Homeschoolers, Plan Your Trip This February!

It is rather quiet around the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter this time of year, and understandably so. Typical visiting seasons for these two attractions aren’t during the first few months of the year.

But that means it’s the perfect time for homeschoolers!

AND THIS JUST IN! From February 1–28, 2026, a 20% discount is available for youth, adult, and senior one-day attraction tickets! Purchase tickets online and use code FEB2026 to get the discount (tickets must also be used during February 2026). So combine the 20% discount with free tickets for kids 10 and under, and you’re on your way to a budget-friendly, faith-filled, memory-making adventure!

February is a wonderful time for homeschoolers to visit because you can take your time and thoroughly read through the exhibits, explore the zoos and play areas and gardens, hear a special speaker or two, and maybe even see the films in the 4D theater more than once. For those of you in the northern states, KY is usually a few degrees warmer!

It’s a homeschooler’s dream learning adventure when you visit the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter. Subjects you’ll learn about include Bible, science, apologetics, history, and math (how many animals really went on the ark, and just how many days were they all on the ark?).

For our kids, the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter really are the happiest places on earth.

For our kids, the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter really are the happiest places on earth. Our youngest was four years old on our first visit. She and her older brother loved it and learned a lot. And though we’ve been to the attractions numerous times since 2021, we always see something new—a detail we didn’t notice before, a new presentation, a new addition to the exhibits, or all of the above. As I keep telling family and friends, if you haven’t been in the last year, there’s more to see now!

The Creation Museum guides you through biblical history with the 7 C’s of History (our kids had these memorized before they had the times tables memorized, and this writer mom is okay with that), and over 140 state-of-the-art exhibits. You and your family can also explore the insectorium (beetles and butterflies, oh my!), the dino den, several botanical gardens, the new Plants of the Bible Conservatory (a personal favorite of mine), the new Butterfly House, and the new Wallaby Walkabout in the newly expanded zoo. And don’t forget the zip lines, special presentations, planetarium, and free movies in the 4D theater!

The Ark Encounter is a one-of-a-kind themed attraction that centers on the life-size, three-deck Noah’s Ark, built to the dimensions in the Bible. Each deck explains and explores life on the ark for Noah, his family, and the animals and explores what happened to this world during and after the worldwide flood. It answers questions you didn’t know you had! (There’s even a sign about unicorns on the ark!) The Ark Encounter additionally features a carousel, special presentations, dining options, animal encounters in the Ararat Ridge Zoo, a VR experience, zip lines, and more.

A few things to keep in mind as you plan your visit:

• Winter hours are in effect for both attractions. Confirm open dates on our websites when scheduling your trip.
• Discounted group rates are available at this link.
• There is a good deal of walking at both attractions (more at the Ark Encounter). Wear walking shoes!
• And just in case you missed it earlier: Tickets for kids ages 10 and under are free again this year! And one-day attraction tickets are discounted by 20% for adults, youth, and seniors February 1–28, 2026. Use code FEB2026 when purchasing tickets online.

Some insider information: I would not recommend trying to do both attractions in one day. The Ark is located 40 miles south of the Creation Museum, about a 45-minute drive. There is so much to see and experience at each of them, it really does fill a whole day.

So pack your textbooks and borrow some library audiobooks for the road, and we’ll see you at the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter!

P.S. If coming to the Creation Museum and/or Ark Encounter in the near future isn’t within the budget, then I highly recommend subscribing to Answers TV. Thousands of titles are included with the subscription, and the content is a great resource for homeschoolers. My kids have watched and rewatched many of the kids shows, which have helped them better understand why we believe what we believe. Wonderful content prepared the way for wonderful conversations.

P.P.S. Something else to research and keep on your radar is the Training for Eternity: Fight the Good Fight, Finish the Race! homeschool conference happening at the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, May 14–16, 2026. It’s a three-day faith-building family experience!