Riverside Metropolitan Museum

About Our School Programs

Throughout the year the Museum offers free curriculum-based school programs focusing on local natural history, Native American culture, and Riverside history. All programs are led by professional museum educators and trained docents, and are designed to meet California state learning standards. Programs are also available for homeschool groups visiting the Museum.

All programs:

• Meet state academic standards and correspond to specific classroom curriculum units.
• Are tailored to group age and academic level.
• Are led by a trained Museum Educator.

Planning Your Visit

Please consider the following when planning your visit:

• Reservations must be made three weeks in advance.
• Programs are available Tuesday - Friday from 9:30 am - 12:00 pm, September - June.
• Groups must provide at least one chaperone per every ten students.
• To make a reservation or for more information, call: (951) 826-5123

Nature Study
Preschool - Grade 6 | One Hour Program
Nature Study is a guided, hands-on science program, which includes a tour of the Museum’s Nature Lab. Children have the opportunity to explore the life cycles of insects and other animals as they handle and observe live specimens and real animal bones. Children will have the opportunity to look for insects in the Museum’s waterwise garden.

Acorns, Walnuts, &Willows: Connecting with Native Cultures
Grades 3 - 6 | One Hour Program
Acorns, Walnuts, and Willows offers children the opportunity to learn about local native american culture through hands-on activities using real artifacts from the Museum’s collections. Discover how acorns, walnuts, and willows tell the story of tour local Native American culture yesterday and today.

History on the Street: A Tour of Downtown Riverside
Grades 3 - 6 | One Hour Program
History on the Street offers children the opportunity to explore Riverside’s historic downtown district. Guided by a Museum Educator, children will learn about our city’s rich history using well-known -and some not so well-known -sites and structures, providing an experiential lesson in architecture and history.

Heritage House Tours
All ages | One Hour Program
In groups of 10-12, students are given a 30 minute house tour that introduces them to life in Riverside in the 1890s focusing on the contrast of life now to the way it was then. Outside activities include a tour of the barn, orange grove, and citrus sizer, as well as doing laundry and using period household items. "The Queen’s Own Grove" by Patricia Beatty is suggested reading. Heritage House is located at 8193 Magnolia Ave in Riverside.

Self-Guided Group Tours
All ages
Self-Guided Group Tours are a great option for groups that may not have enough time to participate in a guided tour. Groups can view the museum’s galleries and exhibits at their own leisure under the direction and supervision of chaperones and teachers. The Museum can arrange to open the Nature Lab for your group by calling ahead of time.