Fall Family-Friendly Programming at Penn Museum

9/22/17

As the fall season kicks off, the Penn Museum (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) in Philadelphia offers new and expanded regularly scheduled programming geared to children and their families—making a trip to the Museum a fun and engaging exploration of the world.

Families can choose what works for them: new offerings include Tuesday morning Playdates for the youngest family members, and themed Second Saturdays. World Culture Day Saturday celebrations, and even 40 Winks with the Sphinx, the Museum’s popular sleepovers, round out the regular offerings, with special events like International Archaeology Day and the Museum’s annual holiday-focused Celebrations Around the World included in the mix.

Choosing the Experiences that Fit your Family

Museum Playdates, geared to the youngest Museum explorers, ages 3 to 5, and their parents or caregivers, are offered first Tuesday mornings of the month October through April (no January Playdate), 10:30 to 11:30. Each program offers fun activities such as story-time and art-making organized around a variety of different themes, including Rome, Native American Voices, Explore Africa, and In the Greek Gallery. Cost for one child and one adult is just $10, or $5 for Museum Members. Additional children $2 each.

Want to explore topics like Mythology and Music of the World? How about Animals, Animals or Cities around the Globe? New this year, Second Saturdays are drop-in programs geared towards visitors of all ages. Guests explore the Museum through tours, scavenger hunts, crafts, and more. Second Saturdays take place, as the name suggests, on the second Saturday of each month, October through April, from 11:00 to 4:00, and are free with Museum General Admission.

Looking for sights, sounds and spectacles? Families connect with contemporary and ancient cultures from around the world at the Museum’s celebratory World Culture Days, offered select Saturdays, fall through spring, and free with Museum admission. This year’s series kicks off with a popular Day of the Dead celebration on October 28, 11:00 to 4:00, where families can enjoy Mexican culture and experience the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos during an afternoon filled with music, dance, stories, art, and even a costume parade. The event is presented with the Mexican Consulate of Philadelphia and the Mexican Cultural Center. World Culture Days continue in the winter and spring, and include a Chinese New Year Celebration and a Celebration of African Cultures. World Culture Days are free with general admission.

Who wouldn’t want to sleep at the foot of the largest ancient Sphinx in the Western Hemisphere? Penn Museum’s popular 40 Winks with the Sphinx invites intrepid explorers, ages 6 to 12, and their chaperones on an overnight “expedition” of the Museum. Guests embark on a journey through time and across continents, with hands-on opportunities to learn about diverse cultures. This is an unforgettable experience with limited space that sells out quickly, so reserving a spot early is recommended. Admission is $55 per person, $50 per person for groups of 21 or more, and $45 per Museum member.

And then There is More

In addition to the ongoing programs, the Penn Museum offers a world of special programming throughout the year, each one focusing on a particular aspect of world culture—many with opportunities to meet Museum experts working in the field. International Archaeology Day, Saturday, October 21, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, includes a behind-the-scenes tour to see how real-life archaeologists are making new discoveries about the ancient past via analyses of ceramics, metallurgy, skeletal remains, and more. International Archaeology Day is free with Museum general admission.

Families can get into the spirit of the holiday season with the Penn Museum’s annual—and free—Celebrations around the World, Sunday, December 3, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Groups from across the region share their cultural heritage through music and dance performances, craft stations, storytelling, and more.

About the Penn Museum

The Penn Museum (the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) is dedicated to the study and understanding of human history and diversity. Founded in 1887, the Museum has sent more than 300 archaeological and anthropological expeditions to all the inhabited continents of the world. With an active exhibition schedule and educational programming for children and adults, the Museum offers the public an opportunity to share in the ongoing discovery of humankind's collective heritage.

The Penn Museum is located at 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (on Penn's campus, across from Franklin Field). Public transportation to the Museum is available via SEPTA's Regional Rail Line at University City Station; the Market-Frankford Subway Line at 34th Street Station; trolley routes 11, 13, 34, and 36; and bus routes 21, 30, 40, and 42. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and first Wednesdays of each month until 8:00 pm, with P.M. @ PENN MUSEUM evening programs offered. Closed Mondays and holidays. Admission donation is $15 for adults; $13 for senior citizens (65 and above); free for U.S. Military; $10 for children and full-time students with ID; free to Members, PennCard holders, and children 5 and younger.

Hot and cold meals and light refreshments are offered to visitors with or without Museum admission in The Pepper Mill Café; the Museum Shop offers a wide selection of gifts, books, games, clothing and jewelry. Penn Museum can be found on the web at www.penn.museum. For general information call 215.898.4000. For group tour information call 215.746.8183.

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