Hours
Tue–Fri, 12:00–5:00 pm
Sat–Sun, 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Closed Mondays

Free on-site parking

Skirball Cultural Center

Archaeology Programs

Kids and Families

A child looking at ancient pottery through a magnifying glass.

Explore the past and connect with its people through archaeology- and anthropology-inspired programs at the Skirball.

Dates and Times

Thursdays until 4:15 pm (Hands on History)
Saturday–Sunday until 4:15 pm (Archaeology Dig—temporarily closed*)
Select Sundays, 11:30 am and 1:30 pm (Unearth and Explore)

Pricing and Details

Included with general admission
Walk-ups welcome

Children must be accompanied by an adult 18 and up; minimum adult/child ratio is 1:4.

Activities are subject to change or cancellation.

About the Programs

Explore the past and connect with its people through archaeology- and anthropology-inspired programs at the Skirball.

Archaeology Dig

*The Archaeology Dig is temporarily closed until further notice. Check back soon for updates!

While the Dig is closed, enjoy other pop-up outdoor archaeology activities on weekends.

Hands on History

Track down the Hands on History touch cart on Thursdays to get a real feel for the ancient world and learn about the many things that connect us to the past. You can also explore more about people of the past and how they lived in our Discovery Center.

Unearth and Explore Sundays

Archaeologists, Indigenous teaching artists, and historians lead special projects and hands-on activities on select Sundays at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm.

March 16—Artifact Preservation

Join Historian Anne Collier of the University of La Verne Cultural and Natural Collections for a hands-on activity about artifact preservation.

April 13—Acorns and Oak Galls Dye Workshop

Reveal beautiful browns and dark purple dyes from the plant life offered to us by the land in the Tovaangar (Los Angeles) with Meztli Projects. Guests will create their own hand-dyed bandana to take home.

May 18—Clapper Stick

Join teaching artist Lazaro Arvizu of the Gabrielino/Tongva in making a "Clapper Stick," a musical instrument that is Indigenous Californian with wood, paint, and fibers.

June 8—Chachaanke' Game Activity

Join teaching artist Virginia Carmelo in celebrating the culture and language of the Gabrielino/Tongva people. Decorate game pieces and learn how to play the traditional game of Chachaanke' while listening to a song in the Tongva language.

Mother and two daughters holding hands and dancing in a circle to a live band in the outdoor amphitheater.

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