Get ready to tinker the day away!
Tinkerfest takes over the National Children’s Museum on October 4, 2026 — a one-day celebration of curiosity, creativity, and hands-on STEAM learning for all ages!
Partner organizations from across the region join the fun for a day packed with activities, not only inside the Museum, but outside on Woodrow Wilson Plaza, too.
- Partner Activations on Woodrow Wilson Plaza
Free & open to the public! Tinkerers from a dozen partner organizations take over the plaza with live demonstrations, showcases, and hands-on activities all day long. - Technology Take-Apart
Peek inside everyday tech by taking apart old, broken devices with simple tools — a crowd favorite for curious kids! - Large-Scale Printmaking
Press, roll, and stomp everyday objects across large sheets of fabric to create designs, and leave your mark on a final exhibit installation with NCM’s Tinkerer-in-Residence. - Tinkering with Textiles
Design a custom quilt block with precut felt shapes while exploring shapes, patterns, and patchwork basics. - Zoetrope Pop-Up
Draw a sequence of images on paper strips, then watch your story move inside a zoetrope — stop-motion animation at its simplest! - Chain Reaction Challenge
Line up blocks, ramps, and balls, then tinker with timing, spacing, and placement to trigger the perfect chain reaction. - STEAM Storytime
Listen to Boxitects by Kim Smith, then become a Boxitect yourself and team up to build a collaborative structure from large cardboard pieces. - Balance Pop-Up
Tinker with wire sculptures and discover what it takes to keep everything steady. - Bike Spirographs
Turn real bicycle gears into oversized spirograph cogs and create bold geometric patterns — seriously cool!
Outdoor programming on Woodrow Wilson Plaza is free and open to the public, while indoor activities require Museum admission.
Can’t make it on October 4? Stop by the Tinkerfest Preview on October 3 for a sneak peek of indoor pop-ups!
Details:
Website
Date:
Oct 4, 2026
Location:
National Children’s Museum ∙ Washington, DC
Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.
