Mega-Dinosaur Playdate at the American Museum of Natural History

Guest Contributor — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Editor’s Note: We love opportunities to play with our children and we love Dinosaurs! That’s why we had an amazing DINOSAUR Playdate at the American Museum of Natural History. We took our children on an unforgettable adventure with the spellbinding figures from Safari Ltd. so we could roar loudly, make silly dinosaur faces, and recreate scenes happening in the dinosaur rooms at the museum or wherever else our children’s imaginations take us. – L.S.

NYC Dads Group + kids make silly dinosaur faces in Hall of Dinosaurs

I visited the American Museum of Natural History for the first time when I was 12 years old on a school trip from Texas. And I was hooked. It was an easy decision. This was going to be the city I was going to live in when I got older. You didn’t get dinosaurs like the ones in New York in South Texas. It was no comparison. The dinosaurs, the massive elephants as you walk in, and the enormous blue whale were just the tip of the iceberg to this amazing city. Don’t get me wrong. I had seen dinosaurs and elephants before, but in South Texas it wasn’t on such a grand scale.

So, when I became a father and was granted the privilege to introduce my little girl, Adia, to the world, joining the NYC Dads Group was a gimme, and the American Museum of Natural History was going to be one the first places on my list. Fortunately, the group hosted a meetup with the great folks of Safari Ltd. at the museum.

As soon as we entered the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs at the American Museum of Natural History, we were provided with a choice of really cool toy dinosaur figurines. After a quick nice to see you, I was immediately put into chase-down-my-daughter mode. It was nothing but utter excitement. My daughter had been trying to scare everything and everyone she could since Halloween and T-Rex was going to be her first victim. She walked right up to the glass and said,”HA!” She’s only 17 months old and it was far more cute than scary.We took a walk around the room and I tried to show her some of the fossils that had fascinated me. I tried showing her the interactive monitors on the different dinosaurs. The “oohs” and “ahhs” that I had been trying to elicit were reserved only for two things: her new toy and the overpass stairs. Adia and some of the other smaller kids had found the stairs to be their common bond and forced some of us (me) into some much needed cardio. It was also nice to catch up with some of the other dads we had met before on each pass up and down the stairs. The older kids were thoroughly enjoying their figurines as well. Some of them even knew the names and were comparing the different ones in their field guides.

We always have a good time meeting with the other dads, but this seemed a little more special. It was the first true NY cultural institution that I wanted to experience with my daughter. The museum introduced me to a much larger world than the one I had grown up with and I’m hoping some day…it will get the oohs and ahhs from her that it did me and I cant wait.

Steven Moralez has lived and worked in NYC for the last 19 years and is now a embracing the challenge of his newest career…Dad.

Steven Moralez and his daughter Adia

**Disclosure Note: This was a paid, sponsored meet-up with Safari Ltd. at the American Museum of Natural History. The opinions expressed in this sponsored post are our own and have not been influenced by our sponsor. We limit our advertising to relevant partners that offer products and services we believe in and use ourselves.

Scavenger Hunt Mystery With KIDS at American Museum of Natural History

City Dads Group — Thu, 12 May 2011 05:10:00 +0000

Today, a group of six friends, all active fathers from the NYC Dads Group with our toddlers, participated in a special Mystery at the Museum: An Accomplice Adventure at the American Museum of Natural History.

From the creators of Accomplice—theatrical experiences set on the streets of New York City , Hollywood , and London —comes an exciting new way to explore the American Museum of Natural History. Part walking tour, part game, and part theater, Mystery at the Museum is an immersive and unique adventure through the Museum’s halls. Meet characters, follow clues, and solve puzzles as you unravel a tale that takes you through iconic Museum locations and behind-the-scenes areas.

This experience was unique, innovative, and an adventurous way to explore the museum with our children. The excitement began last night when I received a bizarre phone call from one of the characters (it is certainly part theater) providing our first clue of our scavenger hunt. When we arrived, our group was greeted by a host (another interesting and odd character) who quickly ushered us into a secret room for a debriefing. What happened next was over 90 minutes of dashing through some of my favorite places in the museum with my 2 1/2 year old son and our entire team. We were lead through a fast-paced and engaging adventure through the Museum to solve a modern day whodunit. This experience was 100% about the dads having a blast. Interestingly, our pint sized children, who certainly slowed us down, thoroughly enjoyed themselves as well. What person doesn’t love this museum? That said, I would recommend doing this Mystery experience with children who are much older than three. Note to self: the recommended age of 10 or older was something I could have paid more attention to.

It was an absolute blast. I would absolutely do it again (maybe in a few years when our son is a little older)! We were running, exploring, and trying to keep a handle on our kids. My son napped like a champ from all of the excitement and running around. Overall, it was a truly unique avenue to explore some highlights of the museum. My favorite part was meeting the different characters along the way…you never quite knew who was involved in the mystery vs. the average visitors. I was also impressed with the use of technology as we were equipped with an iPad, high tech headsets, and used Skype to get our marching orders! There are many more surprises that happened along the way, but I don’t want to spoil it for the rest of you…

For more information about the Mystery at the Museum Experience:
WHEN: Saturdays and Sundays (8 performances per day; each performance runs approximately 2 hours)

WHERE: American Museum of Natural History
ADMISSION $50; 10 years old and up. Advance purchase is required.

American Museum of Natural History Archives - City Dads Group

Mega-Dinosaur Playdate at the American Museum of Natural History

Scavenger Hunt Mystery With KIDS at American Museum of Natural History