Bug-a-thon – 6/21/25

05/21/2025 |

About Bug-a-thon

Mark your calendars for an exciting adventure at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary! Join us on June 21 from 5 PM to 11 PM for the much-anticipated Bug-a-thon. This family-friendly event promises an evening and night filled with exploration, discovery, and fun activities for all ages.

Evening BioBlitz

Kick off the event with a thrilling BioBlitz during daylight hours. See how many different species you can identify! Participants will have the opportunity to become citizen scientists, finding and identifying as many species as possible within the sanctuary. A BioBlitz is a survey where you record all species found in a designated area, and is a unique chance to contribute to a biological inventory or census, providing invaluable data on the biodiversity of the area. Whether you are a seasoned naturalist or a curious beginner, this is a great way to learn about the local ecosystem and its myriad of fascinating creatures.

After Sunset Mothing Event

As the sun sets, the focus shifts to the enchanting world of nocturnal insects with our Mothing Event. Witness the captivating allure of moths as they gather around special lights set up to attract them. This is a rare opportunity to observe and identify these incredible insects up close, guided by local insect enthusiasts who will share their knowledge and passion for the often-overlooked creatures of the night.

Family-Friendly Activities and Contests

Bug-a-thon is designed with families in mind, offering a variety of fun activities that both adults and children will enjoy. Young explorers can participate in contests, such as the challenge to find the most species, with exciting prizes to be won. Engage in interactive games, educational displays, and hands-on experiences that will foster a love for nature and inspire budding scientists.

Reserve Your Spot

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary. Special tickets are required to reserve your spot at Bug-a-thon, ensuring that you and your family can fully enjoy all the activities planned for this extraordinary event.

Join us for a day and night of discovery, learning, and fun at Bug-a-thon 2025! We look forward to seeing you there.

Tyrannosaurus Rex at Dinosaurs Live at Heard Museum in McKinney Texas

Dinosaurs Live! Life-Size Animatronic Dinosaurs – Closed for Season

04/30/2024 |

This seasonal, annual exhibit is open from August 31, 2024, through February 17, 2025.

Visitors to Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney, Texas, will be able to let their imagination run wild as they travel back in time along a half-mile nature trail with eleven life-size animatronic dinosaurs. During the 18th Annual Dinosaurs Live! Life-Size Animatronic Dinosaurs exhibit, these animatronic dinosaurs will move and roar, providing an experience sure to captivate visitors. This exhibit will also offer interesting facts about both herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs.

Children and the young at heart will also have the opportunity to play on stationary baby dinosaurs, a photo-op Tyrannosaurus rex and a photo op Pachyrhinosaurus. This year’s exhibit will also feature an outdoor hadrosaur fossil dig to inspire future paleontologists. The Dinosaurs Live! exhibit trail is jogging-stroller friendly (umbrella strollers are not recommended), giving families and friends a unique, exciting and educational activity to experience together. Dinosaurs Live! is sponsored by NBC5.

Dinosaurs Live! is included in general admission and free for Heard Museum Members.  This exhibit is open during our regular hours of operation.

 

About Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing nature and people together to discover, enjoy, experience, restore and preserve our priceless environment. The Heard was founded in 1967 by Bessie Heard at the age of 80. In a time when the rate of expansion of the Metroplex was slower than today, she foresaw the need to preserve a place where future generations could experience nature. Today, the Heard’s mission of bringing nature and people together is carried out through education, particularly of young people, which emphasizes an appreciation of nature and its conservation.

Dinosaurs Quiet

Dinosaurs Quiet

08/22/2023 |

Join us on the second Saturday of each month during the Dinosaurs Live exhibit (February 10), from 7:30-9 a.m. for a more sensory-friendly experience along our exhibit trail. The life-size animatronic dinosaurs of this exhibit usually move and roar; however, during this time, guests will be able to experience a calmer environment featuring the same dinosaurs without sounds or movement! This event is included in general admission and free for Heard Museum members.

Dinosaurs Quiet

Dinosaurs Quiet

08/22/2023 |

Join us on the second Saturday of each month during the Dinosaurs Live exhibit (January 13 and February 10), from 7:30-9 a.m. for a more sensory-friendly experience along our exhibit trail. The life-size animatronic dinosaurs of this exhibit usually move and roar; however, during this time, guests will be able to experience a calmer environment featuring the same dinosaurs without sounds or movement! This event is included in general admission and free for Heard Museum members.

Dinosaurs Quiet

Dinosaurs Quiet

08/22/2023 |

Join us on the second Saturday of each month during the Dinosaurs Live exhibit (December 9, January 13, and February 10), from 7:30-9 a.m. for a more sensory-friendly experience along our exhibit trail. The life-size animatronic dinosaurs of this exhibit usually move and roar; however, during this time, guests will be able to experience a calmer environment featuring the same dinosaurs without sounds or movement! This event is included in general admission and free for Heard Museum members.

Dinosaurs Quiet

Dinosaurs Quiet

08/22/2023 |

Join us on the second Saturday of each month during the Dinosaurs Live exhibit (November 11, December 9, January 13, and February 10), from 7:30-9 a.m. for a more sensory-friendly experience along our exhibit trail. The life-size animatronic dinosaurs of this exhibit usually move and roar; however, during this time, guests will be able to experience a calmer environment featuring the same dinosaurs without sounds or movement! This event is included in general admission and free for Heard Museum members.

Dinosaurs Quiet

Dinosaurs Quiet

08/22/2023 |

Join us on the second Saturday of each month during the Dinosaurs Live exhibit (October 14, November 11, December 9, January 13, and February 10), from 7:30-9 a.m. for a more sensory-friendly experience along our exhibit trail. The life-size animatronic dinosaurs of this exhibit usually move and roar; however, during this time, guests will be able to experience a calmer environment featuring the same dinosaurs without sounds or movement! This event is included in general admission and free for Heard Museum members.

Tyrannosaurus Rex at Dinosaurs Live at Heard Museum in McKinney Texas

Dinosaurs Live! Life-Size Animatronic Dinosaurs – Open for Season

08/03/2022 |

This seasonal, annual exhibit is open from August 31, 2024, through February 17, 2025.

Visitors to Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney, Texas, will be able to let their imagination run wild as they travel back in time along a half-mile nature trail with eleven life-size animatronic dinosaurs. During the 18th Annual Dinosaurs Live! Life-Size Animatronic Dinosaurs exhibit, these animatronic dinosaurs will move and roar, providing an experience sure to captivate visitors. This exhibit will also offer interesting facts about both herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs.

Children and the young at heart will also have the opportunity to play on stationary baby dinosaurs, a photo-op Tyrannosaurus rex and a photo op Pachyrhinosaurus. This year’s exhibit will also feature an outdoor hadrosaur fossil dig to inspire future paleontologists. The Dinosaurs Live! exhibit trail is jogging-stroller friendly (umbrella strollers are not recommended), giving families and friends a unique, exciting and educational activity to experience together. Dinosaurs Live! is sponsored by NBC5.

Dinosaurs Live! is included in general admission and free for Heard Museum Members.  This exhibit is open during our regular hours of operation.

 

About Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing nature and people together to discover, enjoy, experience, restore and preserve our priceless environment. The Heard was founded in 1967 by Bessie Heard at the age of 80. In a time when the rate of expansion of the Metroplex was slower than today, she foresaw the need to preserve a place where future generations could experience nature. Today, the Heard’s mission of bringing nature and people together is carried out through education, particularly of young people, which emphasizes an appreciation of nature and its conservation.

A butterfly on a flower

Native Texas Butterfly House & Garden Closes

01/18/2022 |

Walk among free-flying native butterflies and other pollinators in our Native Texas Butterfly House & Garden. This exhibit is open during our regular hours of operation during its scheduled dates.

The butterfly house includes native species, which vary by season and what is available from suppliers. Our butterfly garden is filled with host plants that naturally attract these lovely creatures.

 

Dates

Open June 8 – September 28, 2024