activities and interactive learning.

JAM Sessions: What’s Swimming in your Creek?
When you think of a wetland (maybe a marsh, swamp, or small creek flowing from a pond), what living things come to mind? Most of you can probably name a few large animals and at least one or two plants. Did you know, though, that these large living organisms actually depend on tiny, even microscopic, plants and animals to survive. Without them, a wetland would not function the way it does.
In this natural science JAM, you will each be given some sampling tools for collecting specimens in our creek water behind the museum. You’ll observe your “catch” through microscopes and learn about the amazing tiny things swimming in the creek!

Little Explorer’s Club: Shooting Stars & Meteors
Blast off on a cosmic adventure as we explore shooting stars and meteors! Little scientists will learn what makes meteors streak across the sky, create their own meteor crafts, and discover the wonders of space through fun, hands-on activities.

Little Explorer’s Club: Shooting Stars & Meteors
Blast off on a cosmic adventure as we explore shooting stars and meteors! Little scientists will learn what makes meteors streak across the sky, create their own meteor crafts, and discover the wonders of space through fun, hands-on activities.

JAM Sessions: Ice Cream in a Bag
Anybody up for some ice cream? Following the steps in this activity, you can make your own. July is a great time to enjoy some cold, refreshing ice cream. As with any kind of cooking and food making, there is science involved. There are chemical changes that happen when making ice cream, such as changes of state and the effect of adding substances that lower the freezing temperature of water. And in the end, you get to eat your science!

Little Explorer’s Club: Shooting Stars & Meteors
Blast off on a cosmic adventure as we explore shooting stars and meteors! Little scientists will learn what makes meteors streak across the sky, create their own meteor crafts, and discover the wonders of space through fun, hands-on activities.

JAM Sessions: Ice Cream in a Bag
Anybody up for some ice cream? Following the steps in this activity, you can make your own. July is a great time to enjoy some cold, refreshing ice cream. As with any kind of cooking and food making, there is science involved. There are chemical changes that happen when making ice cream, such as changes of state and the effect of adding substances that lower the freezing temperature of water. And in the end, you get to eat your science!

Little Explorer’s Club: Outstanding Owls
Discover the wonders of owls! Little explorers will learn about these amazing nocturnal birds, their unique adaptations. Join us for a hoot of a time with fun, hands-on activities!

Little Explorer’s Club: Outstanding Owls
Discover the wonders of owls! Little explorers will learn about these amazing nocturnal birds, their unique adaptations. Join us for a hoot of a time with fun, hands-on activities!

JAM Sessions: Misunderstood Animals - Bats
Did you know that bats live in Kansas? What do you think bats do in our native habitats, and where is the best place to find them? There are a few different species native to Kansas, and part of what makes these animals mysterious is the fact that they are nocturnal. Being nocturnal creatures, though, makes them a unique piece of the ecological puzzle.
There are also myths and misconceptions about bats - think vampire bats! - that leads to misunderstandings about these animals. In this JAM, we will learn what makes these animals unique and beneficial to their habitats and to humans.

Little Explorer’s Club: Outstanding Owls
Discover the wonders of owls! Little explorers will learn about these amazing nocturnal birds, their unique adaptations. Join us for a hoot of a time with fun, hands-on activities!

JAM Sessions: Misunderstood Animals - Bats
Did you know that bats live in Kansas? What do you think bats do in our native habitats, and where is the best place to find them? There are a few different species native to Kansas, and part of what makes these animals mysterious is the fact that they are nocturnal. Being nocturnal creatures, though, makes them a unique piece of the ecological puzzle.
There are also myths and misconceptions about bats - think vampire bats! - that leads to misunderstandings about these animals. In this JAM, we will learn what makes these animals unique and beneficial to their habitats and to humans.

Little Explorer’s Club: Turtles & Tortoises
Shell-ebrate the amazing world of turtles and tortoises! Little explorers will learn the differences between these fascinating reptiles, discover their unique adaptations, and engage in hands-on activities to bring their learning to life.