What are the opening hours?

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

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

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Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

The Boonshoft Museum is the premier destination for family learning in the Miami Valley.
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Note: The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery has created this page to share our love of learning in a fair and safe space. As in the physical Museum, online visitors are expected to conduct themselves in ways that are honest and respectful toward others, regardless of disagreements. Any comments that violate this basic premise of civility will be deleted, and repeat offenders may be blocked from posting on the page.

11/16/2024

Bomani sharpening his murder mittens 🐾

Video: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper

11/15/2024

We have one more opportunity for an Outdoor Adventure!🍁🌲

Join us on a guided hike through our very own Werthner Woods as we explore this incredible habitat and home to a wide variety of plants and animals. We will be spotting and identifying birds and their songs, examining the differences between distinct types of trees, and taking a few stops to do some group activities with your very own field journal you get to take home. 🍂🐦📗

This program is welcome to all ages 6 and up who want to explore the outdoors for the first time, and those looking to learn more about the woods here. Each guided hike is limited to 15 participants and this program is free with museum admission.

Please prepare by using the notes below:

The next hike is scheduled for Saturday, November 16th at 2:30 pm. Hikes are approximately 30 minutes depending on what we find and how much fun we are having!

After admission to the museum, attendees will meet in the Education Lobby on the 1st floor of the museum to depart.

The trail is unpaved and there may be obstructions. Those with limited mobility or strollers please use your discretion.

Wear sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather in this outdoor program. Program will be canceled in the event of severe weather.

This program is sponsored by The Ohio Environmental Education Fund.

Register here:
https://dsnh.regfox.com/outdoor-adventure-september-october-november-2024

11/15/2024

Did you know that giant African millipedes are some of the coolest invertebrate ambassadors here at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery? These gentle giants can grow up to a foot long and have hundreds of legs, helping them crawl gracefully along the forest floor. 🐛✨

As detritivores, they play a crucial role in the ecosystem, breaking down dead plants and recycling nutrients back into the soil. Their impressive size and fascinating anatomy make them perfect ambassador animals, and you can sometimes catch a close-up look at these amazing creatures during our Keeper Talks!

Join us to learn why these friendly millipedes are the ultimate recyclers of the animal kingdom! ♻️

Photo: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper

11/14/2024

For this we would like to give a big thank you to everyone who made it out to this years Science Festival which was our final STEM for All Day of the year. We had an amazing turnout and guests had a blast. We were even able to complete the Technology First Brixilated Mural!

We would like to give a very special thank you to all of our vendors: Montgomery County Solid Waste, Public Health Dayton & Montgomery, First Robotics Team 10011 Gem City Gridrunners, 4 Paws for Ability, Mound Cold War Discovery Center, The Foodbank, Inc., Starbase WPAFB, Dayton Regional STEM School, River Stewards University of Dayton, WHIO TV Cox Media Group, American Institute of Aeronautics Dayton-Cincinnati Section, South Ohio Society of Women Engineers, Challenger Learning Center of Dayton, Center of Science and Industry (COSI), National Museum of the United States Air Force, Ohio Lights Out, Miami Valley Child Development Center, Parallax Advanced Research, American Chemical Society, Technology First, and Interpreters for the Deaf.

Another special thank you to our sponsors: Parallax Advanced Research, GE Aerospace, Dayton Children's Hospital, and Rieck Services for making this event possible.

See you next year!!

Photos: Jordan Utterback, Public Programs Manager, Mel Camp & Julia Murgatroyd, Museum Educators, and Mindy Huegel, Marketing Coordinator

11/13/2024

Bat-eared foxes, known for their large ears and playful nature, create extensive dens in open grasslands that serve as safe havens from predators and harsh weather. In a cozy den, like the one in their enclosure, the interior is lined with soft materials, providing warmth and comfort.

Flora and Denise's snuggling behavior highlights the social bonds within bat-eared fox families. By curling up together, they conserve body heat and strengthen their connection, often engaging in gentle grooming or playful nudges. Dens are especially vital during breeding season, offering a secure environment for raising pups. Flora and Denise exemplify the affectionate nature of bat-eared foxes and the essential role dens play in their lives.

11/13/2024

This past Monday, the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery began construction on accessible restrooms featuring Universal Changing Stations, which wil be ready by year's end. Universal Changing Stations, also known as adult changing tables, are designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, those with complex medical conditions, and the elderly, providing them with a safe, hygienic, and dignified restroom space.

Unlike traditional baby changing tables, these tables are built to accommodate older children and adults, making public spaces more inclusive. This addition to our museum will allow more people to comfortably explore and engage in our programs and activities, ensuring accessibility and inclusion for all visitors.

We thank our benevolent sponsors, the Disability Foundation, Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services, and the Gorman Hewitt Ayars Fund at URS for their generous support in making this project possible.

Stay tuned for updates!

11/12/2024

We hope you can join us on today's Outdoor Adventure but if not, we will have two more upcoming opportunities!

Join us on a guided hike through our very own Werthner Woods as we explore this incredible habitat and home to a wide variety of plants and animals. We will be spotting and identifying birds and their songs, examining the differences between distinct types of trees, and taking a few stops to do some group activities with your very own field journal you get to take home. 🍂🍁🐦📗

This program is welcome to all ages 6 and up who want to explore the outdoors for the first time, and those looking to learn more about the woods here. Each guided hike is limited to 15 participants and this program is free with museum admission.
Please prepare by using the notes below:

The next hike is scheduled for November 14th at 2:30 pm with another on November 16th. Hikes are approximately 30 minutes depending on what we find and how much fun we are having!

After admission to the museum, attendees will meet in the Education Lobby on the 1st floor of the museum to depart.

The trail is unpaved and there may be obstructions. Those with limited mobility or strollers please use your discretion.

Wear sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather in this outdoor program.

Program will be canceled in the event of severe weather.

Register here:
https://dsnh.regfox.com/outdoor-adventure-september-october-november-2024

11/12/2024

The holidays are coming and what better way to celebrate than with a Patience Christmas ornament?! Available now in the gift shop. 🦥🎄 Patience approves!

Photo: Reese Miller, Animal Keeper & Skyler Hada, Gift Shop Manager

11/11/2024

That piece of wood doesn't look that comfortable to us but if you say so, Sikwa. 😅

Photo: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper

11/10/2024

Join us on a guided hike through our very own Werthner Woods as we explore this incredible habitat and home to a wide variety of plants and animals. We will be spotting and identifying birds and their songs, examining the differences between distinct types of trees, and taking a few stops to do some group activities with your very own field journal you get to take home. 🍂🍁🐦📗

This program is welcome to all ages 6 and up who want to explore the outdoors for the first time, and those looking to learn more about the woods here. Each guided hike is limited to 15 participants and this program is free with museum admission.

Please prepare by using the notes below:

The next hike is scheduled for November 12th at 2:30 pm. Hikes are approximately 30 minutes depending on what we find and how much fun we are having!

After admission to the museum, attendees will meet in the Education Lobby on the 1st floor of the museum to depart.

The trail is unpaved and there may be obstructions. Those with limited mobility or strollers please use your discretion.

Wear sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather in this outdoor program. Program will be canceled in the event of severe weather.

Register here:
https://dsnh.regfox.com/outdoor-adventure-september-october-november-2024

11/09/2024

Hey there, humans! I hope your weekend is as relaxing as my favorite naps high in the treetops. Whether you’re planning a cozy day in or a slow stroll outside, take a page from my book: savor every moment! 🦥💤

Remember, life is better when you take it slow. So, stretch out, enjoy some leafy greens, and have a wonderful weekend!

Love,
Patience 🦥💚

Photo: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper

11/08/2024

✨✨Toe beans✨✨

Photo: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper

11/07/2024

We’re giving a big shout-out to The Foodbank for their generous donation of fresh lettuce for our zoo animals! Thanks to their kindness, our animal ambassadors are enjoying some extra tasty treats. We’re so grateful for partnerships like these that help us provide the best for our Boonshoft family. Thank you, The Foodbank, Inc. 🥬
Photos: Amanda Stine & Reese Miller, Animal Keepers

11/06/2024

Walnut the ambassador hedgehog enjoying some snacks and enrichment with Keeper Sophia. 🦔

Photo: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper

11/05/2024

We have a new planetarium show available this month called From Earth to the Universe. 🌎🌌

The night sky, both beautiful and mysterious, has been the subject of campfire stories, ancient myths, and awe for as long as there have been people. A desire to comprehend the Universe may well be humanity’s oldest shared intellectual experience. Yet only recently have we truly begun to grasp our place in the vast cosmos.

To learn about this journey of celestial discovery, from the theories of the ancient Greek astronomers to today’s grandest telescopes, we invite you to experience From Earth to the Universe.

Directed by the young Greek filmmaker Theofanis N. Matsopoulos, and featuring a sweeping soundtrack from Norwegian composer Johan B. Monell, viewers can revel in the splendor of the various worlds in the Solar System and the ferocity of the scorching Sun.

This planetarium show is available daily with admission for the month of November.

11/05/2024

How could you not want to boop this snoot? Did you know that prehensile-tailed porcupines have some of the most unique snouts in the animal kingdom? These adorable, rounded noses are highly sensitive and packed with specialized receptors that help them explore their surroundings. Their keen sense of smell is essential for finding food like fruits, leaves, and bark high up in the trees of their native Central and South American habitats.

A prehensile-tailed porcupine’s snout is also crucial for detecting predators and other animals nearby, allowing these shy creatures to stay alert and safe. Combined with their strong, prehensile tails that grip branches with ease, these incredible animals are perfectly adapted to life in the treetops!

Come by the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery to learn more about these fascinating porcupines and their amazing adaptations! 🌳🦔

Photo: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper

11/04/2024

Join us Monday, November 11th for the next Homeschool Day!

Homeschool days will continue in November at our sister site, SunWatch Village. Dive into a world of exploration and discovery and enjoy a tour of the village with one of our experienced education staffers.

Please note that registration and prepayment are mandatory to secure your spot in these exciting programs. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to enhance your child’s education in a dynamic, interactive environment!

Register here:
https://3oyzepbdqesoz9gruhegxq.jumbula.com/homeschool-days

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

http://www.boonshoft.org/

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Videos

Bomani sharpening his murder mittens 🐾 Video: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper #bmd #boonshoftmuseum #sandcat

Ted digs for treats in a pile of crunchy leaves 🍁🍂 Video: Amanda Stine, Lead Animal Keeper #bmd #boonshoftmuseum #opossum #opossomsofinstagram

Bomani enjoys some chicken flavored baby food as a treat. Yum! Video: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper #bmd #boonshoftmuseum #sandcat

Flora and Denise digging for bugs! 🦗 Video: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper #bmd #boonshoftmuseum

Joe's new favorite spot to loaf 🦉🍞 #bmd #boonshoftmuseum #burrowingowl

Sheldon

Sheldon loves playing with his ball! Video: Amanda Stine, Lead Animal Keeper #bmd #boonshoftmuseum #armadillo

Lucy

Lucy girl cleans off her beak. Such a clean girl! Vultures are often misunderstood when it comes to cleanliness, but they actually have several fascinating behaviors that contribute to their hygiene: 1. Self-Sterilizing Stomachs Vultures have incredibly strong stomach acids, which allow them to digest decaying carcasses filled with bacteria that would be harmful to most other animals. These acids kill harmful pathogens like anthrax, cholera, and botulism, making vultures vital for controlling the spread of disease in the ecosystem. 2. Bald Heads A vulture’s bald head isn’t just for looks—it serves a hygienic purpose. When feeding on a carcass, their heads often come into contact with blood and decaying flesh. Feathers would trap bacteria, so their bald heads help them stay cleaner and prevent infection. 3. Urinating on Their Legs This might sound strange, but vultures urinate on their legs as a way to disinfect them. Their urine contains high levels of uric acid, which kills bacteria they might pick up while walking on dead animals. It also helps cool them down on hot days (a process called urohidrosis). 4. Social Bathing Vultures are known to bathe in water after feeding to clean themselves off. They will often be seen preening their feathers to remove any dirt or debris, just like many other bird species. While vultures might not have the cleanest diet, they have evolved impressive methods for keeping themselves clean and disease-free! Pretty cool, Lucy. Video: Amanda Stine, Lead Animal Keeper #bmd #boonshoftmuseum #vultures

Have you ever seen an armadillo drink? Sheldon is seen quenching his thirst. You may have noticed that his tongue looks a little different. An armadillo's tongue is adapted for their insectivorous diet, particularly for eating ants and termites. Their tongues are long, sticky, and slender, helping them capture and consume large quantities of small insects. The sticky saliva on their tongues ensures that ants or termites adhere to the tongue, making it easy to pull them into their mouths. Armadillos are specialized diggers, and once they unearth insect nests, they use their agile tongues to gather their food efficiently. Very cool! Video: Amanda Stine, Lead Animal Keeper #bmd #boonshoftmuseum #armadillo

We would like to give a final thank you to everyone who came out to support the museum at Eco BASH. Thanks to your generosity, we are able to continue our mission of inspiring curiosity and fostering a love of learning in our community. Your contributions will help us enhance our exhibits, develop educational programs, and provide memorable experiences for visitors of all ages. We are truly grateful for your commitment to the Dayton Society of Natural History and look forward to seeing you at future events. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact! #bmd #boonshoftmuseum #thankfulThursday #ecobash #dsnh

Flora fox recently enjoyed her paper bag enrichment. It's fun to dig! Video: Amanda Stine, Lead Animal Keeper #bmd #boonshoftmuseum #batearedfox

Like all kitties, Bomani enjoys playing with feathers. He's loving his new peacock feather enrichment. 😸🪶 Video: Amanda Stine, Lead Animal Keeper #bmd #boonshoftmuseum #sandcat

Thanks to the generous support of the AES Ohio Foundation, we are able to further our mission and continue making a positive impact in our community. Their support has empowered us to captivate both adults and children alike, through our Science Theater programs. From fiery demonstrations to exciting chemical reactions, we encourage fun and safe STEM learning for all! The AES Ohio Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) private foundation established in 1985 to invest in our communities and contribute to the improvement of the overall quality of life. The AES Ohio Foundation focuses its grants in the following strategic areas: Poverty Reduction, Economic Development and the Arts, Workforce Development and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEi). Since its inception, The AES Ohio Foundation has given over $45.3 million in grants to the community. To learn more, please visit www.aes-ohio.com/aes-ohio-foundation. #bmd #boonshoftmuseum #aesohio

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Our Story

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.