The Australian Museum’s Dinosaur Festival
There are eight dinosaur centred activities at the The Australian Museum’s Dinosaur Festival this school holiday. Suited to kids over the age of 5, there are some good ideas to keeping the kids entertained during school holidays.
I always struggled with enough to keep my son entertained whilst also allowing him to have some down time too. I received details of this festival from the Australian National Museum, while putting my holiday schedule together.
You will see that most of these activities do have an associated charge and some require bookings in advance, so just take note of those facts beforehand.
There is, of course, the option to visit the museum and go through the ordinary displays without doing any of the activities comprising the Australian Museum’s Dinosaur Festival.
The Australian Museum’s Dinosaur Festival
There are plenty of different activities and exhibitions on from free hands on activities to free screenings. Some of the activities are suited to younger junior school kids while others are better for older teenagers or adults.
All the activities are centred around dinosaurs, of course, while the exhibitions are not necessarily.
I have worked through all the activities and exhibitions and divided them into paid activities and free activities so you don’t have to scroll through it all.
Paid Activities
Drop-in Activity Room: Dino Dioramas
In this activities, the kids will colour, cut and create using a range of modelling and natural material to make model dinosaurs and landscape. They will be inspired by real fossils of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
You can take a family photo with a dinosaur, play with dino puzzles, books and resources in this exclusive space.
Age Suitability: 5 years and older.
Dates: 29 September – 14 October.
Times: 10:30am-2:00pm .
Cost: $10 per child. Adults are free after paying for general admission.
Scientist for a Day: Palaeontologist
Travel back in time to discover Australia’s ancient past with the Australian Museum’s amazing fossil collection.
This full day holiday program is jam-packed with hands-on activities, games and even a behind-the-scenes tour!
Age suitability: 8-12 years .
Dates: 3 or 4 October.
Times: 9am-4pm .
Cost: $105 for Members or $125 for non-Member.
You must make a bookings for this programme.
Geology Rocks
In this section junior school kids can discover how geologists work in this interactive half-day science workshop.
Learn about volcanoes, earthquakes and how landforms are made.
Children will get the chance to investigate various rocks and even try their luck panning for gold!
Age Suitability: 5-8 yrs.
Date: 5 October.
Times: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM or 2pm-4:30pm .
Cost: $42 for child Members; $47 for child Non-members .
You must make a bookings for this programme.
Dinosaurs in the Sky
Some dinosaurs actually flew.
This interactive theatre show will explore the science of flight and the incredible evolution of feathered dinosaurs into modern birds.
Age Suitability: 5-10 years .
Dates: 3 – 5 October & 10 – 12 October .
Times: 10:30am-11am or 11:30am- 12pm .
Cost: $8 per person
Kids Theatre Workshop: Prehistoric Playground
The children get to bring dinosaurs “to life” through puppets. Matriark Theatre Company in association with the museum’s ‘Winny’ dinosaur puppeteers will show the children how to create puppets inspired by the Museum collection.
No experience is necessary as children will be introduced to the creative process of performance, design and puppetry in this full day workshop.
Ages: 8-12 years
Dates: 8 or 9 October Times: 9am-4pm
Cost: $95 Members or $105 non- Member.
You must make a bookings for this programme.
The Dirt on Dinosaurs with Dr Steve Salisbury
Dr Steve Salisbury is an Australian scientist from The University of Queensland. He is an expert on the evolution of Gondwana and dinosaurs and crocodiles.
Dr Salisbury will share his experiences of the extreme conditions of field- based research on the Antarctic Peninsula fossil sites and discovering ‘Elliot’ the sauropod in central-western Queensland.
He will also share the uplifting story of working with the Goolarabooloo people to protect and study the dino footprint fossils of Western Australia.
Ages: Adults and children 8+ .
Dates: 4 Oct.
Times: 1pm.
Cost: $8pp
You must register for this online.
Free Activities
Screening: Monsters in the Outback
Many millions of years ago, before even our ancestors walked the earth, there were dinosaurs.
Monsters in the Outback features the often dramatic evidence which proves that Australia was once a place where dinosaurs roamed in vast numbers.
This screening is presented by scientist Kelly Strzepek and was produced by Bearcage in collaboration with the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum and Eyecandy Animation.
Dates: 29 September – 14 October.
Times: 2:00-3:00pm.
Duration: 43 minutes.
T.rex Autopsy Gallery Talk
You can explore the world’s first life-size, anatomically correct model of a T-Rex.
It took 6 months and 10,000 hours to construct.
As you discover the cause of this dinosaur’s death, how the 65 million year-old-beast lived will also be revealed.
Ages: 8+
Dates: 1-5 October & 8-12 October.
Times: 10am
Duration: Approximately 20 minutes in duration
Exhibitions
Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year
This incredible display features over 100 photographs showcasing the extraordinary natural wonder of the Australian, New Zealand, Antarctic and New Guinea regions.
It’s really interesting that the finalists range from professional, emerging and junior photographers.
Dates: 24 August 2018 – 28 January 2019.
Cost: Tickets start at $21.
200 Treasures of the Australian Museum
The Australian Museum has unveiled one of the greatest collection of treasures in the country’s history. This exhibition is all about the objects and people who have shaped the nation.
This is a new permanent exhibition of 200 Treasures reflecting Australian’s history. There are 100 treasures matched by 100 people who have shaped Australia. From Captain Cook’s feather cape to Kylie Minogue and a 120 million year old Australian pliosaur to Cathy Freeman.
This coincides with the reopening of the neo-classical Long Gallery.
Cost: Free after general admission.
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If you’re interested in heading over to the museum be sure to check out our post on the Australian Museum . That post will give you more information about how to get there and what else is there.
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