Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery The Boonshoft Museum is the premier destination for family learning in the Miami Valley.
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🎉🐢 Shell-ebrating a very special birthday! 🐢🎉Join us in wishing a Happy 35th Birthday to Thoreau the wood turtle! 🎂💚Born...
07/09/2025

🎉🐢 Shell-ebrating a very special birthday! 🐢🎉

Join us in wishing a Happy 35th Birthday to Thoreau the wood turtle! 🎂💚
Born July 9, 1990, at the Atlanta Zoo and a proud resident of the Boonshoft Museum since September of that same year, Thoreau is one of our oldest—and most beloved—Discovery Zoo residents.

Thoreau is part of an endangered species found in northeastern Ohio all the way up through Maine. Here at the museum, she enjoys a carefully curated diet three times a week, including leafy greens, veggies like corn and peas, a small portion of fruit, mealworms, and even a little wet cat food for protein. 🍎🥬🐛

Her calm nature, earthy charm, and critical role as an ambassador for conservation make her a quiet superstar here at the zoo. 🌎✨

Stop by the Boonshoft and you may catch a glimpse of this wise and wonderful reptile at Keeper Talk and learn why protecting native species like the wood turtle is so important.

🎒☀️ Last Call for Summer Camp Fun! ☀️🎒Calling all curious kids and adventure seekers—don’t miss your chance to squeeze i...
07/09/2025

🎒☀️ Last Call for Summer Camp Fun! ☀️🎒
Calling all curious kids and adventure seekers—don’t miss your chance to squeeze in one more week of science-filled summer fun! 🔬🦖🌈

We still have a few spots open for the week of July 28 – August 1, and this is your opportunity to make the most of the season before school starts!

🌟 Register by Sunday, July 13 and snag a last-minute discount with code: LASTMIN25 at checkout!

Whether you’re launching rockets, meeting zoo animals, or learning about mummification, there’s no better place to wrap up your summer than at the Boonshoft Museum’s STEM Camps.

🎟️ Register now: https://boonshoft.org/summer-camps/

Let’s make the last week of July the best week of the summer! ☀️🧪💥

🦈 It’s SHARK WEEK! 🦈And what better way to celebrate than by sinking your teeth into the story of one of the ocean’s mos...
07/08/2025

🦈 It’s SHARK WEEK! 🦈
And what better way to celebrate than by sinking your teeth into the story of one of the ocean’s most legendary predators—the megalodon!

This real megalodon tooth, over 6 inches long, is part of our fossil collection and proudly displayed in the Bieser Room of Wonders at the Boonshoft Museum. It belonged to a shark that could grow up to 60 feet long—that’s the size of a school bus! 🚌🌊

🦷 Did you know? Millions of years ago, the Miami Valley was covered by ocean and teeming with marine life—including ancient sharks like the megalodon. These waters were home to a vibrant ecosystem that left behind incredible clues like this fossilized tooth.

To help visualize just how massive these prehistoric sharks were, we’ve included a photo of replica megalodon jaws on display at the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History in Bakersfield, CA—featuring a full Great White shark model inside for scale!
📸 Photo courtesy of fossilguy.com

While megalodons vanished over 3 million years ago, modern sharks still play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our oceans. This Shark Week, let’s celebrate both the giants of the past and the fin-tastic sharks of today!

🦈🌊💙

🌊🐠 Our saltwater tank is BACK—and it’s more vibrant than ever!Say hello to our new reef tank, now showing signs of life ...
07/08/2025

🌊🐠 Our saltwater tank is BACK—and it’s more vibrant than ever!

Say hello to our new reef tank, now showing signs of life as clownfish, anemones, and a growing variety of coral species settle into their new home. 🐟🌈✨

A huge thank you to the Newport Aquarium for their generous donation of beautiful coral that helped bring this underwater ecosystem to life!

🌿 Located in the Discovery Zoo, right across from the bat-eared foxes, this tank is full of surprises. With new species being added regularly, there’s always something exciting to discover.

Stop by and take a moment to marvel at this tiny ocean world—each visit brings something new!

🎶✨ The Boonshoft Museum’s Summer Laser Show Series is BACK—starting this Friday, July 11! ✨🎶Get ready to experience your...
07/08/2025

🎶✨ The Boonshoft Museum’s Summer Laser Show Series is BACK—starting this Friday, July 11! ✨🎶

Get ready to experience your favorite music like never before—synced with dazzling laser light displays in our immersive Caryl D. Philips Space Theater! Whether you’re a die-hard Swiftie or a classic rock aficionado, we’ve got something for everyone in this high-energy summer lineup. 🌌💥

Here’s what’s coming up first in July:

🔹 Friday, July 11 – Taylor Swift Laser Show (Two shows: 6:30 PM & 8:00 PM)
🔹 Saturday, July 12 – Daft Punk & Led Zeppelin Laser Shows (6:30 PM & 8:00 PM)

Each show runs about an hour—perfect for a night out with friends, family, or your favorite dancing shoes. 💃

🪐 Space is limited—purchase tickets here: https://boonshoft.org/events/lasershows/

‘Water’ you doing in July? 💦Join the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery as we investigate the aquatic organisms who make a ho...
07/07/2025

‘Water’ you doing in July? 💦

Join the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery as we investigate the aquatic organisms who make a home living around the museum. This outdoor program will take place offsite at the Coovert Pond located next to the parking lot on July 12th and 13th. Participants will help museum staff record the animals found within and around the pond.

During these programs, guests will be able to enter the water along with an educator to learn about macroinvertebrates and water quality!
Participants can stay for part or the whole time-frame and these programs are free with museum admission. Spaces are limited. 💧

Where: Attendees will meet in the Education Lobby at 1:00pm or 3:00pm. We will all walk out together to the onsite pond.
Preparation: please read the notes below to best prepare.

This program takes place entirely outdoors. We recommend sunscreen, hat, and towel to dry off.
Only attendees ages 5 and over will be able to enter the pond (up to knee level).
Please wear old closed-toed shoes and clothes that can get wet, or bring a spare to change into.

This program will last roughly 30-45 minutes.
Limited to 12 participants per program.

Register here: Events & Activities – DSNH https://share.google/oHtJNULgPgP4eDANe

🍫🪳 Happy World Chocolate Day from the sweetest little bugs in the Discovery Zoo!We’re throwing it back to our “Chocolate...
07/07/2025

🍫🪳 Happy World Chocolate Day from the sweetest little bugs in the Discovery Zoo!

We’re throwing it back to our “Chocolate Hisses” Valentine’s setup, starring the Madagascar hissing cockroaches in their finest (and funniest) decor. Who says romance is just for humans?

These crunchy critters may not be made of chocolate, but they definitely know how to bring the charm! 💕

🦦💤 Nothing to see here—just two otterly adorable nap pros catching some cozy Z's. Eno and Sikwa know the secret to a goo...
07/06/2025

🦦💤 Nothing to see here—just two otterly adorable nap pros catching some cozy Z's. Eno and Sikwa know the secret to a good snooze: cuddle close and dream big. 💙🌊

📷: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper

Next Sunday is Sensory Sunday, where we open the museum two hours early and offer a less stimulating experience. During ...
07/06/2025

Next Sunday is Sensory Sunday, where we open the museum two hours early and offer a less stimulating experience. During these special hours, we adjust lighting and sound and have trained volunteers and additional staff available. Sensory Sundays are sponsored by Dayton Children's Hospital and the Ohio Pain Clinic. Don't forget to ask about our sensory bags, now available at the front desk for free! Also, our new universal changing station is open which features an attached sensory room, offering a calming space for those who need it.

🐾 🐶💛 This visiting service dog found their twin at the Dayton Children’s exhibit here at the Boonshoft Museum—and we’r...
07/05/2025

🐾 🐶💛
This visiting service dog found their twin at the Dayton Children’s exhibit here at the Boonshoft Museum—and we’re obsessed with this perfect pose next to our honorary service pup statue!

A heartwarming reminder of the loyalty and love these incredible animals provide every day. 💙

📷: Jimmy Adams, Manager, Graphic Services

🧊✨ Eco Bash | Ice Age – A Night to Remember! ✨🧊📅 August 23 | 🕕 6:00 PM | 🎩 Black Tie Optional | 🎟️ $250 per guestGet rea...
07/05/2025

🧊✨ Eco Bash | Ice Age – A Night to Remember! ✨🧊
📅 August 23 | 🕕 6:00 PM | 🎩 Black Tie Optional | 🎟️ $250 per guest

Get ready for one of Dayton’s most dazzling evenings of the year! Join us for Eco Bash | Ice Age, a prehistoric-meets-modern gala supporting the Boonshoft Museum’s $10.5 million capital campaign: A River Runs Through Us.

Be among the first to preview our bold new lobby transformation—featuring life-size, hair-on mastodons and Ice Age-era skeletons that bring our region’s ancient past roaring to life.

Enjoy an elegant evening that includes:
🍽️ A gourmet sit-down dinner in the Main Exhibit Hall
🥃 A sleek new bourbon & cigar lounge inside the Bieser Room of Wonders
🎉 A live auction packed with exclusive experiences and unforgettable items

With limited tickets available, this intimate celebration ensures that every guest plays a vital role in helping us inspire future generations through science, nature, and discovery.

Dress to impress. Discover the past. Shape the future.
Reserve your seat now: boonshoft.org/events/eco-bash

🎆 We kicked off Red, White, & Boonshoft with a blast! 🎇Day one was packed with science-fueled fun, amazing guests, and (...
07/04/2025

🎆 We kicked off Red, White, & Boonshoft with a blast! 🎇
Day one was packed with science-fueled fun, amazing guests, and (of course) liquid nitrogen ice cream that was a total hit! 🍦💥

If you missed today’s celebration—don’t worry! We’ve got two more days of hands-on activities, indoor fireworks shows, and family-friendly fun ahead. Come join us!

🇺🇸 Special thanks to our event sponsors: Shriners Children's Ohio, Dayton Children's Hospital, and SRC, Inc. for making this weekend of wonder possible!

📷: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper, Jordan Utterback, Public Programs Manager, Sarah Fisher, Museum Educator, & Mindy Huegel, Marketing Coordinator

Address

2600 Deweese Parkway
Dayton, OH
45414

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

(937) 275-7431

Website

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The Boonshoft Museum is the Dayton region’s science center, children’s museum, natural history museum, planetarium, observatory and zoo! It provides critical STEM learning opportunities for nearly 200,000 visitors of all ages each year through permanent and traveling exhibitions, educational programs, special events, day camps, and more.