Discovery Guides
You can ask for Discovery Guides at the Visitor Services Desk (4th floor) when you arrive at the museum, or download PDFs before your visit. For groups, we also offer Discovery Guides - Chaperone Information for group leaders.
Checklists
Checklists: Open-ended checklist-style guides. No written responses required. These are generally not tied to specific exhibits.
Science Scoops
An artistic take on natural history! Use poems, images and more to explore the museum with Science Scoops!
Scavenger Hunts
Our Scavenger Hunts are a great way to explore a variety of exhibits throughout the museum. They include questions to help explore, and support observation and recording skills. You can download Scavenger Hunts below, or ask for them at our Visitor Services desk on the main (4th) floor. Answer keys are also available at the Visitor Services desk.
Scavenger Hunts available:
Explore the museum using this scavenger hunt, which takes students to all four floors of the museum. Closely examine exhibits to answer questions about glowing minerals, monkeys in the rainforest and insects in Bugtown.
Level: K-5th grade; Families
In this scavenger hunt, examine exhibits to answer questions about Triceratops, insect mouthparts and snakes.
Level: 6th-8th grade; Families
In this scavenger hunt, closely examine exhibits to answer questions about endangered animals, flying vertebrates, and venomous snakes.
Level: High school and up; Families
Touch a fossil, see minerals that glow, and investigate animal feet.
Level: 2nd-5th grade; Families
Compare and count creatures, walk like a dinosaur, and more.
Level: K-1st grade; Families
Explore shared characters, adaptations and other evolutionary ideas with this scavenger hunt.
Level: 6th-8th grade; Families
The natural history of the human body reflects billions of years of evolutionary history. Come explore some of the characteristics that we share with other organisms as a result of our common ancestry.
Level: High school and up; Families
Learn more about Tylosaurus, one of our state fossils and a marvelously magnificent mosasaur. Level: Families
Learn more about Pteranodon, one of our state fossils in this terrific top-notch trail. Level: Families
Explore the life in and around Potter Lake, just a short walk west of the KU Natural History Museum.
Level: 1st-5th grade; Families
Explore life in and around Potter Lake, just a short walk west of the KU Natural History Museum.
Level: 6th-8th grade; Families
The odd, the strange and the unusual were prized objects for many early collectors. Use this guide to explore some of the “oddities” on display at the museum.
Level: 5th grade and up; Families
Explore science around the University of Kansas campus. Level: all ages