Are your kids fans of Night at the Museum? Discover whether the exhibits really come to life after hours at these five venues that let families and organized groups sleep over. Flashlight-led tours, scavenger hunts, and a karaoke pajama party, are just some of the memorable moments on offer. Here’s what to expect.
1. Fossils by Flashlight
On select nights between September and June, Ottawa’s Canadian Museum of Nature takes groups of budding explorers on a flashlight fossil tour and a scavenger hunt in the mammal gallery. The event ends with live insect handling and a 3-D movie.
Price: $68 per person
Minimum age requirement: Five years old
2. Saturday Sleepover
The Ontario Science Centre’s overnight adventure is themed around Phenomenal Forensics. Take in an IMAX film, explore the exhibits in the dark, learn from science demonstrations, and then let loose at a DJ/PJ party.
Price: From $59 per person
Minimum age requirement: Five years old
3. Prehistoric Overnight
The Royal Ontario Museum sleepover includes after-hours access to some of the museum galleries, digging for bones, hands-on fossil time with ROM experts, a late night snack and a karaoke pajama party.
Price: From $77 per person
Minimum age requirement: Five years old
4. Shut-Eye Under the Sea
For a slumber party to remember, Ripley’s Aquarium lets families camp out in its Dangerous Lagoon shark tunnel. Explore the exhibits, participate in hands-on, educational experiences and sleep with the fishes.
Price: $99 per person
Minimum age requirement: Four years old
5. Dozing With Dinosaurs
Located near Drumheller, Alta., the Royal Tyrell Museum is home to Canada’s largest collection of dinosaur specimens. Family “camp-ins” are held on select Friday and Saturday nights between October and November and February and April. Activities include fossil casting and digging for real fossils.
Price: $44 per person
Minimum age requirement: Five years old
Looking for more family fun?
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Image credits: Tourism Toronto, Stephanie Koning/Canadian Museum of Nature, Courtesy Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Center, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada,Image Courtesy of the Royal Tyrrell Museum