Featured Project
Digital Bling
LEDs, wires, coin-cell batteries and switches are all electronic components that can be tinkered with in many different ways. There's no better way to get introduced to these materials than creating beautiful wearable objects. After building these simple circuits we hope you’ll be inspired to turn more complex ideas into revolu...
The Tinkering Studio is primarily an R&D laboratory on the floor of the Exploratorium, but whenever possible we try to share our projects, activities, and developing ideas following an “open source” model. Learn how you too can enjoy our activities in your kitchen, garage, classroom, and community.
Cardboard Automata
Explore mechanical elements such as cams, levers, and linkages to create your own moving sculpture.
Chain Reaction
Rube Goldberg-inspired cause and effect contraptions using everyday materials and found objects.
Circuit Boards
Tinker with electricity using common objects: batteries, lights, buzzers, motors, switches, etc.
Cranky Contraptions
Wood and wire kinetic sculptures that animate a character or scene when the handle is turned.
Digital Bling
Adorn your body with electrifyingly awesome jewelry that you build yourself.
Light Painting
Create striking images and illusions using nothing more than a camera, a light source, and a little practice.
Light Play
Explore light, shadow, and motion using a variety of simple materials and light sources.
Marble Machines
A Marble Machine is a creative ball-run contraption made from familiar materials.
Musical Bench
This exhibit makes music when people touch, kiss, or hold hands.
Paper Circuits
Make simple or complex electrical circuits on a flat piece of paper!
Plastic Fusing
Turn old plastic bags into beautiful new fabrics that you can use to make a variety of fashionable items.
Scribbling Machines
Make a motorized contraption that moves in unusual ways and leaves a mark to trace its path.
Sewn Circuits
Watch your friends’ eyes light up, as you light up the LED on your clothing just by wearing it!
Spinning Tops
Make a spinning top with common household materials like yogurt cups, bottle caps, pencils, cardboard cutouts and more!
Squishy Circuits
Use homemade conductive and resistant play-doh to build electronic sculptures that light up, move, and make sounds.
Toy Take Apart
Do you ever wonder what’s inside your toys? You’ll make some exciting and surprising discoveries!
Wind Tubes
Explore moving air, wind, and aerodynamics with a variety of everyday objects.
