tinkerfest

Tinkerfest is National Children's Museum's celebration of curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning. Explore tinkering stations, experience live demonstrations, and discover STEAM activities throughout the Museum and on Woodrow Wilson Plaza alongside fellow tinkerers from partner organizations including Spark!Lab, Spy Museum, National Building Museum, General Motors, and more. Get ready to test, experiment, discover, and of course, TINKER!

Outdoor programs (free and available to the public):

9:30 am - 4:30 pm ~ partner activations on Woodrow Wilson Plaza

• Join fellow tinkerers from partner organizations in live demonstrations, showcases, and activities throughout the day. Organizations include CentroNía, Chibitronics, DC Public Library, Friendship Public Charter School, International Spy Museum, KID Museum, The Maker Space at Center City PCS, National Building Museum, National Theatre, Sitar Arts Center, and Spark!Lab.

12:30 - 3:30 pm ~ technology take-apart

• Explore what's inside everyday tech by taking apart old and non-functioning devices using simple tools

Indoor programming (requires Museum admission):

9:30 am - 4:30 pm ~ tinkerer-in-residence programming

• printmaking (Tinkering Corner): join Tinkerer-in-Residence Chitra Sharma for a special large-scale printmaking experience. Press, roll, and stomp over large sheets of fabric with everyday items and toys to create designs and leave your mark on a piece of the final exhibit installation!

9:30 - 11:30 am ~ pop-up activities

• tinkering with textiles (Placita Mágica): use precut felt shapes to create a custom felt quilt block while exploring shapes, patterns, colors, and the basics of patchwork and quilting
• zoetrope pop-up (Climate Action Heroes): explore stop-motion animation by drawing images onto paper strips to create a moving story inside a zoetrope
• chain reaction, (DC Mural Wall): build and test a series of connected actions using blocks, ramps, and balls. Tinker with timing, spacing, and placement to trigger the perfect chain reaction.

11:45 am - 12:00 pm ~ steam storytime

• Boxitects by Kim Smith (Little Dreamers): listen to a story about how architects and engineers use creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving to design and build. Then become a Boxitect yourself, working with large slot-and-connect cardboard pieces to construct a collaborative structure!

12:30 - 3:30 pm ~ pop-up activities

• balance pop-up (On-the-Go): explore balance by tinkering with wire sculptures. Place different items on the wire and discover what it takes to keep everything balanced
• bike spirographs (DC Mural Wall): use real bicycle gears as oversized spirograph cogs to create bold geometric patterns

Can’t make October 4th? We’re offering indoor pop-ups throughout the day on October 3rd as a special Tinkerfest preview!