Calendar of Events

Young biologists will delight in this hands-on activity that uses soft, plush frogs to learn about frog anatomy in a non-intimidating manner. The activity merges fun with education, fostering an understanding of biology without using real specimens, making it accessible and appealing for budding biologists of any age.

Visit The Discovery to explore things are an incredibly small scale! Using microscopes and accompanying slides, you can take an enlightening dive into the microscopic world. Under expert guidance, participants will learn how to operate microscopes and examine various slides, ranging from plant cells to microorganisms, gaining an appreciation for the complexity and diversity of life at the microscopic level.

In Spark!Lab Smithsonian you can get hands-on with the process of invention: Think It, Explore It, Sketch It, Create It, Try It, Tweak It and Sell It. In this activity, you can use The Discovery’s massive collection of LEGO building blocks to create prototypes (Create It) of your most clever invention. Build your prototype, test its usability (Try It), and then refine as needed (Tweak It).

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.

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, invent a board game, and much more! Wizards and Muggles are both encouraged to attend!

Celebrate Hot August Nights with a project in The Shop inspired by classic cars and hot rod culture. Using a variety of tools and a selection of wood and wheels, you can design and build your own classic car. Best of all, what you make is yours to keep! 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…

Celebrate Hot August Nights with a project in The Shop inspired by classic cars and hot rod culture. Using a variety of tools and a selection of wood and wheels, you can design and build your own classic car. Best of all, what you make is yours to keep! 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…

Hands-on gets serious in The Shop! In this material-specific session of Open Build, you’ll use real tools to build nearly anything you can imagine out of a variety of plastics. 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.

Visit The Discovery August 16 and 19-20 to explore the transformative world of 3D! Get hands-on with a variety of technology and explore the creative, practical and problem-solving aspects of 3D printing.

Visit The Discovery August 16 and 19-20 to explore the transformative world of 3D! Get hands-on with a variety of technology and explore the creative, practical and problem-solving aspects of 3D printing.

Visit The Discovery August 16 and 19-20 to explore the transformative world of 3D! Get hands-on with a variety of technology and explore the creative, practical and problem-solving aspects of 3D printing.

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 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.

Hands-on gets serious in The Shop! In this material-specific session of Open Build, you’ll use real tools like a sewing machine, hot glue and fabric glue to create nearly anything you can imagine out of fabric. 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.

Hands-on gets serious in The Shop! In this material-specific session of Open Build, you’ll use real tools like a sewing machine, hot glue and fabric glue to create nearly anything you can imagine out of fabric. 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.

Visit The Shop to use a variety of tools and materials to design and build your own museum exhibit. Learn woodworking skills, safe tool handling, and effective planning when you combine a variety of materials with expert craftsmanship to create a model of a hands-on museum exhibit. Best of all, what you make is yours to keep! 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…

Visit The Shop to use a variety of tools and materials to design and build your own museum exhibit. Learn woodworking skills, safe tool handling, and effective planning when you combine a variety of materials with expert craftsmanship to create a model of a hands-on museum exhibit. Best of all, what you make is yours to keep! 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…

Visit The Shop to use a variety of tools and materials to design and build your own museum exhibit. Learn woodworking skills, safe tool handling, and effective planning when you combine a variety of materials with expert craftsmanship to create a model of a hands-on museum exhibit. Best of all, what you make is yours to keep! 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…

Visit The Shop to use a variety of tools and materials to design and build your own museum exhibit. Learn woodworking skills, safe tool handling, and effective planning when you combine a variety of materials with expert craftsmanship to create a model of a hands-on museum exhibit. Best of all, what you make is yours to keep! 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…

It’s officially fall y’all! The perfect time to visit The Shop to use a variety of availability materials like wood, cardboard, fabric, plastic, fall-themed decorations, and more to create fabulous fall decor. Best of all, what you make is yours to keep! 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.

It’s officially fall y’all! The perfect time to visit The Shop to use a variety of availability materials like wood, cardboard, fabric, plastic, fall-themed decorations, and more to create fabulous fall decor. Best of all, what you make is yours to keep! 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.

It’s officially fall y’all! The perfect time to visit The Shop to use a variety of availability materials like wood, cardboard, fabric, plastic, fall-themed decorations, and more to create fabulous fall decor. Best of all, what you make is yours to keep! 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.

It’s officially fall y’all! The perfect time to visit The Shop to use a variety of availability materials like wood, cardboard, fabric, plastic, fall-themed decorations, and more to create fabulous fall decor. Best of all, what you make is yours to keep! 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.

Visit The Shop to create a key hanger that’s all your own! Using real tool and available materials like wood, cup hooks, and various crafting supplies, you can create a personalized device to store your keys in a tidy, organized way. 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.

In this hands-on activity in Spark!Lab Smithsonian, you can replicating the astonishing process that has shaped the moonscape and planets, allowing you to simulate and study the dramatic impacts that craters have on celestial bodies. This activity is designed to help encourage museum visitors to prepare for the upcoming Annular Solar Eclipse on Saturday, October 14.