Journey to the Center of the Earth: Family Day

Spend a fun day with the family immersed in action and science.

By Yelena Jenkins
Enjoy summer excitement with the kids.Go on a "Journey" of your own, and plan some summer fun with the kids.

Had enough of the sweltering summer sun? Then head inside for a cool day of family fun. Take refuge in an air-conditioned movie theater, and don’t stop there -- plan an entire fun day indoors at local museums and science centers. Here’s how:


Hit the Movies

Kick the day off by relaxing with the fam in a cool movie theater. A great pick for all to enjoy is the adventure-packed “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” Based on the popular book by French novelist Jules Verne, the movie follows a scientist and his nephew as they explore the earth’s core inhabitated by dinosaurs and other prehistoric beasts.

Learn fascinating facts about Volcanoes.Learn fascinating facts on Volcanoes.

Hit the Museum

After seeing an action-filled movie, kids’ minds will no doubt be brimming with curiosity. Take advantage of their excitement about science by heading to your local museum. To keep with the theme of the movie, explore exhibits on:

  • Volcanoes
  • The Prehistoric Era
  • Dinosaurs
  • The Earth -- how it was created and how it's composed. Focus on what’s really in the core so kids don’t confuse the movie with reality.

Popular Science Museums in the US:

  • Chicago: Chicago Academy of Sciences Nature Museum, Field Museum of Natural History
  • San Francisco: California Academy of Sciences
  • Los Angeles: California Science Center
  • Pittsburgh: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
  • New York: Museum of Long Island Natural Sciences, Museum of the Earth
  • Raleigh: North Carolina Museum of Life and Science
  • Baton Rouge: LSU Museum of Natural Science
  • Elsewhere: Check out a full list of science museums across the country.

Hit the Road

After a day-long adventure of movies and science, take your science-lovers home and keep the fun going with cool activities:

Make Your Own Volcano:

It’s a classic science-fair project that’s built up a bad rap. Unjustly so, since it’s fun and easy to do! You can have a blast (pun intended) by creating a baking-soda volcano and watching it explode. The project only takes about thirty minutes to complete, and you can follow simple step-by-step instructions to make your own volcano.

Instead of making it from scratch, you can always buy a volcano craft kit that comes with everything you need, along with a fact-filled book on volcanoes.

Or, take the easy route and head online to Discovery Kids, where you can build your own virtual volcano by changing the type of gas and viscosity in the lava. Watch it explode and enjoy all the fireworks without the mess!


Play Paleontologist for the Day:

Discover all about Dinosaurs.Discover all about Dinosaurs.

Pick up dinosaur skeleton kit at your local toy store. If they don’t have a kit, try to snag one at the museum’s gift shop or head online. Here are our top picks:

  • GeoSafari Dino Digs: Find the T-Rex bones by carving them out of the clay just like a real paleontologist; then put them together to create a full skeleton.
  • Dinoworks Cast & Paint 19” Tyrannosaurus Rex Casting: This T-Rex is much more complicated to put together, but looks identical to the life-sized museum version when complete.
  • Dinosaur Favor Pack: The safari hat, binoculars and different dinosaur toys make it the perfect option for younger kids who can’t put together a model.

Check out more fun movie-themed activities and party ideas from our Experts!

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