Second Saturday: Marvelous Manatees

Second Saturday: Marvelous Manatees is happening at the Houston Museum of Natural Science on Saturday, November 14, from 8 AM to 10 AM. It's part of the museum's Second Saturdays program, which opens the doors an hour early for members only, giving you a chance to walk through the permanent exhibitions before the general public arrives.

This particular session is built around the winter migration of manatees, which kicks off in November as the animals move toward warmer inland waters. The activity starts with a manatee paper bag craft, and afterward, everyone gathers in Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Hall, where docents talk about marine life and the animals swimming above. It's a good way to spend a Saturday morning with kids, especially if you've got a little one who'd rather make something with their hands than just look at displays.

One thing to keep in mind is that the early access only covers the permanent exhibitions. The special exhibits, the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre, the Cockrell Butterfly Center, and the Burke Baker Planetarium aren't included in this window, so you'll have to wait for general opening hours if those are on your list. The manatee craft and the talk in Glassell Hall, though, are the main draw here.

It's free for members, and the whole thing runs from 8 AM to 10 AM at the museum's 5555 Hermann Park Dr address in Houston.