Taking Kids to the Tucson Gem Show 2027

Family tips for the Tucson gem shows: kids 14 and under get into the Main Show free, the TGMS Junior Education area has a mineral treasure hunt, and nearby kid-friendly museums.

Free for kids at the Main Show

At the TGMS Tucson Gem and Mineral Show® (Feb 11 – 14, 2027, Tucson Convention Center), children 14 and under get in free with a paying adult. Adult admission is $15 (TGMS). Most other public shows are free for everyone (TucsonGemShow101).

Junior Education area

TGMS says its Junior Education area is run with the University of Arizona's Society of Earth Science Students. Kids work through a maze of hands-on experiments with the university students and go on a mineral "treasure hunt." They take home identified specimens. TGMS says more than 2,000 children visit it each year. It's in the Galleria at the Convention Center.

TGMS also invites about 3,000 Arizona school students to the show on Friday morning of show week. Expect school groups on Friday morning, Feb 12.

Skip the wholesale-only shows

Trade-only shows such as AGTA, GJX and G&LW need business credentials (see tickets & registration). With kids, stick to the public shows. The wholesale vs public guide explains the difference.

Practical tips

Bring water and snacks, sunscreen and layers. Winter days are mild but mornings and evenings are cold, and the air is dry (TucsonGemShow101).
Big rolling bags are hard to move through crowded aisles, so use a backpack instead (TucsonGemShow101).
Agree on a meeting spot. The tent shows are big and busy.
Plan meal breaks. See where to eat near the shows.

More rocks, off the show floor

Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum (University of Arizona), in the Historic Courthouse downtown at 115 N. Church Ave. Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a zoo and botanical garden open 365 days a year. Youth tickets (ages 3 – 12) are $24.95, and kids 2 and under are free.

More ideas: things to do near the Tucson gem shows.