Calling all young explorers! Are you ready for a thrilling adventure through the wonders of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences? With so many incredible exhibits to discover, we’ve put together an exciting scavenger hunt to guide you on a journey of exploration, curiosity, and fun!
How It Works
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find as many of these fascinating museum treasures as possible. Some clues will be easy, while others might require some serious detective work. Keep your eyes wide open and your sense of wonder engaged!
Grab your checklist and start your adventure!
Look and Find!
✔ A Giant Whale – Find the skeleton of the biggest animal in the world. What kind of whale is it?
✔ A Live Animal – Spot a real, living creature in one of the exhibits. What did you see?
✔ A Dinosaur Fossil – Discover a fossil from a prehistoric dinosaur. What is its name?
✔ A Bug Bigger Than Your Hand – Look for a model or fossil of an unusually large insect. What is it?
✔ A Gem That Sparkles – Find a rock or mineral that shines under the lights. What color is it?
Think a Little Harder!
✔ A Sea Creature That’s Not a Fish – Identify an ocean animal that isn’t actually a fish. What is it?
✔ A Space Rock – Find a rock that came from space. What is it called?
✔ Something That Used to Be a Tree – Look for a piece of petrified wood. What does it feel like?
✔ A Bird That Can’t Fly – Discover a display featuring a flightless bird. What is its name?
✔ A Creature With More Than Six Legs – Spot an arthropod with extra legs. What is it?
True Nature Detectives Only!
✔ An Animal That Lived in North Carolina Long Ago – Find a prehistoric creature that once roamed this area. What is it?
✔ A Butterfly That’s Not Alive – Discover a preserved butterfly in the exhibit. What colors do you see?
✔ An Animal That Uses Camouflage – Spot an animal display that shows camouflage. What animal is it?
✔ A Clue That an Animal Was Here – Find an exhibit that features animal tracks, fur, or bones. What’s the clue?
✔ The Tallest Thing in the Museum – Find the exhibit with the tallest structure or skeleton. What is it?
Super Sleuth Challenges!
✔ A Tiny Creature With a Big Impact – Identify an insect exhibit that helps the environment. What is it?
✔ A Fossil That’s NOT a Dinosaur – Discover a prehistoric fossil that isn’t from a dinosaur. What is it?
✔ A Rock That Can Glow – Look for a mineral that shines under special light. What is it?
✔ A Predator and Its Prey – Find an exhibit showing one animal hunting or eating another. What animals are in the display?
✔ Something That Shows the Weather – Find an exhibit about storms, rain, or climate. What did you learn?
Mission Complete?
Once you’ve completed your scavenger hunt, show your list to an adult or teacher and discuss your favorite discovery! What did you find most surprising? Which exhibit was the most exciting?
We hope you have an amazing time exploring the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Happy hunting!
