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Turn spring break into a mini field study: kids ages 6+ measure real track replicas, make casts, and learn how scientists read footprints. Drop-off friendly and paired with a short museum pre-show, this Wembley program makes paleontology tactile, social, and fun.
Turn spring break into a mini field study: kids ages 6+ measure real track replicas, make casts, and learn how scientists read footprints. Drop-off friendly and paired with a short museum pre-show, this Wembley program makes paleontology tactile, social, and fun.
Book with Philip J Currie Dinosaur Museum
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Operated by Philip J Currie Dinosaur Museum · Wembley, Alberta
Spring Break in Wembley, Alberta offers a rare hands-on program where kids become field researchers for a day. Spring Break: Dino Tracker invites children to measure, compare, and interpret dinosaur footprints at a supervised drop-off program for ages 6 and up. The activity launches from the local museum in Wembley and pairs a lively pre-show with a guided track study, giving families a compact, education-forward outing. The scene centers on preserved footprints and cast replicas brought out for close inspection: students learn to measure stride and pace, identify front and hind prints, and sketch their conclusions. Facilitators use real tools - tape measures, field notebooks, and molds - to teach pattern recognition and basic ichnology, the study of tracks. That tactile approach turns abstract bones into readable behavior and lets kids see how scientists reconstruct motion from marks in the soil. Why this matters here: northern Alberta has a surprising history of fossil discoveries, and community museums in towns like Wembley play an outsized role in sharing that story. The program emphasizes hands-on learning over passive displays; instead of looking at objects behind glass, participants handle reproductions and practice the same observation skills professional paleontologists use. That makes the experience both local - rooted in regional finds - and uniquely suited to young learners who need to move and test ideas. Practical details: the program accepts drop-off for ages six and older, and the schedule pairs a short pre-show at the museum with the field exercises that follow. Expect 2-3 hours of activity with staff-led stations. The pace is playful but structured: children rotate through measuring, casting, and track-matching stations with frequent breaks. What sets this apart from a standard museum visit is the intentional skill-building: kids leave with measured track data, a simple cast or sketch to take home, and a clearer idea of how scientists think. It's a solid spring-break option for families staying in Wembley or nearby towns who want something active, educational, and civic-minded. The staff encourage curiosity, emphasize safety around artifacts, and connect the activities to broader conversations about geology and deep time without oversimplifying. Bring layers for variable late-winter weather in the Peace Country, closed-toe shoes for field work, and a camera for action shots of small researchers at work. If you're looking for a short, immersive program that turns dinosaur footprints into a hands-on lesson in science, Spring Break: Dino Tracker in Wembley offers a memorable day that makes paleontology accessible and fun. Parents appreciate the program's clear drop-off policies, background-checked staff, and the tangible takeaways that spark further reading; consider pairing the visit with other local attractions or a picnic at a nearby park to turn a morning of discovery into a full family outing. Bring sunscreen and water too.
easy.
2-3 hours.
Low; children should be comfortable standing, walking short distances, and following directions for 1–2 hour blocks.
The program accepts drop-off for ages 6 and up; guardians complete check-in and sign-out at drop-off.
Expect about 2-3 hours, including a short museum pre-show followed by hands-on measuring and casting stations.
Participants work with reproductions and cast replicas; staff use real tools to teach techniques while protecting original artifacts.
Yes, background-checked staff lead every station and maintain child-to-staff ratios appropriate for the age group.
Some families are allowed to stay in the museum during the pre-show, but space may be limited during hands-on stations—check at check-in.
Yes, pre-booking is recommended to secure a spot during Spring Break; use the provided referral link to reserve.
Northern Alberta has produced notable fossil finds, and small-town museums play a key role in sharing regional paleontology with visitors and local students.
Staff stress handling reproductions rather than original specimens and teach respect for fossil sites; please do not collect fossils from the field.
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.
Book with Philip J Currie Dinosaur Museum