Tag Archives: National Children’s Museum

September 23, 2026 · 9:08 am

Tinkerfest: A Museum-Wide Celebration of Curiosity at National Children’s Museum

Every great invention starts with a “what if?” Bring your biggest ideas to National Children’s Museum‘s first-ever Tinkerfest, a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning, on October 4. The whole Museum (and Woodrow Wilson Plaza, too!) becomes a giant workshop, with tinkering stations, live demonstrations, and STEAM activities around every corner. Test, experiment, discover, and of course, TINKER!

Outdoors on Woodrow Wilson Plaza (free and open to the public)
Step out onto the Plaza to meet with fellow tinkerers from partner organizations for live demos, showcases, and activities from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Partners include CentroNía, Chibitronics, DC Public Library, International Spy Museum, National Building Museum, National Theatre, Sitar Arts Center, Spark!Lab, and more. National Theatre, Sitar Arts Center, Spark!Lab, and more.

From 12:30pm to 3:30pm, grab some simple tools and find out what’s inside everyday tech by taking apart old and non-functioning devices.

Indoors at the Museum (Museum admission required)
Inside, explore tinkering pop-ups all over the museum! Tinkerer-in-Residence Chitra Sharma is leading a large-scale printmaking experience where you can press, roll, and stomp over fabric to leave your mark on a piece of the final exhibit installation. More activities around the museum invite you to stitch a felt quilt block, draw a stop-motion story inside a zoetrope, trigger a chain reaction, and turn real bicycle gears into oversized spirographs. Little architects can also join STEAM Storytime with Boxitects and build a cardboard structure together. See the full Tinkerfest schedule and purchase your tickets to join the fun!

Can’t make it on October 4? The museum is offering indoor pop-ups throughout the day on October 3 as a special Tinkerfest preview!

Tinkerfest
Where: National Children’s Museum | Downtown DC
When: October 4, 2026 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Admission: $18.95 per person; purchase tickets in advance here

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This post is sponsored by National Children’s Museum, however, I only promote events, places, and programs that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.

The Best Birthdays Happen at National Children’s Museum

The best birthdays happen at National Children’s Museum! Looking for a party venue where kids can play, explore, and create unforgettable memories? Celebrate your little dreamer’s special day in DC’s favorite place to play with a birthday party designed for hands-on discovery, STEAM-filled fun, and memories that last a lifetime.

Your party gets you all-day Museum access for up to 28 guests, as well as a 90-minute private rental of the Wonder Loft that includes a hands-on STEAM activity and a special shirt for the birthday child. It’s a full day of celebration built around wonder and play, with plenty of time for cake cutting and exploring every corner of the Museum.

Choose Your Adventure
Every party includes one STEAM activity tailored to your child’s interests:
* Science: Ramps and Rollers – Investigate how different shapes roll and slide. Design your own roller to continue the play at home (ages 4 and under)
* Technology: Paper Circuits – Engineer a birthday design that lights up using simple circuit skills (ages 7 and up)
* Engineering: Friendly Fliers – Explore forces by constructing creatures that use wind power to move against gravity (all ages)
* Art: Doodle Designs – Tinker with different art materials and create whimsical art to take home (all ages)
* Math: Data Masterpieces – Collect data on height, width, and length to display your measurements as geometric works of art (all ages)

The Details
Birthday parties are available on Saturdays and Sundays with three start times: 9:45am, 12:15pm, and 2:45pm. The Wonder Loft accommodates up to 28 guests (adults and children), and parties can be booked up to 4 months in advance. You’re welcome to bring outside food and beverages, and the space can be decorated to match your party theme.

Plus, qualifying Museums for All families receive special pricing on birthday parties, making it easier to celebrate in a space designed for wonder and play!

Birthday Parties at National Children’s Museum
Where: National Children’s Museum | Downtown DC
When: Saturdays and Sundays
Cost: $750 (plus a refundable $125 incidentals deposit)

Book your party here!

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This post is paid for by National Children’s Museum, however, I only promote events, places, and programs that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.

Step Inside Gabby’s Dollhouse at National Children’s Museum

Get ready for a paws-itively magical day! On September 7, National Children’s Museum is hosting a Gabby’s Dollhouse MEOWseum Discovery Day — a collaboration with DreamWorks Animation and the Association of Children’s Museums. This day-long event includes multiple cat-tastic activations throughout the Museum and a Meet & Greet opportunity with Gabby (registration required).

Gabby Meet & Greet
Multiple Meet & Greet sessions will span the Museum’s hours of operation from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Guests are required to register for the Meet & Greet in addition to purchasing regular Museum admission. Guests can add on a reservation for “Gabby’s Dollhouse Meet & Greet” during checkout when purchasing admission for September 7. Meet & Greet reservations are free, and only one is required per order.

Museum-Wide Themed Activations
Complementing the Meet & Greet, engaging activities will take place throughout the Museum, allowing all guests a chance to experience the joy of Gabby’s Dollhouse. Activities include:

* Gabby’s Dollhouse Storytimes: Jump into one of Gabby’s magical adventures with an interactive read-aloud.

* DJ Catnip Baby Jam + Noise Parade: A cat-tastic spin on the Museum’s musical early learner program and end-of-day parade.

* Scavenger Hunt: A paws-itively exciting challenge to find all of Gabby’s whiskered friends hidden throughout the Museum.

Countdown to Gabby
Can’t make it on September 7? For two weeks leading up to the event, National Children’s Museum will be offering daily pop-up activities inspired by Gabby’s Dollhouse themes. This Countdown to Gabby begins Sunday, August 24.

Gabby’s Dollhouse MEOWseum Discovery Day
Where: National Children’s Museum | Downtown DC
When: September 7, 2025 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
Admission: Purchase tickets in advance here

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This post is paid for by National Children’s Museum, however, I only promote events, places, and programs that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.