DSNH – Dayton Society of Natural History

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Monday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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ADMISSION

Children (3-12) $12.00
Adults $15.00
Seniors (60+) $13.00
Children (2 and under) Free
DSNH Members are FREE
Members must present ID with their membership card during every visit.

The Boonshoft Museum is committed to providing a safe environment for all guests; children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult (18+) at all times.

The Boonshoft Museum accepts cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX, and personal checks with proper ID

April Daily Program Schedule

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Out of School Program

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Some of our Sponsors

The Jesse and Caryl Philips Foundation
Kettering Family Philanthropies
Mr. and Mrs. Irvin G. Bieser, Jr.

The Berry Family Foundation

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What's up next for the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery?

Click to learn more about our First Floor Project

See more about SunWatch

boonshoftmuseum

Natural history museum and AZA accredited zoo in #Dayton, Ohio. Experience hands-on science, adorable animals & family fun with us. 🦥🦦🪐🧬🔬🦖
#boonshoft

Check out Walnut taking Sheldon's wheel for a spin

Check out Walnut taking Sheldon's wheel for a spin. Now, that's a fun enrichment 🦔

#bmd #boonshoftmuseum #hedgehog

Wishing a mammoth-sized Happy Mother’s Day to ev

Wishing a mammoth-sized Happy Mother’s Day to every mama-stodon out there! Love never goes extinct at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. 🦣💙

Today is World Migratory Bird Day! 🐦🪶 This

Today is World Migratory Bird Day! 🐦🪶

This year’s theme focuses on creating bird-friendly cities and communities—because when birds thrive, so do we! As urban areas grow, migratory birds face increasing challenges from habitat loss, window collisions, light pollution, pesticides, and outdoor predators. But together, we can help make their journeys safer.

Whether you’re a city planner, business owner, or simply a bird enthusiast, here are some ways everyone can support migratory birds:

🪶Plant native trees and flowers that provide food and shelter.

🪶Incorporate green spaces and water features into urban planning.

🪶Reduce nighttime lighting during migration seasons to avoid disorienting birds.

🪶Use bird-safe window designs and decals to prevent collisions.

🪶Avoid using harmful pesticides and chemicals in your yard.

🪶Keep cats safely indoors to protect both them and local wildlife.

Let’s work toward a future where our communities are safe havens for birds on their incredible journeys. By protecting them, we’re also creating healthier, greener spaces for ourselves!

Want to make a difference? Check out Environment for the Americas handy guide for practical steps to create a bird-friendly space! 🐦🪶🦉

Join us for our next Homeschool Day on Monday, May

Join us for our next Homeschool Day on Monday, May 12th. This months theme is Pond Study! 💧

Visit the Coovert Pond on the museum grounds to discover and observe plants and animals in an aquatic habitat. Students will become field biologists and ecologists as they collect and identify macroinvertebrates and other aquatic animals to determine the health of our pond. 🐢🐟

Register here:
https://3oyzepbdqesoz9gruhegxq.jumbula.com/homeschool-days

#bmd #boonshoftmuseum #HomeschoolDay

Patience should be in the running for cutest snoot

Patience should be in the running for cutest snoot to boop. 🦥 If you would like to boop her snoot leave a 👈 in the comments.

📷: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper

#bmd #boonshoftmuseum #sloth

He's been waiting so patiently #bmd #boonshoftmu

He's been waiting so patiently

#bmd #boonshoftmuseum #owl #burrowingowl #joeburrow

It’s Amphibian Week—let’s hop to it! 🐸 F

It’s Amphibian Week—let’s hop to it! 🐸

From bumpy toads to slippery salamanders, amphibians are nature’s moisture-loving marvels. They play a huge role in healthy ecosystems and are fascinating little indicators of environmental change.

Celebrate these cold-blooded cuties all week long—whether you’re spotting a frog in your backyard or visiting our dart frogs, milk frogs, and toads in person!

Fun fact: Our dart frogs aren’t poisonous like their wild cousins—thanks to a different (non-toxic) diet in human care!

#bmd #boonshoftmuseum #amphibiansofinstagram #amphibianweek

🎉🐢 Happy Birthday, Tonka! 🐢🎉 Today we

🎉🐢 Happy Birthday, Tonka! 🐢🎉

Today we’re shell-ebrating a very special resident—Tonka the gopher tortoise! 🥳 Born around 2007 in Texas, Tonka joined us at the Boonshoft Museum in 2021, making the journey from the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco. Since then, she’s slowly and steadily stolen our hearts. 💚

Tonka enjoys a tasty diet of mustard or turnip greens mixed with dry timothy hay and a sprinkle of veggies like squash, carrots, and bell peppers. (Can we get that on the menu too? 🥗)

While gopher tortoises aren’t native to Ohio, many turtles are! If you spot one on the road this spring or summer, lend a helping hand—gently move it across in the direction it was headed. Just remember: take photos and memories, not turtles! 📸🐢

Wish Tonka a happy birthday below, and come say hi to our favorite slowpoke next time you visit! 🎂🎈

📷: Amy Oliver, Volunteer

#HappyBirthdayTonka #TurtlePower #BoonshoftMuseum #TortoiseTuesdayEveryday

🌞🏺 Summer Camp Spotlight: Ancient Egypt 🏺

🌞🏺 Summer Camp Spotlight: Ancient Egypt 🏺🌞
Ready to travel back in time? We’ve still got spots open for our Ancient Egypt camp—and it’s going to be legendary!

Campers will investigate facts about the sphinx, explore the art of the Ancient Egyptians, and even learn about the science of mummification! From pyramid construction and archaeology to geography and hieroglyphics, it’s a deep dive into one of the most fascinating civilizations in history. 🌍💀✏️

🔍 Ages: [5-14]
📍 At the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
🎟️ Space is limited, so sign up today!

Register here:
https://3oyzepbdqesoz9gruhegxq.jumbula.com/summer-stem-camps

Because when summer hits, history gets hands-on.

#BoonshoftSummerCamp #AncientEgypt #STEMcamp #NotSoHidden #DiscoveryStartsHere

✨ Hidden gem? More like Dayton’s Brightest Sta

✨ Hidden gem? More like Dayton’s Brightest Star! 🌟

The Boonshoft Museum isn’t just tucked away—it’s one of the most visited museums in the city, and it’s easy to see why! From our mind-blowing planetarium and hands-on science exhibits to our indoor zoo full of incredible animal ambassadors, there’s something new to discover every visit.

🎉 And now we’re challenging YOU to show why we’re #NotSoHidden!
📸 Share your favorite Boonshoft moments with the hashtag #NotSoHidden and you could WIN free passes in our monthly contest!

Whether you're meeting a meerkat, blasting off in the planetarium, or just soaking in the science—we want to see it!

🔍 Boonshoft Museum of Discovery:
Not So Hidden. Always a Gem.

#BoonshoftMuseum #NotSoHidden #HiddenGemNoMore #DaytonsBrightestStar #FamilyFun #STEMAdventure

Next Sunday is Sensory Sunday, where we open the m

Next Sunday is Sensory Sunday, where we open the museum two hours early and offer a less stimulating experience. During these special hours, we adjust lighting and sound and have trained volunteers and additional staff available. Sensory Sundays are sponsored by @daytonchildrens and the Ohio Pain Clinic. Don't forget to ask about our sensory bags, now available at the front desk for free! Also, our new universal changing station is open which features an attached sensory room, offering a calming space for those who need it.

#bmd #boonshoftmuseum #boonshoft #sensorysunday

🎉🌵 ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo from the Discovery

🎉🌵 ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo from the Discovery Zoo! 🌵🎉

Today we’re celebrating the rich biodiversity of Mexico by spotlighting some of our incredible animal ambassadors whose species can be found in Mexico—and in other parts of Central and South America too!

Say “hola” to: 🐍 Mimic & Ray – Our striking Pueblan milk snakes, known for their vibrant red, black, and yellow bands! 🐍 Ruby – A stunning boa constrictor representing a species that ranges from Mexico all the way down through South America. 🦉 Joe & Leia – Our charming burrowing owls, who are enjoying the peace and quiet of quarantine while they wait for their new habitat. 🐢 Paco & Segundo – Two mellow desert tortoises, a species native to parts of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. 🐒 Kirby & Maya – Our playful kinkajous, tropical mammals found in forests across Mexico and Central America. 🕷 Meatball – Our red-rumped tarantula, flaunting her fuzzy flair and representing one of Mexico’s more famous arachnids!

While these animals might call a variety of places home in the wild, today we’re giving a special shoutout to their ties to Mexico—one of the most biologically diverse countries on Earth! 🌎💚

Stop by and celebrate with us—you might leave with a new favorite (furry, scaly, or spidery) friend! 🐾

#CincoDeMayo #DiscoveryZoo #BoonshoftMuseum #AnimalAmbassadors #Biodiversity #ZooLife #VivaLaVidaSalvaje

May the 4th be with you! 🌌✨ These are not the

May the 4th be with you! 🌌✨
These are not the otters you're looking for...
(But Eno and Sikwa are the adorable ambassadors you're hoping to see!)
Celebrate Star Wars Day with a splash of cuteness—and maybe a Jedi mind trick or two.

📷: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper

#StarWarsDay #MayThe4thBeWithYou #OtterlyAdorable #BoonshoftOtters

Dig into science with us! 🌻 Join the Boonshoft

Dig into science with us! 🌻

Join the Boonshoft Museum and our friends from the Dayton Foodbank for a fun, hands-on science activity that’s all about taking care of our planet!

Together, we’ll explore how recycling helps reduce landfill waste and how gardening supports essential pollinators like bees and butterflies. Each participant will get to pot their own sunflower to take home and grow!🌻

When: May 6 at 9:30am & 10:30am
Duration: ~30 minutes

Don’t miss this bloomin’ good time! Register for this free program here:
https://boonshoft.org/events/

#bmd #boonshoftmuseum #OutOfSchoolPrograms

💫 Happy Star Wars Day from the Boonshoft Museum

💫 Happy Star Wars Day from the Boonshoft Museum! 💫🌌

Whether you're an aspiring Jedi, a curious young Padawan, or a science-loving Wookiee, we’re celebrating the galaxy’s greatest day with a force as strong as our love for science and nature!

🛰️ Explore the universe in our Planetarium.
🧬 Feel the Force in every hands-on experiment.
🐾 And may the enrichment be with our Discovery Zoo residents today! (No Ewoks, but our meerkats are a close second.)

⚔️ May the Fourth Be With You — today and every day at the Boonshoft!

📷: Amanda Stine, Lead Animal Keeper & Reese Miller, Animal Keeper

#MayTheFourth #StarWarsDay #BoonshoftMuseum #ForceOfNature #ScienceAndSciFi #DiscoveryZoo

🎉 Happy 14th Birthday, Nessie! 🎉 Today we c

🎉 Happy 14th Birthday, Nessie! 🎉

Today we celebrate Nessie, our remarkable Mertens' water monitor, born on May 3, 2011, at the Bronx Zoo in New York. Since arriving at the Boonshoft Museum on October 19, 2017, Nessie has been a cherished ambassador for her endangered species.

Native to northern Australia, Mertens' water monitors (Varanus mertensi) are semi-aquatic lizards that play a crucial role in their ecosystems. Unfortunately, their populations have declined significantly due to threats like invasive cane toads, which are toxic to them upon ingestion.

Nessie's favorite meal? Fish! Her diet also includes insects like super worms and dubia roaches, specially prepared raw meat, and frozen-thawed young mice.

In celebration of Earth Day, let's honor Nessie by taking steps to protect our waterways. Pollution affects aquatic life worldwide, and since all water systems are connected, our actions have far-reaching impacts. You can help by picking up trash along local streams and avoiding the use of harsh cleaners like bleach.

Join us in wishing Nessie a fantastic birthday and commit to making a positive difference for wildlife everywhere! 💚🌊🦎

#bmd #boonshoftmuseum #EarthDay #HappyBirthdayNessie #ConservationMatters

🍎✨ Happy National Teacher Day! ✨🍎 Today

🍎✨ Happy National Teacher Day! ✨🍎

Today—and every day—we celebrate the incredible educators who ignite curiosity, inspire wonder, and shape the minds of future scientists, conservationists, and explorers. 🌍🔬🦉

At the Boonshoft Museum, we know that behind every discovery, every “aha!” moment, and every question asked with wide-eyed excitement, there is an educator who made it possible. Whether in classrooms, nature trails, or museum exhibits, teachers help bring the world to life in amazing ways.

We also want to give a special thank you to our own Boonshoft Museum educators. Your creativity, passion, and commitment to sparking a love of learning make an unforgettable impact on every visitor you reach. You are truly at the heart of everything we do. 🧡

To all the teachers—here, there, and everywhere—thank you for inspiring the next generation of dreamers and doers! 🌟

#NationalTeacherDay #ThankATeacher #BoonshoftMuseum #TeachersInspire #DiscoveryStartsHere

🏈🦉 Some of you have been asking about Joe Bu

It's a new month so there's a new Daily Program sc

It's a new month so there's a new Daily Program schedule! Check out all we have to offer for the month of May! 🌷🦋🐝

#bmd #boonshoftmuseum #dailyprogram

♻️🐾 #ThankfulThursday shoutout! 🐾♻️

♻️🐾 #ThankfulThursday shoutout! 🐾♻️

A huge THANK YOU to the Montgomery County Recycling Bin Initiative for donating several recycling buckets to the Boonshoft Museum! 🌎✨ These buckets have found a second life as enrichment toys for some of our Discovery Zoo residents — and the animals are loving them!

Special thanks from Bomani the sand cat, who fully supports recycling... but does not support people who don't recycle. 😼♻️ (Seriously, we saw the look he gave. It was intense.)

Every small act adds up to big impacts, and thanks to awesome community partners like Montgomery County, we can help teach sustainability and keep our zoo animals curious and engaged!

📷: Sophia Blessing & Reese Miller, Animal Keepers

#BoonshoftMuseum #DiscoveryZoo #MontgomeryCountyRecycles #EnrichmentForAll #ReduceReuseRecycle #BomaniSaysRecycle

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Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

(937) 275-7431
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2600 DeWeese Pkwy
Dayton, OH 45414

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(937) 275-7431

2301 West River Rd
Dayton, OH 45417

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