Summer of Dinos
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Visitors are invited to discover Plants in the Age of Dinosaurs—a self-guided exhibition featuring plants in our collection with roots that go back to prehistoric times. There is also a brand-new dinosaur exhibition in the Garden Railway, Garden Railway: Dinos! Plus, there will be a pop-up paleontologist’s cottage featuring hands-on “dig stations,” special family-friendly programming including Fossil Fridays, dino story time, and much more!
If you were to travel back in time to the Mesozoic Era, which lasted from approximately 252 million years ago to 66 million years ago, you would find a world much different than our own. Not only was it a time of great geologic and biological transition, but the world had some of the hottest temperatures ever known. As the climate changed, plants changed, too! Flowering plants appeared and led the way to an era that supported greater numbers and variety of dinosaurs than any other. Meat-eating animals like the Tyrannosaurus rex got their energy by eating plant-eating dinosaurs like the Triceratops, which got their energy by eating plants and the plants got their energy from sunlight! Without these plants, the food chain would have been incomplete.
Learn more about the Summer of Dinos exhibitions below!
Plants in the Age of Dinosaurs
In Plants in the Age of Dinosaurs—a new self-guided exhibition that runs from Saturday, May 25, 2024 through Monday, September 30, 2024—visitors will learn more about the plants in our collection with roots that go back to prehistoric times. Join Morris Arboretum & Gardens as we travel back to the Mesozoic era, a time 252 to 66 million years ago (MYA) that saw the dominance of reptiles and conifers, the rise of dinosaurs, and the emergence of flowering plants.
Garden Railway: Dinos!
This summer, we will unveil a brand new exhibition in our popular Garden Railway – Garden Railway: Dinos! With more than 15 different rail lines running along a third of a mile of track, visitors will enjoy a spectacular display of dinosaurs including Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Velociraptor all made out of natural materials such as bark, leaves, and twigs. As one of the largest outdoor miniature train displays in the United States, the Garden Railway will delight and amaze visitors of all ages.
Paleontologist’s Cottage
The Paleontologist’s Cottage features hands-on “dig stations,” special family-friendly programming including Fossil Fridays, dino story time, and much more!
Fossil Fridays • 11 am
Friday, June 7
Friday, July 5
Friday, August 2
Friday, September 7
Storytime • 10:30 am
Wednesday, July 17
Wednesday, August 21
Summer of Dinos Events
Plants in the Age of Dinosaurs Tour
Saturday, June 8 • 11 am
Join an experienced Garden Educator on this exciting new tour to explore living examples of trees and plants that were around when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Conifers, cycads, gingkoes, ferns, mosses, and flowering plants thrived during the Age of the Dinosaurs.
Tour begins at Widener Visitor Center. Free with general admission.
Inflatable Dino Run
Saturday, June 15 • 10:00am
Are you interested in meeting other inflatable dinos? Meet up with fellow dinos at the Morris and have a fun and friendly competitive dino race with prizes and light beverages. You may even meet another special dino from the Academy of Science. Come with your dino costumes.
Meet in English Park. Free with general admission.
Storytime
Wednesday, June 19 • 10:30 am
This month, we’re reading How Big Were Dinosaurs by Lita Judge. “Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take a Velociraptor for a walk, or try to brush a Tyrannosaur's teeth? We think of dinosaurs as colossal giants, but how big were they REALLY?” After storytime, join us in crafting your very own dinosaur from things in you could find in your home!
Meet in Outdoor Classroom. Free with general admission.
Dino Weekend
Saturday July 13 & Sunday, July 14
Details coming soon!
Storytime
Wednesday, July 17 • 10:30 am
This month, we’re reading Slowly Slowly Said the Sloth by Eric Carle. Join us at the Paleontologist Cottage with its tropical ferns to learn about this interesting animal, discover the joy of going slow, and embrace the way of the sloth.
Meet at Paleontologist Cottage. Free with general admission.
Bloomin' Bubbles
Tuesday July 25 • 11:00 am
July’s Bubble Surprise is a dino dance party while making cool dino masks!
Meet in Whimsical Woods. Free with general admission.
Storytime
Wednesday, August 21 • 10:30 am
This month, we’re reading The Rainforest Grew All Around by Susan K. Mitchell. The jungle comes alive as readers learn about the creatures lurking in the lush Amazon rainforest in this interesting book. Warm up your vocal cords with us and come explore the rainforest in song and verse. Then join us for kid-friendly tree yoga.
Meet at Paleontologist Cottage. Free with general admission.
Plants in the Age of Dinosaurs Tour
Saturday, August 24, 2024 • 11 am
Join an experience guide on this exciting new tour to explore living examples of trees and plants that were around when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Conifers, cycads, gingkoes, ferns, mosses, and flowering plants thrived during the Age of the Dinosaurs.
Meet at Welcome Center. Free with general admission.
Plants in the Age of Dinosaurs Tour
Saturday, September 14 • 11 am
Join an experienced Garden Educator on this exciting new tour to explore living examples of trees and plants that were around when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Conifers, cycads, gingkoes, ferns, mosses, and flowering plants thrived during the Age of the Dinosaurs.
Meet at Welcome Center. Free with general admission.