The Franklin Institute Presents: Don’t Try This at Home Day
Saturday, August 15, 2026 | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Extreme Science Live in Philadelphia
Experience one of the most exciting family-friendly science events in Philadelphia - Don’t Try This at Home Day at The Franklin Institute. Enjoy high-energy, large-scale science demonstrations that push experiments to the limit, all conducted safely by expert performers and fearless partners.
This is not a typical classroom experience. It is live STEM entertainment where science ignites, erupts, and surprises audiences in real time.
Live Science Shows and Demonstrations
Guests will see a series of dynamic experiments designed to showcase science at its most dramatic, including:
- A 500-ball blast powered by ultra-cold Liquid Nitrogen
- A multi-balloon explosion fueled by hydrogen
- Outside fun in Science Park with giant cloud formations or bubble play
- A multi-stage Gravity Drop featuring watermelons, water balloons, and more
- The Periodic Chef experience, featuring short, fast-paced shows inspired by cooking programs that combine everyday ingredients with unexpected scientific elements
- Members Only: Catch our special Members-only Planetarium show, Don't Try This in Space, at 1:00pm at the Fels Planetarium.
Special Guests and Interactive Experiences
- Play a game of Operation while wearing full electrical safety gear on your hands and eyes with actual electricians from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
- Learn from the Philadelphia Water Department about the impact of litter and debris in our environmental systems and what happens when service workers get called to the job
Discover science at its most powerful, engaging, and unexpected.
Free with general admission.
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Programming Partner
