Family Flight Night

Flight of the Beetles

From smaller than a millimetre to genuine giants to winged wonders and floating pheromones, beetles are the most diverse group of animals on the planet. Visit this Science Station to discover all their fascinating adaptations.

Flight and Folklore in Digital Collections

Join the digitisation team as they explore flight through the lens of folklore and practice the ancient art of cross-stitch on a massive birdwing butterfly.

Comeback Kestrel

From frayed falcons to fabulous feathers. Discover how our conservation specialists saved a taxidermy kestrel that had been infested with carpet beetle larvae.

Catching Critters

The Darwin Tree of Life is a project that aims to sequence the whole genome of every species in the UK, including insects and other invertebrates. Come and see some of the specimens we’ve collected and learn how we catch these animals ourselves.

Calculating Kakapos

Find out how we use maths to conserve one of the world’s most endangered and charismatic parrots, the kakapo. Try saying that maths isn’t cool after visiting this station.

Oldest Chick in the Book

Our library has books dating back hundreds of years, document flying creatures from all over the world. Featuring bats, birds, insects and even dragons! It’s time to become a bookworm.

Creepy Crawlies

Can you sort beetles from bugs? Or cicadas from stick insects? Take on this interactive challenge using real specimens to find out.

On a Wing and a Praying Mantis

Join our insect curators to discover fun flight facts about grasshoppers, mantises and bugs and get up close to some amazing specimens.

The Brilliance of Bats

As the only true flying mammal, bats are an incredibly diverse group, making up 20% of mammal species worldwide. Speak to one of our mammal scientists to find out what helped them take off and take over the world!

Pterosaurs, the Soaring Terrors

Dominating the skies 288 million years ago, pterosaurs are the first known vertebrates to have evolved powered flight. Join us and uncover their secrets with our palaeontologists.

Spaceflight, Bringing Bennu Back

Samples taken from the asteroid Bennu travelled millions of miles through space to arrive with us. Join our Meteoritics and Planetary Group to find out about the mission and what can be learned from the returned samples.

Recommended for ages 5+.

Doors open at 18.30 and entry is via the main entrance on Cromwell Road. We’re unable to allow entry after 20.30.

Food and drinks will be available to purchase at this event.

Some activities have a limited capacity. Please note that the owl pellet activity involves biological material such as animal fur and other potential allergens.

We may carry out photography and filming at the event in which you may be identifiable. We may use these images for marketing purposes on our website, social media and printed publicity materials. If you have any concerns, speak to our staff.

A free ticket for a carer accompanying a guest with a disability can be requested on +44 (0)20 7942 5000, Monday to Friday, 09.00–17.00, subject to availability.

Don’t forget to bring an electronic or printed copy of your ticket with you.

Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

This event is wheelchair accessible.

We reserve the right to make any necessary changes to the event as required, such as adjusting the locations, timings or content of the activities. This is to ensure we deliver a safe experience for visitors at all times.

If you have any questions, contact us at after-hours@nhm.ac.uk.