Flights of Fancy Story Time is a unique experience to engage with storytelling and the Museum's content. Each Flights of Fancy Story Time experience lasts approximately 30 minutes. Story time includes a read-aloud with the museum educator, a chat about an image or other museum resources related to the topic, and a demonstrated craft activity by the museum educator.
Jump to a Section: Drop In Virtual Shared Reserved On Demand
Drop In Story Time
Drop in Flights of Fancy Story Time Programs are offered regularly on the Museum floor. These program stories change monthly and do not require a reservation to participate. (Please note, although the programs do not require a reservation, visitors must have a free timed-entry pass to gain entry to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.) Drop in story times are offered at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
Drop In Program Schedule
- National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC: 11:00 am on Thursdays
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA: 11:00 am and 11:30 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Virtual Shared Story Time
Experiences available for groups of 10 or less
As part of our Soar Together at Air and Space Family Days, we offer Flights of Fancy Story Time one Friday a month at 10:00 am ET.
These story times are presented via Zoom Webinar and are "shared" which means there are other registered participants in the program. Only the presenters’ cameras and audio are used and participants can interact via chat, Q&A function, and polls.
This program includes a read-aloud with the museum educator, a video chat about an image or other museum resources related to the topic and a hands-on craft or activity.
ASL interpretation is provided for virtual shared story times.
Reserved Story Time
Reserved programs are intended for school groups, homeschool groups, and community-based organizations serving youth that meet the minimum program requirements. If you have questions about your organization’s programming needs that don’t meet our program requirements, please contact NASMTours@si.edu.
- Onsite programs are available for a minimum group size of 10 and a maximum group size of 30 participants.
- Virtual programs are available for a minimum group size of 10 and a maximum group size of 50 participants.
Each reserved Flights of Fancy Story Time program has associated resources in SI Learning Lab and an online Story Time (Flights of Fancy or Pilot Pals) that will enhance and expand the theme so that teachers can use them in before and after the program for a more complete learning experience.
Reserved Program Availability
- National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC: 10:30 am Tuesdays
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA: 10:30 am Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Virtual: 10:00 AM ET Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and 2:00 pm ET on Tuesdays and Thursdays
If you would like to inquire about an alternative program start time please contact the Tours and Reservations Office at NASMTours@si.edu.
Available Stories
The Great Solar System Tour
Learn more about the planets with this exploration of our Solar System. Reserve a Museum educator to read Space Walk by Salina Yoon, chat about spacecraft that have travelled to the edge of the Solar System and lead students in the creation of a solar system book.
Available at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA and virtually
Rocket Race
If you wanted to go to outer space, how would you get there? In a rocket of course. Reserve a Museum educator to read Hare and Tortoise Race to the Moon by Oliver J Corwin, examine rockets in our collection and notice what shapes they are made from, and lead students in the creation of three dimensional models of rockets.
Available at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA and virtually
Air Show
What is it like to experience the thrill of an air show? Reserve a Museum educator to read Air Show by Treat Williams, demonstrate loops, rolls and other aerobatic maneuvers, and lead students in the creation of their own tricky flyers.
Available at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA and virtually
Inspirational Biography Series
Reserve a Museum educator to read an inspiring biography of a pioneer of aviation or space exploration. Each story will explore objects in our museum that relate to that person’s story and a craft that will allow students to continue to play and learn. Choose from:
- Amelia Earhart: You Can’t Do That Amelia! by Kimberly Wagner Klier
- Bessie Coleman: Nobody Owns the Sky by Reeve Lindbergh
- Mae Jemison: Mae Among the Stars by Rhoda Ahmed
- Wright Brothers: The Story of the Wright Brothers by Michelle Prater Burke
Available at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA and virtually
Flights of Fancy Story Time is a unique experience to engage with storytelling and the Museum's content. Each Flights of Fancy Story Time experience lasts approximately 30 minutes. Story time includes a read-aloud with the museum educator, a chat about an image or other museum resources related to the topic, and a demonstrated craft activity by the museum educator.
Jump to a Section: Drop In Virtual Shared Reserved On Demand
Drop In Story Time
Drop in Flights of Fancy Story Time Programs are offered regularly on the Museum floor. These program stories change monthly and do not require a reservation to participate. (Please note, although the programs do not require a reservation, visitors must have a free timed-entry pass to gain entry to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.) Drop in story times are offered at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
Drop In Program Schedule
- National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC: 11:00 am on Thursdays
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA: 11:00 am and 11:30 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Virtual Shared Story Time
Experiences available for groups of 10 or less
As part of our Soar Together at Air and Space Family Days, we offer Flights of Fancy Story Time one Friday a month at 10:00 am ET.
These story times are presented via Zoom Webinar and are "shared" which means there are other registered participants in the program. Only the presenters’ cameras and audio are used and participants can interact via chat, Q&A function, and polls.
This program includes a read-aloud with the museum educator, a video chat about an image or other museum resources related to the topic and a hands-on craft or activity.
ASL interpretation is provided for virtual shared story times.
Reserved Story Time
Reserved programs are intended for school groups, homeschool groups, and community-based organizations serving youth that meet the minimum program requirements. If you have questions about your organization’s programming needs that don’t meet our program requirements, please contact NASMTours@si.edu.
- Onsite programs are available for a minimum group size of 10 and a maximum group size of 30 participants.
- Virtual programs are available for a minimum group size of 10 and a maximum group size of 50 participants.
Each reserved Flights of Fancy Story Time program has associated resources in SI Learning Lab and an online Story Time (Flights of Fancy or Pilot Pals) that will enhance and expand the theme so that teachers can use them in before and after the program for a more complete learning experience.
Reserved Program Availability
- National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC: 10:30 am Tuesdays
- Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA: 10:30 am Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Virtual: 10:00 AM ET Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and 2:00 pm ET on Tuesdays and Thursdays
If you would like to inquire about an alternative program start time please contact the Tours and Reservations Office at NASMTours@si.edu.
Available Stories
The Great Solar System Tour
Learn more about the planets with this exploration of our Solar System. Reserve a Museum educator to read Space Walk by Salina Yoon, chat about spacecraft that have travelled to the edge of the Solar System and lead students in the creation of a solar system book.
Available at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA and virtually
Rocket Race
If you wanted to go to outer space, how would you get there? In a rocket of course. Reserve a Museum educator to read Hare and Tortoise Race to the Moon by Oliver J Corwin, examine rockets in our collection and notice what shapes they are made from, and lead students in the creation of three dimensional models of rockets.
Available at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA and virtually
Air Show
What is it like to experience the thrill of an air show? Reserve a Museum educator to read Air Show by Treat Williams, demonstrate loops, rolls and other aerobatic maneuvers, and lead students in the creation of their own tricky flyers.
Available at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA and virtually
Inspirational Biography Series
Reserve a Museum educator to read an inspiring biography of a pioneer of aviation or space exploration. Each story will explore objects in our museum that relate to that person’s story and a craft that will allow students to continue to play and learn. Choose from:
- Amelia Earhart: You Can’t Do That Amelia! by Kimberly Wagner Klier
- Bessie Coleman: Nobody Owns the Sky by Reeve Lindbergh
- Mae Jemison: Mae Among the Stars by Rhoda Ahmed
- Wright Brothers: The Story of the Wright Brothers by Michelle Prater Burke
Available at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA and virtually
On Demand Story Time
Want to engage with our stories on your schedule? Discover the wonders of aviation and space anytime, anywhere, with our on-demand early childhood programs.
Story Time programming is made possible by the generous support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.