Dash and the Dance of Lights at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Families are invited to a special northern-lights-themed STEM storytime, craft, movement activity, and live science demonstration with children’s author Ashley Key!

The program begins with an engaging read-aloud of Dash and the Lights in the Sky, followed by a shimmering Foil Aurora Mask Craft, where children design and decorate metallic aurora-themed masks using safe, kid-friendly materials. Participants will also experience “Dash and the Dance in the Sky,” an interactive scarf and ribbon movement activity that lets children physically act out how real auroras swirl, wave, flicker, and stretch across the Arctic sky.

To deepen scientific understanding, Ashley will lead a Live Northern Lights Science Show, using visual demonstrations to introduce concepts such as solar wind, Earth’s magnetic poles, magnetism, space weather, light energy, and atmospheric color formation — all presented at an age-appropriate level that sparks curiosity and wonder.

This hands-on program blends science education, sensory learning, creativity, and movement-based exploration and is perfect for preschoolers, early elementary students, homeschool families, and young science enthusiasts.

Books will be available for purchase and signing after the program!

Family and Family+ members receive discounted admission to this event. Museums for All pricing is available upon request. Please email programs@naturemuseum.org with any questions.

Find out more here!