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Calendar of Events
Past Events › Hands-on Activity
![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Russian_Cultural_Dolls-580x400.jpg)
Russian Cultural Dolls
Visit The Shop to create your own version of a matryoshka doll. More commonly known as Russian nesting dolls, these well-known toys were originally designed by Sergey Malyutin, a folk crafts painter from Russia. Did you know? The largest set of matryoshka dolls in the world is a 51-piece set hand-painted by Youlia Bereznitskaia of Russia, completed in 2003. The tallest doll in the set measures almost two feet tall!
Find out more »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/OpenBuild-580x400.jpg)
Open Build: Wheels
Visit The Shop to design and build the future of transportation. During “Open Build: Wheels,” take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to create nearly anything you can imagine with wheels. 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 are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/OpenBuild-580x400.jpg)
Open Build: Wheels
Visit The Shop to design and build the future of transportation. During “Open Build: Wheels,” take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to create nearly anything you can imagine with wheels. 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 are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Family_Game_Night-580x400.jpg)
Family Game Night
Challenge your brain, and your family and friends with a board game you create in The Shop. Using available tools and materials, create a board game inspired by the holiday seasons and cultures from around the world. 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 »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Family_Game_Night-580x400.jpg)
Family Game Night
Challenge your brain, and your family and friends with a board game you create in The Shop. Using available tools and materials, create a board game inspired by the holiday seasons and cultures from around the world. 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 »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Wobblebots-580x400.jpg)
Wobblebots
One event on December 23, 2018 at 12:30 pm
One event on December 26, 2018 at 10:30 am
Stop into Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your very own wobblebot. Combine a variety of common materials and simple electronics to create a “robot” that wiggles, wobbles. 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 »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Wobblebots-580x400.jpg)
Wobblebots
Stop into Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your very own wobblebot. Combine a variety of common materials and simple electronics to create a “robot” that wiggles, wobbles. 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 »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Pom_Pom_Pine_Cones-580x400.jpg)
Pom Pom Pine Cones
Visit Art Alcove to create a classic tree-trimming work of art! Combine felted pom poms with a real pine cone to create the perfect decoration for the holidays—yours to keep, or give as a gift!
Find out more »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/OpenBuild-580x400.jpg)
Open Build: Wheels
Visit The Shop to design and build the future of transportation. During “Open Build: Wheels,” take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to create nearly anything you can imagine with wheels. 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 are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Wobblebots-580x400.jpg)
Wobblebots
Stop into Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your very own wobblebot. Combine a variety of common materials and simple electronics to create a “robot” that wiggles, wobbles. 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 »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Family_Band-580x400.jpg)
Family Band
An event every day that begins at 10:30 am, repeating until December 29, 2018
Take the entire family to the top of the charts with the hot new tune you play on the instruments you create in The Shop. Using available tools and materials, create a variety of musical instruments you can actually play. Best of all, what you create is yours to take home! 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…
Find out more »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Edison_Challenge-580x400.jpg)
Edison Challenge
Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to take part in the Edison Challenge. In this activity you’ll use your imagination, a pile of junk, and electrical components so see if you can prove famous inventor, Thomas Edison, correct when he said, “all you need to invent is your imagination and a pile of junk.”
Find out more »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Edison_Challenge-580x400.jpg)
Edison Challenge
Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to take part in the Edison Challenge. In this activity you’ll use your imagination, a pile of junk, and electrical components so see if you can prove famous inventor, Thomas Edison, correct when he said, “all you need to invent is your imagination and a pile of junk.”
Find out more »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/New_Years_Project-580x400.jpg)
New Year Around the World
An event every day that begins at 10:30 am, repeating until January 4, 2019
Explore the various of ways the new year is celebrated around the world by creating a variety of celebratory items in The Shop. Using available tools and materials you can create coin wallets, floral arrangements, and more! What you make is your 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 »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/New_Years_Project-580x400.jpg)
New Year Around the World
Explore the various of ways the new year is celebrated around the world by creating a variety of celebratory items in The Shop. Using available tools and materials you can create coin wallets, floral arrangements, and more! What you make is your 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 »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/OpenBuild-580x400.jpg)
Open Build in The Shop
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 »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Zentangle-580x400.jpg)
Create a Zentangle
Stop by Art Alcove to try your hand at a relaxing form of art called “Zentangle.” The Zentangle method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Art Alcove is The Discovery’s space to explore your creative side. Art Alcove offers a unique art project every day for museum visitors to explore a variety of artistic materials and methods.
Find out more »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Cardboard_City_Winter_Wonderland-580x400.jpg)
Cardboard City “Winter Wonderland”
An event every day that begins at 10:30 am, repeating until January 11, 2019
Can you imagine a winter wonderland made out of cardboard? Can you create one? Collaborate with other museum visitors in The Shop to help create The Discovery’s first-ever Cardboard City “Winter Wonderland.” 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 »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Cardboard_City_Winter_Wonderland-580x400.jpg)
Cardboard City “Winter Wonderland”
Can you imagine a winter wonderland made out of cardboard? Can you create one? Collaborate with other museum visitors in The Shop to help create The Discovery’s first-ever Cardboard City “Winter Wonderland.” 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 »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Visiting_Artist_Kit_Huntington-580x400.jpg)
Visiting Artist: Kit Huntington
Join Visiting Kit Huntington for a two-part program that blends art and science into hands-on bubble fun. First, create art in motion by making your own giant bubbles. Learn some fun facts about the science of a soap bubble, and roll up your sleeves to experiment with manipulating soap films and discover all kinds of fun things you can do with bubbles. Then, transfer the momentary beauty of bubbles to paper by learning to make bubble prints. Use dyed solution…
Find out more »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Flipbook_Machine-580x400.jpg)
Flipbook Machine
One event on January 19, 2019 at 10:30 am
One event on January 20, 2019 at 12:30 pm
Simple machines can do amazing things! Visit The Shop and use available tools and materials to create a flipbook machine to display your personal photos. With the turn of a dial, or the twist of a crank, you can display your favorite photos to friends and family. 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 »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Flipbook_Machine-580x400.jpg)
Flipbook Machine
Simple machines can do amazing things! Visit The Shop and use available tools and materials to create a flipbook machine to display your personal photos. With the turn of a dial, or the twist of a crank, you can display your favorite photos to friends and family. 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 »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Flipbook_Machine-580x400.jpg)
Flipbook Machine
Simple machines can do amazing things! Visit The Shop and use available tools and materials to create a flipbook machine to display your personal photos. With the turn of a dial, or the twist of a crank, you can display your favorite photos to friends and family. 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 »![](https://nvdm.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Marionette_Puppets-580x400.jpg)
DIY Marionettes
Prepare to put on a show with the do-it-yourself marionette you create in The Shop. Using available tools and materials, you can create a clever puppet to use in a puppet show for friends and family! 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 »