Calendar of Events
Past Events › Hands-on Activity
Small Wonder Wednesday: Teeth Brushing Play
Reno, NV 89501 United States
In this playful, hands-on activity, young visitors will practice brushing “teeth” on models using real toothbrushes and foamy “toothpaste” (shaving cream). Children will explore the motions and routines of oral hygiene through pretend play, creating health awareness, fine motor development, and early science understanding of body systems and hygiene.
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Wooden Photo Frames
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Develop or refine your carpentry skills when you build a custom photo frame in The Shop. using a variety of tools and materials, you’ll create a frame perfect for your favorite photograph. Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift! 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.
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Design a Superhero
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visitors will be given a half sheet with a colorable superhero on it. They can color it and design the costume, create a backstory, and write down the powers their superhero would have. 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.
Find out more »
Wooden Photo Frames
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Develop or refine your carpentry skills when you build a custom photo frame in The Shop. using a variety of tools and materials, you’ll create a frame perfect for your favorite photograph. Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift! 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.
Find out more »
Design a Superhero
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Stop by The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own superhero. envision superpowers, create the backstory, design the costume, and more! 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.
Find out more »
Wooden Photo Frames
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Develop or refine your carpentry skills when you build a custom photo frame in The Shop. using a variety of tools and materials, you’ll create a frame perfect for your favorite photograph. Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift! 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.
Find out more »
Design a Superhero
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Stop by The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own superhero. envision superpowers, create the backstory, design the costume, and more! 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.
Find out more »
Honoring Ynes Mexia: Discovery Field Journals
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Ynes Mexia (May 24, 1870 – July 12, 1938) was a Mexican-American botanical collector and explorer. She is known for her vast collection of novel specimens of plants and flora, obtained by more than a decade of solo field expeditions in the Americas. Visit The Shop to make your own pocket field notebook, a tool in science for collecting scientific observations. After personalizing your Discovery Field Journal, head over to our Energy exhibit to complete a fun exercise in plant identification. Please…
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Honoring Ynes Mexia: Discovery Field Journals
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Ynes Mexia (May 24, 1870 – July 12, 1938) was a Mexican-American botanical collector and explorer. She is known for her vast collection of novel specimens of plants and flora, obtained by more than a decade of solo field expeditions in the Americas. Visit The Shop to make your own pocket field notebook, a tool in science for collecting scientific observations. After personalizing your Discovery Field Journal, head over to our Energy exhibit to complete a fun exercise in plant identification. Please…
Find out more »
Design a Superhero
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Stop by The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own superhero. envision superpowers, create the backstory, design the costume, and more! 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.
Find out more »
Honoring Ynes Mexia: Discovery Field Journals
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Ynes Mexia (May 24, 1870 – July 12, 1938) was a Mexican-American botanical collector and explorer. She is known for her vast collection of novel specimens of plants and flora, obtained by more than a decade of solo field expeditions in the Americas. Visit The Shop to make your own pocket field notebook, a tool in science for collecting scientific observations. After personalizing your Discovery Field Journal, head over to our Energy exhibit to complete a fun exercise in plant identification. Please…
Find out more »
Create a Mobile
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit The Shop to design a hanging mobile. Using tools like wire and pliers, yarn and wood, and a variety of other materials, you can create your own suspended decoration for your space. 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.
Find out more »
Code a Bug
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Dogs are easy to train. Bugs are not. Except for this cute little fella. He always does what you tell him. But can you program him to navigate an obstacle course or perform a specific action? Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to find out if you have what it takes to code a bug!
Find out more »
Code a Bug
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Dogs are easy to train. Bugs are not. Except for this cute little fella. He always does what you tell him. But can you program him to navigate an obstacle course or perform a specific action? Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to find out if you have what it takes to code a bug!
Find out more »
Create a Mobile
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit The Shop to design a hanging mobile. Using tools like wire and pliers, yarn and wood, and a variety of other materials, you can create your own suspended decoration for your space. 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.
Find out more »
Code a Bug
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Dogs are easy to train. Bugs are not. Except for this cute little fella. He always does what you tell him. But can you program him to navigate an obstacle course or perform a specific action? Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to find out if you have what it takes to code a bug!
Find out more »
Create a Mobile
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit The Shop to design a hanging mobile. Using tools like wire and pliers, yarn and wood, and a variety of other materials, you can create your own suspended decoration for your space. 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.
Find out more »
Invent a Sport
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visitors can use a variety of pieces that could be used to create a new sport, or innovate a sport they like. pieces are cones, various sports pieces, some baskets, small pallets, Tinkertoys and Lego. 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.
Find out more »
Fly-through Birdhouses
Reno, NV 89501 United States
With spring almost upon us, visit The Shop to build a cozy home for our feathered friends. Using various wooden materials and available tools, you can design and build your own version of a classic birdhouse. 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.
Find out more »
Invent a Sport
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visitors can use a variety of pieces that could be used to create a new sport, or innovate a sport they like. pieces are cones, various sports pieces, some baskets, small pallets, Tinkertoys and Lego. 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.
Find out more »
Fly-through Birdhouses
Reno, NV 89501 United States
With spring almost upon us, visit The Shop to build a cozy home for our feathered friends. Using various wooden materials and available tools, you can design and build your own version of a classic birdhouse. 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.
Find out more »
Brain Awareness Weekend: UNR Neuroscience Fair
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Step into the fascinating world of the human brain at The UNR Neurology Club’s Neuroscience Fair! Explore interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and live demonstrations that uncover how we think, feel, learn, and remember. This fair encourages the inquiring minds of all ages to discover the science behind what makes us who we are.
Find out more »
Invent a Sport
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visitors can use a variety of pieces that could be used to create a new sport, or innovate a sport they like. pieces are cones, various sports pieces, some baskets, small pallets, Tinkertoys and Lego. 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.
Find out more »
Fly-through Birdhouses
Reno, NV 89501 United States
With spring almost upon us, visit The Shop to build a cozy home for our feathered friends. Using various wooden materials and available tools, you can design and build your own version of a classic birdhouse. 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.
Find out more »