Scavenger Hunts & Guides
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. Science Scoops are a lighthearted series for exploring the museum using various artistic formats (e.g. poems).
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 Discover
• Inspect and Detect
• Sneak a Peek
• Search and Uncover
• Science Scoops: Haiku
• Science Scoops: Limericks
• Science Scoops: Seussisms
• Science Scoops: Mystery Objects
• Science Scoops: Mystery Objects (color version)
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
Touch a fossil, see minerals that glow, and investigate animal feet. 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
Compare and count creatures, walk like a dinosaur and more. 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 | 1st, 2nd |
|---|---|
| Duration | varies; 15 to 45 minutes |
| Fee | $3 per child; $5 per adult (recommended contribution, same as museum admission) |
Museum Discovery
Explore shared characters, adaptations and other evolutionary ideas with this scavenger hunt. It can be used in a structured way to investigate select exhibits or as a general guide to the galleries on each floor. Download and print your own.
| Grade Levels | 6th, 7th, 8th |
|---|---|
| Duration | Varies; 15-45 minutes |
| Fee | $3 per child, $5 per adult (recommended contribution; same as museum admission) |
Your Natural History
The natural history of the human body reflects billions of years of evolutionary history. Come explore some of the characteristics that we share with other organisms as a result of our common ancestry. 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) |
Sexy Science
Explore our exhibits in a new way to investigate the suggestive side of science. Available on request at front desk.
| Grade Levels | University Students, Adults |
|---|---|
| Duration | Varies; 15 to 45 minutes |
| Fee | $5 per adult (recommended contribution; same as museum admission) |
