Sensory Friendly Saturdays
During Sensory Friendly Saturdays, the museum will open its galleries at 8:30 a.m., 90 minutes before the museum opens to the general public. Families with members on the autism spectrum or who otherwise easily experience sensory overload are welcome to visit the museum for a quieter experience in a more controlled environment.
Museum experts will give tours of the exhibitions and be on hand to answer questions throughout the morning. Designated quiet zones will allow visitors to decompress and experience the museum at their own pace.
To provide the most sensory-friendly environment possible, advance registration is required for Sensory Friendly Saturday.
Upcoming Sensory Friendly Saturdays
April 2020
CANCELED – Sensory Friendly Saturday
Carnegie Museum of Natural History prioritizes the health and safety of our visitors, their families, and the community. To better serve you and your families during regular admission hours, we have decided to cancel the Sensory Friendly Saturday: Egg-cellent Egg Hunt. We are following guidance on preventative measures from the Allegheny County Health Department. Our museum leaders are in regular communication with state and county health experts. Updates about the museum’s covid-19 response are available here. Current ticketholders will automatically receive free tickets to the rescheduled event. For questions about ticketing, please contact Visitor Services at programregistration@carnegiemuseums.org or 412-622-3288.” US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Allegheny County Health Department. Our museum leaders are in regular communication with state and county health experts.
Updates about the museum’s covid-19 response are available.
Current registrants will be contacted as soon as possible (please be patient with us). For questions about ticketing, please contact Visitor Services at programregistration@carnegiemuseums.org for faster response or 412-622-3288 for a response when staff returns to the building.
July 2020
Sensory Friendly Saturday: Jurassic Days
Get your dinosaur fix before the museum opens to the general public. Tour the temporary exhibition Dinosaur Armor, engage in hands-on dinosaur-themed activities, and chat with our expert Interpreters about your favorite dinosaurs.
Please register in advance so we can provide a sensory friendly setting.
8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
October 2020
Sensory Friendly Saturday: Booseum Trick-or-Treat
Trick-or-Treat among dinosaurs and mummies! Wear your costume, meet our spookiest live animals, and participate in hands-on Halloween-themed activities.
Please register in advance so we can provide a sensory friendly setting.
8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
December 2020
Sensory Friendly Saturday: Holidays Around the World
Celebrate the holidays with us! Play festive games from around the world, learn about cultural traditions with museum artifacts, and write a thank you note to Santa.
Please register in advance so we can provide a sensory friendly setting.
8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
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