Teen Workshops

A photograph of a light-skinned teenager with short brown hair and wearing a red and blue floral shirt is hammering a leather strap on the table. Across the table, a dark-skinned adult who has their hair tied in a bun and wears large gold earrings holds the leather strap in place for the teenager. In the background more teenagers are working.

Teen Workshops

Build your design toolkit! Our Teen Drop-In program is a series of free monthly workshops exploring techniques, strategies, and careers in design. Participants are not required to participate in all workshops, and no prior experience is needed—just bring yourself and a creative mindset! Learn to weave, make a print, or just talk to a designer and meet some new creative people.

Programs are designed for teens ages 14–18 and run from November to June. Snacks are provided.

A photograph of an adult with light brown skin, closely shaved hair, and thick-framed glasses leans over to demonstrate an activity to a light-skinned teen with shoulder-length brown hair who is sitting at a table in front of them.

A photograph of a group of teenagers sitting at a table creating jewlery. The teenager on the left reaches their arm across and measures the finger of the teenager in front of them. At the center of the table are trays of pliers, wire, beads, pencils and scissors.

A photograph of a teenager with light brown skin, black curly long hair, and wearing a black leather jacket holds a spool of gold wire. A dark-skinned teenager on the left who has dreadlocks and wears a bandana pulls the wire.

A photograph of a group of teenagers standing around a table making leather key chains. Two teenagers on the left are hammering their key chains. In the background there are shelves filled with books.

Two light brown hands pierce a metal stud through a leather strap. On the table sits an instruction manual, a key ring, metal studs, a worksheet, and a pencil.

Upcoming Teen Programs

To see programs for all age levels, view our Calendar.

Upcoming Events

12/03

Thursday

Teen Drop-In: Mood Boards

Thu. December 3, 2026
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET

Build your design toolkit! Teen Drop In is a series of free workshops for high school students exploring techniques, strategies, and careers in design. No prior experience required, just bring yourself and a creative mindset. This month, create a professional mood board using real design materials like upholstery fabrics, paint chips, found objects, and more. Mix, match, layer, and experiment to build a board that expresses a theme, mood, or concept. View full event details here.

Event Address:
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
2 East 91st Street
New York, NY 10128

Get your tickets today.

Free with Registration

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