<h2>Small Scientists, Big Questions</h2>

PlayLab Jr. Explorer Camps are designed especially for curious young learners who are ready to &nbsp;explore their world through play. These two-day morning camps combine imaginative play, hands-on science activities, storytelling, and guided exhibit visits&mdash;creating a welcoming environment where curiosity can shine. Children explore side-by-side with caregivers and museum educators who know how to nurture wonder, spark questions, and help new discoveries feel exciting and safe.

Each week features a different theme&mdash;Insect Adventure, Fossil Finder, or T. rex Ranger&mdash;so families can choose the topics that match their child&rsquo;s interests (or attend more than one!). Activities are developmentally tailored to two age groups (3&ndash;4 and 5&ndash;6), ensuring that every child can explore confidently at their own pace.

<h3>The price for a two-day morning camp session is $90/camper for Members or $100/camper for Non-Members. There is special early bird pricing for members between January 13-26, 2026.</h3>

<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Ticket Type</td>
<td>Price</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Member</td>
<td>
Early Bird (1/13-1/26) $90
$100
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Non-member</td>
<td>$100</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Please sign your child up for a camp session that aligns with their age at the time of the camp session. Here is <a href="https://www.datocms-assets.com/44232/1765308411-2026-camp-opportunities-pdf.pdf">an overview</a> of all the full-day camp offerings and dates for 2026.

<h4>Insect Adventure</h4>

Calling all junior scientists! We are crawling into the wild and wonderful world of bugs. Join us for Insect Adventure Camp,&nbsp; a two-day morning adventure (9:30 a.m.&ndash;12:00 p.m.) designed for adventurous 3-4 year olds and their caregivers. Campers will get up close and personal with our creepy-crawly friends and learn all about what it means to be an insect. Through imaginative play, hands-on discovery, storytime sessions, and exhibit exploration, your bug enthusiast will leave camp an insect expert!

<ul>
<li>M/W: June 15 &amp; 17</li>
<li>T/Th: June 16 &amp; 18</li>
</ul>

<h4>Fossil Finder</h4>

Attention junior paleontologists! The Pok&eacute;mon Fossil Museum has arrived at the Field Museum! Join us for Fossil Finder Camp, a two-day morning adventure (9:30 a.m.&ndash;12:00 p.m.) designed for adventurous 3-4 year olds and their caregivers. Campers will explore like real paleontologists and discover how their favorite Pok&eacute;mon connect to real animals from Earth&rsquo;s past. Through imaginative play, hands-on discovery, storytime, and exhibit exploration, your young scientist will uncover the wonder of fossils like never before!

<ul>
<li>M/W: July 6 &amp; 8</li>
<li>T/Th: July 7 &amp; 9</li>
<li>M/W: July 20 &amp; 22</li>
</ul>

<h4>T.rex Ranger</h4>

Calling all junior dinosaur experts! Join us for T. rex Ranger Camp, a two-day morning adventure (9:30 a.m.&ndash;12:00 p.m.) designed for adventurous 3-4 year olds and their caregivers. Campers will journey into the world of the mighty T. rex and get up close with the Field Museum&rsquo;s famous SUE the T. rex. Each day, we&rsquo;ll uncover what made T. rex such an extraordinary dinosaur through imaginative play, hands-on discovery, storytime, and exhibit exploration. Your dino lover will leave camp a true T. rex expert, ready to take on the &ldquo;tyrant lizard king!

<ul>
<li>M/W: August 3 &amp; 5</li>
<li>T/Th: August 4 &amp; 6</li>
</ul>

Camps for Ages 3-4 

<h4>Insect Adventure</h4>

Calling all junior entomologists! Get ready to explore the wild and wonderful world of insects at Insect Adventure Camp, a two-day morning adventure (9:30 a.m.&ndash;12:00 p.m.) designed for curious 5&ndash;6 year olds and their caregivers. Campers will observe real insects up close, uncover how they live, move, and help our planet, and even try out the tools scientists use to study them. Through imaginative play, hands-on exploration, stories, and exhibit adventures, your bug enthusiast will discover just how amazing the insect world can be!

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">M/W: June 22 &amp; 24 </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">T/Th: June 23 &amp; 25 </li>
</ul>

<h4>Fossil Finder</h4>

Attention junior paleontologists! The Pok&eacute;mon Fossil Museum has arrived at the Field Museum! Join us for Fossil Finder Camp, a two-day morning adventure (9:30 a.m.&ndash;12:00 p.m.) designed for adventurous 3-4 year olds and their caregivers. Campers will explore like real paleontologists and discover how their favorite Pok&eacute;mon connect to real animals from Earth&rsquo;s past. Through imaginative play, hands-on discovery, storytime, and exhibit exploration, your young scientist will uncover the wonder of fossils like never before!

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">M/W: July 13 &amp; 15 </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">T/Th: July 14 &amp; 16 </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">T/Th: July 21 &amp; 23 </li>
</ul>

<h4>T.rex Ranger</h4>

Calling all junior dinosaur experts! Join us for T. rex Ranger Camp, a two-day morning adventure (9:30 a.m.&ndash;12:00 p.m.) designed for curious 5 - 6 year olds. Campers will step into the world of the mighty T. rex and get up close with the Field Museum&rsquo;s famous SUE the T. rex. Through hands-on exploration, imaginative play, storytime, and exhibit adventures, young paleontologists will discover what made T. rex such an extraordinary dinosaur. By the end of camp, your dino lover will have the skills and knowledge to become a true T. rex expert, ready to take on the &ldquo;tyrant lizard king&rdquo;!

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">M/W: August 10 &amp; 12 </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">T/Th: August 11 &amp; 13 </li>
</ul>

Camps for Ages 5-6

Looking for a downloadable version of our FAQs? 

Before registering, please take a moment to review the information below about daily schedules, policies, and other important details. Be sure to enroll your child in the camp session that matches their age at the time of the camp dates. If a session is not allowing ticket purchases, it is likely sold out&mdash;please see the waitlist section below for next steps.

I have more questions. How can I get in touch? Please email <a href="mailto:playlabevents@fieldmuseum.org">playlabevents@fieldmuseum.org</a> with any questions or additional information you need to communicate.

PlayLab Jr. Explorer Summer Camps FAQ and Policies

What camps are being offered by the PlayLab? In 2026, the Crown Family PlayLab is offering a rotating set of morning, half-day camps from June-August. These sessions include:

<ul>
<li>Insect Adventure Camp (3-4 year olds &amp; 5-6 year olds)</li>
<li>Fossil Finder Camp (3-4 year olds &amp; 5-6 year olds)</li>
<li>T.rex Rangers Camp (3-4 year olds &amp; 5-6 year olds)</li>
</ul>

What are camp hours? Each camp will take place across two morning sessions on Monday/Wednesdays or Tuesday/Thursdays from 9:30am-12:00pm. Check-in for camp will begin at 9:00am.

What ages can participate? Camps are split into two age groups. There are four camp offerings for 3-4 year olds, and four camp offerings for 5-6 year olds.

Can I register my child for a program if they&rsquo;re outside the listed age range? Our programs are designed for a specific age group to make sure activities are developmentally appropriate and to ensure a safe and successful experience. For this reason, children need to be enrolled in a program that matches their age. We are happy to assist you with finding a program that best fits your child.

Does a caregiver need to be in attendance at camp? Yes! This is not a drop-off program. One caregiver who is at least 18 years of age will need to be present with every 1-3 children registered for camp.

Can a younger sibling attend camp with the caregiver? These programs are designed for 3-6 year olds and their caregivers. Children not of walking age (typically 18 months and younger) are welcome to attend with their sibling and caregiver at no extra charge. However, children of walking age (typically 18-35 months) are not permitted to attend camp alongside the registered child.

Please reach out to the PlayLab team at <a href="mailto:playlabevents@fieldmuseum.org">playlabevents@fieldmuseum.org</a> if you have questions about siblings participating in PlayLab Programs.

Camp Information

Can I purchase tickets in person or over the phone?  Tickets are available online only.

Can I purchase multiple tickets for the same camp?  Yes, you can register up to 3 children for a single camp session. A caregiver is required to be in attendance with every 1-3 children registered.

When does registration close for camp? Registration will close either when all spots are filled or 1 week (5 business days) prior to the start of the camp session. However, if the camp has not reached its minimum sign-up requirements, we will notify current registrants 1 week before camp and keep registration open until 3 days before camp commences. This registration extension is intended to boost sign-ups for the session.

What is your cancellation policy?  To receive a refund, you must cancel your registration one week before the session begins (5 business days). After this window, no refunds will be issued (even in the case of transportation issues, illness, family emergency, etc.). Cancellations can be completed by contacting the PlayLab team at <a href="mailto:playlabevents@fieldmuseum.org">playlabevents@fieldmuseum.org</a>. We are happy to move your camper to another session in the 2026 PlayLab Jr. Explorer Summer Camp season, pending availability.

Refund Policy Exception: If your session is canceled by the Museum (most likely due to low registration), you will be given the option to transfer your purchase to another PlayLab Program of financial equivalency or receive a full refund.

Registration

Who teaches each camp? The Field Museum&rsquo;s Education &amp; Public Programs staff will operate, run and facilitate each camp session. Each camp will be facilitated in conjunction with the Early Childhood Programs Educator and/or PlayLab Program Assistants.

Does the program provide snacks or lunch? Each day of camp will offer a light snack for campers, including goldfish crackers, pretzels, popcorn and/or a fruit cup. However, please be sure to eat breakfast before arriving. Children and their caregivers are also encouraged to pack a lunch to eat in museum cafeterias or outside on the front terrace after camp concludes.

How and where do I check-in for camp? Campers and their caregivers will check-in at the Museum&rsquo;s East Entrance. Check-in for camp will begin at 9:00am. Please Note: Upon registering and leading up to your camp session, you will receive email notifications with helpful logistical information, like how and where to check-in.

Where can I park? The Field Museum is not able to offer free parking for PlayLab Program participants. Individuals participating in PlayLab Programs are asked to manage their own parking needs. All Museum Campus parking lots are owned by the Chicago Parks District and managed by Standard Parking. For in-depth parking questions, please contact (312) 235-7701. We encourage caregivers to research parking before traveling to the Museum. There are plenty of garages outside Grant Park that offer accessible parking. If you&rsquo;d like to park close to the Museum, the Soldier Field North Garage or the East Museum Lot will be the two closest options. Costs associated with both lots are listed below:

Soldier Field North Garage $27 for up to 4 hours, $32 for up to 12 hours. The North Garage (accessible via the main entrance on Museum Campus Drive) is open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Parked cars can leave after closing hours, but overnight parking is not allowed. You can learn more about parking at the Soldier Field North Garage <a href="https://www.soldierfieldparking.com/">here</a>. East Museum Lot $32 for up to 12 hours. The East Museum Lot (located on the east side of the Field Museum) is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, and is accessible via the main entrance on Museum Campus Drive. Parked cars can leave after closing hours, but overnight parking is not allowed. Street Parking on Solidarity Drive Street parking is available along Solidarity Drive. The metered rate is generally $2.50/hour, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Rates vary and are subject to closure by the City of Chicago.

Please Note: Rates and availability of parking at Soldier Field are subject to change without notice, particularly on days with Chicago Bears home games and Chicago Fire home matches. Please see details and options at <a href="https://www.soldierfieldparking.com/">Soldier Field Parking</a>. Other events at Soldier Field and Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island can affect traffic, parking availability, and rates.

Camp Day Logistics

Financial assistance in the form of 50% OFF scholarships is offered to a limited number of eligible families. Scholarship applications are open from January 5 to March 4, 2026. The Scholarship Application Form must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian and will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis.

<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFx9cyTEgoqRF587kroHQ7TcCNZkKrorbqYpFOqYIXuCldSQ/viewform?usp=header">PlayLab Jr. Explorer 2026 Scholarship Application</a>

Financial Assistance

In order to improve the collection and management of personal information, the Field Museum is partnering with CampDoc.com. CampDoc is a secure and easy-to-use web-based solution for managing health and contact information. Only Museum Camps administrative staff and instructors will have access to camper health information, and the CampDoc.com site is secure, encrypted, and password protected. Once your registration is complete, you will receive an email from noreply@campdoc.com. Please add this email to your contacts so it doesn&rsquo;t go to your spam folder. All forms need to be completed 1 month before your camp begins.

Health & Safety Information

How does the waitlist work?&nbsp; If the session you want is sold out, you can join the waitlist on CampDoc. If a spot becomes available, you will receive an email from CampDoc letting you know. Once you accept the position, your account will be charged a balance. Once you pay, you will secure your camper&rsquo;s spot in that session. Spots become available as cancellations occur; we cannot guarantee that your child will be offered a spot in camp.

Waitlist

The Field Museum

Media for Staff Profile

Camps & Classes

PlayLab Summer Camps, Day Off Camps, and PlayLab Playdates offer adventure and scientific discovery for early learners.

PlayLab Jr. Explorer Summer Camps

These fossils were the perfect home for ancient baby bees

The unlucky fossil bird, preserved with over 800 tiny rocks in its throat (visible as the gray mass next to the left of its neck bones).

This fossil bird choked to death on rocks, and no one knows why

Field Museum scientist Matt von Konrat examining dried moss collected in 2013 in a botanical survey as part of a  homicide investigation. Photo courtesy of Field Museum.