LWL Museum of Natural History with Planetarium

Anyone keen to find out more about the work of palaeontologists and geological preparators should head along to the hands-on activity ‘Das große Schlämmen’ during the autumn half-term holidays. On five separate dates, each running from 11 am to 4 pm, fossil fans of all ages can visit the LWL Museum of Natural History to see how prehistoric traces are uncovered from rock. Those interested can try their hand at sifting and washing the material themselves.

How are dinosaur fossils discovered in rock, and how can the fossilised remains be washed out of it? In a sandpit, children can dig and try their hand at sifting and washing material themselves. Members of the museum’s education team will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate how rock samples suspected of containing fossils are washed through sieves to reveal small fossils. The experts will explain the processes involved in an excavation and in the museum’s work, and provide information on archaeological heritage conservation, which is an important task of the LWL Museum of Natural History. At a microscopy station, the special features of the finds will be explained.

The event is free of charge. Only the standard museum admission fee applies. The event will be cancelled in the event of bad weather.

Dates:
Sun 18 Oct 2026
Fri 23 Oct 2026
Sun 25 Oct 2026
Fri 30 Oct 2026
Sun 1 Nov 2026

From 11 am to 4 pm.

Leaves, bark, grasses, seeds and other natural materials are transformed into little works of art. Participants can go on a discovery tour in the museum garden themselves to collect suitable materials or choose from a prepared selection. Through frottage and clay impression techniques, the unique shapes and textures of nature are revealed and creatively captured. Leaf veins, bark textures, patterns and other surfaces leave very different marks, bringing the diversity of nature to life in many different ways.

As well as creative activities, there is plenty to discover: Which plants grow in the museum garden? Who lives there? And how can different plants and animals be identified? In a playful and informal way, participants learn interesting facts about the local flora and fauna.

Just pop along and join in. No booking is required.

On the Moon this evening, Sinus Iridum – the so-called ‘Golden Handle’ – and the Copernicus crater are attractive targets for observation through a telescope. To the south-east, the planet Saturn, with its distinctive ring system, will be visible; this month it is opposite the Sun (opposition) and is therefore particularly easy to observe. The observation point is accessible from the Mühlenhof car park and is signposted.

• Admission is free and no booking is required.
• The telescopes are provided on a voluntary basis by members of the society.

Important: The latest update on whether the guided tour can go ahead, depending on the weather, will be published on our website.

During the autumn half-term holidays, the Gene-LAB at the LWL Museum of Natural History will once again become a place for young researchers to carry out experiments. On Saturdays, 24 October and 31 October, children and families can look forward to a varied programme of hands-on activities centred around the current exhibitions, running from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm .

Those interested can delve into times long past and discover what North Rhine-Westphalia looked like in the past. Or they can stay in the present and take a closer look at cells and DNA. There is plenty to learn and experience at the Gene-LAB and in the exhibitions during the autumn half-term holidays. Visitors can explore fossils and discover the secrets they hold. Or they can set off in search of traces of prehistoric creatures and the creatures that inhabit our landscapes today. You can also find out which teeth are best for eating different foods, or take part in the prehistoric quiz and the Gene Rally as you wander through the exhibitions.

No booking is required. Just pop in and join in.

Every fourth Wednesday of the month at 2 pm, visitors have the opportunity to step inside the hallowed halls of the LWL Museum of Natural History’s central storeroom. The event, which lasts just over an hour, is aimed at anyone aged ten and over and offers an exclusive glimpse into the various storage rooms of the Central Repository in the Speicherstadt. Participation is free of charge.

Please note: Places are limited! Booking is required. Those interested will have the opportunity to explore the various natural history collections of the LWL Museum of Natural History. In addition to the extensive collection of vertebrates, the tour will showcase the herbarium – the largest botanical collection in North Rhine-Westphalia – as well as fossils, minerals and rocks.

Only a limited number of people can take part, which is why registration via the online ticketing system is required.