Calendar of Events
Past Events › Maker Project
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 »
Plush Ichthyosaurs
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Join us in celebrating Nevada’s scientific heritage during Nevada Day Weekend! Visit The Shop to learn about Nevada’s state fossil, the Ichthyosaur. With the help of the museum’s educators, you’ll use available materials to design and fill your own plush Ichthyosaur. 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 »
Plush Ichthyosaurs
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Join us in celebrating Nevada’s scientific heritage during Nevada Day Weekend! Visit The Shop to learn about Nevada’s state fossil, the Ichthyosaur. With the help of the museum’s educators, you’ll use available materials to design and fill your own plush Ichthyosaur. 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
One event on November 22, 2025 at 10:30 am
One event on November 23, 2025 at 10:30 am
One event on November 26, 2025 at 4:00 pm
One event on November 29, 2025 at 10:30 am
One event on November 30, 2025 at 10:30 am
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 »
Create a Mobile
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Take advantage of the afternoon breezes in Northern Nevada with a do-it-yourself mobile you create in The Shop. Using available tools and materials, you can create a mobile that will dance and sway in the wind. 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 »
Create a Mobile
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Take advantage of the afternoon breezes in Northern Nevada with a do-it-yourself mobile you create in The Shop. Using available tools and materials, you can create a mobile that will dance and sway in the wind. 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 »
Create a Mobile
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Take advantage of the afternoon breezes in Northern Nevada with a do-it-yourself mobile you create in The Shop. Using available tools and materials, you can create a mobile that will dance and sway in the wind. 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 »
Polar Habitat Diorama
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit The Shop to create your own mini polar habitat, full of natural wildlife and tundra flora. Using cardboard, clay, and other materials, visitors can 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.
Find out more »
Design a Stadium
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to design a stadium considering what activities it will host and the best way to accommodate all guests. 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 »
Polar Habitat Diorama
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit The Shop to create your own mini polar habitat, full of natural wildlife and tundra flora. Using cardboard, clay, and other materials, visitors can 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.
Find out more »
Design a Stadium
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to design a stadium considering what activities it will host and the best way to accommodate all guests. 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 »
Polar Habitat Diorama
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit The Shop to create your own mini polar habitat, full of natural wildlife and tundra flora. Using cardboard, clay, and other materials, visitors can 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.
Find out more »
Design a Stadium
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to design a stadium considering what activities it will host and the best way to accommodate all guests. 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 »
Design a Stadium
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to design a stadium considering what activities it will host and the best way to accommodate all guests. 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 »
Snowflake String Art
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit The Shop to create the perfect decoration for winter. Using hammers and nails, you can create a winter-inspired shape to trace with festive winter string. Best of all, what you make 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 in this space.
Find out more »
Design a Stadium
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to design a stadium considering what activities it will host and the best way to accommodate all guests. 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 »
Snowflake String Art
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit The Shop to create the perfect decoration for winter. Using hammers and nails, you can create a winter-inspired shape to trace with festive winter string. Best of all, what you make 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 in this space.
Find out more »
Design a Stadium
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to design a stadium considering what activities it will host and the best way to accommodate all guests. 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 »
Snowflake String Art
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit The Shop to create the perfect decoration for winter. Using hammers and nails, you can create a winter-inspired shape to trace with festive winter string. Best of all, what you make 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 in this space.
Find out more »
Holiday Open Build
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Decorate for the holidays with an ornament you create in The Shop. Choose from a variety of materials, including fresh pine bows, to create your version of a festive holiday decoration. What you make is yours to keep to decorate your home or give as a holiday 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…
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Design a Sweater
Reno, NV 89501 United States
When the weather outside is frightful, a cozy sweater can be so delightful. In this Spark!Lab Smithsonian invention activity, you can use fabric and a variety of other craft materials to design a sweater just in time for the winter season. Can you design the latest fashion trend, or invent a sweater with a novel new function? Try what you create on a mini mannequins to see how it fits. What you create is yours to keep, however the mannequins…
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