I have been to Natural History museums that felt like just a random collection of objects – a bunch of rocks, a bunch of skulls, a case of pottery shards. But the Burke Museum is a great example of ways to build engaging stories out of artifacts.

Sample Exhibits

Biology

We started on the second floor with exhibits of a cladogram, which shows evolutionary relationships, by clustering items from their collection to illustrate: insects, reptiles, mammals and so on. These are great lead-ins for conversations with kids, especially if they already have some knowledge of animal classification and evolution.

I really liked this exhibit that focused on parallel evolution (like different wing types for birds) and convergent evolution (like how plants, reptiles, and amphibians have all developed poisons / toxins as defense mechanisms). The photos show an example of how each idea is illustrated by both the biological specimens and interpretive materials like illustrations and written descriptions.

These are just a few exhibits – there is lots more to see. Learn more about exhibits at the Burke. There are also views into labs where they are doing active restoration work or actual research to learn more.

Children’s Activities

Preschoolers to early elementary:

They have an “activity alcove” on the second floor, and on the third floor – these have books to read, puzzles to put together, and craft activities. There is also a children’s play area on the third floor for more active play, and a habitat dress-up area for learning about camouflage. There are 6 plush huskies hiding in the exhibits – probably you can ask for the map at the entrance desk? Plus, you can simply follow your child’s attention as they wander around exhibits. (I will note that several of the exhibits on the second floor were above eye level for a preschooler, so you might have to hold your child up to see things.) For this age, I let them lead, and talk about whatever they are interested in for as long as they’re interested, then move on. Trying to talk them into looking at something that you think is interesting but they don’t is rarely effective.

Upper elementary and middle school

Again, following their interest is generally more effective than trying to guide them through what you think matters most. Notice what they are noticing – talk about it. Ask them questions that use science skills:

• Observation: what do you notice? look more deeply at this detail? what do you learn from that?
• Classifying: what is that related to? how are those things alike? how are those things different?
• Inferring: what does that remind you of? how do you think that works? why do you think that?

If your child has a special interest, take advantage of that. Do they like horses? Can you find horses in an exhibit? Or things related to horses? Do they like dinosaurs – use bones as a way to get interested in other exhibits.

Scavenger Hunt

Here is a scavenger hunt you could print and bring along. Sometimes kids are totally engaged, and don’t need a tool like this, but sometimes it’s just the right way to engage a kid who is having a hard time connecting with the exhibits. I intentionally included several interactive items in the scavenger hunt so you can encourage the child to engage with that item when they find it.

Until August 2026, there is a special exhibit, Woven in Wool – Resilience in Coast Salish weaving. This version of the scavenger hunt includes items from that exhibit.

Where / When / How Much

In Seattle’s University District. (Easily accessible by bus or light rail.) Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 – 5. $24 adults, $14 kids 4 – 14. Learn about discounts, including: free for all on first Thursdays, free for SNAP/EBT, WIC, foster care, or kinship care cardholders.

For adults – we were there for 2 hours, and saw all the exhibits on the second and third floor, but barely had time to skim through the first floor before we had to leave.