exploratorium

Kids + Families Activities and Programs

Experience new ways to discover the world with your family. Check out our unique events and programs for visitors of all ages and explore the intersection between learning and fun. 

Upcoming Events
At Home: Prelinger Archives Home Movie Collection

Thursday, November 7–Sunday, December 1, 2019

These selections showcase personal stories with universal appeal. From families traveling to far-flung landscapes to birthday parties for toddlers, these intimate films made by strangers feel quite familiar.

Nov
16
Explorables: Clothespin Automata
Explorables: Glow

Saturday, November 16, 2019 • 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Play around with LEDs and make your own glowing toys with these two activities. 

Nov
20
Curious Contraptions Activities

Wednesday, November 20–Sunday, January 26, 2020

Come and play with motion and mechanisms. Explore the intersection of art and engineering, and tell playful stories building a contraption made with everyday materials.

Nov
21
Pegusus
Curious Contraptions

Thursday, November 21, 2019–Sunday, January 26, 2020

Explore fantastical, often amusing mechanical sculptures known as automata. These small, handmade flying, sailing, and cycling machines bring whimsical dramas to life through low-tech mechanisms, inviting you to investigate how they work.

Nov
23
Cinema Arts: Mechanical Marvels

Saturday, November 23, 2019 • 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.

Each film constructs its own world of wonder. From epic journeys on a micro-scale to mechanized performances, these movies are geared to drive your imagination!

Nov
24
Full-Spectrum Science with Ron Hipschman: Making Color

Sunday, November 24, 2019 • 3:00 p.m.

Explore ways to make color—from neon signs to oil slicks to rainbows and more. Learn all about light, how it is made and interacts, and take home materials to build your own spectroscope.

Dec
7
Cinema Arts: Mechanical Marvels

Saturday, December 7, 2019 • Noon

Each film constructs its own world of wonder. From epic journeys on a micro-scale to mechanized performances, these movies are geared to drive your imagination!

Dec
8
Cinema Arts: Mechanical Marvels

Sunday, December 8, 2020 • Noon

Each film constructs its own world of wonder. From epic journeys on a micro-scale to mechanized performances, these movies are geared to drive your imagination!

Dec
14
All Hands On Science: Cranky Contraptions

Saturday, December 14, 2019 • 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Join us on the second weekend of every month for All Hands on Science, a family-oriented make-and-take activity. This month, tell a little story by creating your own hand-crank motion toy.

Dec
15
All Hands On Science: Cranky Contraptions

Sunday, December 15, 2019 • 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Join us on the second weekend of every month for All Hands on Science, a family-oriented make-and-take activity. This month, tell a little story by creating your own hand-crank motion toy.

Dec
21
Explorables: Clothespin Automata
Explorables: Glow

Saturday, December 21, 2019 • 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Play around with LEDs and make your own glowing toys with these two activities. 

Jan
4
Cinema Arts: Mechanical Marvels

Saturday, January 4, 2020 • Noon

Each film constructs its own world of wonder. From epic journeys on a micro-scale to mechanized performances, these movies are geared to drive your imagination!

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