Learn about art, history, science, and culture with activities designed for homeschool families. Explore the Kid’s Corner and the Interactive Topographic Sand Table or come for favorite activities like the Inflatable Whale. Look for scavenger hunt whales, and pretend to live on a whaling ship in the Sailor’s Nook!

Homeschoolers (ages 4-18) can visit at a discounted rate of $10.00 per student and $12.00 per adult for general admission. Children under 3 are free. On Homeschool Days, general admission includes the Inflatable Whale, Lagoda Below Deck, and other activity stations around the museum.

Add tickets for the 3D Movie for $4.00 per person. Wonders of the Arctic is a 25-minute 3D Movie with showings at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm. Recommended for all ages.

Schedule of Activities
Squid Dissection Workshop in Museum Classroom (Main Level)
Use dissecting tools to discover the unusual adaptations of squid by investigating their external and internal anatomy. This 60-minute hands-on Squid Dissection workshop is available at 9:45 am; 11:30 am; or 1:30 pm. $7.00 for participating students; no charge for accompanying adults. Pre-registration is recommended and space is limited to 16 students per session. Recommended for students ages 8 and older.

Allergy Notice: The Squid Dissection workshop includes close interaction with squid, including but not limited to: handling squid with gloves, interacting with squid fluids in a classroom setting, and being in a room where the smell of seafood is apparent. Squid are considered shellfish. Participants who have a shellfish allergy should be aware of this type of interaction. For questions about this workshop and allergies, please call (508) 997-0046 x184.

General Admission Activities:

Explore activities around the museum at scheduled times.

All about Whales in Exploring Our Ecosystem Exhibit (Lower Level)
Learn about whales’ adaptations to their environment, and the impacts of climate change on the ecosystem. Drop-in station open from 9:15–11:45 am.

STEM Design Challenge in Exploring Our Ecosystem Exhibit (Lower Level)
Explore mitigation strategies to combat sea level rise in this hands-on activity. Drop-in station open from 12:30-2:30 pm.

Historic Portraits Collage Activity in “Look pleasant, please”: Early Portrait Photography in New Bedford Exhibit (Lower Level)
Visit the special exhibit focused on the history of photography in New Bedford and make a collage of historic portraits. Drop-in craft activity open from 10:30 am–2:00 pm.

Lagoda Below Deck at the Lagoda Whaling Ship (Main Level)
Explore the lower deck of the Lagoda whaling ship and see the quarters of the captain and mates. Open from 9:45–11:30 am and 12:30–2:00 pm. (Not accessible for some visitors with mobility needs.)

Inflatable Whale in Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)
Climb inside a 43-foot long inflatable humpback whale to examine internal organs of this marine mammal. Open from 10:00 am–12:00 pm and 1:00–3:00 pm. (Not accessible for some visitors with mobility needs.)

Save the Whales Activity in Harbor View Gallery (Upper Level)
Learn about threats to whales, in the past and today. Design a bumper sticker to help save whales and other sea creatures. Drop-in craft activity open from 10:00 am–3:00 pm.

History Storytime (Main Level)
Listen to stories of real people who took a stand and made a difference. Meet in the exhibit galleries: Forging Independence | Building a Nation at 10:45 am and in Energy & Enterprise at 12:45 pm.

Whaling History Tour meet in the front lobby (Lobby Level) at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. Learn more about whaling history on a 25-minute guided tour of museum exhibits.

Lunch or Snacks

Bring your own food and enjoy lunch or snacks at tables in Harbor View Gallery from 9:00 am-3:00 pm. (No food is available for purchase at the museum and food and drinks are only permitted in this space.)

Contact learning@whalingmuseum.org or (508) 997-0046 x184 for questions about tickets, schedules, or activities.