Family Program | Toy Makers & Tinkerers

Drop in to the museum during February’s mid-winter school break for hands-on family activities!  

On Wednesday, join us to design and build your own pull toy with animated parts! Visit the exhibition Made in America: The Industrial Photography of Christopher Payne to explore how things are made, from musical instruments to telescopes. Then use your design skills to prototype your own kinetic toy! 

Exhibition Exploration

  • Join a special design and engineering-themed story time at 2:00 pm in the Made in America galleries.
  • Explore the exhibition with a kids’ scavenger hunt and see inside the production process of objects from pencils to airplanes.

Drop-in Design Activity

  • Learn about simple machines, forces, and linkages while you build your own kinetic toy.
  • Brainstorm brand names and decorate retail packaging to make your toy shelf-ready.

Family drop-in activities are designed for youth ages 5–12 and their adult guardian/caregivers. Family programs are included in the price of museum admission, and youth 18 and under are always free.

ACCESSIBILITY & WHAT TO EXPECT

  • Format: This is a drop-in style workshop for youth ages 5-12 and their adult guardian/family. You will be guided by a museum educator who will help you to make a design. You can drop in at any time and stay as long as you like. Adults must stay with their youth during the activity and are encouraged to participate. Registration is not required, but first come, first seated.
  • About the space: This program will take place in Cooper Hewitt’s Lecture Room on the ground floor of the museum. It is fully wheelchair accessible. There will be group seating at tables. There is an accessible restroom on the ground floor. The story time will take place in the second floor galleries. Read more about accessibility at Cooper Hewitt.
  • Accommodations: We welcome questions and accommodation requests that support your participation. Email us at CHEducation@si.edu or call 212 849-8353. Please make your request as far in advance as possible—preferably at least ten days before the program date.

Special Thanks

Design learning at Cooper Hewitt is made possible by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Generous support is also provided by the Smithsonian Institution’s Together We Thrive Initiatives, the Richard and Jean Coyne Family Foundation, and the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation.

Made in America: The Industrial Photography of Christopher Payne received support from Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250, a Smithsonian-wide initiative commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary. Signature support for Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250 has been provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. Additional generous contributions have been made by Target and New Balance.