Celebrate Darwin Day all weekend long to honor the life and legacy of Charles Darwin. Darwin Day, which is February 12th, recognizes Darwin’s groundbreaking work in science and his theory of evolution by natural selection: the idea that living things change over time as they adapt to their environments. Today, Darwin Day is about curiosity, discovery, and understanding how all life on Earth is connected.

Who was Charles Darwin? Charles Darwin was a 19th-century naturalist whose observations of plants and animals, especially during his travels to places like the Galápagos Islands, helped shape our modern understanding of biology. His work showed how species evolve over generations, inspiring scientific exploration that continues to this day. Learn more at https://darwinday.org/.

Darwin Day Activities Throughout the Museum

Explore evolution in action with hands-on activities and storytelling designed for curious minds of all ages:

Finch Beak Activity

Inspired by Darwin’s famous finch studies, this interactive station challenges kids to pick up different “foods” — like seeds, nuts, beans, pipe cleaners, and marbles — using a variety of tools such as tweezers, clothespins, chopsticks, and binder clips. By experimenting with different tools, visitors discover how beak shapes affect how animals eat. Photos of real finches highlight the incredible diversity of beak shapes found in nature.

Darwin’s Finches Scavenger Hunt

Search the museum for clues in our Darwin’s Finches Secret Message Scavenger Hunt, a fun, self-guided activity. As visitors explore exhibits, they’ll uncover hidden messages that reinforce key ideas about adaptation, observation, and evolution.

Storytime from the Galápagos

Join us for special storytimes featuring books from the Galápagos Conservation Trust:

• Tessa the Giant Tortoise

• Marti the Hammerhead Shark

• Alberto the Waved Albatross

These stories introduce young learners to unique species and habitats while reinforcing themes of conservation, biodiversity, and our connection to the natural world.

Darwin Day at the museum is a celebration of science, storytelling, and hands-on learning - a chance to explore how life evolves and why curiosity matters. Come discover how small differences can make a big impact!

Darwin Day activities are included in Museum admission.

Did you know our museum store Darwin & Co. is named after and inspired by Charles Darwin? We also have a cozy exploration area where kids get hands-on time with our toys and books while parents can shop called "Darwin's Study".