Spotlight Delaware invites you to join us for our first ever Family Fun Day on Saturday, September 27th, a celebration of Delaware’s family-friendly and close-knit community. Families can enjoy free admission at a variety of local attractions, including museums, nature centers, and historic landmarks!

This epic collaboration spans the entire state, with at least 5 attractions in each county participating in this event. Scroll down to see all the participating locations and their exclusive day-of offerings!

To participate in Family Fun Day, register here via this Google Form, receive your pass, and begin planning your adventure today!

We’ll also be hosting the Spotlight Delaware Family Fun Day Photo Contest: Follow Spotlight Delaware on Facebook or Instagram, post a picture from your Family Fun Day adventures, tag us, and you could win a Nintendo Switch 2 or a Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport! Winners will be announced Friday, October 3rd, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize.

Participating Attractions by County

Delaware Art Museum

The Delaware Art Museum connects people to art, offering an inclusive and essential community resource that through its collections, exhibitions, and programs, generates creative energy that sustains, enriches, empowers, and inspires. Spotlight Delaware staff will be onsite between 11 AM – 1 PM.

• Location: 2301 Kentmere Pkwy, Wilmington, DE 19806
• Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM
• Activities: Be sure to visit the outdoor Sculpture Garden and Kids’ Corner! And ask for the secret kids menu at the cafe!
• Questions? Email info@delart.org.

Delaware History Museum & Mitchell Center for African American Heritage

Get a glimpse into Delaware’s fascinating past and explore the history of the First State from multiple perspectives at the Delaware History Museum & Mitchell Center for African American Heritage. 

• Location: 504 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE, 19801
• Hours: 12 PM – 3 PM
• Activities: Delaware Historical Society will offer multiple activities related to Delaware 250 and Delaware’s role in declaring independence and the Revolutionary War.
• Questions? Email communications@dehistory.org.

DuPont Environmental Education Center

DuPont Environmental Education Center (DEEC) is located along the Christina River and on the edge of the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge. Spotlight Delaware staff will be onsite from 12:30PM – 2:30PM.

• Location: 1400 Delmarva Lane, Wilmington, DE 19801
• Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM
• Activities: 1 PM – 1:30PM, Netting in the Marsh. 1:45pm – 2:15PM, Meet our Live Animals.
• Claim to Fame: The refuge is 212 acres of freshwater tidal marsh adjoining the Christina River and is home to American Bald Eagles, Wood Ducks, American Beavers, dragonflies, river otters, and Eastern Painted Turtles.
• Questions? Contact Matthew Williams at (302) 656-1490.

Kalmar Nyckel Foundation

Visit the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation’s Maritime Center museum and explore maritime history. Test your “boat building skills” with our buoyancy challenge for all ages. Please Note: The ship will not be open for tours, but it will be offering public sails at 10am and 1:30pm with tickets for $45/adult and $25/Youth 12 & under.

• Location: 1124 East 7th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
• Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM
• Claim to Fame: Take our bouyancy challenge and try building a tiny boat from aluminum foil, popsicle sticks and duct tape. Then test it’s buoyancy with lead weights. Outdoor adventure course will be open for all ages.
• Questions? Contact Jan Ross, 302.429.7447

New Castle Court House Museum

The site of Delaware’s first capital and oldest court house, where Delaware separated from Pennsylvania and Great Britain.

• Location: 211 Delaware Street, New Castle, Delaware 19720
• Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM
• Activities: Learn about people who fought for justice in their communities and then work on a craft that inspires you to put your own stamp on your community! Stop by the East Wing Welcome Area (in the yellow door to the right of the main doors) to express yourself and your care for your community with the help of hand-carved pink eraser stamps! There will also be a FREE presentation at noon about civil rights lawyers and the cases that came together in Brown v Board of Education to end racial segregation in US public schools.
• Questions? Email ncchmuseum@delaware.gov.

Read House & Gardens

The 14,000-square-foot Read House, built for George Read II, son of one of Delaware’s signers of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, is renowned for its architecture, design, and historic gardens and grounds overlooking the Delaware River in Historic New Castle.

• Location: 42 The Strand, New Castle, DE, 19720
• Hours: 11 AM – 4 PM
• Activities: Details TBA
• Questions? Email communications@dehistory.org.

Agricultural Museum and Village

The Delaware Agricultural Museum & Village preserves and promotes Delaware’s rich farming heritage through engaging exhibits and a historic village. Spotlight Delaware staff will be onsite between 11AM-1PM.

• Location: 866 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901
• Hours: 10AM–4PM
• Activities: Come tour the historic buildings and see what Delaware farm life has been like through history!
• Questions? Call 302-554-0551.

Air Mobility Command Museum

A military airplane museum with over three dozen aircraft to explore, a flight simulator, control tower, and movie theater! Spotlight Delaware staff will be onsite between 12PM – 2PM.

• Location: 1301 Heritage Road, Dover, DE 19902
• Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM
• Activities: Several aircraft will be open to climb aboard, as well as a guided tours on our 12 passenger cart. Tours will start every 30 minutes, or you can wander at your own pace!
• Questions? Contact Michael Hurlburt, Operations Manager, 302-677-3855, opsamcm@comcast.net.

Biggs Museum of American Art

The Biggs Museum of American Art is a vibrant cultural destination in Dover, Delaware, dedicated to celebrating American creativity through its diverse collection, dynamic exhibitions, and engaging programs for all ages. Spotlight Delaware staff will be onsite between 10:30AM – 12:30PM.

• Location: 406 Federal St, Dover DE 19901
• Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM
• Activities: Join us for the Biggs Museum’s free Quarterly Artists Café on September 27! From 2–5 PM, enjoy a relaxed coffeehouse vibe, meet fellow artists, and take part in innovative coffee pour art activities. Families are invited to join us earlier in the day for children’s watercolor activities from 11 AM–1 PM. Whether you’re here to explore the creativity and diversity of our collection or to create masterpieces of your own, this event is the perfect meetup for creatives of all ages.
• Questions? Email Kate.Huffman@theBiggsMuseum.org.

Bowers Beach Maritime Museum

The Bowers Beach Maritime Museum houses artifacts of Bowers, the Delaware Bay and the watermen of the area, and is home to the annual Bowers Beach Buccaneer Bash.

• Location: 19 Williams Avenue, Frederica, DE, 19946
• Hours: 12 PM – 4 PM
• Activities: Spark your imagination at the flint-and-steel fire-starting demonstrations!
• Questions? Contact Judy Martin at judym24@hotmail.com or 302-222-6341.

Dover Art League

Join us at the Dover Art League for an afternoon of imaginative fun, delightfully odd creations, and the kind of joyful chaos only art can stir up! Spotlight Delaware staff will be onsite at 11 AM.

• Location: 21 West Loockerman Street, Dover, DE, 19904
• Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM
• Activities: Crafts for families to do together (11 AM – 1 PM), as well as a gallery that offers pieces by local artists available to observe and purchase.
• Questions? Email thedoverartleague@gmail.com.

First State Heritage Park

Step back in time to the 18th century with costumed interpreters, trades demos, and games! Spotlight Delaware staff will be onsite early afternoon.

• Location: 43 The Green, Dover, DE 19901
• Hours: 10 AM – 3 PM
• Activities: As a special treat, FSH Park will offer 18th century games. Additional programming will include an 18th century cooking or laundry demo, costumed interpreters, and walking tours.
• Questions? Contact TourFSHP@delaware.gov or (302) 739-9194.

John Dickinson Plantation

The John Dickinson Plantation shares the stories of the Dickinson family, the tenant farmers, the indentured servants, the freedom seekers, and the free and enslaved Black men, women, and children who lived, labored and died on the plantation.

• Location: 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, DE 19901
• Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM
• Activities: Visitors will make a scented sachet (bag) to take home with them!
• Questions? Call 302.739.3277 or email JDPmuseum@delaware.gov.

Johnson Victrola Museum

The Johnson Victrola Museum highlights the history and sounds of the Victor Talking Machine Company, which pioneered the development of the sound-recording industry and was founded by Delaware’s native son, Eldridge Reeves Johnson.

• Location: 375 S New St, Dover, DE 19901
• Hours: 9:30 AM – 4 PM
• Activities: Come and enjoy records played on Victrolas, an early 20th century record player.
• Questions? Email jvmuseum@delaware.gov.

Old State House

Built in 1791, the Old State House served as Delaware’s capitol during the United States’ critical early years as a nation. With additions and modifications, the building continued to serve as the state capitol until 1933.

• Location: 25 The Green, Dover, Delaware 19901
• Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM
• Activities: Come see demonstrations of historic bricklaying!
• Questions? Email OSHmuseum@delaware.gov.

Abbott’s Mill Nature Center

Abbott’s Mill Nature Center sits on a 376-acre piece of Milford Millponds Nature Preserve and features beautiful, pet-friendly trails.

• Location: 15411 Abbotts Pond Road
• Hours: Sunrise to sunset.
• Activities: Abbott’s Mill Nature Center offers miles of scenic trails through forests, meadows, and along Johnson Branch. Hike through lush deciduous and Atlantic White Cedar woodlands. Discover wildlife up close in the Visitor’s Center with its live animal collection and taxidermy animal displays. 
• Questions? Call 302-413-5074.

Delaware Botanic Gardens

The Delaware Botanic Gardens is a world-class, inspirational, educational, and sustainable public botanic garden in southern Delaware, created for the benefit and enjoyment of all.

• Location: 30220 Piney Neck Road Dagsboro, DE 19939
• Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM
• Activities: Explore the meadow and various gardens and then hike the Woodland Trails and discover the various ‘natural sculptures’ along the way.
• Questions? Contact Mark Carter, Chief Operating Officer at mark.carter@delawaregardens.org.

DuPont Nature Center

An environmental center focused on and located in our amazing Delaware Bay environment. Spotlight Delaware staff will be onsite between 12:30PM – 2PM.

• Location: 2992 Lighthouse Rd, Milford, DE 19963
• Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM
• Activities: a Feeding Time program at 1:00 p.m.
• Questions? Call the Nature Center at (302) 422-1329.

Nanticoke Indian Museum

• Location: 26673 John J. Williams Hwy, Millsboro, DE, 19966
• Hours: 11 AM – 3 PM
• Claim to Fame:The Nanticoke Indian Museum is the only Native American museum in Delaware and is part of the Delaware History Trail. The museum is known for its many arrowheads and Nanticoke historic artifacts.
• Questions? Call (302) 945-7022.

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge focuses on providing habitat and protection for migratory birds and endangered species; and the list of fun things to do here is long, including hiking, boating, fishing, birdwatching, wildlife photography, and exploring. Spotlight Delaware staff will be onsite between 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

• Location: 12322 Turkle Pond Road, Milton, DE 19968
• Hours: Prime Hook is open to the public from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. The visitor center will be open from 9 am to 3 pm.
• Activities: A full day of activities will take place on Family Fun Day including a morning bird walk (8 AM), guided interpretive trail walks, monarch tagging (10 AM), scavenger hunt (11 AM), games, crafts, and much more for adults and children of all ages. Visit the Friends of Prime Hook website (friendsofprimehook.com) for a complete list of the day’s events (including locations). Or, visit the refuge at your own pace to connect with nature by walking along one of our groomed trails or taking a paddle along Prime Hook Creek. Grab your fishing gear and drop a line into one of our two ponds or the creek along the Dike Trail.
• Questions? Email socialmedia@friendsofprimehook.org.

Zwaanendael Museum

The Zwaanendael Museum is a showcase for Lewes-area maritime, military, and social history. Modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, the Netherlands, the museum commemorates the founding of Delaware’s first European settlement by the Dutch in 1631. Spotlight Delaware staff will be onsite between 11AM – 1PM.

• Location: 102 Kings Hwy, Lewes, DE, 19958
• Hours: 10 AM – 4:15 PM
• Activities: Inside, visitors will find coloring pages and please touch stations throughout the museum. Visitors can learn to play classic sailor games like Crown & Anchor and Dominoes. Outside, yard games will be available if the weather allows.
• Questions? Email zmuseum@delaware.gov or call (302) 645-1148.

Register Here:

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Interested in sponsoring? Reach out to Chief Operation Officer Matt Sullivan at msullivan@spotlightdelaware.org.