Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, the largest museum of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa, has revealed its line-up of hands-on workshops and interactive experiences in May for visitors of all ages. From creative family activations and science-led explorations to wellness experiences and special celebrations, the museum invites visitors of all ages to explore, learn, and return throughout the month.
The experiences include Architecture Mini-Tours, inviting visitors to step behind the scenes of the museum’s design with a guided journey through its architectural vision. Discover how each space has been thoughtfully created to tell a story, enhance the visitor experience, and connect seamlessly with the surrounding natural environment. This experience will be available from 15 May daily from 12pm, 3pm, and 5pm, and weekends at 7pm at the museum’s Visitor Desk. Visitors can follow the museum’s social media channels for registration details and updates
Visitors can also be part of the International Day of Families – Families in Nature to celebrate the UAE Year of Family with an immersive museum-wide experience inspired by how families exist and thrive in nature. With a specially designed Discovery Book in hand, visitors journey through galleries exploring lunar meteorites, plants, insects, and dinosaurs, uncovering connections between the natural world and family life. The experience is available from 15 May during museum opening hours with a drop-in registration.
Paper Friends bring animals to life through creativity in this hands-on workshop where participants design and build their own 3D paper creatures. Along the way, they explore how animals adapt to their environments through form, colour, and structure. This is available on 15 May, with 15-25 minute rolling sessions in Curiosity Corner/Gallery Corridor.
Other experiences include Nature and Mind Guided Yoga sessions, reconnecting your body and the natural world through guided yoga sessions in the unique setting of 13.8 billion years of history. These calming experiences offer a moment to pause, reset, and reflect. This will take place on 14 and 28 May from 7pm-8pm in the Atrium, Beneath the Dinosaurs. Pre-bookings and drop-ins welcome, but with limited capacity and is free with every ticket.
A Sound Experience Under the Blue Moon will offer visitors sound healing experience set against the backdrop of a rare Blue Moon. This immersive session explores the science of sound and resonance while offering a calming space for reflection and relaxation. This is available on 31 May from 7pm-8pm at the Atrium, Beneath the Dinosaurs and visitors can follow the museum’s social media channels for registration details and updates, and it will be free with every ticket.
After-School Workshops will bring science to life. From exploring food webs and animal camouflage to sensory-based discovery and desert survival challenges, each activity encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and creative learning. Participate in Feed web live challenge, Needle Felting Leaves, Camouflage challenge and Survive the Desert.
The Food Web Live Challenge will allow children to step into the roles of different organisms within a living food web, using interactive connections to explore the relationships between predators and prey. As the ecosystem shifts, participants discover how the loss of a single species can impact the entire balance of life. This is currently ongoing (Monday–Thursday) from 4pm-4:30pm at Curiosity Corner.
Needle Felting Leaves will begin with a close look at plant diversity in the Our World gallery, then bring those observations to life by crafting a felted leaf using needle felting techniques. This hands-on activity blends creativity with tactile learning, introducing key botanical concepts through making. This is available from 4 May – 12 June, with drop-in sessions in Curiosity Corner. Visitors can follow the museum’s social media channels for registration details and updates
Camouflage Challenge tests the art of disguise as children place animal cutouts against different natural backgrounds to see how well they blend in. Through play, participants uncover how colour and pattern help animals survive and adapt in the wild. This is currently ongoing from 5:30pm – 6pm at Curiosity Corner.
Survive the Desert takes on the challenges of desert life in this interactive matching activity, where participants pair environmental conditions with the adaptations needed to survive. The experience builds problem-solving skills while revealing how animals thrive in extreme ecosystems. This is currently ongoing (Saturday & Sunday) with drop-in sessions at Curiosity Corner/ Gallery Corridor.
Tickets are AED 70 for adults, while anyone under 18 visits for free, making it easy for families and school-aged learners to explore together. Concessions are available for UAE students, teachers, military, Fazaa/Esaad cardholders and eligible groups, with complimentary entry for People of Determination and UAE-based seniors aged 60 and over.
Access all workshops and events for free with your Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi ticket. Book now at https://nhmad.ae
