Calendar of Events
Past Events › Hands-on Activity
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.
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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!
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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.
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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
One event on March 21, 2026 at 10:30 am
One event on March 22, 2026 at 10:30 am
One event on March 25, 2026 at 4:00 pm
One event on March 29, 2026 at 10:30 am
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 »
Stuffed Sharks
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit The Shop to put your creativity and your sewing skills to the test when you design your very own stuffed shark. You’ll use available materials to design and fill your own stuffed shark to keep! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.
Find out more »
Car Care Day at The Discovery
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Get under the hood at The Discovery! Motor on down to The Discovery for a day filled with hands-on automotive themed activities for car enthusiasts of every age. Join experts from NAPA AutoCare Centers to explore the inner workings of automobiles and the systems that make them go, turn and stop. Here are some of the exciting things happening on this special day:
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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 »
Stuffed Sharks
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit The Shop to put your creativity and your sewing skills to the test when you design your very own stuffed shark. You’ll use available materials to design and fill your own stuffed shark to keep! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.
Find out more »
Cardboard City
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to create an expansive cardboard city. Build homes, skyscrapers, churches, parks, stores… whatever you can imagine. This is an ongoing collaborative project that will grow and change throughout the day. 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 »
Grass People
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Create a character that will grow with the spring flowers in The Shop. Using soil, grass seed, and a variety of other materials, you can create a character that, when nurtured carefully, will grow a healthy crop of grass hair! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Cardboard City
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to create an expansive cardboard city. Build homes, skyscrapers, churches, parks, stores… whatever you can imagine. This is an ongoing collaborative project that will grow and change throughout the day. 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 »
Grass People
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Create a character that will grow with the spring flowers in The Shop. Using soil, grass seed, and a variety of other materials, you can create a character that, when nurtured carefully, will grow a healthy crop of grass hair! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Cardboard City
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to create an expansive cardboard city. Build homes, skyscrapers, churches, parks, stores… whatever you can imagine. This is an ongoing collaborative project that will grow and change throughout the day. 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 »
Grass People
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Create a character that will grow with the spring flowers in The Shop. Using soil, grass seed, and a variety of other materials, you can create a character that, when nurtured carefully, will grow a healthy crop of grass hair! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Cardboard City
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to create an expansive cardboard city. Build homes, skyscrapers, churches, parks, stores… whatever you can imagine. This is an ongoing collaborative project that will grow and change throughout the day. 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 »
Make a Wallet
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Get organized for school or work with a homemade wallet of your own design! Join us in The Shop to engineer a functional pouch using Velcro, zippers, or buttons. Sewing skills are not necessary to complete this project. 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 »
Cardboard City
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to create an expansive cardboard city. Build homes, skyscrapers, churches, parks, stores… whatever you can imagine. This is an ongoing collaborative project that will grow and change throughout the day. 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 »