Dinosaur Festival

Join us for the Dinosaur Festival, an exciting day of prehistoric adventure where young explorers can dig into science, creativity, and hands-on fun! Designed for children ages 5–12, this interactive festival invites families to discover the incredible world of dinosaurs through STEM activities, crafts, games, and live science demonstrations.

Spend the day exploring the age of dinosaurs with fossil-themed projects, dinosaur crafts, slime experiments, scavenger hunts, and exciting challenges. With six free activities and two affordable ticketed workshops, there's something for every aspiring paleontologist to enjoy.

Hosted by Because Science, a woman-owned science gift shop and event space in Washington, DC, dedicated to making science playful, personal, and accessible through hands-on learning experiences.

Festival Details

Date: Sunday, August 16

Festival Hours: 12:00 PM–6:00 PM

Location: The Craft Lab at Because Science, 1759 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC

Format: Drop-in activities throughout the day

Indoor & Outdoor Event: Free activities take place both inside and outside the store, while select ticketed workshops are held indoors.

This festival is designed especially for children ages 5–12. Most activities take between 10 and 30 minutes to complete, with the Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt available throughout the afternoon. No registration is required, though signing up can help you keep track of your favorite activities and share them with friends.

In addition to the festival activities, visitors can browse the unique science gifts and educational experiences available at Because Science.

Festival Schedule

FREE Activities

12:00–12:30 PM — Dinosaur Magnets
Color and decorate your own dinosaur magnet or button to take home.  

12:30–1:45 PM — Dinosaur Snot (Slime Lab)
Mix up your very own gooey "dinosaur snot" slime to take home.

12:30–5:30 PM — Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt
Go on a prehistoric adventure through the store as you search for different dinosaurs hidden throughout the space, answer dinosaur questions, and win prizes!

2:00–3:45 PM — Dinosaur Games
Compete in 3 interactive dinosaur-themed games where you can test your skills, speed, and dinosaur knowledge while earning prizes along the way.

4:00–5:45 PM — DIY Fossil
Create your own realistic looking fossil keepsake using air-dry clay inspired by prehistoric discoveries. 

5:45–6:00 PM — Volcano Demonstration (Festival Finale)
End the day with an exciting volcano eruption demonstration as we explore the explosive science behind volcanoes and imagine the dramatic world of prehistoric Earth.

Ticketed Craft Lab Workshops

2:00–3:45 PM — Mini Dinosaur Terrarium Ornament — $9
Build your own miniature prehistoric habitat featuring tiny dinosaurs and miniature decorations to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake. 

4:00–5:45 PM — Dinosaur Necklace — $13
Design and assemble a dinosaur-themed necklace using dinosaur charms, colorful glass beads, and gemstone accents to wear home as a reminder of your prehistoric adventure. 

Whether your child loves dinosaurs, science, crafting, or simply discovering new things, the Dinosaur Festival offers a fun-filled day of exploration, creativity, and hands-on learning. Families can enjoy an engaging day of prehistoric fun together, culminating in our exciting Volcano Demonstration Finale. We can't wait to explore the prehistoric world with you!

Getting Here & What to Expect: 
All events take place inside the Craft Lab at Because Science, our retail shop located at 1759 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC (across from the Line Hotel in Adams Morgan).

 Look for the squiggly rainbow mural! Enter Because Science and walk to the back of the store (between the biology and anatomy sections) to find the entrance to the Craft Lab
 Metro: We're a 10-minute walk from the Woodley Park (red line) or Columbia Heights (green line) Metro stations.
 Bus: The D72, D74, C51, and C53 buses stop nearby.
 Parking: Street parking is mostly limited to 30 minutes—walking, biking, or ride share is recommended. There is a parking garage located at 2421 18th St NW, about a block away.  

If you’re running late or need help finding us, just call the store at 202-248-1366