ROM Family Fundays

Themed experiences for kids and family are scheduled on select Sundays (September–June) at the ROM. Hands-on activities are inspired by current exhibitions and permanent collections. Everything is included with museum admission. Themes for 2018/19 are updated here as they’re announce.

September 2018 – Brilliant Science

Let curiosity get the best of you as the ROM celebrates Science Literacy Week with exciting discoveries and drop-in hands-on activities. Here are the highlights for this first Family Funday of the season!

• Dance Dance Evolution: Learn about nature’s wildest moves—including the waggle dance of the honeybee and the elaborate display of the peacock spider—in a contemporary dance lesson from the SaMel Tanz dance company. (noon and 2 pm)
• Pop-Up Planetarium: Stargaze and explore the constellations with ROM teachers in the new pop-up planetarium. First come, first served. (20-minute shows every half-hour 11:30 am–3:30 pm; no show at 1:30 pm)
• Meet the Aquarium Keeper: Aquarium keeper Sheldon John explains how he keeps the coral reef thriving. (11 am–1 pm)

Plus: Meet the ROM Paleo team and touch real dinosaur fossils; learn how to raise a spider from the ROM “Web Team”; touch real meteorites and test your planetary science skills; find out how ROM researchers revolutionized the study of mummies; learn how to become a museum scientist; try some tasty roasted crickets; and more!

October 2018 – Digging History

The ROM celebrates International Archaeology Day! From the oldest tools ever used by hominids to the latest technology available to archaeologists, dig, decipher and uncover the secrets to our shared human past.

What to see and do at this fall Family Funday:

• Delve into the sophisticated and rich of history of ancient Cyprus with ROM experts
• Learn about archaeology through bones, pots, re-enactors and more with the Archaeological Institute of America
• Immerse yourself in the ancient Roman military and civilian life with special guest Roman re-enactors

December 2018 – Burning Bright

It’s time for festive seasonal traditions and holiday cheer! Celebrate various holidays and cultures at the ROM:

• Light and lustre: with ROM experts, explore light, gems, and minerals using microscopes
• Celebrate Diwali: “the festival of lights” is a joyful holiday celebrated by more than 1 billion people around the world
• Origins of Hanukkah: create your own lights and learn some Hanukkah history
• Indigenous learning circle: take part in storytelling and oral tradition of Canada’s indigenous communities
• Winter solstice: get crafty and learn about the many traditions around winter solstice
• Very merry: delve into Christmas traditions through ROM collections