The Museums are open seven days a week and we invite you to play, explore, and create with us! Many activities take place outside on the Museums Grounds and all are free with museum admission!
Spark!Lab Rockets, 10:15 am-1:15 pm
Shoot off two different rockets you power with your feet! First, make a stomp rocket out of paper and launch it using an empty soda bottle. Then, try a special person-powered rocket launder on loan from the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center. (Rain location: Habitat Hall, Springfield Science Museum)
Design, Build, Test, 10:15 am-1:15 pm
Imagine a scientific mission to space, draw inspiration from existing spacecraft, and then design and build your own simple model spacecraft to accomplish the goals of their mission. After assembling a spacecraft and attaching tools, to your creation, you can complete a series of tests to ensure that they’re ready for launch. Did you include the necessary tools? Can the spacecraft withstand the vibration of launch, or the spin of navigating through space? If not, it’s back to the drawing board—the design/build/test cycle begins again! (Rain location: Habitat Hall, Springfield Science Museum)
Arabic Calligraphy, 10:15 am-1:15 pm
Learn to create the beautiful characters of another language and decorate a fabric tote bag. (Rain location: Second Floor Landing, GWV Smith Art Museum)
Sculpting in the Sunshine, 10:15 am-1:15 pm
This summer the Museums Grounds will be enlivened by Don Gummer’s large sculptures! Take inspiration from these landscaping-changing pieces and create a mini sculpture using similar mediums to take home. (Rain location: Second Floor Landing, GWV Smith Art Museum)
Performance by Toe Jam Puppet Band, 1:30 pm
Toe Jam Puppet Band offers a special brand of hands-on children’s entertainment that grown-ups can also enjoy. The performances are very active, encouraging kids and parents to sing and dance along with the band as they entertain with a unique combination of original songs, masterful shadow puppetry, storytelling and just plain old good fun. (Rain location: Davis Auditorium, D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts)
Plus: Enjoy hands-on art and STEM activities in the Cat’s Corner, Art Discovery Center, and Spark!Lab.
