Fall Family Day returns to the UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History on Sunday, Oct. 6, introducing families to archaeology and paleontology through a variety of hands-on activities.

Part of the month-long statewide Oregon Archaeology Celebration, the event is open to the public and runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum, 1680 E. 15th Ave. The cost is $5 per family. Museum members will be admitted at no cost.

Lauren Willis, community education coordinator, said that rubbish and recycling will play starring roles in Family Day.

"Crafts and other activities will illustrate how archaeologists learn about the past by examining the materials that people threw away," she said. "Children can investigate simulated archaeological sites, exploring 'trash’ from three different eras and constructing theories about how it was used. "

The museum is teaming up with the local non-profit Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts to offer a special craft station where children can make saber-toothed salmon using recycled materials. At other stations, visitors can create fossil imprints, handle animal bones and examine replicas of historical artifacts uncovered by museum archaeologists.

Willis said that the activities are designed to instill a sense of wonder about natural and cultural history.

"Kids get to play detectives for a day, digging for clues in Oregon's past, and creating unique crafts that they can take home and share with their friends," she said.

- from the UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History