2025/2026 Year - October Program

We are excited to launch our 8th year of the Small Explorers program for families with children ages 1-5. Hundreds of families have experienced the magic of exploring the Museum in these sessions and now you can too! Each session meets in our Discovery Den play space and begins with an interactive story time. Families move together to playfully explore a gallery and end in our classroom space with thematic activity stations including a craft to take home. Sessions are designed to maximize caregiver-child interaction and connect with a community of families to share in exploration. Each session is 45 minutes long and we meet October to June. Attend an individual session or come to all 9 sessions for a full year of learning!

New Jersey State Museum Foundation members receive 10% off registration, contact Melissa.Mantz@sos.nj.gov for discount code.

New this year we are offering two options for sessions every month: Saturday or Thursday morning at 9:30am.

Sessions are limited to 20 children and their caregivers to foster a calm and supportive learning environment. This program is open to any local family with children ages 1-5. Each month's program will be listed separately on Humanitix.

October Program: Nocturnal Animals - Saturday, Oct. 11 or Thursday, Oct. 16

It’s Spooky Season! We will explore New Jersey wildlife that come out at night. Owls, bats, foxes and more! We will read "Night Animals," learn about animal tracks and pretend to go camping!

Starting Location: New Jersey State Museum’s Discovery Den on level 2.

Gallery Visit: Written in the Rocks: Fossil Tales of New Jersey

Fees and policies

Age range: Children ages 12 months to 5 years. Children over 5 are not allowed. Siblings younger than 12 months can attend for free.
Cost: Sessions are $20.00 per child. Each additional sibling receives a 20% discount. Caregivers attend free.
Refunds: Tickets are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend the session please contact us to apply your purchase to another session within the 2025/2026 schedule. Tickets expire June 18, 2026.
Session fee includes all activities and craft to take home.

About our Instructor for 2025/2026

Jessica Tackes joined the NJ State Museum in spring 2025 as an Education Associate. She earned her B.A. in Drawing and Art History at Illinois State University and her M.A. in Art History at American University in Washington, D.C. Having worked in education for several museums and fine arts organizations since 2019, she is excited to bring her experience and love for teaching to the Small Explorers program. She is passionate about making education accessible for everyone and hopes to inspire the next generation of young learners through her work. When she is not teaching, she is spending quality time with her husband and 2 year old daughter whose boundless energy and curiosity motivates her every day.