Calendar of Events

Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am.

Every Wednesday, beginning at 4:00pm, museum admission is just $5 per person! And best of all, the museum stays open until 8:00pm so there’s plenty of time to explore! Members and children under age 1 are always free.

The future of robotics is promising. But what can robots do to help humans in our daily lives? Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a robot using a variety of craft supplies and recycled materials that can aid in daily tasks. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

We’re embracing this icy season at the Discovery! Take your pick from a variety of bright and sparkly materials in The Shop to create something that dazzles. Best of all, what you create is yours to keep. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Register for a LEGO® Robot Rumble session and you’ll learn how to build and code the ultimate autonomous, fighting robot using using LEGO® Mindstorms. Then, test your bot’s capabilities when you pit it against your fellow participants in a head-to-head battle. Your objective? Push your competitor’s bot out of the ring to declare victory!

We’re embracing this icy season at the Discovery! Take your pick from a variety of bright and sparkly materials in The Shop to create something that dazzles. Best of all, what you create is yours to keep. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

The future of robotics is promising. But what can robots do to help humans in our daily lives? Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a robot using a variety of craft supplies and recycled materials that can aid in daily tasks. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

We’re embracing this icy season at the Discovery! Take your pick from a variety of bright and sparkly materials in The Shop to create something that dazzles. Best of all, what you create is yours to keep. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

The future of robotics is promising. But what can robots do to help humans in our daily lives? Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a robot using a variety of craft supplies and recycled materials that can aid in daily tasks. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Every Wednesday, beginning at 4:00pm, museum admission is just $5 per person! And best of all, the museum stays open until 8:00pm so there’s plenty of time to explore! Members and children under age 1 are always free.

To accompany the opening of the 2026 Olympics spark!lab will have shaping shoes. an activity that focuses on the functionality of shoes and recognizing them as an invention. Using a cardboard shoe base, tape, ribbon and other decorative materials visitors can make a shoe that is brand new, or create a new design prototype while focusing on what its function will be. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged…

Register for a LEGO® Robot Rumble session and you’ll learn how to build and code the ultimate autonomous, fighting robot using using LEGO® Mindstorms. Then, test your bot’s capabilities when you pit it against your fellow participants in a head-to-head battle. Your objective? Push your competitor’s bot out of the ring to declare victory!

To accompany the opening of the 2026 Olympics spark!lab will have shaping shoes. an activity that focuses on the functionality of shoes and recognizing them as an invention. Using a cardboard shoe base, tape, ribbon and other decorative materials visitors can make a shoe that is brand new, or create a new design prototype while focusing on what its function will be. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged…

To accompany the opening of the 2026 Olympics spark!lab will have shaping shoes. an activity that focuses on the functionality of shoes and recognizing them as an invention. Using a cardboard shoe base, tape, ribbon and other decorative materials visitors can make a shoe that is brand new, or create a new design prototype while focusing on what its function will be. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged…

Every Wednesday, beginning at 4:00pm, museum admission is just $5 per person! And best of all, the museum stays open until 8:00pm so there’s plenty of time to explore! Members and children under age 1 are always free.

Invention is a process! You’re invited to visit The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to explore the steps in the invention process including think it, sketch it, create it, tweak it, and sell it. Visit a station for each step in the process and who knows, you might just invent something new! Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Invention is a process! You’re invited to visit The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to explore the steps in the invention process including think it, sketch it, create it, tweak it, and sell it. Visit a station for each step in the process and who knows, you might just invent something new! Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Invention is a process! You’re invited to visit The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to explore the steps in the invention process including think it, sketch it, create it, tweak it, and sell it. Visit a station for each step in the process and who knows, you might just invent something new! Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

The Discovery will be open 10:00am to 5:00pm on Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 16, 2026. For more information about what’s happening at the museum, check out the calendar of events or explore exhibitions.

Every Wednesday, beginning at 4:00pm, museum admission is just $5 per person! And best of all, the museum stays open until 8:00pm so there’s plenty of time to explore! Members and children under age 1 are always free.

Invention is a process! You’re invited to visit The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to explore the steps in the invention process including think it, sketch it, create it, tweak it, and sell it. Visit a station for each step in the process and who knows, you might just invent something new! Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Get ready to protect humanity from demons using engineering! This program will take budding female engineers on an adventure to the Hunmoon through a variety of hands-on activities. Create wearable LED tech, be a back-to-back builder, compete in an egg drop challenge, design a demon trap, and more. The Saja Boys won’t stand a change against participants in this STEM Lab designed specifically for girls!

Invention is a process! You’re invited to visit The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to explore the steps in the invention process including think it, sketch it, create it, tweak it, and sell it. Visit a station for each step in the process and who knows, you might just invent something new! Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

May the odds be ever in your favor when you take part in a variety of activities inspired by the popular dystopian series including a bow-and-arrow contest, Hunger Games trivia battle, creating a medicine parachute, designing a custom Tribute, and more! You can also try a “Nightlock Berry” cocktail created by expert mixologist Michael Moberly. Happy Hungry Games! Labs, lectures and experiences at this Social Science will include: Tribute Training Hone your skills and ready yourself for battle with a…