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OPEN TODAY 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

40 Winks Sleepover

Have you ever wondered what happens in a museum at night? Now you can find out! Discover the Penn Museum in a unique way with a flashlight expedition through the galleries and exclusive access to special exhibitions. Compete with friends in an interactive workshop, take a scavenger hunt through the galleries, and make your own souvenir take-away. At bedtime, roll out your sleeping bag in our brand-new galleries and fall asleep beside objects and artifacts from around the world.

Register Now

children examining closely hieroglyphs

A Sleepover Like No Other

Kids, ages 6 to 12, and their chaperones, share the thrill of exploring the Penn Museum at night! And, after the sleepover, 40 Winks at the Penn Museum concludes with a light breakfast, time to wander the galleries by day, and an opportunity to explore the Museum Shop.

All 40 Winks sleepovers include:

  • Scavenger Hunt
  • Hands-on Workshops
  • Museum Exploration
  • Evening Flashlight Expedition
  • Art-making Activity
  • Light Breakfast
  • Museum Admission for the day after the sleepover
  • Souvenir Patch for all participants 6-12 years old that gives them Museum Admission for the remainder of the school year

Check-in is between 5:30 – 6:30 pm on Friday night. Check-out is at 9:00 am on Saturday, the next morning. All gear must be out of the galleries at this time, but ticket prices provide museum admission for the entire day. Stay to explore in the daylight!

Space is limited and dates sell out quickly.

Large Groups Welcome

Attention scouts and schools! To register a large group, call 215.898.4016 with a single form of payment ready. A nonrefundable deposit of 25% of the total cost is required. Full payment and final count are due two months prior to the sleepover (for example, if your program date is March 19, your final payment will be due on January 19).

"I will be recommending this program to every family I know - we had that great of a time. Best night ever, hands down..."

One of six "can't-miss museum sleepovers around the country."

Admission

General Registration Member Registration VIP General Registration VIP Member Registration
Souvenir Patch for all participants 6-12 years old that gives them Museum Admission for the remainder of the school year
Reserved sleeping space in our brand new Sphinx Gallery - -
Special t-shirt from our gift shop - -
$60 $50 $80 $70

Things to Know

A limited amount of family scholarships are available. To be considered for a scholarship, please e-mail events@pennmuseum.org

Absolutely no walk-in registrations are permitted.

What to Bring

All attendees, both adults and children, need to bring:

  • An evening snack (or bagged dinner)
  • A flashlight, toothbrush, and toothpaste
  • Comfortable sleeping clothes – it’s best to arrive already wearing them!
  • A sleeping bag, pillow, and if you like, a mat. Camping pads, yoga or foam mats, and/or extra blankets are suggested. You will be sleeping on the gallery floor. Inflatable air mattresses and cots are not permitted in order to maintain a safe emergency egress. If you cannot sleep on the floor and/or have a back injury we do not recommend attending.
  • Your Confirmation email received after purchasing tickets.
  • Your Waiver Form: all attending adults need to please print, read, and sign the waiver form before coming to the 40 Winks with the Sphinx sleepover. Please bring it with you to the event where it will be collected upon check-in.

Waiver Form (PDF)

Sleepover Rules

  • All children in their group are 6 - 12 years of age. No exceptions.
  • One Adult chaperone (aged 21 or older) is required for every 5 children, and must stay with them at ALL times. Chaperones are responsible for the behavior of their group throughout their stay at 40 Winks at the Penn Museum.
  • Please do not touch or place anything on the artifacts or cases.
  • Please do not run or yell while in the Museum. Children are not permitted to play on stairways or elevators and are expected to be respectful to others.
  • No food or drink is allowed outside the lunchroom area.
  • Please do not go to floors or galleries that are off-limits during the Sleepover; follow your schedule.
  • Shirts and shoes or slippers must be worn throughout the evening. No Heelys are allowed.
  • After Lights Out, chaperones are responsible for keeping their children in their designated sleep area. Pathways in designated sleeping area must be kept clear.
  • All MP3 players, electronic games or devices should be turned off after Lights Out. Cell phones should be put on vibrate.
  • Alcohol is not allowed on the premises during Sleepovers. Violators will be asked to leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is the Penn Museum sleepover? 40 Winks at Penn Museum begins with registration from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm and ends at 9:00 am the next morning. The program includes Museum admission for the whole day the morning of the sleepover.
What Does the VIP Ticket include? Each VIP ticket includes one reserved sleeping space in our brand new Sphinx gallery and a special t-shirt from our gift shop. Spaces are limited and must be reserved prior to the event.
How much does the VIP ticket cost? $80 per person. Museum members can purchase VIP Tickets for $70.
Where do we park? Pay lots are in the vicinity and metered parking is available on some streets nearby. The parking garage adjacent to the Museum on Convention Avenue is called Lot 7. We do not validate. See Directions and Parking for more detailed directions. Penn Museum does not own either garage and therefore is not responsible for their rates and regulations.
What entrance to the Museum should we use to get to the program? Please use the East Entrance located on the east end of the building. It is the entrance closest to the Lot 7 parking garage.
How do we check in? Please enter at the East Entrance on the east side of the building to check in with your sleepover equipment.
What if we arrive late? It is important that you try and arrive at the scheduled registration time of between 5:30 and 6:30 pm. If you find you must arrive late, the East Entrance will remain open until 7:30 pm. The Museum is located within the Philadelphia city limits, so please incorporate city traffic into your travel time.
What should we bring? Everyone must bring a sleeping bag, pillow, and if you like, a mat. You will be sleeping on the gallery floor. Camping pads, yoga mats, and/or extra blankets are suggested. Inflatable air mattresses and cots are not permitted in order to maintain a safe emergency egress. If you have trouble sleeping on the ground, we do not recommend you attend this program. Please bring an evening snack labeled with your name. Other items to bring are toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth, flashlight, and comfortable sleeping clothes.
What types of food will be served at the sleepover? The Museum will provide a light breakfast for you in the morning from 7:00 am - 8:30 am. Participants are encouraged to bring a snack or bag dinner for the evening. Your snack should be labeled with your name and placed in the Group Dining area when you arrive. The Museum does not have refrigeration for snacks. Vending machines are located in the Group Dining area. Vending machines accept $1.00 bills, coins, and cards. Food is only permitted in the Group Dining area. If you or your child have severe food allergies bringing your own breakfast food is recommended.
Where do we sleep? Guests will be assigned to specific galleries in the museum. If you will be attending the event with friends and want to make sure that you are assigned to the same campsite, please email events@pennmuseum.org and let us know. Please note that guests do not get to choose which galleries they sleep in.
Can we increase the number of participants in our group? Space is very limited for the sleepovers. If you want to increase your group size or make changes to your reservation, you must call 215.898.4016 or 215.898.2680 from Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Places are provided strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Group size must be finalized two months before the event.
What if someone cancels in our group? There are no refunds for the sleepovers. We will try to reschedule you for a later sleepover in the season based on availability. Arrangements must be made at least one month prior to originally scheduled event date. Last minute cancellations will not be rescheduled. In the unlikely event the Museum finds it necessary to cancel a sleepover, a full refund will be made.
It is snowing outside, is the sleepover still going to happen? The sleepover program will continue as planned unless the University of Pennsylvania closes due to weather. Closing is extremely rare but can happen. Please call 215.898.MELT (6358) if you are unsure if the University is closed due to snow. In the unlikely event the Museum finds it necessary to cancel a sleepover, a full refund will be made.
How much of the Museum will be open? Particular galleries will be open to explore from 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm. The Flashlight Expedition through the Museum will take you through several galleries in the dark. Please bring your own flashlight.
What if someone gets sick or hurt? Chaperones should immediately notify a sleepover staff member or a security guard if anyone in your group gets sick or hurt.
Can we leave early from the sleepover? Yes, participants may leave early if needed. Please alert a sleepover staff member before leaving the Museum.
When will Museum Shop be open during the sleepover? The shop opens at 7:30 am for sleepover participants.
How many chaperones are required to participate with a group? Each group must have one adult supervisor per five child participants. Children must always be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
Where do we change into our sleeping clothes? Restroom facilities will be available throughout the building. As changing space is limited it is preferred if you wear clothes that you can sleep in.
When do I receive confirmation for 40 Winks? You will receive an email confirmation immediately after you register online for Forty Winks. Please print out your email and bring it to check-in on the date of your event along with your filled out waiver form. If you register over the phone you will get a confirmation call as soon as we receive your check in the mail (please include a phone number with your check). For group registrations please note that you will be told your payment deadline when you register.
How old do you have to be to participate in the 40 Winks with the Sphinx program? Children must be between the ages of 6 and 12 years old.
How old must a chaperone be? A chaperone must be at least 21 years old. Teenage siblings do not qualify.
Can I bring a birthday cake or cupcakes to celebrate my child's birthday at a sleepover? Yes, but no candles are permitted. All food must be labeled and placed in the Group Dining area when you arrive. You will need to provide all plates and utensils. Snacks may be eaten between 7:45 pm and 9:00 pm. The Museum does not provide refrigeration.
Can we visit the Museum when we wake up? Yes, general admission for the Museum is included the next day. The museum opens to the public at 10:00 am. If you plan to visit, you and your family must remove your sleepover gear from the building by 9:00 am. Once your gear is out, you may come back in and continue exploring!
Is there a place to store our sleeping equipment before and after the sleepover? All sleeping equipment will be placed in your specific gallery upon check-in and remain there throughout the sleepover. If you choose to visit the Museum after the program, all sleeping equipment must be removed from the Museum by 9:00 am.
What is the temperature like inside the Museum? The Museum does not have one consistent temperature throughout the whole building. Each gallery is different. We recommend coming prepared with layers of clothes so you can adjust to your own comfort level.
What stuff should I leave at home? Please leave your Game consoles, I-Pods, MP3 players, and other electronic devices safe at home. Inflatable air mattresses such as Aerobeds are not permitted. No Heelys are permitted in the Museum. Running is prohibited in the Museum. Shoes must be worn at all times.
I am a Penn Alum, does this mean I am also a Penn Museum member and can get the member rate? You are only a Penn Museum member if you have an official Penn Museum membership card as well as a membership number. If you do not have either of these things, you are not a Museum member.
Can I bring children younger than 6 to the program? (They are quite well-behaved and advanced learners.) Children under 6 years old are NOT allowed. It has very little to do with learning or behavior, and much more to do with stamina and maturity. 40 Winks is very fast-paced and campers stay up very late (bed time around midnight). Also, the museum is a very unusual place to sleep and younger children can be easily scared of such unusual surroundings in the dark. NO exceptions will be made.

The 24-hour number for emergencies is 215.898.4001.

Contact

Learning and Public Engagement Department
events@pennmuseum.org
215.898.4016