Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery The Boonshoft Museum is the premier destination for family learning in the Miami Valley.
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🎉 Belated Birthday Wishes to Denise & Sheila! 🎉We may be a little late, but the birthday love is just as big! 🥳✨ Denise ...
04/23/2025

🎉 Belated Birthday Wishes to Denise & Sheila! 🎉

We may be a little late, but the birthday love is just as big! 🥳

✨ Denise the bat-eared fox turned 7 years old on April 18! Born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 2018, Denise has called the Boonshoft home since 2019. Known for her Yoda-like ears and shy, skittish nature, Denise loves hanging out with her buddy Flora and keeping a low profile in her cozy habitat.

✨ Sheila the blue-tongued skink celebrated her 10th birthday on April 20! This reptilian superstar was born at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and arrived at Boonshoft in 2019. Sheila is a pro at public programs and Keeper Talks, where she wows guests with her bright blue tongue and calm, friendly personality. Her favorite treats include blueberries, green beans, and mealworms — yum!

Help us wish these wonderful ladies a happy (belated) birthday in the comments! 🎂🎈💙

📷: Amanda Stine, Lead Animal Keeper, Bailey Cole, Senior Animal Keeper, Reese Miller, Animal Keeper

Look up—way up! 🌌🌠It’s International Dark Sky Week (April 21–28), a global celebration of the night and a call to action...
04/23/2025

Look up—way up! 🌌🌠

It’s International Dark Sky Week (April 21–28), a global celebration of the night and a call to action to protect it. Created to raise awareness about light pollution, this week reminds us how vital a naturally dark sky is—for wildlife, human health, and our ability to explore the stars.

At the Boonshoft Museum, we’re proud to support dark sky efforts through astronomy education, planetarium shows, and advocacy for responsible lighting. Let’s work together to preserve the wonder of the universe—one starry night at a time. 🔭

🌿 Happy Earth Day from Ohio’s wild side! 🌿Today, we celebrate the beauty of the natural world right here in our own back...
04/22/2025

🌿 Happy Earth Day from Ohio’s wild side! 🌿

Today, we celebrate the beauty of the natural world right here in our own backyard. Ohio is home to a rich variety of native wildlife — from the vibrant flash of an Eastern Bluebird in the trees, to the graceful white-tailed deer roaming through meadows, and the quiet rustle of a box turtle in the underbrush.

Every creature plays a role in the ecosystem, and Earth Day is a reminder to slow down, look around, and appreciate the living world we’re a part of. Protecting and respecting native species means protecting the delicate balance of nature for generations to come.

Here’s a look at some of the beautiful native wildlife that call Ohio home, captured by Mindy Huegel, Marketing Coordinator. 🐦🦋🌾

Our region is full of natural wonders waiting to be appreciated and protected. At Boonshoft, we’re proud to care for native species and educate our community about the importance of preserving habitats and coexisting with the amazing creatures around us.

Let’s keep doing our part — whether it’s planting native flowers, keeping habitats clean, or simply taking a moment to listen to the birds. Nature always finds a way to remind us what really matters.

Happy Earth Day — to every leaf, feather, paw, and claw. 💚🌎

🌍🌱 Happy Earth Day from the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery! 🌱🌍Today, we honor the global movement that began in 1970 and ...
04/22/2025

🌍🌱 Happy Earth Day from the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery! 🌱🌍

Today, we honor the global movement that began in 1970 and has grown into the world’s largest environmental event. Earth Day is a reminder that our planet needs our care and attention now more than ever. 🌿💚 Let’s take a moment to reflect on how we can all make a positive impact on the environment.

But the celebration doesn’t stop here! Join us for our Celebrate Our Earth event on Saturday, April 26th, from 10 AM – 4 PM, in partnership with EarthDay.org! Together, we’re supporting the mission for renewable energy and the goal to triple global clean electricity generation by 2030. 🌞⚡

🔹 Meet local conservation organizations and explore their interactive activities.
🔹 Enjoy Earth Day-themed programs, special activities, and fun coloring sheets for guests of all ages!

Let’s unite in honoring our planet and work toward a cleaner, greener future for all! 🌏💚♻️

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Today we’re celebrating Keni, our male Von der Decken's hornbill, who hatched at the Bronx Zoo in The Bronx, New York on...
04/21/2025

Today we’re celebrating Keni, our male Von der Decken's hornbill, who hatched at the Bronx Zoo in The Bronx, New York on April 21, 2021! Keni arrived at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery on December 16, 2021, and has been brightening our lives ever since with his curious and playful personality.

To mark his special day, the animal care team threw him a fun birthday party filled with colorful paper enrichment and all his favorite treats! Keni especially loves super worms and juicy grapes, but his diet also includes chopped fruits like apple, pear, and cantaloupe, as well as veggies like corn, peas, and green beans, along with a special bird chow and a variety of insects including crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches.

Fun Fact: Keni is easy to spot with his orange beak and larger size compared to his sister, Lulu. While they share the same parents, they came from different clutches, making them full siblings born at different times.

We’re so lucky to have Keni as part of our animal ambassador family — here’s to many more fun birthdays to come! 🎈🐦💕

📷: Reese Miller, Animal Keeper

🌌✨ Look up — Mercury’s putting on a show TONIGHT! ✨🌌April 21 marks Mercury’s Greatest Elongation, meaning it’s at its fa...
04/21/2025

🌌✨ Look up — Mercury’s putting on a show TONIGHT! ✨🌌

April 21 marks Mercury’s Greatest Elongation, meaning it’s at its farthest point from the Sun in our sky — making this one of the BEST times to spot this speedy little planet! 🪐🌅

Right after sunset, look low on the western horizon for a small, bright “star” — that’s Mercury shining at its brightest! 🔭💫

Fun fact: Mercury orbits the Sun in just 88 Earth days — the fastest planet in our solar system! 🚀

📸 If you catch a glimpse, snap a photo and tag us — we’d love to see your skywatching skills!

We’re honored to be nominated—times three!The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is in the running for this year’s Best of Da...
04/21/2025

We’re honored to be nominated—times three!
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is in the running for this year’s Best of Dayton in three categories:

🔹Best Museum

🔹Best Family Fun Destination

🔹Best Indoor Play Area for Kids

We’re proud to be a place where science, wildlife, and play come together for unforgettable experiences—and we couldn’t do it without you, our amazing community! We'd appreciate any likes or shares.

Voting starts today, April 21st and runs until May 16th, and the winners will be announced on June 27th! You can continue to vote for us every day until 5/16/2025.

Scan the QR code to vote or visit this link:
https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/best-of-dayton-2025-nominate-and-vote-here/MNMG7CDM6ZEN7EOU2LTUCDA3SE/

🐣✨ The Easter Bunny made a special stop at the Boonshoft Discovery Zoo! ✨🐰Bomani the sand cat, Patience the sloth, Sheld...
04/20/2025

🐣✨ The Easter Bunny made a special stop at the Boonshoft Discovery Zoo! ✨🐰

Bomani the sand cat, Patience the sloth, Sheldon the armadillo, Rosemary and Coriander the meerkats, and Keni and Lulu the hornbills all woke up to find baskets full of colorful Easter eggs — a little holiday enrichment surprise just for them! 🐾💐

Each of our animal ambassadors wasted no time investigating their festive goodies.
(Spoiler alert: Bomani’s still far more interested in what’s inside those eggs!)

Wishing everyone a joyful Easter filled with curiosity, treats, and a little extra sunshine. 🌸🐣

📷: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper

🐰🌸 Hoppy Easter from your favorite ambassador rabbits, Siegfried and Esther!🌸 🐰We’re all ears for a day filled with tre...
04/20/2025

🐰🌸 Hoppy Easter from your favorite ambassador rabbits, Siegfried and Esther!🌸 🐰

We’re all ears for a day filled with treats, fun, and maybe a little extra hay! Whether you're hunting for eggs, enjoying time with loved ones, or just soaking up the springtime vibes, we hope your day is full of joy and hoppiness! 🥕🐇✨

🐾 Thinking about getting a rabbit this Easter? 🐾
Domestic rabbits can make wonderful pets, but they are also the third most abandoned pet after dogs and cats. Before bringing a bunny into your family, please research their care needs. Rabbits require a proper diet, regular checkups (including teeth and nail care!), and an experienced veterinarian. A well-prepared home means a happy and healthy bunny!

📷: Reese Miller, Animal Keeper

🐣🌷 Heads up, Boonshoft friends! 🌷🐣The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery will be CLOSED tomorrow Easter Sunday, April 20, so ...
04/19/2025

🐣🌷 Heads up, Boonshoft friends! 🌷🐣

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery will be CLOSED tomorrow Easter Sunday, April 20, so our staff and animals can enjoy a restful holiday.

We’ll be back to our regularly scheduled fun on Monday, ready for more science, animals, and adventure! 🧪🦉

Wishing everyone a joyful and safe holiday! 💛

04/19/2025

Please enjoy this video of Walnut and her emotional support solo cup 🦔🥤

🌟❄️ Save the Date: Eco Bash 2025 – Ice Age Edition! ❄️🌟🦣Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Boonshoft Museum’s a...
04/18/2025

🌟❄️ Save the Date: Eco Bash 2025 – Ice Age Edition! ❄️🌟🦣

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Boonshoft Museum’s annual gala fundraiser—Eco Bash!

🗓️ Date: Saturday, August 23rd
📍 Location: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
🎉 Theme: Ice Age (bundle up for a cool time!)

Eco Bash brings together friends, supporters, and curious minds to celebrate the mission of the Boonshoft—curating 1.8 million objects, welcoming over 265,000 guests each year, and connecting people of all ages through hands-on STEM education, natural history, and our AZA-accredited zoo.

✨ Enjoy:
🎶 Live music
🍽️ Delicious catering by Kohler
☕ Fresh coffee from our Perk Partners: ContempoRoast Coffee & Roastery
🦥 Animal Encounters
🏺 Collections Encounters
🧠 Fun and immersive educational programming

🎯 Special thanks to our generous sponsors who help make this magical night possible:

McGohan Brabender, Levin Porter, Skynet Innovations, Rieck, Taft Law, Wright State University, and Brixey & Meyer

Stay tuned for more details, and get ready to chill with us at the coolest event of the year! 💙

🐾✨ You already know and love Bomani… but did you know he has a SUPER sense of smell? ✨🐾That’s right — our favorite sand ...
04/18/2025

🐾✨ You already know and love Bomani… but did you know he has a SUPER sense of smell? ✨🐾

That’s right — our favorite sand cat isn’t just a handsome face. Bomani’s powerful nose helps him pick up the faintest scents, just like his wild cousins in the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East.

👃 What’s so impressive?
In the wild, sand cats rely on their incredible sense of smell to detect prey like rodents and reptiles hiding beneath the sand or in underground burrows. Even in the quiet desert night, their noses lead them straight to their next snack.

💡 Bomani fun fact:
He’s always using his nose around his habitat — whether it’s tracking enrichment items, investigating keeper scents, or picking up on what’s happening around him. It’s one of the many ways his wild instincts shine through!

If you catch him sniffing around during your next visit, now you’ll know he’s putting those sand cat superpowers to good use!

📷: Reese Miller, Animal Keeper

🌸🌿 Spring has REALLY sprung at the Boonshoft Museum! 🌿🌸The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and Werthner Woo...
04/17/2025

🌸🌿 Spring has REALLY sprung at the Boonshoft Museum! 🌿🌸

The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and Werthner Woods is bursting with life! There’s no better time to grab your favorite walking shoes and head outside to explore our Storybook Trail.

📖✨ What’s the Storybook Trail?
It’s a charming, family-friendly path that winds through the woods, with pages from a nature-themed storybook posted along the way. As you stroll beneath the trees and enjoy the fresh air, you’ll get to read along with your little explorers — it’s outdoor adventure meets storytime magic!

🌷🌞 The perfect way to celebrate the season:

✔️ Enjoy the blooming wildflowers
✔️ Spot local wildlife
✔️ Soak in the sunshine
✔️ Make memories with family and friends

Swing by soon and see why Werthner Woods is one of Dayton’s hidden gems in the springtime!

A huge thank you to our sponsors for making this trail possible:
Ohio EPA, Preschool Promise, Levin Family Foundation, Reynolds and Reynolds Associate Foundation, and Gorman Hewitt Ayars.

🦇🌎✨ Happy International Bat Appreciation Day! ✨🌎🦇Today we’re celebrating the winged wonders of the night — our incredibl...
04/17/2025

🦇🌎✨ Happy International Bat Appreciation Day! ✨🌎🦇

Today we’re celebrating the winged wonders of the night — our incredible Jamaican fruit bat harem here at the Boonshoft! 🖤 Meet the gang:
🍎 Apple
🍓 Berry
🍇 Grape
🍯 Nectar
🥝 Kiwi
🍈 Melon
🍌 Banana
🥑 Avocado
🌽 Corn on the Cob
🌸 Pollen
🍑 Plum
🥭 Mango
🌰 Fig

These flying fruit fans aren’t just adorable — they’re vital to healthy ecosystems. Many bat species help pollinate plants, disperse seeds, and control insect populations. Without bats, we’d lose important crops like bananas, mangoes, and even chocolate! 🍫🙀

🌿 Did you know?
Bats are one of the most diverse groups of mammals, with over 1,400 species worldwide, including 10 species right here in Ohio! But sadly, according to the IUCN, more than 200 bat species are threatened globally. The good news? You can help!

💚 Here’s how you can aid in bat conservation:

1️⃣ Bat Box: Build or buy a bat box to give these night flyers a safe home. Great resources are available through The Nature Conservancy and Bat Conservation International.
2️⃣ Volunteer: Team up with your local metroparks or conservation groups that take part in bat research and habitat protection.
3️⃣ Donate: Support organizations doing vital work to study and conserve bat species worldwide.

Let’s give these unsung heroes the appreciation they deserve — they’re vital, valuable, and totally bat-tastic! 🦇

📷: Kate Burkman, Animal Keeper & Bailey Cole, Senior Animal Keeper

🎉🦜🎂 Happy 1st Birthday to Frida the Toco Toucan! 🎂🦜🎉Our bold, beaky beauty Frida is turning ONE today — and what a year ...
04/16/2025

🎉🦜🎂 Happy 1st Birthday to Frida the Toco Toucan! 🎂🦜🎉

Our bold, beaky beauty Frida is turning ONE today — and what a year it’s been! Frida came to us from the Phoenix Zoo, where she was one of two successful chicks hatched in the summer of 2024 as part of their thriving Species Survival Plan (SSP) program.

🌿 Why SSP Matters:
Managed by AZA-accredited zoos, this program ensures healthy, genetically diverse populations of species like Frida. Though wild Toco Toucans aren’t endangered, they still face threats from habitat loss, hunting, and the pet trade — and programs like this help protect their future.

Frida’s Favorite Things:

🍇 Grapes and papaya
🎁 Toys she can absolutely destroy
💦 Long, splashy baths
🐦 Learning new skills — like hopping onto her keepers’ arms!

🎉 Today, our animal care team threw her a special birthday party complete with a toucan-friendly cake and presents! Stop by and help us wish this bright and beautiful bird a very happy birthday, or drop her a message in the comments — we’ll make sure she gets them!

📷: Reese Miller, Animal Keeper & Mindy Huegel, Marketing Coordinator

How do you preserve a caterpillar specimen? Today, insect larvae are usually stored in alcohol because as they dry out t...
04/16/2025

How do you preserve a caterpillar specimen? Today, insect larvae are usually stored in alcohol because as they dry out they shrink and discolor. Over the years, another technique has sometimes been used called caterpillar inflation. In this process, the interior contents of the specimen are removed and then air is blown into the specimen while it is gently heated to dry. The end result can be used much more easily for identification but due to the difficultly of the process it is rare to find specimens that were preserved in this way.

Entomology volunteer Matt Olsen was excited to come across this Eumorpha achemon caterpillar specimen in the Dayton Society of Natural History collection because it is an example of the caterpillar inflation preservation technique. Eumorpha achemon, also called the Achemon Sphinx, is a type of moth found throughout a large portion of the United States. Very cool find! 🐛🦋

📷: Samantha Martin, Registrar

There are actually two vultures in this picture believe it or not. Can you spot Ziggy? 📷: Bailey Cole, Senior Animal Kee...
04/15/2025

There are actually two vultures in this picture believe it or not. Can you spot Ziggy?

📷: Bailey Cole, Senior Animal Keeper

Address

2600 Deweese Parkway
Dayton, OH
45414

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

(937) 275-7431

Website

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The Boonshoft Museum is the Dayton region’s science center, children’s museum, natural history museum, planetarium, observatory and zoo! It provides critical STEM learning opportunities for nearly 200,000 visitors of all ages each year through permanent and traveling exhibitions, educational programs, special events, day camps, and more.