If your child is a fan of the Night at the Museum film franchise, a Smithsonian Sleepover may be in your future.
Throughout the summer, Smithsonian Associates is offering overnight experiences for children ages 8 to 14, and their adult chaperones age 21 or older. The participating museums include the National Museum of Natural History and National Museum of American History.
After the museums close, families are welcome to explore the popular museums through guided activities and games, as well as hands-on learning.
Smithsonian Sleepovers first began in 2009 with the release of Night at the Museum. Before 2020, the events were offered at not only the Natural History Museum and American History Museum, but also the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and the National Portrait Gallery.
“Each sleepover centers around a game that takes guests around the museum where they interact with games, crafts, and challenges highlighting the exhibit’s themes,” says Brigitte Blachere, Smithsonian Associates’ program manager.
National Museum of Natural History Sleepovers
Saturday, July 18, Friday, July 31, and Friday, August 14
At the National Museum of Natural History, sleepover attendees can wander through museum galleries, exploring the ocean, Earth, the moon, and checking out various pollinators. Of course, there will be the shadows of looming dinosaurs and animals of eras past. Like Night at the Museum, it’s fun to imagine them coming alive.
During the event, guests will be taking part in a “Game of Survival,” which includes a checklist of activities to complete, from making an underwater fossil to building their own dinosaur.
Sleepovers have become a tradition for many families. Blachere notes a grandmother who brought her grandchildren to the Natural History sleepovers, bringing a new grandchild every year.
National Museum of American History
Wednesday, August 5 (late-night adventure only) and Friday, July 24; Sleepovers begin at 7 p.m. and end at 9 a.m. the next morning.
Guests can celebrate America’s 250th birthday with an “All-American Road Trip” through the museum’s galleries. In Pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness, the newest exhibit at the museum, will be open to wander through. Museum employees will be leading classic road trip games like I-Spy and the license plate game.
The museum is hosting a late-night adventure on August 5 ending at 11 p.m. There is also a Girl Scout-only sleepover on Friday, July 24.
“It’s always rewarding to see kids and their adults engage with museum content in this unique experience,” Blachere says. “My hope is that each participant leaves in the morning having had a memorable and fun time and maybe even have learned a little something new and want to come back and explore more.”
