Kids/School Programs
New programs are available for students grades Pre-K to 12. School Programs are thematic programs that help students connect to museum exhibits and collections. Though these programs are designed with schools in mind, they can be booked for any group of children. There must be at least 10 children in the group to qualify for a group rate.
Click here for a list of our current programs.
Weekday Programs
Weekday Programs are available Tuesday-Friday and run from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Weekday Programs include a guided tour and an activity. Groups will have admission into the museum for the day.
Weekday Programs are $5 per student. Schools may bring up to 120 students and book up to 2 programs.
Saturday Programs
Saturday Programs are available for groups that cannot visit the museum during school hours. The programs run from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Saturday Programs include classroom instruction with an activity and admission into the museum for the day.
Saturday Programs are $5 per student. Schools may bring up to 60 students and book 1 program.
Self-Guided Tours
Groups may book a self-guided tour, which allows students to view the exhibits at their own pace. Exhibit guides for grades Pre-K through 12 are available to encourage engagement with the exhibits.
Self-guided tours cost $4 per student. Schools may bring up to 150 students for a self-guided tour.
Schools that receive Title I funding may book a self-guided tour with no charge.
More Information
Chaperones
All groups must also have 1 chaperone for every 10 children (1 for every 6 for groups of children 6 and under). Extra adults will be charged general admission.
Buses and Parking
Busses may drop off students in front of the museum on the east side of Halsted.
NHM does not have public parking. There are several paid lots in the area or street parking.
Lunch
NHM has no dining facilities. Groups of less than 60 children may eat bagged lunches in the classroom. Please let us know if you need a place to eat lunch when you book the program.
Visitors with disabilities
NHM can best accommodate visitors with disabilities when we know about them ahead of time.
Booking your program
You may book your program by filling out a School Program Request Form or by contacting the Education Department at (312) 655-1234 ext. 29.
After booking your tour, you will receive a confirmation letter on museum letterhead, a copy of the museum rules, and a copy of our cancellation policy. If you do not receive a confirmation letter, you do not have a reservation.
Making changes to your reservations
NHM asks that you cancel or reschedule your program at least 2 weeks before the scheduled date of your visit. We also ask that you give advance notice of a change in your group size so that we can staff your program appropriately. Groups that do not comply will be subject to additional charge.
Please review our entire cancellation policy here.
Tips for enjoying your visit
Please see a complete list of museum rules here. Read it to your students before they visit.
For more information, contact:
Elise Freed-Brown
Museum Educator
efreedbrown@hellencimuseum.org
(312) 655-1234 ext. 29