Explorer: American Museum of Natural History – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Explorer: American Museum of Natural History

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2015

89%

WISE Score

4.8

App Store

Your GPS for dinosaurs—this free museum app turns chaotic wandering into strategic exhibit hunting with turn-by-turn directions.

Explorer: American Museum of Natural History

app

Everyone, 2015

89%

WISE Score

4.8

App Store

Your GPS for dinosaurs—this free museum app turns chaotic wandering into strategic exhibit hunting with turn-by-turn directions.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

This is what a museum app should be: helpful, unobtrusive, and completely free of nonsense. It won't teach your kid about biodiversity on its own, but it will get you to the Hall of Ocean Life without three meltdowns and a wrong turn through the gift shop.

The 700-beacon positioning system is genuinely impressive technology deployed for pure utility. No ads, no upsells, no 'unlock premium dinosaur facts for $4.99.' Just Bloomberg money making your museum trip less stressful.

The only caveat: it's useless outside the museum walls. But for what it does—turning a potentially overwhelming 45-hall complex into a manageable, personalized experience—it's nearly perfect. Download before you go, enable Bluetooth, and let it guide you to the T. rex.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 4-99. Toddlers benefit from efficient bathroom routing, elementary kids love the quizzes and recommendations, teens appreciate not getting lost, and adults finally stop arguing about which hall has the meteorites. If you're visiting AMNH, download this.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Clean, educational utility app focused on museum navigation and learning. No concerning content, ads, or manipulative features. Family-friendly interface that encourages exploration and learning together. Parent reviews consistently mention using it successfully with toddlers through adults.

Imaginative

While primarily a navigation tool, the app sparks curiosity through exhibit recommendations, behind-the-scenes videos, and quizzes. Encourages exploration by suggesting exhibits based on interests and proximity. However, it's fundamentally utilitarian—the imagination happens in the museum itself, not within the app. Impressive Bluetooth beacon technology (700+ throughout 45 halls) creates an innovative indoor positioning experience.

Safe

Exceptionally safe. No ads, no in-app purchases, no social features, no data collection concerns. It's a straightforward museum companion app supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Free Wi-Fi and offline functionality. The only 'risk' is getting temporarily lost if Bluetooth triangulation fails near the Blue Whale, which is more amusing than dangerous.

Enriching

Directly serves educational enrichment by making one of the world's premier natural history museums more accessible and navigable. Helps families maximize learning time by efficiently routing to exhibits matching their interests. Behind-the-scenes content and quizzes deepen engagement. Available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. The enrichment is indirect but powerful—it's the gateway to dinosaurs, space, biodiversity, and human cultures.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Makes the massive AMNH navigable for families with tired kids who need the bathroom NOW
Recommends exhibits based on interests and sorts by proximity—no more backtracking across 45 halls
Behind-the-scenes videos and quizzes add depth to exhibits without being overwhelming
Free, ad-free, no purchases, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies
Works in four languages and praised by The New York Times as 'a great aid' even for repeat visitors

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What to Watch For

Only useful if you're actually at the museum—this isn't a standalone learning app
Bluetooth triangulation can get wonky near large exhibits (the Blue Whale is apparently a signal black hole)
Wi-Fi strength varies throughout the museum, so download content ahead of time if possible
Kids might get more focused on the app screen than the actual exhibits—balance is key

Conversation Starters

"Which exhibit should we check out first? Let's see what the app recommends based on what you're interested in."
"How do you think those 700 tiny Bluetooth beacons help the app know where we are?"
"What's the coolest thing you learned from the behind-the-scenes video we just watched?"
"Should we follow the app's route or go rogue and explore on our own for a bit?"

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