Museums are always a safe bet for a hassle-free day trip for the family, especially when they offer kid-focused exhibitions which enable the little ones to enjoy themselves while learning, rather than listening to wordy, dull explanations. Beijing Museum of Natural History is right at the top of the list; not only ideal for a fun-filled family trip, but also a great way for kids to wave their summer holiday boredom goodbye.
Home to an abundant collection of artifacts, fossils, and specimens, the museum presents permanent exhibitions featuring reptiles, mammals, invertebrates, dinosaur fossils, plants, and rare animal specimens from around the world, as well as explaining the evolution of human beings.
The highlights include the largest sauropod dinosaur fossil discovered in China, Stegodon zdanskyi, the most complete skeleton of a stegodon ever found in the world, and Archaefructus liaoningensis, the earliest known flowering plant.
Maybe not all of the exhibitions will interest your kids, but each section boasts unique highlights, boosting the chances that something there will grab them.
The mammal fossil collection is the second biggest in the world, while the fossils of dinosaurs will definitely appeal to the many dinosaur-obsessed kids. At the plant section, kids get a close-up view of the whole process of flowers sprouting, growing, and blossoming. And the lifelike recreations of the wildlife of Africa, North America, and Eurasia in the animal section are ready to inspire in kids love of and fascination with the natural world.
The 4D cinema screens scientific and educational films at various times throughout the day. Currently listed films are Turtles’ Adventure, Pig Peak, A Warning from the Dinosaur, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, Night of Resurrection, and Prehistoric Adventure. Admission fee is RMB 20 per person.
The museum also offers a wide-ranging program of temporary exhibitions and events all year round. Check their website to keep updated about upcoming exhibitions.
Beijing Museum of Natural History
9am-5pm Tue-Sun. Free entrance (some charges apply for temporary exhibitions, and reservations one day in advance are recommended since the museum might get full during the summer holiday.). Beijing Museum of Nature History (No. 126 Tianqiao South Street, Dongcheng District; 6702 7702; office@bmnh.org.cn).
