The Franklin Institute Presents: Don’t Try This at Home Day
May 16 @ 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
$23 – $29
Experience one of the most exciting family-friendly science events in Philadelphia – Don’t Try This at Home Day at The Franklin Institute. For one day only, enjoy high-energy, large-scale science demonstrations that push experiments to the limit, all conducted safely by expert performers and fearless partners.
This is not a typical classroom experience. It is live STEM entertainment where science ignites, erupts, and surprises audiences in real time.
Live Science Shows and Demonstrations
Guests will see a series of dynamic experiments designed to showcase science at its most dramatic, including:
- A 500-ball blast powered by ultra-cold Liquid Nitrogen at 11:00 a.m.
- A multi-balloon explosion fueled by hydrogen at 1:00 p.m.
- Gravity Drop and Driiip featuring Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty at 3:00 p.m.
- The Periodic Chef experience, featuring short, fast-paced shows inspired by cooking programs that combine everyday ingredients with unexpected scientific elements at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
- Members Only: See our Youth Ambassadors in action! Join our next generation of science leaders for hands-on fun in Pepper Hall from 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm.
Special Guests and Interactive Experiences
- Explore a real fire truck with the Philadelphia Fire Department from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Complete a circuit and learn about electricity with actual electricians from the International Brotherhood of Electrical workers (IBEW)
- Meet Crazy Aaron, creator of Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty
- Learn about polymers and the science behind putty-making
- Participate in hands-on activities and preview select putties featured in the event
Discover science at its most powerful, engaging, and unexpected.
Free with general admission.
