Events & Programs

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Discover the Elements of Lifelong Learning

Our educational programs and special events are here to help you stay engaged and exploring our vast world, all from the comfort of the Quad Cities! 

We offer a variety of programs: from Putnam Camps, to drop-in workshops, even history lectures with a cash bar. Join us at special events, like feature films on Thursday nights or during an afternoon tea! Find your perfect fit within the museum and discover the elements of lifelong learning.

Programs & Events Calendar

Select a date and see what's happening on that day!

Mar 2026
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Putnam Explorers: Chemistry
March 7, 2026    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Science in Action! Dive into exciting experiments led by museum educators. Through hands-on activities, kids explore chemical reactions and scientific concepts in a fun, interactive…
Sensory-Friendly Elephants Giants of the Desert
March 8, 2026    
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Giants of the Desert Embark on an unforgettable adventure across Africa’s Namib Desert, where you’ll encounter the planet’s largest land animals like never before. These remarkable desert elephants…
Kaleidoscope Odyssey Member Opening
March 13, 2026    
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Discover a World of Color and Curiosity Members are invited to Join us on Friday, March 13, from 5–7 PM for the opening of Kaleidoscope…
Junior Explorers: Chemistry
March 14, 2026    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Science in Action! Dive into exciting experiments led by museum educators. Through hands-on activities, kids explore chemical reactions and scientific concepts in a fun, interactive…
Member Only Special Science Days: Pi Day
March 14, 2026    
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Math in Motion Special Science Days: Pi Day Saturday, March 14  |   3 pm - 5 pm Member Exclusive Event It’s time to celebrate the…
Grades 1-2: Nocturnal Nature
March 16, 2026    
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Explore the Outdoors! Explore the outdoors through fun, hands-on activities. Campers will enjoy crafts and outdoor games while discovering plants, animals, and the world around them. March…
Grades 3-5: K-Pop STEM
March 16, 2026    
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Train like a True Warrior! Inspired by the popular "K-Pop Demon Hunters" film, this camp will spark fierce friendship, fashion, and experimentation. Experiment with SODA…
Pre-K and K: Color Factory
March 16, 2026    
10:00 am - 11:00 am
A World of Color & Curiosity! Step into Color Factory, a playful preschool camp inspired by the ever-changing patterns of kaleidoscopes. Young learners will explore…
Grades 1-2: Camp K-Pop STEM
March 17, 2026    
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Train Like a True Warrior! Inspired by the popular "K-Pop Demon Hunters" film, this camp will spark fierce friendship, fashion, and experimentation. Experiment with SODA…
Grades 3-5: KaleidoSpring
March 17, 2026    
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Experiment with Kaleidoscopes! Campers explore how light, reflection, symmetry, and patterns work by building and experimenting with kaleidoscopes, connecting physics and visual art in a spring-inspired…
Grades 1-2: Bricklab: Engineering
March 18, 2026    
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Build, Imagine, And Explore! Get ready to build, imagine, and explore at LEGO® Adventure Camp! This hands-on camp invites young builders to create, experiment, and…
Grades 3-5: Plant Party
March 18, 2026    
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Calling All Plant Lovers! Calling botanists, green thumbers, and plant lovers alike! Come along as we learn about the plant life-cycle, Iowa-native flora, successful gardening,…
Pre-K and K: Wicked Weather
March 18, 2026    
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Follow the Yellow Brick Road! Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Putnam Museum! Wicked Weather is a whimsical preschool camp inspired by the Wizard…
Grades 1-2: Spellbound Spring
March 19, 2026    
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Explore the Wonder of Spring! Explore the wonder of spring as we learn about the magical ways of nature! We will read classic springtime fairytales…
Grades 3-5: Spring Tech Toys
March 19, 2026    
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Spring into Coding! Spring into coding with Dash, the Putnam's smart and interactive robot. Program Dash to show a rainbow of colors, parade around the Putnam,…
History on Tap: The Solomon Butler Story
March 19, 2026    
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
A Legacy of Strength and Sport Every third Thursday, we’ll be serving up fascinating talks on a variety of topics, all while you enjoy a…
Grades 1-2: Ocean Friends
March 20, 2026    
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Uncover the Marvels of the Sea! Dive into a day of ocean-inspired adventure! Through creativity, imagination, and hands-on exploration, children will uncover the marvels of…
Grades 3-5: Spring STEAM
March 20, 2026    
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Fly, Create, Explore! Explore flight, pollinators, and get ready to have an egg-celent time in this Spring STEAM camp! Campers will engineer flying devices, craft a…
Pre-K and K: Slime Time
March 20, 2026    
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Y2K Fun! Get ready for Slime Time, a playful preschool camp inspired by Y2K nostalgia and creative connection. Young learners and their grown-up will explore…
Kinder Explorers: Chemistry
March 21, 2026    
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Science in Action! Dive into exciting experiments led by museum educators. Through hands-on activities, kids explore chemical reactions and scientific concepts in a fun, interactive…
Pre-K Story Time: Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!
March 25, 2026    
10:15 am - 11:15 am
Grow, Dig, Discover Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming Get ready for giggles and garden fun with Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! Following the story, children will…
STEAM Afternoon
March 28, 2026    
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
STEAM Afternoon at the Putnam Saturday, March 28 | 1:00–3:30 PM Spend your afternoon exploring creativity, curiosity, and hands‑on fun during a special STEAM Afternoon…
Chemistry For Kids: March Workshop
March 28, 2026    
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Stop In and Experiment With an Expert Join us for our Chemistry For Kids program, on March 28th at 2pm. Dr. Andy Axup, from St.…
Ballet Quad Cities: Violins of Hope Mini Performance
March 28, 2026    
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Honoring Memory Through Movement You're invited to a special program by Ballet Quad Cities in conjunction with the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities and…
Putnam Explorers: Weather
April 4, 2026    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Uncover the Science Behind Weather and Climate! Introduces the science of meteorology through experiments and engaging activities. Learn about weather patterns, extreme conditions, and climate…
Events on March 7, 2026
Putnam Explorers: Chemistry
March 7, 2026  
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Events on March 8, 2026
Sensory-Friendly Elephants Giants of the Desert
March 8, 2026  
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Events on March 13, 2026
Kaleidoscope Odyssey Member Opening
March 13, 2026  
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Events on March 14, 2026
Junior Explorers: Chemistry
March 14, 2026  
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Member Only Special Science Days: Pi Day
March 14, 2026  
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Events on March 16, 2026
Grades 1-2: Nocturnal Nature
March 16, 2026  
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Grades 3-5: K-Pop STEM
March 16, 2026  
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Pre-K and K: Color Factory
March 16, 2026  
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Events on March 17, 2026
Grades 1-2: Camp K-Pop STEM
March 17, 2026  
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Grades 3-5: KaleidoSpring
March 17, 2026  
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Events on March 18, 2026
Grades 1-2: Bricklab: Engineering
March 18, 2026  
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Grades 3-5: Plant Party
March 18, 2026  
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Pre-K and K: Wicked Weather
March 18, 2026  
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Events on March 19, 2026
Grades 1-2: Spellbound Spring
March 19, 2026  
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Grades 3-5: Spring Tech Toys
March 19, 2026  
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
History on Tap: The Solomon Butler Story
March 19, 2026  
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Events on March 20, 2026
Grades 1-2: Ocean Friends
March 20, 2026  
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Grades 3-5: Spring STEAM
March 20, 2026  
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Pre-K and K: Slime Time
March 20, 2026  
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Events on March 21, 2026
Kinder Explorers: Chemistry
March 21, 2026  
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Events on March 25, 2026
Pre-K Story Time: Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!
March 25, 2026  
10:15 am - 11:15 am
Events on March 28, 2026
STEAM Afternoon
March 28, 2026  
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Chemistry For Kids: March Workshop
March 28, 2026  
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Ballet Quad Cities: Violins of Hope Mini Performance
March 28, 2026  
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Events on April 4, 2026
Putnam Explorers: Weather
April 4, 2026  
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Programs in the Museum

History on Tap Lecture Series, featuring two adult women interacting and laughing at an event in the Grand Lobby at the Putnam museum.

History On Tap

Are you tired of the same old lectures in stuffy lecture halls? Do you crave a more engaging and refreshing approach to learning?

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summer winter and spring camps for kids

Putnam Camps

We offer a diverse selection of fun and engaging full day, and half day summer camps for kids from kindergarten through sixth grade.

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Spring Camps at the Putnam Museum in Davenport, IA.

Spring Camps

Give your child the chance to learn, explore, and create this Spring Break!
With camps for Grades 1–3, Grades 4–6, and Pre-K & K, our Spring Camps spark curiosity and inspire discovery. Spring camps are on sale now!

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summer Day Camps at the Putnam Museum in Davenport, IA.

Summer Camps

Make it a summer of discovery at the Putnam! This year’s camp lineup includes full‑day experiences for Grades 4–6, half‑day camps for Grades 1–3, and fun, two‑hour camps for Pre-K & K. Give your child a season of learning, summer camps are on sale now!

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The Putnam Museum will

CLOSE EARLY ON APRIL 18.

We will close early Saturday, April 18 at 3 pm for a private event. Join us Sunday for regular hours.

Please Note: The Museum & Science Center will be closed today due to inclement weather

We plan resume normal hours on Tuesday (3/17). Thank you for your patience, understanding and continued support!

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