
Calendar of Events
Past Events › Hands-on Activity

Open Build: Recycled Racers
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit The Shop to put your automotive design skills to the test. Using available materials and a variety of tools, you can design and build your very own race car. Best of all, what you make is yours to keep! Visitors will use available supplies and consider items that would ordinarily be discarded and use them to engineer their own racers. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to…
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Open build: Wizardly Ornaments
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit The Shop and celebrate Christmas in July with a wizard inspired twist! Using a variety of tools and materials, create your own wizardly ornament to prepare for the new school year or a future holiday season! 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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Kids on Strings
Reno, NV 89501 United States
A Violin Serenade is an enchanting, family-friendly musical experience. Leading the show are internationally renowned Juliette Leong and profoundly talented Ethan Mao—both award-winning violinists and members of the Reno Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. In this captivating event, audiences of all ages will enjoy an interactive and dynamic program that blends classical favorites with modern pop tunes, creating the perfect introduction to the violin’s versatility. Between pieces, the musicians will invite children to participate in a show-and-tell session and give them a…
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Open build: Wizardly Ornaments
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit The Shop and celebrate Christmas in July with a wizard inspired twist! Using a variety of tools and materials, create your own wizardly ornament to prepare for the new school year or a future holiday season! 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 »
Kids on Strings
Reno, NV 89501 United States
A Violin Serenade is an enchanting, family-friendly musical experience. Leading the show are internationally renowned Juliette Leong and profoundly talented Ethan Mao—both award-winning violinists and members of the Reno Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. In this captivating event, audiences of all ages will enjoy an interactive and dynamic program that blends classical favorites with modern pop tunes, creating the perfect introduction to the violin’s versatility. Between pieces, the musicians will invite children to participate in a show-and-tell session and give them a…
Find out more »
Wizardly Weekend
Reno, NV 89501 United States
In honor of Harry Potter’s birthday, you’re invited to Wizardly Weekend here at The Discovery! Through a variety of hands-on activities, you can explore aspects of the book and film series… create your own wand, design your house badge, craft a wizard’s hat, and much more! Both Wizards and Muggles are encouraged to attend!
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Wizardly Weekend
Reno, NV 89501 United States
In honor of Harry Potter’s birthday, you’re invited to Wizardly Weekend here at The Discovery! Through a variety of hands-on activities, you can explore aspects of the book and film series… create your own wand, design your house badge, craft a wizard’s hat, and much more! Both Wizards and Muggles are encouraged to attend!
Find out more »
Small Wonder Wednesday: Tangrams
Reno, NV 89501 United States
In this hands-on activity, visitors will use colorful tangram puzzle pieces to create animals, objects, and abstract designs. Join us this Wednesday, and unleash your creativity using geometric patterns and shapes. 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.
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Invent a Robot
Reno, NV 89501 United States
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.
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Invent a Robot
Reno, NV 89501 United States
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.
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NV Nature Diorama
One event on August 3, 2025 at 10:30 am
One event on August 4, 2025 at 10:30 am
One event on August 5, 2025 at 10:30 am
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit The Shop to create your own mini Nevada, full of natural wildlife and flora. Using cardboard, clay, and other materials, visitors design their own ecologically accurate diorama Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
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The Discovery’s Block Party
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Calling all builders and creators! Whether you’re a seasoned builder or just discovering the joy of building, this is the event for you! Join us for a museum-wide weekend of building activities and challenges for all ages and skill levels. It all happens Saturday and Sunday, August 6–10th. LEGO® Build Stations · 10:00am – 5:00pm Dive into the world of creativity when you visit various build stations located throughout the museum’s atrium. Challenge yourself to build cityscapes, fantasy worlds, vehicles… the…
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The Discovery’s Block Party
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Calling all builders and creators! Whether you’re a seasoned builder or just discovering the joy of building, this is the event for you! Join us for a museum-wide weekend of building activities and challenges for all ages and skill levels. It all happens Saturday and Sunday, August 6–10th. LEGO® Build Stations · 10:00am – 5:00pm Dive into the world of creativity when you visit various build stations located throughout the museum’s atrium. Challenge yourself to build cityscapes, fantasy worlds, vehicles… the…
Find out more »
Open Build
Reno, NV 89501 United States
In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During Open Build, take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build nearly anything you can imagine. 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.
Find out more »
Open Build
Reno, NV 89501 United States
In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During Open Build, take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build nearly anything you can imagine. 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.
Find out more »
Small Wonder Wednesday: Shape Puzzles
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Young visitors will solve puzzles by matching shapes to their corresponding spaces, enhancing cognitive and spatial skills. Please note: This activity is offered as part of The Discovery’s Small Wonder Wednesday program and is limited to attendees ages 5 and under.
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Open Build: Flying Machines
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Take inspiration from Orville & Wilbur Wright when you visit The Shop to design and build your version of a flyer machine. Using available materials and real tool, you can create your own rendition of the famous Wright Flyer! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
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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 »
Open Build: Flying Machines
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Take inspiration from Orville & Wilbur Wright when you visit The Shop to design and build your version of a flyer machine. Using available materials and real tool, you can create your own rendition of the famous Wright Flyer! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Open Build: Flying Machines
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Take inspiration from Orville & Wilbur Wright when you visit The Shop to design and build your version of a flyer machine. Using available materials and real tool, you can create your own rendition of the famous Wright Flyer! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Open Build: Flying Machines
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Take inspiration from Orville & Wilbur Wright when you visit The Shop to design and build your version of a flyer machine. Using available materials and real tool, you can create your own rendition of the famous Wright Flyer! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents/caregivers 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 »
Open Build: Flying Machines
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Take inspiration from Orville & Wilbur Wright when you visit The Shop to design and build your version of a flyer machine. Using available materials and real tool, you can create your own rendition of the famous Wright Flyer! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents/caregivers 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 »