Calendar of Events

Light up your holiday with a greeting card that glows! Visit The Shop to use a variety of available materials along with a battery, LED and copper circuitry to create a holiday greeting that shines like Rudolph’s nose. 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.

Light up your holiday with a greeting card that glows! Visit The Shop to use a variety of available materials along with a battery, LED and copper circuitry to create a holiday greeting that shines like Rudolph’s nose. 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.

Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.

Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.

Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.

Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.

Visit The Shop for a unique opportunity to create a classic winter snow globe. Combine a mason jar with a variety of items to set your scene and then add water and glitter to create a wonderful snowy scenes that comes to life! Space in each session is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young…

Celebrate the coming of the New Year with a pop-up card you create in The Shop. Using a variety of paper and some careful engineering, you’ll create a greeting card with an object that pops up when the card is opened. 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 Spark!Lab Smithsonian to experiment with the new Prototype Pinball exhibit. Arrange the various bumpers and figure out how long you can keep the marble from reaching the bottom of the game. Your feedback on this exhibit will help us develop the final version that will become a permanent part of the museum’s exhibit collection.

Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to experiment with the new Prototype Pinball exhibit. Arrange the various bumpers and figure out how long you can keep the marble from reaching the bottom of the game. Your feedback on this exhibit will help us develop the final version that will become a permanent part of the museum’s exhibit collection.

Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to experiment with the new Prototype Pinball exhibit. Arrange the various bumpers and figure out how long you can keep the marble from reaching the bottom of the game. Your feedback on this exhibit will help us develop the final version that will become a permanent part of the museum’s exhibit collection.

Visit The Discovery on the second Wednesday of every month for Tech!Night, a program designed to put emerging technology in the hands of museum visitors. Tech!Nights feature a variety of high-tech tools and techniques, gadgets and games – command a robot, print in 3-D, and even code a new game – happening monthly in Spark!Lab Smithsonian.

Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your very own board game. Using available materials, you can invent a board game, write the rules of play, and create the pieces for your game as well. Challenge your friends and family to play your game and then refine your idea based on their feedback!

Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.

Visit The Discovery on the second Wednesday of every month for Tech!Night, a program designed to put emerging technology in the hands of museum visitors. Tech!Nights feature a variety of high-tech tools and techniques, gadgets and games – command a robot, print in 3-D, and even code a new game – happening monthly in Spark!Lab Smithsonian.

Experiment with propulsion when you design and build your own balloon rocket in the The Shop. Combine a variety of new and recycled materials with an ordinary balloon to create a rocket powered by air. 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.