Homeschool Day: La Brea's Ice Age Ecosystems

Thursday, April 10, 2025 | 9:30 am–3 pm
Add to calendar 2025-04-10 09:30:00 2025-04-10 09:30:00 Homeschool Day: La Brea's Ice Age Ecosystems La Brea Tar Pits nhmla webmaster@nhm.org America/Los_Angeles public
Mural depicting flora and fauna of the Pleistocene.

Date

Thursday, April 10, 2025 | 9:30 am–3 pm

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Location

La Brea Tar Pits
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Tickets

Use code: Homeschool25 for free Homeschool Day admission!

Join us for Homeschool Day as we explore how La Brea's asphalt seeps preserve not only a few fossils, but an entire ecosystem! Homeschoolers and their families will receive free admission and access to special programming. Enjoy drop-in crafts and activities, movies and shows, a discovery table with our scientists, and explore the Ice Age Mobile Museum. See our schedule below. 

Program Schedule*

9:30 am–3 pm | Welcome Table
Visit us at the Welcome Table in the galleries to grab scavenger hunts and other resources.
Drop-in | All ages welcome | While supplies last

9:30 am–3 pm | Reading Corner
Browse our book collection and enjoy a quieter space in our Reading Corner.
Drop-in | All ages welcome

10 am–2 pm | Exploration Station
Meet with our scientists to explore how we learn about the Pleistocene environment and climate! 
Drop-in | All ages welcome

10 am–3 pm | Craft Tables
Add to our communal ecosystem mural, or make your own accordion book to record Pleistocene food chains. 
 Drop-in | All ages welcome | While supplies last 

10 am–12:00 pm & 12:45 pm–3 pm | Mobile Museum
Explore Ice Age Los Angeles with our Mobile Museum Educators in the La Brea Tar Pits mobile museum
Located in the parking lot | Drop-in | Recommended grades TK - 2 | All ages welcome

10 am–12:45 pm & 1:30pm–3 pm | Microfossil Sorting
Examine tiny microfossils and learn how they help enrich our understanding of La Brea's Ice Age ecosystem with our Volunteers! 
Drop-in | All ages welcome

10:30 am & 11:30 am | Ice Age Encounters
Discover Ice Age Los Angeles in this dynamic, multi-media performance featuring a life-sized Saber-toothed Cat puppet! 
Located in the Encounters Theater| Tickets Required | $3 per ticket | Recommended 2nd grade & up

12:30pm–3 pm | Titans of the Ice Age 2D Movie
Uncover the work scientists do at the Tar Pits and be transported back to a world ruled by giant, awe-inspiring mammals in this 25 minute film. Stay after the movie for some Tar Pits trivia! 
Located in the School Theater | First come, first-served seating | Runs every 30 minutes

*Schedule is subject to change.


Homeschool Day Tips

  • Advanced registration is not required (tickets will be available at the door), but participants are encouraged to reserve tickets prior to the event. Please ensure you are reserving for the correct date.
  • Paid parking is available in the Tar Pits Parking Lot (off Curson Ave.) for $18 per car. View parking map and directions here.
  • Most programming on Homeschool Day is drop-in, so come and go as you please!
  • Homeschool Educators will receive 10% off in the Museum Gift Shop all day with their Educator sticker they receive at check-in.
  • Scavenger hunts and craft supplies will be provided, but students are welcomed and encouraged to bring their own supplies to enrich their experience:
    • A notebook or something to write / draw in
    • Something to write with
    • Craft supplies to decorate their accordion books
  • Limited Sensory Kits will be available for check-out. Resources to build your own kit can be found here.
  • Prepare for your time at La Brea Tar Pits with our pre-visit materials:
  • We aim to make La Brea Tar Pits an exciting, educational, and enjoyable experience for everyone. If you have any questions about accommodation services we offer, contact our Call Center at 213.763.3466 or info@tarpits.org at least 48 hours in advance.