The Smithsonian Associates Announces New Dates for “Smithsonian Sleepovers”

The Smithsonian Associates presents true Night at the Museum experiences for children in the National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History and now for the first time, the National Portrait Gallery. Sleepovers will be held from May through August beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at 8:45 a.m. the next morning. Kids and their chaperones can choose their adventure, whether it is sleeping beneath a 50-foot whale, spending the night at the home of the Star-Spangled Banner or among portraits of people who have shaped the nation. They will experience the museums in a whole new way during a night of fun that features tours, games, crafts and more.

National Museum of Natural History Sleepovers

Sleepover guests will experience the museum through an interactive exploration of exhibit halls consisting of games, puzzles and challenges; exhibit-based craft projects; watching an IMAX film; and sleeping under the museum’s giant North American right whale, Phoenix. Sleepovers at the National Museum of Natural History will be held May 15, June 13, June 26 and July 3.

National Museum of American History Sleepovers

Participants will solve a mystery of historic proportions during an interactive exploration of exhibit halls. When the devious diva Miss Rose steals six valuable objects from the museum, kids must discover what is missing before the evening’s end. Using their detective skills, they will collect clues to guide them to the crime scene—taking part in games, experiments and craft projects along the way. Sleepovers at the National Museum of American History will be held May 30, July 18, Aug. 1, Aug. 14 and Aug. 28.

National Portrait Gallery Sleepovers

Kids and their chaperones will discover the stories of poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists whose portraits fill the museum’s walls. Inspired by photography, painting, print-making and drawing, they will play games and take an immersive guided journey through the museum. Sleepover guests create their own portfolios and display their work in a one-night-only gallery exhibition. Sleepovers at the National Portrait Gallery will be held July 25 and Aug. 22.

Children ages 8 to 12 may participate in sleepovers at the Natural History Museum and the American History Museum. Children ages 10 to 14 may participate in sleepovers at the National Portrait Gallery. There must be at least one adult for every three children in any group that registers. Chaperones must be 21 years or older. No adults without children. All participants must pre-register by calling (202) 633-3030 or by visiting the Smithsonian Associates box office located in the S. Dillon Ripley Center at 1100 Jefferson Dr. S.W., Suite 3077.

Ticket prices are $135 for general admission and $120 for Associate members. The price includes exclusive access and activities in the museum, an evening snack, interactive exploration, arts and crafts activities and a light breakfast. T-shirts are available for purchase while at the sleepover. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.smithsoniansleepovers.org.

The Smithsonian Associates—the largest museum-based education program in the world—produces vibrant educational and cultural programming inspired by the Smithsonian’s research, collections and exhibitions. Each year more than 750 individual programs are presented to spark creativity and excite learning in people of all ages in the Washington, D.C., area and across the country. The Smithsonian Associates, which marks its 50th anniversary in 2015, brings the Smithsonian to life through seminars, performances, lectures, studio arts classes and local and regional study tours, as well as many engaging programs for children, including performances and summer day camps.

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