EVENT

Molly of Denali: An Alaskan Adventure

June 2 - August 30, 2026

Steele Auditorium
The Heard Museum

Artboard

Included w/ Admission*

Buy Tickets

The acclaimed PBS KIDS® series produced by GBH Kids, MOLLY OF DENALI® is brought to life in the Heard Museum’s newest cultural experience!

Set in the fictitious rural Alaskan village of Qyah, the show follows the adventures of Molly Mabray, her family, friends, and dog Suki and is infused with Alaska Native values, history, traditions and language.

Hours


Open Tuesday – Sunday
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

*Eligible for Museums for All reduced admission. Add-on experience fee required for other access program passes & select special event dates.

The experience showcases Alaska and Molly’s life in both the summer and winter seasons. Visitors can pretend to fly a replica bush plane, drive a snow machine, and navigate a snow maze in snowshoes. The center of the experience features the Trading Post and the Tribal Hall from the series where guests will have the opportunity to explore the great outdoors of Alaska and Alaska Native life including camping, ice fishing, discovering replica ice sculptures, and caring for sled dogs.

Reflecting the series’ educational focus on introducing Informational Text (IT) curriculum to young learners, technology is integrated throughout the experience, including opportunities for visitors to be part of Molly’s vlog, games, and other hands-on activities and apps available on the PBS KIDS® website. Visitors will explore Alaska Native culture with interactive learning opportunities at the Tribal Hall and the Trading Post will feature Alaska’s geography, unique activities, and native animals.

Experience Highlights

  • Shop for supplies at the Denali Trading Post!
    Visit the Tribal Hall and Trading Post from the show while learning about Alaska Native cultures and Alaskan wildlife!

    Image courtesy of The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum.
  • Fly a bush plane like Molly's mom!
    Fly a bush plane like Molly’s mom!

    Image courtesy of Grand Rapids Children’s Museum.
  • Discover Alaska’s native wildlife!

    Image courtesy of The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum.
  • Learn to care for sled dogs!

    Image courtesy of Grand Rapids Children’s Museum.
  • Molly of Denali Merchandise in the Heard Gift Shop
    Bring home the excitement with adventure-inspired merch!

    Shop the selection at Books & More or online.
  • Try baked goodies inspired by Alaskan wildlife!

    Available for purchase in the Coffee Cantina..

Activities & Special Dates

June
First Friday: Carving with James Johnson*
Opening Weekend Presented by Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation (Day 1)
Opening Weekend Presented by Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation (Day 2)
Free Family Summer Saturday: Let It Snow!*
Juneteenth at the Heard Museum
An Interactive Ice Sculpture Experience
Husky Day: Dog Portraits
July
First Friday: Carving with James Johnson*
Free Family Summer Saturday: Meet Molly!*
Husky Day: Huskies & Malamutes
Wild Alaska & Arizona Day
Meet Animator Sydney Isaacs-Hulstine
Husky Day: Dog Behavior
August
First Friday: Family Movie Night with Arizona PBS*
Wild Neighbors Day with the Phoenix Zoo
James Johnson & X’unei Lance Twitchell in Conversation
Free Family Summer Saturday: Meet Molly!*
Closing Celebration: Traditional Youth Games

Weekly Activities

Wednesday Dance Parties

11:30 a.m. (Approx. 20 min.)
Get moving midweek at our Wednesday Dance Parties! Kids and caregivers are invited to dance together in a joyful, playful space inside Crossroads Gallery. Dancers of all ages will use colorful scarves to explore movement, rhythm, and imagination while celebrating stories from Alaska and beyond.

Thursday Crafternoons

2 – 4 p.m.
Get creative every Thursday with hands-on art making that connects to themes, stories, and visual inspiration from Alaska. These drop-in activities include all supplies and guide participants step-by-step through the project. Every child (and grown-up!) leaves with a finished creation to take home and enjoy.

A tray filled with snow and toy figurines

Friday Snow Tray Play Days

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Each Friday, stay cool with winter-inspired play designed for our youngest visitors! Using freshly made snow, little ones can shape and imagine their own Arctic worlds. With figurines and open-ended materials, build snowy landscapes, create tiny snowmen, and spark creativity.

Molly of Denali: An Alaskan Adventure is a nationally traveling exhibit created by The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum in collaboration with GBH Kids and a team of Alaska Native advisors.

Molly of Denali is a trademark or registered trademark of WGBH Educational Foundation. Used with permission. The series and underlying indicia known as Molly of Denali ©2019 WGBH Educational Foundation. All rights reserved. PBS KIDS® and the PBS KIDS Logo are trademarks owned by Public Broadcasting Service. Used with permission. © 2025 Public Broadcasting Service. All rights reserved.

Made possible at the Heard Museum thanks to:

  • Presenting Sponsors

    Anonymous
  • Opening Weekend Presenting Partner

  • Supporting Sponsors

  • Youth & Family Programming Sponsors

  • Youth & Family Programming Sponsors

Win a “Late Night at the Museum” Family Experience

For a limited time, Heard Museum visitors can enter a raffle for a chance to win an exclusive “Late Night at the Museum” family experience for up to 4 people.


How To Enter: Present one admission ticket during your visit in order to receive one entry in the Raffle (limit one entry per household per day). Entry period begins Jun 2, 2026 at 10 a.m. and ends Aug 22, 2026 at 4 p.m. AZ time. View official rules here.