We are so excited to partner with Field Station: Dinosaurs to bring you information on their brain boosting events and experiences.
The fall weekends are not just for ghosts and goblins in NJ!
This October, families can enjoy a spooktacular evening with their favorite dinosaurs at Field Station: Dinosaurs. At Dinosaurs After Dark, which takes place every Friday and Saturday night in October, guests will take a journey back in time millions of years ago to when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. This unique experience, however, is done by the light of the moon (and a flashlight). It is an exciting experience the entire family will LOVE!
We were recently invited to experience the first Dinosaurs After Dark of the season, and it was AMAZING! We have been guests of Field Station: Dinosaurs during the day but I had no idea what to expect on our night-time adventure. It was a cool and misty evening which added to the eeriness of the night. Each child was provided a flashlight before entering the main gates of the park. Of course, my kids loved this!
Guests are brought into the park in groups of 20 for a more personal and engaging experience. Each group has tour guides who take guests to each activity station around the park. I loved the enthusiasm of the staff as it added to the fun and excitement of the evening. Each station offered a unique learning experience that my boys really enjoyed. There were so many opportunities to engage the senses and learn through hands-on fun!
Spooktacular Learning Experiences at Dinosaurs After Dark
Dino Games
The first station we experienced was under the main tent inside the park. There were 3 dinosaur themed games set up for the kids to play which allowed them to earn prizes. My boys enjoyed playing ring toss on glowing dinosaurs, tossing balls inside cups and fishing for mini dinosaurs in a sand box. Each activity was not only fun, but offered a chance for kids to build visual, motor and problem solving skills. They also earned prizes for completing the tasks which boosted confidence and self-esteem.
All About Dino Senses Presentation
After playing the dino games, we were brought inside a tent where we sat down on benches for a presentation about dinosaurs. We learned all about how dinosaurs used their senses to navigate through their surroundings at night. The presenter explained all about the echolocation including letting the kids yell into a container so they could hear the echo of their voice. He also discussed the importance of the sense of smell as he passed around fossilized dinosaur poop for everyone to touch. Lastly, the kids wore pirate eye patches to experiment with the sense of sight. It was a true multi-sensory learning experience that we all really enjoyed!
The Trail Walk
After learning all about our senses, we set out on a journey through the dinosaur trail. The kids used their senses and flashlights to search for the missing T. Rex. It was so amazing to see the life-like animatronic dinosaurs move and roar at night.
My 4-year-old became a little frightened but my 7-year-old LOVED it! Our tour guide gave us detailed information about each dinosaur we passed on the trail including learning that the state dinosaur of NJ is the Hadrosaurus. It was a fun experience that was not only educational but also sparked my kids’ imaginations.
Dinosaurs Dino-Mite Show
After exploring the trail and finally finding T. Rex, we sat in the large tent usually used for the 3D movies and got ready for the show. I have to say that I was unsure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by the incredible talent of the performers in this show. Audience members learned all about the history of dinosaurs along with various facts through song and dance. I loved the enthusiasm of the entertainers and how well they represented their characters. I also loved when they chose children from the audience to be a part of the show. It was a fun time for everyone!
We had so much fun exploring and learning at Dinosaurs After Dark. The night ended perfectly with roasting marshmallows over a fire and making s’mores (all included with admission). We also ran through the raptor maze which my boys thoroughly enjoyed. In fact, they had so much fun in the maze that they missed the appearance of T. Rex. I guess that just means we have to go back for another prehistoric adventure!
Dinosaurs After Dark takes place from 8pm-10:30pm every Friday and Saturday night through October 29, 2016. Tickets cost $24/person ($19.20/season pass holder). Get $2 off by using the code FSD16DADBLOG! Field Station: Dinosaurs is located within Overpeck Park in Leonia, NJ. For more information, please visit their website.
*In full disclosure, we were invited to Field Station: Dinosaurs media event but all opinions expressed are completely my own.