Get your toddler excited about science and natural history! Join Discovery Zone nature ambassadors for an exciting and interactive Florida Museum tour. Each tour highlights a specific exhibit or outdoor area and encourages exploration with a closer look at Museum objects.

This program promotes sensory experiences, investigation and exploration with a focus on science.

Length: About 1.5 hours
Age: Recommended for children ages 2-5 years old (child must be accompanied by an adult chaperone)

Tour/Nature Walk Cost:
-$8 per child/adult pair
-$4 for each additional person

Museum Member Cost:
-$6 per child/adult pair
-$3 for each additional person

Program Topics:

Aug. 18 & Aug. 19: Fossil (Florida Fossils exhibit & Museum Tour)
Sept. 15 & Sept. 16: Fishes (South Florida People exhibit & Museum Tour, outdoor water activities included, wear something you don’t mind getting wet)
Oct. 27 & Oct. 28: Bats (Northwest Florida exhibit & Cave/Museum Tour)
Nov. 17 & Nov. 18: Insects (Outdoor Nature Walk in UF’s Natural Area Teaching Laboratory)
Dec. 15 & Dec. 16: Dirt (Outdoor Nature Walk in UF’s Natural Area Teaching Laboratory)

Schedule:

Check-in Opens (9:15 a.m. or 12:15 p.m.):
Please arrive early to check in. Meet at the Museum’s picnic tables outside to register for the program and you will be escorted to the Discovery Zone exhibit.

Start (9:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.):
Walk as a group to the Discovery Zone exhibit for an introduction on the topic.

Introduction (about 15 minutes):
Receive an overview on the tour topic as well as participate in hands-on activities that will engage both children and caregivers.

Exhibit Tour (about an hour, Aug., Sept., Oct.):
See and touch real Museum objects during a guided interactive exhibit exploration.
or
Outdoor Walk (about 30 minutes, Nov., Dec.):
Hike outside on trails behind the Museum while allowing children to safely touch and interact with items in the surrounding environment. We will encourage teachable moments that are part of being outside in nature.

End (10:45 a.m. or 1:45 p.m.):
Wrapup and enjoy a snack of peanut-free trail mix.

What to expect and bring:

• Bring a water bottle and/or sippy cup.
• Wear appropriate footwear and clothes that can get dirty or wet.
• This program is rain-or-shine, weather permitting.
• For dates that include an outdoor portion, it is less than ½ a mile of walking (strollers not recommended). We could potentially get up to 30 minutes away from restrooms during the hike.