Bring Your Class to
Denver Museum
of Nature & Science
Museum admission is always free for PreK–12 school groups and organized youth groups. Explore world-class exhibits, add on a facilitated studio program, catch a Sturm Theater show, or spend the night among the exhibits. Every visit, every budget.
Design Your Own Adventures puts your group in control. Arrive when you're ready, explore DMNS's world-class permanent galleries at your own pace, and customize your day with optional paid add-on experiences like Sturm Theater, Gates Planetarium, or temporary exhibitions.
This program is available to PreK–12 school groups and organized youth groups year-round, including summer and weekends. There is no minimum group size for school groups; organized youth groups require a minimum of 10 students. Groups of 200 or more students need to receive dedicated logistics support and approval — please contact us to plan your visit.
Chaperone Admission Policy
One chaperone per every ten students receives complimentary museum admission. Up to one chaperone per every five students receives complimentary admission. Chaperones beyond that ratio are welcome but pay regular adult admission. For Special Needs groups, there is no limit on complimentary chaperones — contact us to make arrangements.
Optional Add-On Experiences
Sturm Theater
Giant-screen films on science, nature, and exploration. Multiple shows daily.
$5 per student
Gates Planetarium
Immersive dome experiences exploring space, the cosmos, and Colorado skies.
$5 per student
Temporary Exhibits
Rotating special exhibitions featuring science, culture, and natural history.
$5 per studentField Trip Adventures (FTAs) are facilitated programs led by DMNS educators. Each session takes place in a dedicated studio space and is designed to actively engage students with hands-on investigations aligned to Colorado Academic Standards.
FTAs are available for PreK–Grade 8 school groups, Monday through Friday during the school year (mid-August through May). Groups of 10–32 students per session. 1 chaperone is included free for your visit for every 5 students.
Book at least 21 days in advance. Payment is due 30 days before your visit, or at the time of booking if you're within 21–30 days of your program date.
A Spanish-speaking bilingual educator may be available upon request — indicate your preference when booking. All programs except Unraveling Mummies are available bilingually.
Grade-level flexibility of ±1 grade is possible on request.
Studio Capacity & Chaperones
Each studio accommodates a maximum of 32 students and 36 total participants. Chaperones beyond 4 studio capacity may explore the museum independently during the facilitated program.
Choose Your Studio Program
Select the program that best matches your students' grade level and learning goals. Time slots and bilingual availability are confirmed during booking.
PreK – Grade 1
Bear Necessities
Students are immersed in a Colorado habitat as they become black bears to discover what these animals need to survive and thrive in their habitat.
PreK – Grade 1
Dinosaur Detectives
Uncover clues from the past in order to imagine what it was like when Colorado's state dinosaur, Stegosaurus, roamed the Earth.
Grades 2 – 5
Amazing Animal Adaptations
In this fun, interactive adventure, your students will use a keepsake trading card game to explore how animals use specialized senses and parts of their body to adapt to their environment.
Grades 2 – 5
UnEarth Colorado
Dig up Colorado’s prehistoric past! Use real prehistoric evidence found in fossil analysis to become a junior paleontologist.
Grades 3 – 5
Heart Lab
Explore the human body and the parts and function of the circulatory system using hands-on investigations and small-group dissections of real sheep hearts.
Grades 3 – 5
Lung Lab
Explore the human body and the parts and function of the respiratory system using hands-on investigations and small-group dissections of real sheep lungs.
Grades 6 – 8
Unraveling Mummies
In this laboratory experience, students use CT scan images and the dissection of a real sheep heart to dig into the culture, anatomy, beliefs, and mummification and burial practices exercised by ancient Egyptians.
Overnight Adventures — also called Camp-Ins — are DMNS's most unforgettable learning experience. Students in Grades 3–6 spend the night at the Museum, surrounded by dinosaur fossils, ancient mummies, and the Rocky Mountain region's rich natural history. The evening includes educator-led science activities, a scavenger hunt through the galleries, and sleeping bags spread out beneath the exhibits.
Overnight Adventures run on set dates announced each Fall — your group registers for an available date rather than choosing its own.
The maximum is 575 total participants per overnight event. Minimum group size is 6 students.
Chaperone & Group Leader Policy
One paid adult chaperone is required for every six students (rounded up). One complimentary group leader admission is included for every 30 students (rounded up). Additional group leaders beyond this ratio pay the standard $65 participant fee and require advance approval from our Overnight Adventure Coordinator. Medical one-on-one exceptions require advance approval from our Overnight Adventures coordinator.
What's Included
What to Know Before You Go
Location & Parking
2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205. Bus parking is available in the designated school group lot — view directions and parking map.
Entrance & Check-In
School groups use the School Entrance on weekdays. On weekends (DYOA only), groups use the general museum entrance. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to check in your group.
Lunch & Snacks
Groups may bring bag lunches. A designated picnic area is available on a first-come basis. The museum café is open to groups with extra time, but is not included in program pricing.
Accessibility
DMNS is fully accessible. Wheelchairs available at no charge. Let us know about specific accommodations when booking and we'll ensure your group is set up for success. Accessibility info →
Is museum admission really free?
Yes — completely free for PreK–12 school groups and organized youth groups of ten or more students. This includes access to all permanent galleries and exhibits. The only costs are optional paid add-ons: Sturm Theater, Gates Planetarium, and temporary exhibitions, each $5 per student. One free chaperone is required for every five students. Additional chaperones beyond that ratio are welcome but pay regular adult admission.
Can we visit on a weekend?
Yes — Design Your Own Adventures (DYOA) is available on weekends. On weekends, school groups use the general museum entrance rather than the School Entrance. Field Trip Adventures (FTA) studio sessions are only available Monday–Friday during the school year (September through May).
What's the difference between DYOA and FTA?
Design Your Own Adventures (DYOA) is fully self-guided. You arrive, explore the permanent galleries at your own pace, and add on any ticketed experiences you choose. It's the most flexible option.
Field Trip Adventures (FTA) includes a structured program led by a DMNS educator in a dedicated studio space. It's a curated, curriculum-aligned learning experience built around a specific science topic. Many schools combine FTAs with free gallery time to get the best of both.
Do we qualify for a scholarship?
Schools where 49.5% or more of students qualify for Free & Reduced Lunch (FRL) may be eligible for a 50% scholarship on add-ons (DYOA) or studio sessions (FTA and Overnight Adventures). Select the FRL option during the booking process and we'll automatically apply your discount.
If your school qualifies for scholarship, Bus Fuel Fund (BFF) may be available. The BFF helps cover transportation costs and is available to qualifying schools. It's a post-visit rebate — your teacher must request it. Please contact Guest Services at 303.370.6000 or guestservices@dmns.org. It cannot be applied automatically or at the time of booking. Funding is subject to availability.
How many students can we bring?
For DYOA museum-only visits, there's no minimum for school groups (organized youth groups need at least 10 students). The daily soft limit is 2,800 students — contact us if your group is 200 or more (Super Group).
For FTA, each studio session holds 10–32 students. Large schools book multiple sessions.
For Overnight Adventures, the minimum is 6 students and the maximum is 500 total participants per event.
How far in advance do I need to book?
DYOA museum-only: No advance booking required, but you're welcome to notify us for large groups.
DYOA with add-ons: Book at least 30 days in advance.
FTA: Book at least 21 days in advance.
Overnight Adventures: Dates open in September; book as early as possible as events fill up quickly.
Are bilingual programs available?
Yes — six of the seven FTA studio programs are available in bilingual (English/Spanish) delivery. The exception is Unraveling Mummies, which is available in English only. Indicate your bilingual preference when booking. Availability may vary by date — your booking coordinator will confirm.