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All times are local to the venue · America/New York
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At The Franklin Institute, visitors can build neurons, test their senses and explore the immune system through hands-on activities and a live science show.
All times are local to the venue · America/New York
A pipe-cleaner neuron is one way to begin thinking about the brain; trying to identify an object without looking is another. Mind Your Body Day brings both approaches to The Franklin Institute, where Temple University’s Neuroscience program and Johnson & Johnson present activities about the body on November 14, 2026.
Temple University’s Neuroscience program (CLA) starts with structures visitors can make and take home: neurons formed from pipe cleaners and brains shaped from Play-Doh. The models give families a physical project to carry away, while other activities turn attention to what the brain helps the body do.
At the frontal-lobe and cognition activity, visitors can try the Stroop task and take on challenges involving distractions. The sensory program offers another kind of observation: identifying objects by touch without looking. It also introduces the McGurk effect, a sensory illusion. The event listing names these activities but does not describe the full procedure for each one.
For a movement-focused visit, Temple plans robotic-claw and mirror-tracing activities connected to motor skills, brain specialization and neuroprosthetics. Tuning forks and beat-following offer a separate way to explore hearing and movement. Visitors can also test their reflexes and learn how doctors use stethoscopes to listen to the body.
Further reading: Mind Your Body Day 2026 | The Franklin Institute ↗
Temple’s sleep-and-stress activity takes a different approach from the take-home models: visitors can try EEG devices while learning about brain waves. The activity also addresses the importance of sleep and stress management for brain health.
That gives families a useful choice within the neuroscience program. Someone interested in making can start with the models; someone who would rather try a task can explore touch, movement or reflexes. The EEG activity connects the day’s brain science to sleep and stress.
Further reading: Mind Your Body Day 2026 | The Franklin Institute ↗
Johnson & Johnson’s Build Your Battle brings the immune system into the making activities. Visitors sculpt T-cells alongside cancer or bacterial cells as they learn about the body’s defenses against disease. Battling the Immune System uses a different kind of representation: participants build and race remote-control cars inspired by immune cells.
The same presenter’s Candy DNA Lab shifts from defenses to genetic code. Marshmallows and toothpicks become the materials for a double-helix model, giving visitors a structure to assemble while learning how genetic code helps make each person unique. The listed materials make this another hands-on choice, though the event page does not say whether the model is intended to be eaten or taken home.
Further reading: Mind Your Body Day 2026 | The Franklin Institute ↗
The Franklin Institute’s Inside U Live Science Show offers a demonstration-led way to explore the body alongside the hands-on activities. The later performance begins at the listed end of the activity period, an option for visitors who want to spend the earlier part of their visit at the activity stations.
Mind Your Body Day activities run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The museum’s published daily hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mind Your Body Day 2026 | The Franklin Institute ↗ · Plan Your Visit | The Franklin Institute ↗
Published admission is $29 for adults 18 and older, $25 for ages 13–17 and $23 for ages 3–12. Children 2 and under and Franklin Institute members receive free museum admission.
Mind Your Body Day 2026 | The Franklin Institute ↗ · Plan Your Visit | The Franklin Institute ↗
The event page links to ticket purchases and member reservations, and the museum recommends buying in advance. Its ticket page also lists PA ACCESS Card admission or tickets at $2 per person for up to four people.
Mind Your Body Day 2026 | The Franklin Institute ↗ · Plan Your Visit | The Franklin Institute ↗ · Tickets | The Franklin Institute | The Franklin Institute ↗
The main entrance is at 222 N 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. The pedestrian entrance is at street level to the right of the museum steps.
The parking garage entrance is behind the building at 21st and Winter Streets; its GPS address is 271 North 21st Street. Garage elevators provide direct access to the museum’s main Atrium.
Plan Your Visit | The Franklin Institute ↗ · Getting Here | The Franklin Institute ↗
The museum lists SEPTA bus routes 32, 33, 38 and 49 as serving its area, and identifies 30th Street and Suburban Stations as nearby train options. Check the transit operator for current service.
Bike racks are in the parking garage. The museum also lists Indego stations at 21st and Winter Streets and at 20th and Race Streets.
Yes. The Franklin Institute describes it as a family-friendly event for visitors of all ages.
No separate activity charge is listed; Mind Your Body Day activities are included with museum admission. Members receive free museum admission.
Yes. Temple’s pipe-cleaner neurons and Play-Doh brain models are listed as projects visitors can take home.
Inside U is scheduled at 12:30 and 2 p.m. in the PECO Demonstration Theater. The later show begins when the listed activity period ends.
Yes. The museum says strollers are welcome.
The museum’s published daily hours run until 5 p.m. Admission includes its interactive exhibits and other programs; special exhibits cost extra.
Mind Your Body Day 2026 | The Franklin Institute ↗ · Plan Your Visit | The Franklin Institute ↗
222 N 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-10-27 against the linked sources.