Kick off the summer season and celebrate the end of another school year!

Grab a blanket and some sunscreen and meet us on the front lawn for this free event featuring music at our family stage, games and hands-on activities from some of our incredible community partners.

In addition to the Griffin MSI Education team, the event will host community partners such as: Wings and Talons with raptor demonstrations; Chicago Adventure Therapy with outdoor equipment to try out; and Carl R. Woese Insitute for Genomic Biology where attendees can try out high-powered microscopes. There will be dozens of community organizations on site with games, swag, food and so much more. If your summer calendar isn’t full already, it will be by the time you leave!

This outdoor event is free and open to the public. Admission to the Museum requires a ticket purchase. Ticketed Museum guests on this date can exit to access the picnic and re-enter to continue exploring.

Family Stage schedule

11 a.m. – Dreamtree Shakers
12 p.m. – Mr. Scott's Giant Bubble Show
12:30 p.m. – Laura Doherty
1:30 p.m. – Mr. Scott's Giant Bubble Show

Participating partners include:

Argonne National Laboratory
Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology Mobile Lab, University of Illinois
Chicago Adventure Therapy 
Chicago Herpetological Society
Chicago Mushroom Club
Chicago Public Library
Chicago Public Schools Department of STEM
Chicago Science and Tech Council - C2ST
Girls Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana
Japanese Cultural Center
Lookingglass Theatre Company
Master Gardeners of University of Illinois Extension
Robothink Chicago
STARR Community Services International
Wings and Talons 

Flowers and a butterfly in front of the Museum of Science and Industry, with "Kickoff to Summer Picnic" logo

Contributing sponsor: Michigan Apple Committee