Family Guide

Download a printable copy of our Family Guide here.

Para obtener una versión electrónica en Español de la Guía Familiar de The Leonardo, presione aquí.

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. For more information please explore the exhibit section, or read our content advisory.

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.