How to Borrow a TREKsack?

TREKsacks are free to borrow on a first-come, first-serve basis and do not need to be reserved in advance. Sacks are available during all open hours and can be checked out for up to three hours from the front desk in Iowa Hall, returning before museum's close. 

Once you've checked out, find a cozy corner of the museum, perhaps near an exhibit related to your sack theme, and spread out together.

Why Try a TREKsack?

A TREKsack turns your museum visit into more than just a walk through the galleries—it makes it a shared experience of discovery and connection. When kids and adults explore together, they build curiosity, creativity, and confidence while strengthening bonds through hands-on learning and play.

Each TREKsack is thoughtfully designed to help families engage at their own pace. The mix of books, themed activities, and discovery pages encourages conversation, teamwork, and imagination—no screens required. With 11 different sack options, families can build a weekly routine visit, keeping the museum experience fresh and exciting.

TREKsacks also support different ways of learning and experiencing the world. Each one includes a “Focus & Feel” item—like noise-canceling headphones or a textured object—to help sensory learners feel comfortable and engaged. One sack also offers a braille book option, ensuring that all visitors can take part in the adventure.

Checking out a TREKsack is free and easy at the Iowa Hall front desk. It’s a simple way to make your time at the museum more interactive, more memorable, and more meaningful—together.

The Pentacrest Museums Education & Engagement Department manages the TREKsack program. Have a question? Our team is happy to help. Contact us through the staff directory or ask a front desk docent when you visit.

TREKsacks are brought to you free of charge by the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History and the Target Foundation Early Childhood Reading Grant.