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Nov 2, 2018

8 min. read

Are your kids fans of Night at the Museum? Discover whether the exhibits really come to life after hours at these five venues that let families and organized groups sleep over. Flashlight-led tours, scavenger hunts, and a karaoke pajama party, are just some of the memorable moments on offer. Here’s what to expect.

1. Fossils by Flashlight

On select nights between September and June, Ottawa’s Canadian Museum of Nature takes groups of budding explorers on a flashlight fossil tour and a scavenger hunt in the mammal gallery. The event ends with live insect handling and a 3-D movie.

Price: $68 per person

Minimum age requirement: Five years old

A girl is looking at a dinosaur skeleton in a museum.

2. Saturday Sleepover

The Ontario Science Centre’s overnight adventure is themed around Phenomenal Forensics. Take in an IMAX film, explore the exhibits in the dark, learn from science demonstrations, and then let loose at a DJ/PJ party.

Price: From $59 per person

Minimum age requirement: Five years old

A group of people playing on a colorful dance floor.

3. Prehistoric Overnight

The Royal Ontario Museum sleepover includes after-hours access to some of the museum galleries, digging for bones, hands-on fossil time with ROM experts, a late night snack and a karaoke pajama party.

Price: From $77 per person

Minimum age requirement: Five years old

A group of children playing in a sand pit.

4. Shut-Eye Under the Sea

For a slumber party to remember, Ripley’s Aquarium lets families camp out in its Dangerous Lagoon shark tunnel. Explore the exhibits, participate in hands-on, educational experiences and sleep with the fishes.

Price: $99 per person

Minimum age requirement: Four years old

A group of people sitting in front of an aquarium.

5. Dozing With Dinosaurs

Located near Drumheller, Alta., the Royal Tyrell Museum is home to Canada’s largest collection of dinosaur specimens. Family “camp-ins” are held on select Friday and Saturday nights between October and November and February and April. Activities include fossil casting and digging for real fossils.

Price: $44 per person

Minimum age requirement: Five years old

A group of children are making clay.

Looking for more family fun?

Learn how to plan for a better Disney experience, take advantage of these free museums, and check out these cool water parks around the world.

Show your CAA card and save!

CAA Members save on attraction tickets to great places like the ROM. Click here to see the full list of Member-exclusive discounts.

Image credits: Tourism TorontoStephanie Koning/Canadian Museum of NatureCourtesy Royal Ontario MuseumOntario Science CenterRipley’s Aquarium of Canada,Image Courtesy of the Royal Tyrrell Museum

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