Balboa Park’s Science Family Day
Balboa Park cooks up the perfect formula for family fun with science-themed hands-on activities happening throughout the park for Science Family Day on March 16.
More than two dozen Balboa Park institutions put their heads together to present the Science Family Day on Saturday, March 16. The park-wide event features hands-on activities, films and exhibits exploring nature and science, a butterfly release, up-close encounters with insects and human bones, and much more. Science Family Day also includes one of the world’s longest DNA models, which will be paraded down the Prado, and plenty of giveaways. Children 12 and under will be admitted free with a paid adult admission at a host of participating museums. Family Day activities take place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For a complete schedule of events, visit balboapark.org/scienceday.
Science Family Day Highlights:
Japanese Friendship Garden
Take part in science-related crafts for kids and grab some gourmet comfort food at the Ms. Patty Melt food truck.
Museum of Man
Experience what it’s like to be a real physical anthropologist by comparing and contrasting bone features using replica bones and artifacts, and learn how forensic scientists identify bones.
Museum of Photographic Arts
Walk into an oversized (9 x 7 foot) camera obscura, a device that led to the invention of photography, in front of the museum.
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
Experience a full array of science exhibits and activities, including the debut of the Origins of Life exhibit, a parachute design experiment in the Tinkering Studio, a space rock detective activity for children 5 and under in Kid City, and an opportunity to test drive a solar-powered robot designed by the Robo Chicks.
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Learn to create different types of paper airplanes while gaining insight into the science of flight and enter your creations into competitions for farthest flight distance, longest air time, and flight accuracy.
San Diego Automotive Museum
Traffic cones are not just for traffic anymore! Kids will discover how to use them in very unique ways as they share their “visions” of seeing them differently. Also, coloring sheets will bring out the inner car designer in anyone.
San Diego Floral Association
A special “Joy of Butterflies” event in the Zoro Garden includes butterfly crafts for younger kids, butterfly face painting, and a butterfly release at 1 p.m.
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Kids of all ages can learn about alternative energy sources as they operate a train running on solar energy.
San Diego Museum of Art
Museum docents will take visitors on science-themed tours of the collection.
San Diego Natural History Museum
Behold the mysteries of nature’s creatures in Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders. Make a craft, get a tattoo, and uncover the science of entomology through hands-on activities with real scientists.
San Diego Youth Symphony
Listen to SDYS’s talented musicians at their free open rehearsals in Casa del Prado, rooms 205 and 207.
Spanish Village Art Center
Families can learn the unique properties of clay and polymer clay in a special interactive demo, experience the science of paint as they paint small paintings or join in making a large banner together, and discover the science of glazes in a demonstration of glazing on tiles.
Timken Museum of Art
Storyteller Harlynne Geisler will pair the life of the 17th-century artist Luca Carlevarijs with an Italian fairy tale, as visitors learn how to make a camera obscura, a device Luca used to help him paint.
UNA International Gift Shop
Choose one free flag from a wide variety of countries, while supplies last.
