Family Program: Childhood Toys as Design Inspiration 

Introduce the child in your life to beloved retro toys. Take a whirl with a Spirograph, add to an urban neighborhood made of Legos, and design a new outfit with fashion plates. Contribute your creative designs to our community wall. Fun for the whole family!   

Family Programs are designed for youth and their adult guardian/caregivers. No registration required, first come, first served. Adults must stay with their youth during the activity and are encouraged to participate. Activity located in the Lecture Room, Ground Floor. 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

  • Program Length: No set time, enjoy as much time as you need.  Session 1: 11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.; Session 2: 2:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
  • Interactivity Level: High 
  • Intended Audience: Youth ages 5-12 with their adult guardian/family.  No previous design knowledge is required. Material will be presented at a K-6th grade level. 

Accessibility

  • Location: This program will take place in person in the Lecture Room at Cooper Hewitt (2 East 91st Street, New York, NY). The Lecture Room is on the ground floor of the museum and fully wheelchair accessible. Read more about accessibility at Cooper Hewitt. 
  • What to Expect: This in-person program will be a hands-on design drop-in workshop. For general questions or if we can provide additional accessibility services or accommodations to support your participation in this program, please email us at CHEducation@si.edu 
  • Accommodations: For general questions, or if we can provide additional accessibility services or accommodations to support your participation in this program, please email us at CHEducation@si.edu or let us know when registering. Please make your accommodation request as far in advance as possible—preferably at least one week before the program date when possible.

About national Design week

National Design Week celebrates the power of design in our everyday world. Launched in 2006, National Design Week is held in conjunction with the National Design Awards. From October 2–8, Cooper Hewitt’s galleries will be free to enter, and programs will welcome all to engage with design. Join us for the presentation of the 2023 National Design Awards, and visit our calendar for a complete listing of programs during National Design Week. 

Special Thanks

National Design Awards Partners

Shelby and Frederick Gans
Helen and Edward Hintz

National Design Awards Sponsors
Apple
Alexandra and Paul Herzan
Lisa Roberts and David Seltzer
Crystal and Chris Sacca

National Design Awards Patrons
Kimberly Schuessler
Richard M. Smith and Dr. Soon-Young Yoon
Jon C. Iwata
Agnes Gund
Scott Belsky
Victor Calise
Champions Design
Heller Furniture
Bobby Martin
Thomas Robinson
Margaret Stewart

Design learning at Cooper Hewitt is made possible by eBay Inc., The Hirsch Family Foundation, The Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, The Pinkerton Foundation, PwC Charitable Foundation, The Richard and Jean Coyne Family Foundation, with internal Smithsonian Institution funds from the Youth Access Grants for Youth Innovation in Rural America, and public funds from New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

National Design Awards trophies are created by The Corning Museum of Glass.