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K-12 Programs

Admission to the Peabody Museum is free, but school and group visits require reservations.

NOTE: Requests need to be submitted at least 3 weeks before your intended visit.

 

The date and time of your visit must be confirmed by the Museum’s Education Office. Please bring a copy of your confirmation letter on the day of your visit. Unregistered groups may not be accommodated and could be asked to return at another time. The Peabody is wheelchair accessible. Most visitors take 2 to 3 hours to tour the Museum.

The renovated Museum includes the following to accommodate group visits:

  • Bus pull-in and drop-off space on Sachem Street (please note, buses cannot park here).

  • A new labeled group entrance on the Sachem Street side of the Museum, which all groups—school and adult—are required to use for entry and check-in.

  • Dedicated classrooms for programs on the lower level of the Museum (for school groups only).

  • A lunchroom which can be reserved for your group (for school groups only).

  • Storage space for your gear and lunches.

All school groups must adhere to our chaperone-to-student ratios:

  • Minimum required chaperones

    • Grades 1–3: 1 adult per 8 students

    • Grades 4–8: 1 adult per 10 students

    • Grades 9–12: 1 adult per 12 students

  • Maximum allowed chaperones

    • Groups may bring additional chaperones; however, the total number of adults may not exceed a 1:4 ratio (1 adult for every 4 students).

To make the most of your visit to the Peabody Museum, download and review our Pre-Visit Field Trip Information Package:

FAQ

Click here to access our field trip request form.

If you are planning a trip to the museum with a group of 12 or more, you would need to fill out a field trip request form 3 weeks in advance and await confirmation.

All groups must adhere to our required chaperone-to-student ratios:

  • Grades 1st–3rd: 1 adult per 8 students

  •  Grades 4th–8th: 1 adult per 10 students

  • Grades 9th–12th: 1 adult per 12 students

Booking requests that do not meet these ratios will be canceled. Groups that do not adhere to their specified ratio, may be asked to reschedule. Please note that groups may bring additional chaperones, provided they do not exceed the 1:4 ratio.

There is a maximum amount of 100 children/students in each group.

Groups are required to enter through our labeled group entrance on Sachem Street. Groups who attempt to enter through our main entrance will be redirected to our Sachem Street group entrance.

Groups are only allowed entry to the museum when the entire group is present. Sporadic entry is not permitted.

Workshops are 45-minute, collections-based activities designed for groups of 12 to 25 participants and take place in our dedicated classroom spaces at the museum. We only offer multi grade options for those in 2nd-4th and 5th-8th grade. Workshops are available for groups of 12 or more students. Each day, we offer six workshop sessions between 10:15 AM and 12:45 PM. Groups are invited to select from the workshop options listed below. When submitting your selections, please indicate your preferred workshop topics so that we can schedule your group based on your preferences to the best of our ability.

  • Animal Adaptations Grades 2nd-6th: Students investigate how animals survive in different environments through hands-on exploration of real specimens from claws and paws to teeth and body coverings. This program supports NGSS standards on ecosystems, biodiversity, and adaptations, while developing observation, critical thinking, and evidence-based reasoning skills. Perfect for reinforcing classroom lessons on habitats, food webs, and evolution in a fun, engaging way.

  • Geologic Time Grades 2nd-8th: Students journey through Earth’s 4.5 billion-year history to explore major geologic eras and the fossils that define them. Using real specimens and interactive exploration, they learn to analyze evidence, understand mass extinctions, and connect past life to changing landscapes. Perfect for reinforcing science standards on fossils, rock layers, and Earth’s history through hands-on, inquiry-based learning.

  • Impacts of Climate Change Grades 4th-8th: Students explore how climate change impacts biodiversity by analyzing different species and using scientific reasoning to predict how animals may respond to changing temperatures. This program supports classroom learning about evolution, environmental science, and human impact while fostering curiosity and critical thinking.

  • Rocks & Minerals Grades 2nd-5th: Students explore rock and mineral samples up close and learn to classify them based on observable traits. Through teamwork, guided investigation, and real-world applications, this program builds knowledge of Earth materials and deepens science thinking through interactive discovery.

  • Ancient Explorers Grades 4th-8th: Students compare artifacts from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Mesoamerica, gaining insights into these diverse cultures. They learn about the role of archaeologists and the methods they use to study the past. The workshop includes interactive discussions about the concept of culture and hands-on exploration through artifacts. Finally, students curate their own mini-exhibits, applying their knowledge and creativity.

  • OPEN FOR NOVEMBER BOOKINGS ONLY: Evolutionary Anatomy Grades 7th-12th: Students explore evolutionary relationships of vertebrate and invertebrate species using anatomical traits to build a shared phylogeny. Through collaborative investigation and instruction, they’ll deepen their understanding of evolution, classification, and the power of comparative anatomy.

Materials for educators are currently unavailable for field trips. We are in the beginning stages of our programming. Stay tuned!

Yes, we have a designated lunchroom on the lower level of the Museum. The lunchroom is available by reservation only through the "Book a Trip" form.

Please note:

  • Requesting the lunchroom does not guarantee availability.

  • The lunchroom is reserved for school groups only.

  • Groups must have a minimum of 20 students to use the lunchroom.

  • Capacity is limited to a maximum of 54 people per reservation.

Please click here for our parking options.

Scheduled Phone Calls

During times when reservations are being accepted, we also offer scheduled phone calls with the Yale Peabody Museum Education team for field trip consultations. Please note, scheduled consultations are not field trip booking appointments. No reservations will be taken over the phone.