A resource for educators and parents visiting the exhibit with children

BODY WORLDS 3 at The Leonardo is recommended for visitors 10 years and older. Although The Leonardo believes that the plastinates in the exhibit are arranged for maximum teaching value and tastefully posed, parents should use discretion when considering bringing young children. There are exposed male and female genitalia depicted in traditional anatomical teaching contexts. Additionally, some young children may find the display of real human bodies disconcerting without parental explanation. The Leonardo welcomes both adults and children to BODY WORLDS 3 & The Story of the Heart. We ask that you become familiar with the exhibit before deciding whether to bring your child to BODY WORLDS 3.

BODY WORLDS 3 is an exhibition of real human bodies, including exhibits that show some nudity, information on human reproduction, and views of the interior of human bodies. Human fetuses and embryos are on display in a separate signed area within the exhibit.

The bodies you will see have been preserved in a process called plastination, which involves infusing the body’s tissues with plastic. The resulting bodies are referred to as plastinates. Plastination is a very high quality preservation process that has been used for many years, especially in medical schools.

The exhibition is designed to teach us what our bodies look like on the inside and how they function by using real human bodies. BODY WORLDS 3 also teaches us about human health, including how our bodies break down when we smoke or don’t eat right. Plastinates of the human body show details of movement, respiration, reproduction, and the urinary, nervous and cardiovascular systems.

The real human bodies on display came from body donors, individuals who during their lifetime said that upon their death their bodies could be used for this educational exhibition. After their death, their bodies were plastinated (infused with plastic) to preserve them so that everyone can learn from them.

The Leonardo suggests that you discuss the contents of the exhibit with your child before visiting. In particular, remind your child that the plastinates are no longer living. They were once real people, but they don’t look like everyday people now because we are looking at their insides. The bodies are placed in permanent poses and will not move. Please explore the exhibit section for more details. The Leonardo welcomes organized school groups of 12 more more students to BODY WORLDS 3 & The Story of the Heart Mondays through Fridays before 4 p.m. School groups qualify for discounted admission rates. Contact the education reservations department at (801) 220-1100 to book your field trip or for information about small school groups and home school groups. Educators may book field trips for their students with a $5.00 per-group service charge. They must book their trips by calling The Leonardo’s group sales department at (801) 220-1100.

Although we welcome patrons of all ages, BODY WORLDS 3 at The Leonardo is recommended for children 10 years and older. Please carefully consider our content advisory and family’ guide before bringing younger children.

Organized youth groups other than schools will be priced at the regular group rate. The Leonardo requires at least one chaperone for every 10 children—please ensure that your school group will meet this ratio.

The Leonardo is pleased to offer free admission for adults accompanying school groups at the ratio of 1 chaperone for every 8 children. Please inform our education reservations department at (801) 220-1100 how many chaperones will be accompanying your field trip.

If a school trip brings more than one chaperone for every 8 students, the additional adults are invited to purchase group rate tickets for $20.50 each.

The Leonardo is not requiring permission slips to view the exhibit, but it is advisable to obtain them from your student's parents. School groups receive a $2 discount on audio guide rentals ($3 per student). There are no guided school tours of the exhibit.

BODY WORLDS 3 is a timed-entry exhibition. School groups must check in 30 minutes prior to their entry time to allow adequate time for orientation and processing.

Lunch space is available for our visiting school groups. Lunch times will be allotted to groups for a designated period (normally about 30 minutes) and are subject to availability. Please request a lunchroom reservation when you book your field trip.

Secured storage is available in the museum for school groups to store coats and lunches. Access to your assigned storage area will be given only to the group's leader.

If you have additional questions, or would like to book your field trip, call (801) 220-1100.