Education

Scavenger Hunts & Guides

Museum guides provide ways for school groups, families, home school groups, university groups, adults and others to explore the museum together. Guides are available in two formats, Scavenger Hunts and Museum Checklists.

Scavenger Hunts explore a variety of exhibits throughout the museum, which include questions to help support observation and recording skills. Answer keys are available at Visitor Services. Museum Checklists are more open-ended, do not involve written responses, and are generally not tied to specific exhibits. For suggestions on how to use these guides with your group see the Scavenger Hunt/Museum Checklist Chaperone Guide.

All guides are available for download (below) to print and copy in advance (recommended for large groups), and are also available at the museum's front desk. It is not necessary to register, but if you are bringing a large group for a self-guided visit, please call the museum at 785.864.4450.

Checklists

Use the checklist to explore the museum as you move through the galleries.
• Explore and Discovery
• Inspect and Detect
• Sneak a Peek
• Search and Uncover

Scavenger Hunts

Mosasaur Munchies Guide

The largest mosasaur found – discovered in Kansas – lurks over the KU Natural History Museum's lobby entrance. Use this guide to explore the museum galleries and discover what mosasaurs ate. Guide available at Visitor Services, 4th floor, or download and print your own.

Grade Levels	2nd, 3rd, 4th
Duration	Varies; 15 to 45 minutes
Fee	$3 per child, $5 per adult (recommended contribution; same as museum admission)

Museum Mysteries

Explore the museum using this scavenger hunt, which takes students to all four floors of the museum. Closely examine exhibits to answer questions about glowing minerals, monkeys in the rainforest and insects in Bug Town. Guide available at Visitor Services, 4th floor, or download and print your own.

Grade Levels	1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Duration	Varies; 15 to 45 minutes
Fee	$3 per child, $5 per adult (recommended contribution; same as museum admission)

Museum Quest

In this scavenger hunt, examine exhibits to answer questions about Triceratops, insect mouthparts and snakes. Guide available at Visitor Services, 4th floor, or download and print your own.

Grade Levels	6th, 7th, 8th
Duration	Varies; 15 to 45 minutes
Fee	$3 per child, $5 per adult (recommended contribution; same as museum admission)

Museum Challenge

In this challenging scavenger hunt, closely examine exhibits to answer questions about endangered animals, flying vertebrates, and venomous snakes. Guide available at Visitor Services, 4th floor, or download and print your own.

Grade Levels	High School, University Students, Adults
Duration	Varies; 15 to 45 minutes
Fee	$3 per child, $5 per adult (recommended contribution; same as museum admission)

Cabinets of Curiosity

The odd, the strange and the unusual were prized objects for many early collectors. Use this guide to explore some of the “oddities” on display at the museum. Guide available at Visitor Services, 4th floor, or download and print your own.

Grade Levels	5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, High School, University Students, Adults
Duration	Varies; 15 to 45 minutes
Fee	$3 per child, $5 per adult (recommended contribution; same as museum admission)

Museum Explorer

This scavenger hunt can be used to investigate select exhibits or as a general guide to the galleries on each floor. Download and print your own.

Grade Levels	2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
Duration	varies; 15-45 minutes
Fee	$3 per child, $5 per adult (recommended contribution; same as museum admission)

Museum Adventure