Explore & More - The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum

10/22/2026

We’re joining forces with University of Wyoming to provide 300 free admissions to our Halloween Spooktacular celebration on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Free admission will be offered to the first 100 walk-in guests at each of the following times: 10am, 11am and 12pm on October 31. 
 
UW’s mascot Pistol Pete and members of the university’s marching band, Western Thunder, will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., giving Buffalo families an opportunity to celebrate Halloween with Josh Allen’s alma mater. Families are encouraged to wear their costumes! 
 
The partnership also includes special Wyoming-themed family friendly activities for all guests on Halloween.

In addition to Explore & More’s regular Spooktacular programming, kids and their guardians will have a chance to:
• Learn about their favorite brass, woodwind and percussion instruments close-up at the Western Thunder Instrument Petting Zoo
• Capture a photo with Pistol Pete while trick-or-treating for candy and snagging UW goodies 
• Get creative at Cowboy Joe’s Coloring Station and sign or help decorate a giant No. 17 card for patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Buffalo (Golisano Children’s Hospital of Buffalo)
• Watch performances by Western Thunder Marching Band members live on the museum’s drawbridge at 10:30 and 11:45 a.m.
• Show their Halloween spirit during Pistol Pete’s Costume Parade at noon, starting at the playground exhibit
 
• Museum Hours on October 31: 10am-3pm (Members can start playing at 9:30am) 
• Trick-Or-Treating: 10:30am-2:30pm

All activities and trick-or-treating are included with admission.

10/21/2026

LAST CALL! We're hosting a sleepover just for local Girl Scouts of Western New York troops on October 30-31! Limited spots are available: https://www.gswny.org/en/sf-events-repository/2026/d-b-j--girl-scout-overnight-at-explore---more--buffalo.html

What happens when the museum closes? Girl Scouts take over! 💚

Grab your sleeping bag and your Girl Scout besties for an unforgettable night at Explore & More - The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum! 🌙✨

Limited spots available—register today: bit.ly/gswny-em10

10/21/2026

The best family-friendly Halloween event in Western New York is back at Explore & More starting October 24!

🎃 Wear your costume, enjoy fun activities, and trick-or-treat throughout the museum — all included in the price of admission! Families are encouraged to come in costume and enjoy the festive atmosphere on all three exhibit floors and in our studios.

Trick-or-treat stations will be located on Floors 2, 3 and 4 with staff and volunteers handing out candy as well as allergy-friendly treats. Stay tuned for more details!

👻 Museum Hours:
• Saturday, October 24: 10am-4pm (Trick-Or-Treating: 10:30am-2:30pm)
→ Pumpkin King Character Meet & Greet (1pm-3pm on October 24)

• Sunday, October 25: 10am-3pm (Trick-Or-Treating: 10:30am-2:30pm)

• Friday, October 30: 10am-3pm (Trick-Or-Treating: 10:30am-2:30pm)

• Saturday, October 31: 10am-3pm (Trick-Or-Treating: 10:30am-2:30pm)
→ Special Visit on October 31: University of Wyoming, Pistol Pete, and the Western Thunder Marching Band (10am-12:30pm) featuring free admission to the first 100 walk-in guests at each of the following times: 10am, 11am, and 12pm.

Interested in volunteering or making a donation? Visit exploreandmore.org/spooktacular for more info

10/20/2026

Register Here: https://exploreandmore.org/event/fore-and-more-2026/

IT’S HAPPENING AGAIN! WE’RE TURNING THE MUSEUM INTO A MINIATURE GOLF COURSE!

It’s tee time for Explore & More’s Fore & More, an after-hours indoor mini-golf event at the museum, just for grown-ups 21 and up, powered by Puttering Around Mini Golf!

Includes 18 holes of miniature golf plus a 19th hole challenge! We’ll also have a cash bar featuring a signature drink, light fare, & more! And don’t forget to take a photo at our selfie station!

⛳ Pricing:
• Single – $35
• Pair – $60
• Foursome – $120

Check-in is at 5:30pm and the event will begin at 6pm.

⛳ Thank you to our sponsors, including:
• Harter Secrest & Emery LLP (Selfie Station)
• NBT Bank (19th Hole Challenge)
• Saranac Salon
• Salvatore's Hospitality
• Essex Homes of WNY
• Southern Tier
• Bart & Carol LaFaso
• South of Buffalo Bills Backer - Richbrau Brewing
• Hadley Exhibits
• Nick Ortiz - OP Barbers
• The Knoer Group
• Milk for Health

Additional sponsorship opportunities are available! Please email Mara Smith, Development Manager, at [email protected] for more information.

10/20/2026

IT’S HAPPENING AGAIN! WE’RE TURNING THE MUSEUM INTO A MINIATURE GOLF COURSE!

It’s tee time for Explore & More’s Fore & More, an after-hours indoor mini-golf event at the museum, just for grown-ups 21 and up, powered by Puttering Around Mini Golf!

Includes 18 holes of miniature golf plus a 19th hole challenge! We’ll also have a cash bar featuring a signature drink, light fare, & more! And don’t forget to take a photo at our selfie station!

⛳ Pricing:
• Single – $35
• Pair – $60
• Foursome – $120

Check-in is at 5:30pm and the event will begin at 6pm.

⛳ Thank you to our sponsors, including:
• Harter Secrest & Emery LLP (Selfie Station)
• NBT Bank (19th Hole Challenge)
• Saranac Salon
• Salvatore's Hospitality
• Essex Homes of WNY
• Southern Tier
• Bart & Carol LaFaso
• South of Buffalo Bills Backer - Richbrau Brewing
• Hadley Exhibits
• Nick Ortiz - OP Barbers
• The Knoer Group
• Milk for Health

Additional sponsorship opportunities are available! Please email Mara Smith, Development Manager, at [email protected] for more information.

10/17/2026

Happy Birthday, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.!

🎂 Mr. Wilson would have been 108 years old today and we wanted to take this opportunity to thank Mary Wilson and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation for all they’ve done over the years to support Explore & More and provide the power of play to thousands of children in our community.

We work hard every day to carry on Mr. Wilson’s legacy of improving the quality of life for those living in Western New York.

10/15/2026

Stop by Explore & More for drop-in dance, ballet games, and story times featuring Tutu School East Amherst on Sunday, October 18!

All activities are free with the price of admission.

Museum Hours: 10am-3pm (9:30am for Members)
Activities featuring the Tutu School: 10am-12pm

10/13/2026

Check out the model pirate ship you can construct and take home this Saturday! Free with the price of admission thanks to Valu Home Centers! No registration required.

Stop by the Tinkering Tank from 11am-2pm on October 17 for the latest edition of our Build & Play Jr. Workshop!

Pirate ship models are available while supplies last.

The museum will be open 10am-4pm (Members at 9:30am)

10/13/2026

Congratulations to our friend, Ian Barrett, who has won a Buffalo Business First 2026 C-Level Award!

Ian serves as the Vice Chair of our Executive Board and as the Chair of our HR Committee. Thank you for all of your hard work!

10/12/2026

The best family-friendly Halloween event in Western New York is back at Explore & More starting October 24!

Wear your costume, enjoy fun activities, and trick-or-treat throughout the museum — all included in the price of admission! Families are encouraged to come in costume and enjoy the festive atmosphere on all three exhibit floors and in our studios.

Trick-or-treat stations will be located on Floors 2, 3 and 4 with staff and volunteers handing out candy as well as allergy-friendly treats. Stay tuned for more details!

Museum Hours:
–Saturday, October 24: 10am-4pm (Trick-Or-Treating: 10:30am-2:30pm)
–Sunday, October 25: 10am-3pm (Trick-Or-Treating: 10:30am-2:30pm)
–Friday, October 30: 10am-3pm (Trick-Or-Treating: 10:30am-2:30pm)
–Saturday, October 31: 10am-3pm (Trick-Or-Treating: 10:30am-2:30pm)

Interested in volunteering or making a donation? Visit exploreandmore.org/spooktacular for more info!