October Homeschool Day: Ice Age Survivors
Date
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 9:30 am–2:30 pm
Location
Tickets
Our team from La Brea Tar Pits is taking over the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park, for a day filled with fun activities for your students. Join us as we discuss all of the plants and animals that survived the Ice Age, from the fossils we find to the living descendants we see today. Drop in on nature chats with our scientists and educators, make a Tar Pits inspired craft, or explore the Museum with our special scavenger hunt.
Schedule of Events *
9:30am–2 pm | Welcome Table
Visit us at the Welcome Table in the galleries to chat with our team for any questions you might have about the day.
Drop-in | All ages | Grand Foyer
9:30am–2 pm | Plan Out Your Day Station
Plan your Homeschool Day at this station, where you can find maps of the galleries and the schedule of events happening throughout.
Drop-in | All ages | While supplies last | Grand Foyer
10:30 am & 11:30 pm | Animals Alive!
Meet our animal ambassadors live on stage in this special program. Discover how they survive in our sprawling city as well as habitats across the globe, and what we can all do to help protect our animal neighbors. Ask our Guest Relations staff how to purchase a discounted ticket for the show.
Tickets Required, Homeschool Discount | All ages | NHM Commons Theater
10 am–2 pm | Research Tables
Learn about our research that is still going on at the La Brea Tar Pits, even while we're closed. Meet with scientists, ask questions and learn from our experts.
Drop-in | All ages | Grand Foyer
10 am–2 pm | The Autry Museum
Get a chance to meet our partners at The Autry Museum to learn more about their work here in Los Angeles, and what exhibits and special displays they offer at their site.
Drop-in | All ages | Grand Foyer
10 am–2 pm | Pop Up Animal Chats at the Nature Lab
Meet our animal ambassadors and the people who work with them! Our Living Collections team will be hosting occasional pop-up visits, so swing by the Nature Lab to see if you catch them.
Drop-in | All ages | Level G, Nature Lab
10 am–2 pm | Microfossil Sorting Tables
Want a chance to look at microfossils? Swing by our Microfossil Sorting table to look closer at examples of teeny tiny animal fossils found at the Tar Pits.
Drop-in | All ages | Grand Foyer
10 am–2 pm | Craft Tables
Create an Ice Age megafauna mask, create a shadow paleo-puppet, or contribute to our community mural!
Drop-in | All ages | While supplies last | Level G, Otis Both Pavilion
10:30 am–11:30 am | Puppet Walkabout
Catch our performing artists of the museum taking some beloved puppets for a walk. Takes place in various locations on Level G and Level 1 of the museum.
Drop-in | All ages | Level G, Level 1, various locations
10:30 am & 2 pm | So Many Meat-Eaters!
Act out an entrapment story with our educators! Play as an Ice Age Animal as you learn how these ancient animals lived, died or survived the Ice Age.
Drop-in | All ages welcome | 20 minute activity | Level G, Nature Gardens Pond Deck
12 pm–1:30 pm | Educator Bird Chat
Hear from our brainiest bird nerds about all of the birds we find in our fossil collection. Join them as they look for birds in our Nature Garden.
Drop in | All ages | 20 minute activity | Level G, Nature Gardens Bird Viewing Platform
1 pm & 1:30 pm | Scientist Discovery Chat: Coyotes
Discover Ice Age Survivor. the Coyote, with one of our scientists at the museum. Dr. Christine Wilkinson, an urban ecologist will speak on this familiar species in our mammal halls.
Drop in | All ages | Level 1, North American Mammal Hall
1 pm | Ice Age Discovery Cart
Join our educators in the Age of Mammals hall to find more Ice Age animals and hear their stories.
Drop in | All ages | Level 1, Age of Mammals
All day | Special Exhibits
Haven't had a chance to see our Spider Pavilion? Or maybe you want to go under the sea to look at Orcas? Ask our Guest Relations staff how to get discount tickets for our special exhibits so you can stay browsing through our galleries all day.
Tickets Required, Homeschool Discount | All ages | Various Locations
*Schedule is subject to change.
Homeschool Day Tips
- Most programming on Homeschool Day is drop-in, so come and go as you please! For ticketed events, please refer to our schedule and check in with our Guest Relations staff day-of to purchase a discounted ticket.
- On Homeschool Day, homeschool educators receive 10% off in the Museum Gift Shop with their Educator sticker!
- Limited Sensory Kits will be available for check-out. Resources to build your own kit can be found here.
- Materials will be provided, but supplies are limited. Students are welcomed and encouraged to bring their own supplies to enrich their experience:
- A notebook or something to write / draw in
- Writing utensils
- We aim to make the Natural History Museum an exciting, educational, and enjoyable experience for everyone. If you have any questions about accommodation services we offer, contact our Call Center at 213.763.3466 or info@nhm.org at least 48 hours in advance.