Don’t “Arte-miss” National Space Day at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Dallas, TX (April 21, 2026) On Friday, May 1, three weeks after the thrilling splash down of the Artemis II mission, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science celebrates National Space Day, a daylong observance of the achievements, benefits, and opportunities in the exploration and use of space. Interactive, hands-on activities will occur on all four levels of the Museum and out on the Plaza.
Design a spacesuit, program a Mars rover, build a moon base, and explore how science and imagination power space exploration. Enjoy an out-of-this-world day of discovery for all ages, plus themed specials at the Museum Café to fuel your visit. All activities are included with general admission and will run from 10 am to 5 pm.
Below is a list of what to expect on this day of astral adventure:
Lower Level
- Children’s Museum: Be an Astronaut
- Astronauts wear special gear in space. Help protect our astronauts by designing a spacesuit with colored pencils, crayons, and construction paper.
Level 2
- Challenge Lab: Ozobot Challenge
- Using Ozobot Evo technology, code your own Mars Rover’s path of exploration!
- Light but Strong
- Design and build a mobile launcher platform that is light enough to be moved to the launch pad, but strong enough to hold the weight of a rocket.
Level 3
- Deep Space Communication
- Delayed… Degraded… Delivered! Discover factors that impact deep space communication and produce solutions to get your message across.
- Moon Base Camp
- Design a moon base! Imagine what life could be like on the Moon and construct a base that allows explorers to accomplish their best work
Level 4
- Filtered Light
- Explore the universe with light! Use colored filters to reveal different features in real images of space, just like astronomers do.
- Impact Craters
- Simulate the formation of a crater and study it by using special tools, much like scientists do to study geological processes on other planets, moons, and asteroids.
Plaza
- Mars Rover
- Take on the role of Mission Control and help program a human “rover” across an imagined Mars landscape!
- Space Mural
- Grab some crayons and join in the community color-in of an astro-themed image
Space Day at the Perot Museum is sponsored by the U.S. Space Force. National Space Day is celebrated annually on the first Friday in May (May 1, 2026) to promote STEM education, honor space exploration achievements, and inspire interest in science. It highlights space technology, engineering, and opportunities, with activities including visiting museums and educational events.
About the Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Located in the heart of Dallas, Texas, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a nonprofit educational and research organization dedicated to inspiring minds through nature and science. Visitors will find everything from dinosaurs to diamonds and space to sports, packed into five levels of hands-on discovery and adventure. Through its state-of-the-art exhibits, educational programming and community outreach, the Museum offers exciting and innovative experiences for learners of all ages. For more information, visit perotmuseum.org.