Explore and Discover at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History

A guide for the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History to help create an inviting environment for all families and children.

my turn at

A Sensory Friendly Sunday

INTRODUCTION: The Museum of Natural History offers children and their families a space to explore exhibits at their own pace and according to their own wants and needs. They have the option to explore the entire Museum, watch a Planetarium show, read a book in a quiet gallery space, or all of the above! The Museum of Natural History is always excited to have families come to the Museum and has prepared a story to help them get ready for their visit!

MY VISIT TO THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY: There are many things to see, explore, and learn at the Museum of Natural History. When I visit the Museum I can touch fossils, look at animals, read books, and watch a planetarium show. The Museum is a very fun place to visit. When I go I need to follow four rules so that I can have fun and so others can too! These are the rules: 1. I will use my quiet voice

2. I will use my walking feet

3. I will stay with my adult or family

4. I will only touch objects that have no barriers Just like the one I see in this picture:

When I follow these rules, I know I will be safe and will have lots of fun at the Museum. When I enter the Museum I am in the Rotunda. The Rotunda is a beautful room with walls shaped in a circle instead of a square. The Rotunda is an important place for getting information, a map, and other things I need to begin my adventure at the Museum. In the Rotunda, there will be a Museum host sitting at a blue table. The blue table has objects on it. If I ask the host, they will let me touch and learn about those objects. The host is very nice. They will greet me and answer any of my questions. If the Rotunda is too loud for me, the host will give me earmuffs. The host can also give Planetarium tickets to my adult so we can see a Planetarium show. Before leaving the Rotunda, I will get a Museum map so we know where to go.

After talking to the host, I can take care of my things. I can put my jacket and bags in the coatroom. The coatroom is by the Rotunda.

When I am thirsty, I can use the water fountain in the Rotunda. I can also use the restrooms in the Rotunda. I know that I can always go to the Rotunda to ask the host for help or use the bathroom.

When I want to go to the different floors of the Museum, I will use either the stairs or the elevator. The Museum has four different floors. If I do not feel comfortable or if I am not able to use the stairs, I can use the elevator. The elevator is by the Rotunda.

There are so many things I can do at the Museum...

I can go to the Planetarium. The Planetarium is on the 4th floor. I know that it is a dark room with a dome screen. When I sit down I can look up to watch the show. When the show starts, I will be quiet and listen. The Planetarium is dark and small. If I do not like it, I can leave. The Planetarium only seats a few people. It is important that we get tickets from the store. These tickets will let us go to the show. I can see a Planetarium show about the stars and planets. I can find what shows are playing at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History website. There are several times so that I can watch a show and do other things at the Museum.

I may read a book when I visit the Museum. I can go to the “Life through the Ages” gallery for quiet time. When I am here I can read by myself or with someone. I can wear earmuffs to make it quieter. When I want to do something different, I can explore the Museum! I will take my Museum map to know where to go.

There are three different floors that I can visit: The second floor has fossils and dinosaurs. The third floor has Michigan animals. The fourth floor has rocks, a canoe, and lots of other things to touch.

I can see these objects at my own pace and in any order that I want. I know that I will follow the rules. I will walk and stay with my adult. I will see fossils of dinosaurs and prehistoric life on the second floor. There are very big dinosaurs, whales, and other animals on this floor. I know that I can touch the fossils and objects that do not have a barrier. I can touch this Allosaurus head model. With the help of my adult, I can stand next to this dinosaur leg. This is a real fossil that I can touch. It is so big!

I can touch this dinosaur leg!

If I do not like dinosaurs, I can go to the third floor to see animals from Michigan. When on the third floor, I can sit on the bench and read a book. I can also look at the animals. I will see many different animals on the third floor. There are birds, fish, turtles, and lots more! I can learn about how all of these animals live in Michigan. This gray wolf lives in Northern Michigan. I will see it when I visit the museum. I will also see a wolverine. Wolverines are special to the University of Michigan. It is their mascot. Go Blue!

When I go to the fourth floor I will see many different exhibits. This means I can learn about different things. I can go to the Planetarium on the fourth floor. I know that I need a ticket to go to the show. While I wait for the show, I can look at rocks and minerals. I can also go into a room called the Archaeology! Gallery. When I am in this room, I can watch a video and look at tools archaeologists use.

When I explore the fourth floor, I can go into another room with a canoe. I know I can sit in this canoe and I can learn about how it was made. When I am in this room, I can also sit and read a book. When I am ready, I can continue to explore the Museum.

I can explore the temporary galleries at the Museum. These are in the room next to the canoe. In this space, I can use my hands to touch and play with the objects. I can learn about evolution and our universe. If this space is too loud, I can leave and visit another part of the Museum.

When I am visiting the Museum, I can visit the Museum Store anytime. The Store is in the Rotunda. It has lots of books, toys, and gifts to help me remember my visit at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History.