2026 Dino Days at the Putnam Museum & Science Center -- August 15 and 16.
Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16
Putnam Museum & Science Center, 1717 West 12th Street, Davenport IA
Those who love dinosaurs and all things Mesozoic will be in Putnam Museum & Science Center paradise when the venue welcomes families to this year's August 15 and 16 Dino Days – a family-friendly, specialty-ticketed weekend event boasting crafts, activities, a fossil dig, and screenings of the Pixar hit The Good Dinosaur and the international box-office smash Jurassic Park.
During the Dino Days event, the Putnam transforms its Lardner Balcony into a “Jurassic-Style Park” for all sorts of fun activities and crafts. Guests can get ready to roar with excitement as they: meet a paleontologist at the Dilly the Dinosaur Show; come face to face with a life-sized Dilophosaurus; uncover treasures in the Giant Dino Dig; unleash their inner artists with face painting; capture memories at the Photo Booth; indulge in the build-your-own pudding sundae bar; and immerse themselves in dinosaur fun galore.
Patrons' Dino Day tickets include their choice of the family adventure The Good Dinosaur or Steven Spielberg's three-time Oscar-winning classic Jurassic Park, both playing in the venue's Giant Screen Theater. And additional Dino Days treats for the whole family include: dinosaur-themed storytimes; eight opportunities to take part in a Dino Parade; sensory-friendly activities; the Putnam Dino Expedition at which patrons can learn more about the Triceratops that is coming to the museum; dinosaur costume making; education activities in the Fab Lab; an August 15 reptile show; and, with a $25 add-on ticket, events in the Dino Hatchery & Adoption Center.
The Putnam Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, brings to life a sense of place, time and purpose to ignite human potential and inspire our diverse community to learn about and care for our world and all its people. For more than 150 years, guests have experienced the Putnam’s permanent exhibits ranging from Unearthing Ancient Egypt to our family-favorite science galleries, as well as an array of programs and internationally recognized traveling exhibits. The Putnam is dedicated to helping guests discover and explore in a friendly and engaging atmosphere.
Admission to the August 15 and 16 Dino Days weekend is $25 for general admission, $50 for VIP tickets, $75 for ultimate VIP tickets, and $15 for the event without a movie screening. Dino Says 2026 will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and more information and tickets are available by calling (563)324-1933 and visiting Putnam.org.
