Museum Family Day: Waves of Wonder

Join us on Saturday, April 4, for Waves of Wonder: A Museum Family Day celebrating clean water!

Throughout the day, visitors of all ages will be invited to dive into engaging programs and hands-on activities focused on water ecology, conservation, and environmental protection. Swim through the science of water quality, make waves with sustainable activities, and discover the wildlife supported by Lake Erie and our local watersheds. Hosted by the Museum's Smead Discovery Center—Presented by PNC, this family day is sure to make a splash!

This event is sponsored by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.

Tickets

All activities are included with general admission. Residents of the City of Cleveland, East Cleveland, Brooklyn, Euclid, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, and Warrensville Heights receive free admission every Saturday and Sunday as part of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Community Days. Proof of address is required upon arrival for free entry.

Skip the line! In addition to ensuring a smooth arrival experience, purchasing your tickets in advance gets you a $3 discount on all general admission tickets.

Get Tickets

Parking

Parking is available in the Museum's attached garage; standard rates apply. Find more information on directions and parking here.

Activities

Waves of Wonder programming features special activities provided by the Museum and community partners, including:

• Rain garden tours: Have you ever been interested in creating a native garden at your home? Join a Museum Natural Areas Manager on a guided walk through our native rain gardens. You’ll learn about the importance of these spaces and discuss how to build your own! Free seed packets will be available while supplies last.

• Ohio Department of Natural Resources: When driving around Cleveland, you may have noticed signs that state what watershed you’re entering. What is a watershed, and why is it important? Explore an interactive watershed model and learn how land use impacts water quality.

• Cleveland Metroparks: Lake Erie has only 5% of the water out of the Great Lakes, but boasts 50% of the fish population. How can we work to keep water safe for Lake Erie animals? Meet a Metroparks Naturalist and play a tabletop game about the water cycle. As you adventure through the game, you’ll thread together a bracelet with your unique water journey!

• Great Lakes Science Center: There are many ways that scientists test water quality. One of these includes pH, the measurement of acidity. Discover what acidic water means for Lake Erie and why it can be a problem.

• DIY tote bag stamping—brought to you by WaveSpace: Your sustainable practices can make a difference in the world! One of the ways you can reduce waste is by bringing reusable bags when shopping. Create your own ecosystem with stamps and fabric markers on screen-printed tote bags.

• Community craft in Smead Discovery Center—Presented by PNC: How do you practice sustainability? Make your mark by describing your habits on our craft wall. Marvel at the impact that many individual efforts can make when added up among a community.

• Water quality testing: To ensure that water is safe and healthy, scientists must use many different tools. Take part in an interactive demonstration with a Museum Educator to test the quality of different streams around Cleveland.

• Lorain Metroparks: Lake Erie attracts an incredible number of species of waterbirds at all times of the year. Meet an ornithologist to explore their role in the ecosystem while observing bird artifacts up close.

• Collinwood Painted Rain Barrel Project: Rain barrels can greatly reduce harmful runoff and provide a free clean water source for gardens. Watch a local artist from Zolten Wood Design paint a beautiful rain barrel as you draw designs for your future rain barrel.