St. Louis Prehistoric
Life Show
A day of fossils, deep time, and discovery at the Saint Louis Science Center. Bring the whole family.
In the Atrium
Meet the people who dig St. Louis's deep past
Local fossil clubs, museums, and universities with real specimens, plus the Trading Post and the coloring table.
See who's coming
In the Dino Den
Prehistoric life, through an artist's eye
A gallery of paleoart, including Lola, a giant T. rex skull sculpture by Nicki Mizell, as featured in Smithsonian Magazine.
See the gallery
In the T. Rex Room
See what a lifetime of collecting looks like
Real fossil collections on exhibit, from Pennsylvanian sea life to fluorescent minerals.
Explore the collections
In May Hall
Bring your fossil. We'll tell you what it is.
The Fossil Road Show and Mizzou's geology tables, with real experts ready to take a look.
Learn more
On the Energy Stage
Live talks and demos, all day long
Fossil presentations, paleoart demonstrations, and yes, a volcano show.
See what's on stage
In the Dig Site
Get your hands dirty
Sort gravel for fossils, split Green River slabs for fish, and make a bracelet out of crinoid fossils.
Kids' activities
We are in NewScience this fall
The Saint Louis Science Center wrote up the show in the Fall 2026 issue of NewScience.
Read the feature
We are on the Science Center calendar
The full listing, with the highlights and the partner organizations, is up on slsc.org.
See the listing
Fundraiser
Help us fill St. Louis with fossils
The show costs about $5,000 to put on and is built entirely by volunteers. We are raising the first $2,500 now. Donations run through Paleoheritage and are tax deductible.
Give on GoFundMeThe Science Center has fossils of its own
The prep lab, the Earth Sciences gallery, the animatronics, and two dinosaurs that have been outside since 1987.
Science Center highlightsPlan your visit
Forest Park, with free parking at the Planetarium next door.
Directions and parking
Fossils belong to everyone
No tickets. No barriers. Just ancient life, brought into the open. Learn what the day is about and who makes it happen.
About the show
Fossils belong to everyone
The St. Louis Prehistoric Life Show is a free, one-day celebration of ancient life at the Saint Louis Science Center. It brings together fossil collectors, paleontologists, educators, students, and curious visitors of all ages for a day of exhibits, hands-on discovery, and community connection.
The show is built around the idea that fossils belong to everyone. No tickets. No barriers. Just ancient life, brought into the open.
Who makes it happen
The show is organized by the SLPLS volunteer committee dedicated to making paleontology accessible across St. Louis and beyond. It is brought to life by the many fossil clubs, museums, universities, and community groups who take part.
Plan your visit
Forest Park, St. Louis
Free surface parking at the Planetarium, connected to the event by bridge and tunnel. Paid parking at the main building, plus limited free street parking nearby.
Participating organizations
The St. Louis Prehistoric Life Show is built through collaboration. These organizations bring fossils, deep time, and natural history education to the show.
Get in touch
Message sent
Thanks for reaching out. We will be in touch.