Perot Museum – Family Friendly Dallas Activities

At the Perot Museum there are wonders on every floor. Study the universe, walk with dinosaurs, experience an earthquake, open a 5-foot geode, and so much more. The fun begins before you even walk in the door.

The exhibits at the Perot Nature and Science Museum begin before you even walk in the door. Outside features frogs, musical things, and a 90 foot long stream that ends in a pond. And once you walk inside there are wonders on every floor.

4th Floor: Expanding Universe Hall, Life Then and Now Hall, and the Hall of Birds

Your exploration of the Perot Museum begins up at the very top, the 4th floor. Which is where you very literally start at the beginning the Expanding Universe Hall. Starting with the Big Bang, which you can peer into a well to watch unfold. After the Big Bang you can take an animated journey through the solar system, learn about the breakthroughs discovered by Galileo and Newton, and view images of space from the Hubble Space Telescope.

After studying the universe, you can head to the T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall and the Rose Hall of birds, also located on the 4th floor. The Tyrannosaurus rex and 85-foot Alamosaurus fossil models are massive and impressive. (The Alamosaurus on display at the Perot is the only complete Alamosaurus skeleton in the world! It towers over the T-Rex next to it.) This is probably our favorite exhibit.

The history of Dallas is covered from when it was underwater, to the Ice Age, and finally to the present day. Plant fossils are displayed along with other animal fossils. There is even a hands on area where you can examine fossil replicas. Up a short flight of stairs from the dinosaurs is where the bird exhibits are. While overlooking the extinct dinosaur models you will learn how birds were able to adapt to the become the ones we see today. A bird simulator allows you to stand in front of a screen, flap your arms, and become a predator bird. Exhibits also include information on flight patterns, mating calls, and various nest and egg specimens.

3rd Floor: Energy Hall, Gems and Minerals Hall, and the Dynamic Earth Hall

The third floor at the Perot Museum includes the Tom Hunt Energy Hall, Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall, and the Rees-Jones Foundation Dynamic Earth hall. The Energy Hall is all about natural energy sources; oil, natural gas, and alternative energy sources. See actual drilling equipment up close and learn how oil and natural gas is formed and found. The most impressive display within the Gems and Minerals Hall is the 5-foot geode. Located behind a glass case this display includes a wheel that visitors can turn to open and close the geode filled with purple crystals. Also fun to see is the display of minerals that change to bright colors under ultraviolet light bulbs. The minerals that are on display were collected all over the world.

Have you ever wondered what an earthquake feels like? Step on the Earthquake Shake immersive experience, located in the Dynamic Earth hall. Afterwards see the displays that explain continental drift, get a chance make weather predictions, and learn about the power of tornados.

2nd Floor: Engineering and Innovation Hall, the Being Human Hall, and the Discovering Life Hall

Moving down to the 2nd floor you will find the Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall, the Being Human Hall, and the Discovering Life Hall. In the Engineering and Innovation Hall you’ll get a chance to practice building a variety of structures and test to see how stable they are. Want to play with robots? You can do that, too! Either control them yourself or use some of their pre-programmed commands.

You might be surprised how closely related humans are to other animals in the Being Human Hall. See the similarities, and differences, between humans and other animals. One interactive exhibits lets you answer lifestyle questions to see how they affect your life expectancy. Other exhibits explain how the brain works, and by standing in front of the thermal camera you can identify the various hot and cool points on your body. Plant and animal life are on display in the Discovering Life Hall, including a wide variety of taxidermy specimens. You can also explore the sights, sounds, and smells of the three Texas ecosystems.

Moody Family Children’s Museum

Children 5 and younger will really enjoy the lower level of the museum where the Moody Family Children’s Museum is located. As you descend the stairs you’ll quickly notice something fun about them, they’re musical! Each stair plays a different note when you step on it.This area features common Dallas sites where children, with adult supervision, can play, pretend, and climb. Familiar sites include the Dallas Farmers Market and Margaret Hunt Hill bridge. Specifically designed for kids 5 and younger, this area is a perfect place to run off any extra energy.

The fun extends outdoors into the area around the museum. The frogs are always fun and so are the musical instruments outside. No matter what your particular area of scientific interest there is plenty to explore at the Perot Nature and Science Museum.

Want more fun kid-friendly Dallas activities? Check out Epic Waters and more activities in Grand Prairie!