Calendar of Events

Humans have long endeavored to travel among the stars. To do so, we need innovative spaceships that go farther and faster than ever before. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a spacecraft using recycled materials, considering things like how it will be powered, where it will travel, who will be at the controls, and other important aspects of the mission. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to…

Visit The Shop to make your own pocket field notebook, a tool in science for collecting scientific observations. Use available tools and materials to personalize your field notebook and follow our provided guide to create your first field entry. 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.

Come on over to Spark!Lab Smithsonian and use fabric scraps and craft supplies to design a costume for a mannequin or doll. The dolls/mannequins are not take home, but the costumes are! 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.

Visit The Shop to make your own pocket field notebook, a tool in science for collecting scientific observations. Use available tools and materials to personalize your field notebook and follow our provided guide to create your first field entry. 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 make your own pocket field notebook, a tool in science for collecting scientific observations. Use available tools and materials to personalize your field notebook and follow our provided guide to create your first field entry. 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.

Come on over to Spark!Lab Smithsonian and use fabric scraps and craft supplies to design a costume for a mannequin or doll. The dolls/mannequins are not take home, but the costumes are! 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.

Visit The Shop to make your own wearable spooky mask to celebrate the season. Pair your mask with a creative costume and join us for The Discovery’s 14th annual Halloween Trick or Treat on October 25, 2025! 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 make your own wearable spooky mask to celebrate the season. Pair your mask with a creative costume and join us for The Discovery’s 14th annual Halloween Trick or Treat on October 25, 2025! 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.

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.

Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian and use fabric scraps and craft supplies to design a costume for a mannequin or doll. What you invent is yours to keep, however the mannequins and dolls must stay behind for others to use. 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.

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.

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.

A Catrina doll is a representation of the iconic skeleton woman, La Catrina, who is a symbol of the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. In this activity, museum visitors will make their own Catrina doll using colored paper, plastic lids, and a variety of other craft supplies for decoration. Note: This activity is designed for all ages. Younger participants may require assistance from an adult/caregiver. Adults are encouraged to help young participants use the tools and materials…

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.

A Catrina doll is a representation of the iconic skeleton woman, La Catrina, who is a symbol of the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. In this activity, museum visitors will make their own Catrina doll using colored paper, plastic lids, and a variety of other craft supplies for decoration. Note: This activity is designed for all ages. Younger participants may require assistance from an adult/caregiver. Adults are encouraged to help young participants use the tools and materials…

A Catrina doll is a representation of the iconic skeleton woman, La Catrina, who is a symbol of the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. In this activity, museum visitors will make their own Catrina doll using colored paper, plastic lids, and a variety of other craft supplies for decoration. Note: This activity is designed for all ages. Younger participants may require assistance from an adult/caregiver. Adults are encouraged to help young participants use the tools and materials…

Show someone you appreciate the nice things they do for you with a handmade pop-up card you create in The Shop. Using a variety of materials and paper engineering skills, you’ll create a card that animates when it is opened by the recipient. 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…

In that hands-on activity, visitors can invent a device that will help keep Lake Tahoe’s beaches and shores clean using a variety of materials. What will you invent to help preserve one of America’s most beautiful lakes and the jewel of the Sierra? Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Show someone you appreciate the nice things they do for you with a handmade pop-up card you create in The Shop. Using a variety of materials and paper engineering skills, you’ll create a card that animates when it is opened by the recipient. 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…

In that hands-on activity, visitors can invent a device that will help keep Lake Tahoe’s beaches and shores clean using a variety of materials. What will you invent to help preserve one of America’s most beautiful lakes and the jewel of the Sierra? Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Ever wonder what’s inside that favorite toy? How does it work? What makes it move? Find out once and for all in this hands-on activity in The Shop that will have you dismantling a variety of toys to see what’s inside. 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.

America Recycles Day is a nationally recognized day that’s all about recycling! It’s a time to learn, get inspired, and take action. From plastic bottles and aluminum cans to paper and electronics – recycling helps keep tons of materials out of landfills, saves natural resources, and reduces pollution. And who wouldn’t want to be part of that? Whether at home, school, or work, we can all pitch in to recycle more and waste less. Join us to learn about the…

In that hands-on activity, visitors can invent a device that will help keep Lake Tahoe’s beaches and shores clean using a variety of materials. What will you invent to help preserve one of America’s most beautiful lakes and the jewel of the Sierra? Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Ever wonder what’s inside that favorite toy? How does it work? What makes it move? Find out once and for all in this hands-on activity in The Shop that will have you dismantling a variety of toys to see what’s inside. 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.