Step into our new Ice Age Lobby, where life-sized mammal replicas, interactive exhibits, and an immersive ancient cave bring the wonders of the prehistoric world to life. Guests will see a real glacial groove specimen as they journey toward our upcoming interactive glacial play experience.
Part of the Boonshoft Museum’s capital campaign, this transformation reimagines how visitors connect with Dayton’s natural history, from the Ice Age discoveries found on an Ohio farm to the rivers, aquifer, and ecosystems that shape our region today.
As guests travel forward through time, they’ll explore hands-on experiences like an updated custom water table and a new themed climbing structure, discovering the vital role water plays in our community and the importance of protecting it for future generations.
Ice Age
Step into the pre-historic Ice Age and meet our giant sloth, sabertooth cat, and more!
Bieser Room of Wonders
Enter an 1893 homage to our humble beginnings, staged in a Victorian design with modern touches
Paleo Lab
Dig into the past and discover dinosaur bones and restored fossils
Treehouse
Spend some quiet time amongst a naturally stunning view of local birds
Collections A-Z
Peruse our multi-cultural collection pieces
Sonoran Desert
Stroll through tortoise-inhabited desert dwellings
Ancient Egypt
Journey through Ancient Egypt and say hi to Dayton's mummy, Nesiur
Solid Waste
Learn the path of farm-to-table food and process of recycling
Storybook Trail
Encourages mindfulness, hands-on nature play, and meaningful exploration through an interactive story and outdoor activities.
Sponsored by:
Science Theater
Join us for an interactive show that makes scientific principles entertaining and fun
Sponsored by:
Do Lab
Experiment with us, no matter your learning level
Sponsored by:
Hall of the Universe
Walk through space and time as you learn more about astronomy
White Allen Racetrack
Play with physics in its finest form by going a few rounds on our racetrack
Strictly Briks
Show off your engineering skills by building a tower or two
Science on a Sphere
Explore topics from weather patterns to the anatomy of the eye on our interactive kiosk
Water Table
Experience the forces of water and the learn about the systems we've set in place
Nano
Gain a visual perspective on the tiny building blocks that make up our entire world
Kids Park
Start with the basics in a toddler-friendly, tactile-oriented play area
Pizza Kitchen
Let your child try their hand at restaurant management and pizza making
Vet Clinic
Examine and treat plush zoo animals in our full service veterinary clinic
Carl's Body Shop
Change a tire or two on our photo-ready pickup truck
