Pack up the kids and get ready to take them on a prehistoric adventure around South Florida, because several local museums have fantastic, dinosaur-themed exhibits and some are going to become extinct pretty soon! From Miami to West Palm and Wellington, life-size reptilian models, fossils and interactive mazes are the name of the game for families who want to learn about some of the most successful survivors in earth’s history.
It’s time to make some dinosaur tracks down to:
Frost Museum of Science
The Frost Museum of Science’s latest exhibition, Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs is getting ready to close out on September 6th. Presented by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and organized by the American Museum of Natural History in New York, the exhibition is the largest one featuring these flying reptiles ever mounted in the United States!
Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs includes true-to-scale models, a captivating gallery, videos and interactive exhibits that immerse visitors in the mechanics of pterosaur flight. Our favorite is a motion sensor-based interactive that allows you to use your body to “pilot” two species of pterosaurs through virtual prehistoric landscapes.
1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL; 305/434-9600
South Florida Science Center & Aquarium
Get lost in history at Dinosaur Revolution, currently featured at the South Florida Science Center & Aquarium through November 28th. The popular exhibit is presented by Minotaur Mazes and ranges over 2,500-square-feet in the Center’s main exhibit hall. Dinosaur Revolution gives visitors the opportunity to puzzle and problem-solve while stepping into the skin of their favorite dinosaur.
At Dinosaur Revolution, families will be able to live large with reptilian role-play activities, undertake three Mesozoic missions spanning 150 years and mimic dinosaur behavior. Junior paleontologists will navigate the giant maze and learn why dinosaurs are one of the most successful survivors in Earth’s history.
Dino hunters young and old can debunk myths and learn about new discoveries, dig for fossils through the time periods and even make tracks by slipping on life-size dinosaur feet! This is especially entertaining. Don’t forget to visit the larger dinosaur models outside on the Fischer Family Science Trail as well!
4801 Dreher Trail N., West Palm Beach, FL; 561/832-1988
The Palm Beach Museum of Natural History
Prior to doing all of this dino-research, I didn’t even know we had a Natural History Museum in Palm Beach. It turns out that it now exists at the Mall at Wellington Green! And, they currently have the only authentic dinosaur skeleton on view in South Florida. It’s rather exciting!
During your visit your family will meet Cheryl the Triceratops, on display amongst a replica of the field camp where she was discovered, excavated by the Museum’s own Curator of Paleontology, Robert De Palma. Private tours (up to 20 people) are the way to go at the Palm Beach Museum of Natural History as you’ll learn a ton about prehistoric life. Kids are also able to touch Cheryl and experience several dig boxes where they can discover fossils on their own.
Before you leave, don’t miss your photo op with the Museum’s two 10-foot animatronic replicas of a Tyrannosaurus rex and a Velociraptor!
It’s best to enter from the food court on the east side of the mall. The museum is in space 172 on the lower level.
10300 Forest Hill Blvd. Ste. 172, Wellington, FL / 561/729-4246
Michelle Olson-Rogers is a mom of one and the founder of Modern Boca Mom, an award-winning lifestyle website for the stylish & modern South Florida Mommy. She can also be found on Instagram at @modernbocamom.
