What age group is Nesting Grounds designed for?

The program is tailored specifically for children aged 1 to 5 years old.

Is advance booking required?

Yes, booking ahead is recommended to ensure availability due to limited group sizes.

Can parents participate in the activities?

Absolutely, parents are encouraged to join in movement games and assist during crafts.

Are there any food or drink restrictions?

Outside food and drink are generally not permitted inside the museum space during activities.

Is the venue stroller accessible?

Yes, the museum is accessible for strollers and has space for parking them during the session.

Are siblings outside the age range allowed to attend?

For safety and focus, the program is designed only for children aged 1-5.

Nesting Grounds: A Dinosaur Adventure for Young Explorers in Wembley, Alberta

For families seeking a unique introduction to the prehistoric world, Nesting Grounds offers an engaging 1.5-hour experience tailored specifically for children aged one to five. Located in Wembley, Alberta, this intimate dino-themed program is held within a private museum dedicated to curiosity and early childhood learning. The experience begins with lively songs and interactive storytelling that bring dinosaurs to life for tiny adventurers. Movement games build excitement and motor skills as the kids mimic their favorite ancient creatures, fostering both imagination and physical activity. After igniting creativity, children dive into hands-on craft projects that allow them to create their own dinosaur keepsakes, making the learning experience tangible and memorable.

This program stands out as a cornerstone of the local community, offering a safe, playful environment where parents and guardians can connect during dedicated social time once the little ones are busy crafting. Nesting Grounds blends education with fun, making it an ideal choice for families staying in or passing through Wembley, a town in northern Alberta known for its quiet charm and natural surroundings.

While Wembley itself is a small hub, its location places you within reach of rich Alberta landscapes, including boreal forests and rolling prairies. This makes Nesting Grounds a particularly special stop, providing early naturalist experiences that complement the broader outdoor adventures of the region. The museum’s focus on dino-themed education helps foster an early appreciation for paleontology, biology, and creative expression in a space dedicated to young learners.

The mix of interactive storytelling, physical engagement, and artistic crafting encourages cognitive development and social interaction, providing a well-rounded experience that supports early childhood milestones. Parents also appreciate the museum’s serene setting, which stands apart from busier, more commercial venues, making it a preferred choice for quality, small-group programming.

Whether you’re local or traveling through Alberta with toddlers eager to explore, Nesting Grounds provides an unforgettable blend of history, creativity, and community. It’s a gentle introduction to the world of dinosaurs that sparks curiosity and makes early education an adventure itself, all wrapped up in a welcoming local museum setting.

About Philip J Currie Dinosaur Museum

Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum in Wembley, Alberta is a regional centre for palaeontology and public education. The museum preserves and interprets local fossil heritage and operates research-led public programs that connect families, students and researchers to Alberta’s deep past.

Exhibits highlight mounted skeletons, interactive displays and rotating collections that showcase discoveries from the Pipestone Creek bonebed and the Wapiti Formation.

The museum runs guided field experiences and seasonal events led by trained palaeo-professionals, including the Pipestone Creek excavation visits, “Palaeontologist for a Day” digs, and the Bonebed Tour featuring the Pachyrhinosaurus skull known as BIG SAM. River-based outings such as the “Secrets of the Wapiti” float focus on regional geology, fossils and safe outdoor interpretation. Family-focused programs include Night at the Museum sleepovers, birthday parties with gallery access, Nesting Grounds early childhood sessions, and School’s Out PD Camps for ages 5–13.

Educational offerings extend to Homeschool Days and annual Science Festivals like Palaeo Palooza, providing hands-on activities, maker spaces, and film screenings. Admission options include full-day General Admission tickets with no re-entry. The museum partners with researchers, community groups and volunteers to conduct fieldwork and curate findings, following accepted conservation and documentation standards. Accessibility, safety and evidence-based interpretation are priorities. Visitors can expect guided learning, tangible fossil encounters, and professionally run events that support palaeontology, local heritage tourism and science education. Curatorial staff maintain research-grade collections, publish findings in peer-reviewed outlets when appropriate, and collaborate with universities to ensure scientific rigour and long-term preservation of specimens for future generations.