Zoology collections. Photo by Alex Tran.
General information
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Age: appropriate for ages 3 and up, from preschoolers to university level students and adults.
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Language: offered in French or English.
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Schedule: available Wednesdays and Fridays starting September 9, 2026. Guided activities last between 60 to 120 minutes.
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Group size: the maximum number of participants varies according to the tour. Please see below for more details.
Costs
| Student or participant |
$12 / student or participant (taxes included). Minimum fee of $150 (taxes included) for groups of less than 13 participants. |
| Accompanying person |
Free admission for 1 accompanying adult per 15 participants. Beyond this ratio, a fee of $12 (taxes included) applies for each additional accompanying adult. Please note that for school groups, the museum requires one accompanying adult for every 15 participants. |
Reservations
elizabeth.emond [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Guided%20Tours%20-%20Reservations) (Contact us to book a guided tour)
Available guided tours
Daycare and Kindergarten
Storytime Sasha at the Museum and guided tour
What does a curious dog discover on his very first visit to the museum? Sasha at the Museum invites young children to follow the adventures of Sasha, a lovable dog as he discovers the wonders of the Redpath Museum. Through an interactive story and a guided exploration of the exhibitions, children encounter surprising animals, impressive specimens, and fascinating objects that spark their curiosity about the living world. Alongside Sasha and his friends, they observe, ask questions, and marvel at the museum’s treasures. This interactive tour encourages observation, exploration, and learning through play.
Age: 3 to 5 years old (Daycare and Kindergarden)
Duration: 60 minutes (50 minutes guided tour and 10 minutes of non-guided exploration).
Group Size: Maximum of 25 participants and 5 accompanying adults.
Elementary School
Dinosaur Detectives
Become a Dinosaur Detective! Step into the shoes of a paleontologist and investigate real fossils and museum specimens. Discover how scientists use the scientific method to identify dinosaurs and uncover clues about their lives. Working alongside your classmates and our guides, you’ll explore the five key features that help recognize these fascinating prehistoric animals.
Age: 6 to 10 years old (elementary cycles 1 and 2)
Duration: 75 minutes (60 minutes guided tour and 15 minutes of non-guided exploration)
Group Size: Maximum of 40 participants and 4 accompanying adults.
Nature is at the heart of educational programming at the Redpath Museum!
Through this theme, students explore the diversity of living organisms and the connections between humans and their environment. Two new guided visits spark curiosity and deepen understanding of our place in the natural world.
Nature becomes culture
How do plants, animals, rocks, and minerals become music, art, tools, and traditions? Nature Becomes Culture explores the many ways humans have drawn on the natural world to shape their cultures throughout history. Through objects from the Redpath Museum’s World Cultures and Natural History collections, students discover how natural materials have been transformed into musical instruments, technologies, works of art, and everyday objects. Along the way, they investigate the connections between culture and environment and reflect on our enduring relationship with nature. This interactive tour encourages observation, discussion, and critical thinking.
Age: 6 to 12 years old (elementary cycles 1 to 3)
Duration: 105 minutes (75 minutes guided tour and 30 minutes of non-guided exploration)
Group Size: Maximum of 30 participants and 3 accompanying adults.
Nature Near You
Why is nature important? How do plants, animals, and other living organisms interact? In the tour Nature Near You, explore the zoology collection at the Redpath Museum to learn about nature’s past, present and future. As part of this journey, participants will have the opportunity to observe and touch replicas and real specimens, while sharing ideas with guides and their peers. From woolly mammoths in the Ice Age to some of the tallest trees in Canada, join us to spark your curiosity and discover the many ways life thrives on Earth.
Age: 6 to 12 years old (elementary cycles 1 to 3)
Duration: 90 minutes (60 minutes guided tour and 30 minutes of non-guided exploration)
Group Size: Maximum of 30 participants and 3 accompanying adults.
High school
Evolution and Extinction
How have evolution and extinction shaped life as we know it? Who has influenced our understanding of these processes and what questions do we still have? Embark on a journey through time to discover the history of life on Earth, from its microscopic origins and ancient dinosaurs to the age of mammals. Participants will observe replicas and specimens from the Natural History collection, while sharing ideas, diving into mysteries, and thinking critically about the world around us.
Age: 12 to 17 years old (secondary I to V)
Duration: 90 minutes (60 minutes guided tour and 30 minutes of non-guided exploration)
Group Size: Maximum of 40 participants and 4 accompanying adults.
Ancient Egypt
Discover the fascinating civilization of Ancient Egypt through the Redpath Museum’s Egyptian collections. This tour explores the daily lives of ancient Egyptians, including their food, writing, religion, way of life, crafts, and funerary practices, while placing this remarkable civilization within its historical and geographical context.
Age: 12 to 17 years old (secondary I to V)
Duration: 90 minutes (60 minutes guided tour and 30 minutes of non-guided exploration)
Group Size: Maximum of 25 participants and 2 accompanying adults.
Adults
General Tour: Discovering the Redpath Museum
Discover the history and collections of the Redpath Museum through a tour of its exhibitions. This tour highlights the richness and diversity of the museum’s collections, from minerals and fossils to zoological specimens and cultural collections. It also offers insight into what makes a university museum unique and the role it plays in teaching, research, and heritage preservation.
Age: 16 years old and older
Duration: 90 minutes (60 minutes guided tour and 30 minutes of non-guided exploration)
Group Size: Maximum of 18 participants.