DREAM GIRLThe American Museum of Natural History is one of several city venues that host overnight guests.

Photo: R. Mickens/AMNH

The American Museum of Natural History sees 27,000 visitors on its busiest days—but its newly revived slumber party program accommodates just 300 guests a night. Similar sleepovers at other institutions offer budding zoologists and marine biologists exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and educational projects, all for about $150 for an adult and a child. And unlike the fictional Claudia Kincaid, who famously ditched Greenwich, Connecticut, for an unsanctioned stay at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in E.L. Konigsburg’s classic children’s novel From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, young participants in these programs have official approval to linger after dark.

Children get the chance to dream beneath the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life’s famous blue whale during the American Museum of Natural History’s slumber parties. The typical daytime museum visit only lasts two and a half hours, but this event allows families about 15 hours—minus minimal shut-eye—to roam the halls with flashlights on an educational treasure hunt.  “It’s almost like you’re there alone,” says Brad Harris, senior director of visitor services. It’s been 20 years since the museum last hosted overnight guests, and we think it was worth the wait. Central Park West at 79th St (212-769-5200, amnh.org). Reservations required. Check website for dates; 5:45pm–9am. $79 per person; one adult chaperone for every three children. $15 overnight parking. Evening snack, breakfast and cots are provided; bring your own sleeping bags. Ages 8 to 12.

Observing roaches probably sounds less than appealing to most New Yorkers, but the Madagascar hissing cockroaches at the Central Park Zoo’s sleepovers have a way of winning fans. Live animal demonstrations are just one of the many perks at these rainforest-themed parties. Groups of up to 30 people are also treated to a Wildlife Theater troupe performance, a nighttime rainforest visit and a chance to work behind the scenes with keepers. “We’ll have children who hate snakes or roaches,” says Bonnie Bromberg, senior instructor at the education department. “After they see other kids or their parent touching [one], they appreciate it more.” Central Park, enter park from Fifth Ave at 64th St (212-439-6583, ext 4; centralparkzoo.com). Reservations required. Check website for dates; 7pm–9am. $175 for one adult and one child, $35 per additional child. Limit of two children per adult. Evening snack and bagel breakfast are provided; bring your own sleeping bags to roll out in the carpeted Gallery Room. Ages 6 to 10.

At the intimate slumber party hosted by the New York Aquarium, limited to 30 guests, participants meet the trainers, see the holding tanks and visit the Feed Room—which is stocked with tasty bites of herring, smelt, shrimp and squid for full-time aquarium denizens. A host of activities, from painting a pillowcase with a sea-life theme, to feeding a tank of tropical fish, keep kids entertained. Chaperones, meanwhile, should be prepared to rough it a bit. “Parents have to be willing to sleep on a hard floor in a sleeping bag,” says Lisa Mielke, assistant curator of education. “But they don’t have to worry about the elements.” Surf Ave at W 8th St, Coney Island, Brooklyn (718-265-3448, nyaquarium.com.) Registration required. Check website for dates; 7pm–10am. $145 for one adult and one child. Free parking. Evening snack and continental breakfast are provided; bring your own sleeping bags. Ages 6 to 12.