Join us for a fungi-filled day of discovery at the Museum of Natural History! We’ve partnered with the Mushroom Club of Iowa City to celebrate the fascinating world of mushrooms right here in Iowa and beyond.
Be the first to explore our brand-new Mushroom Activity Booklet, a foldout zine packed with hands-on fun for all ages. Use it to search high and low during an indoor mushroom scavenger hunt, spotting the shrooms tucked into exhibits and dioramas throughout the museum galleries. The booklet also unfolds into a full-page mushroom poster you can color at home and other activities.
During the event, members of the Mushroom Club will host a table with specimens and resources to share, offer 2 different short talk about mushrooms found across Iowa, and lead a guided group scavenger hunt using the new booklet. (The booklet will remain available after the event, but this is its official debut, and the only day to join the club-led hunt!)
We’ll wrap up the day with a free screening of the award-winning documentary Fantastic Fungi (educational cut) in the museum auditorium.
Whether you’re a curious beginner, a seasoned forager, or just love a good scavenger hunt, Mushroom Day promises exploration, learning, and a little mushroom magic. 🍄
Breakdown of Day's Events:
Museum open hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Mushroom Club info table, Iowa Hall; 1st Floor: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Mushroom Talk: Guide to Iowa Native Mushrooms, Bird Hall; 3rd floor, 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Mushroom Club guided scavenger hunt, start in Bird Hall; 3rd Floor: 1:30 p.m. -2:00 p.m.
Mushroom Talk: Guide to Mushroom Hunting, Bird Hall; 3rd floor, 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Free Movie Screening: Fantastic Fungi, Macbride Hall Auditorium; 2nd & 3rd Floors: 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.