Look Out: Monsters are Coming to the Museum!

Being a monster can be hard work. All that pranking, hiding and goofing off. Just like you, monsters get worn out and need a break.

That’s why a bunch of monsters are heading to the beach. Your family can join them when the museum’s new special exhibit, Monsters on Vacation, opens in late May.

You’ll make the most of your beach day as you maneuver through the monster obstacle course, show off your best dance moves at the underwater disco, patch up monster-sized boo-boos at the lifeguard station and more.

As opening day approaches, exhibit builders will be testing, painting and assembling the final pieces before they come together in the museum’s Special Exhibit Gallery.

Here’s a peek at some of the experiences visitors will find in the finished exhibit, as well as a look at the work our team has been doing to bring each piece to life.

Monster Obstacle Course

This one-of-a-kind course is built to test even the bravest visitor’s courage. Step inside a monster fish jaw and navigate a winding, obstacle-filled path through the monster’s belly. Keep your balance as you hop across the wavy tongue, then brave the giant foam rollers to squeeze through to the finish. It’s a sensory-filled journey from head to tail!

Feed the Tree Monsters

Monsters get very hungry, and tree monsters are no exception! Visitors load fruit (made from foam) into two chutes and work together to move the fruit up into the canopy. When the monsters have had enough, watch out—the fruit comes tumbling back down! Collaboration is key here as visitors move the fruit through the chutes.

From the workshop: The metal structure and chute components are complete. The next step is to monster-fy the grove and begin testing the motor that dumps the food back down.

Monster Tot Spot

This beach vacation includes a special tot spot built specifically for our youngest visitors to explore. Nestled in the arms of a tentacled Octopus monster, children crawl up, over and around as they move sliding tiles and explore mirrored surfaces and pop-its.

From the workshop: This tentacled monster is so big that it has to be built in three separate pieces. It looks simple now, but just wait until the paint and details are added!

Scream Booth

Step inside the booth to explore your emotions, monster-style! Let out a cathartic roar, wave your arms, clench your fists and release pent-up emotions as visitors turn a wheel to change the light colors. On the exterior walls outside, get creative with a giant magnetic beach scene, or and let us know how you’re feeling today with the emotion voting tubes.

From the workshop: This wall of the scream booth will allow visitors to see both in and out. You can also see a peek of the voting tubes area on the far right side.

Lifeguard Station

The Monster Lifeguard Station is where little monsters can get bumps and scrapes taken care of. Grab a monster-style stethoscope and thermometer for a check-up at the exam table, and look closely at monsters X-rays at the lightbox all while building social awareness, collaboration and empathy skills.

From the workshop: The team takes a moment to make sure the monsters eyes are just the right size.

This is just the beginning of all the fun that visitors will find when Monsters on Vacation opens May 23, 2026. Mark your calendars now because this is one monster extravaganza you won’t want to miss!