Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Hosts BOO-seum Bash

The Chicago museum celebrated the season with animal encounters and hands-on science activities for local families.

Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Special Interest

Bold vector editorial illustration of an owl pellet and feather, evoking nature science and museum educational activities.
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago hosted its annual BOO-seum Bash, offering local families hands-on science activities and nature-focused education. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local museums blend educational science activities with seasonal holiday celebrations for families?

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum recently welcomed families for its annual BOO-seum Bash. Attendees participated in science activities and explored the museum's new Dark Room.

Why it matters

Events like this aim to build positive connections between Chicago residents and the natural world. Engaging programming helps foster interest in science for visitors of all ages.

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum maintains a collection that spans 169 years of history. The facility continues to update its exhibit offerings, such as the newly opened Dark Room.

The players

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

This Chicago institution serves as a center for nature education and houses a 169-year-old collection.

The details

Visitors at the event engaged in hands-on learning, including the dissection of owl pellets to understand local wildlife. In the museum's new Dark Room, attendees observed live animals to better understand how species adapt to low-light environments.

Timeline

  1. The BOO-seum Bash occurred on October 25, 2026.

  2. The museum will host an adults-only event on October 29, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This event highlights how cultural institutions utilize seasonal programming to drive attendance and engagement. It follows the pattern set by the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's ongoing science education programming to bridge the gap between complex natural history and public interest.

Families in the area can participate in interactive science programming throughout the year at the museum. Those interested in the museum's adult-focused programming can attend the upcoming Nature Night Out scheduled for late October.

The takeaway

Engaging in hands-on science activities can turn seasonal holiday events into educational experiences. Families looking to explore nature can monitor local museum calendars for similar upcoming workshops and interactive exhibits.

What happens next

The museum plans to host an event called Nature Night Out for an adult audience on October 29, 2026.

Further reading

Learn more about local events in the Chicago Special Interest section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WGN-TV.

Live Poll

Should local museums blend educational science activities with seasonal holiday celebrations for families?