# Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals: Geode Cracking & Fossil Safari > Event for families in the Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro area (OR / WA). Times are Pacific Time. - When: Nov 7 – Nov 8 · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM - Where: Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, 26385 NW Groveland Dr, Hillsboro, OR 97124 - Ages: Ages 4-14 and families - Price: $18.00 Adult, $12.00 Youth (ages 5-17), Free for children under 5 (Geode purchase optional $5-$15) - Status: Ended (last date Sun, Nov 8). - Organizer: Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals - Official page: https://ricenorthwestmuseum.org/visit/ - Last checked: Fri, Nov 6 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/rice-northwest-museum-of-rocks-and-minerals-geode-cracking-and-fossil--listing-5c2727f9eac80e30711184ef ## About The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, located in the pine forests north of Hillsboro, is presented as a top geological science collection. This weekend, a special family day event is planned, featuring 'Geode Cracking' and a 'Little Fossil Hunter' activity. Children may choose an unopened natural geode and, with the help of a professional technician, use a hydraulic rock cracker to open it, keeping the sparkling amethyst or calcite crystal clusters found inside. In the dinosaur fossil exhibit hall, a treasure hunt checklist can be used to search for trilobites, dinosaur egg fossils, and a rainbow fluorescent mineral darkroom. The main building and exhibition halls have smooth ramps for stroller access. The museum also provides spacious family restrooms with changing tables, and an outdoor pine forest picnic area is available. This event is suggested for young explorers curious about geology and gemstones. ## Similar picks coming up in Portland - [Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals Family Discovery Days](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/rice-northwest-museum-of-rocks-and-minerals-family-discovery-days--listing-3a6e5df0ca6ca8e3bdd85637) — Open on its own schedule · Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro · All ages · From $10 · checked Nov 5. 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