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Hands-on maker learning for students

Field Trips & Group Visits

KID Museum programs are designed to take your K-8 students on an extraordinary journey, fostering creative problem-solving, out-of-the-box thinking, and the skills they need to become the changemakers of tomorrow.

Grounded in our Mind of a Maker learning philosophy, each program empowers students to drive their own learning. Through hands-on exploration, collaboration, and access to cutting-edge resources, we ignite their imagination and guide them on a path to deeper skill development.

Our 30,000 square foot space is just steps from the Bethesda Metro stop. Come see us!

Field Trips | K - 8th grade

Dynamic, student-driven exploration of KID’s makerspace

Is your class ready for epic adventures in problem-solving and creation? Led by our professional Maker Educators, KID field trips give students the freedom to explore design challenges, collaborative activities, and cutting edge tech at their own pace. It’s about more than making – it’s about igniting creativity, fostering critical thinking, and honing problem-solving skills. Witness the “aha!” moments as students collaborate, experiment, and tackle challenges head-on.

Choose your focus:

  • Engineering Design (2nd-5th or 6th-8th): Students will learn about the Engineering Design Process while collaborating on a series of design challenges that spark innovative thinking.
  • Tech & Robotics (2nd-5th or 6th-8th): From robotics and coding to circuits and more, students will be challenged to explore how technology can be used to creatively solve problems.
  • Maker Discovery (K-8th): An open exploration with problem-solving and creativity-boosting activities in our state-of-the-art space. KID Maker Educators are on hand for guidance and support.

Details:

  • 90 minutes
  • Offered Monday – Friday at Bethesda Metro Center
  • Capacity: 150 students
  • $18 per student; $450 minimum // Title I: $16 per student; $400 minimum
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Focused skill building in one of KID’s Maker Studios

These immersive experiences allow students to dive deeply into specific content areas, working in smaller groups to ensure personalized attention from our expert Maker Educators. Through project-based learning, students will collaborate, take risks, persevere through challenges, and walk away with a new set of skills.

Choose your focus: (all 2nd-8th)

  • Coding
  • Engineering
  • Textiles
  • Woodshop
  • Electronics

Details:

  • 90 minutes
  • Offered Monday – Friday at Davis Library
  • Capacity: 75
  • $30 per student; $450 minimum // Title I: $27 per student; $400 minimum
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Flexible opportunity to bring students’ designs to life with KID’s tools and materials

How does it work? Students arrive with project ideas in hand. KID’s expert Maker Educators will be their personal pit crew, providing the materials, tools, and guidance they need to transform those ideas into reality. Imagine the possibilities: Woodshop wonders, textile triumphs, electronic extravaganzas, and cardboard creations beyond compare!

Details:

  • 90 minutes
  • Offered Monday – Friday for 2nd-5th Grade at Davis Library; Capacity: 75
  • Offered Monday – Friday for 6th-8th Grade at Bethesda Metro Center; Capacity: 90
  • $18 per student; $450 minimum // Title I: $16 per student; $400 minimum
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Invention Programming | 2nd - 8th Grade

KID’s signature experience for students and teachers, Invention Programs bring a standards-aligned, semester-long STEM experience to your students. Watch them get creative, learn from failure, solve problems, work as part of a team, and become innovators.

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Girl Scout Workshops

Our Girl Scout workshops are designed to fulfill a variety of badge requirements in a way only the talented staff at KID could provide.

Troop workshops are available on select afternoons at both KID Museum locations including weekday options at Davis Library and Sunday options at Bethesda Metro Center. Sunday bookings at Bethesda Metro Center include an opportunity to join the Sunday Open Explore.

A Girl Scout workshop is the perfect way to offer your troop a maker-based experience that fulfills the requirements of a Girl Scout badge.

Pricing: $35 per child, a minimum of $525 per workshop.

Every experience includes:

  • A selection of Maker Studio & Central Makerspace activities to explore with chaperones during KID Museum’s Open Explore Sundays.
  • A private 90-minute workshop that fulfills the requirements of the selected Girl Scout Badge
  • A KID Museum fun patch

Badge Workshop Options

  • Daisy – Board Game Design Challenge, Craft & Tinker
  • Brownie – Programming Robots, Craft & Tinker
  • Junior – Programming Robots, Craft & Tinker
  • Cadette – Woodworker, Programming Robots

Girl Scout badges included for an additional fee.

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A Girl Scout workshop is the perfect way to offer your troop a maker-based experience that fulfills the requirements of a Girl Scout badge.

Pricing: $25 per child, a minimum of $375 per workshop.

Every experience includes:

  • A private 90-minute workshop that fulfills the requirements of the selected Girl Scout Badge
  • A KID Museum fun patch

Badge Workshop Options

  • Daisy – Board Game Design Challenge, Craft & Tinker
  • Brownie – Programming Robots, Craft & Tinker
  • Junior – Programming Robots, Craft & Tinker
  • Cadette – Woodworker, Programming Robots

Girl Scout badges included for an additional fee.

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Offsite Workshops

Interested in bringing KID to your school for a special STEM day? Reach out for more info and pricing.

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Curriculum

Boost your STEM special or afterschool program with KID’s proven curriculum. Reach out for more info and pricing.

REACH OUT

Testimonials

We had about 50 kids and there wasn't one that wasn't focused and engaged the whole time - when does that ever happen? We all left there amazed about the amount of fun and learning that took place in such a short window of time.

Susan Eagle

It made me cry to see our first graders so joyful and engaged from beginning to end. The activities were so brilliantly planned, materials were plentiful, and every single child appeared caught up as if by magic.

Robin LoubeFirst Grade ESOL Teacher

The place is amazing and I don't know if I have seen the girls so engaged and excited about anything we have done... It is our new favorite place!

Liz WeirshouskyJunior Girl Scout Troop Leader

You could see their faces light up with excitement as they did each activity!

Martha Thomas WaugamanTroop Parent

FAQs

Program Options

What types of programs are available?

KID Museum offers three distinct types of field trips, all of which are facilitated by our educators. 

  • Explorer Program: 90 minute experience which provides a sample or introduction to our programs. 
  • Multi-session: A more intensive experience, which involves multiple visits throughout the school year and integrated classroom curriculum.

Can we spend the whole day at KID Museum?

When you visit, we only have the activities available which you have scheduled. We do not have self guided exhibits. If you would like to spend the whole day at KID Museum, you must schedule two different activities – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Your group can take a lunch break in between programs.

Group Size

How many students can you accommodate for a field trip?

The number of students we can accommodate depends on the program that you choose. 

Teachers & Chaperones

How many teachers and chaperones should I bring?

We recommend a ratio of 1 adult (teacher or chaperone) to every 10 students.  We do not charge admission for adults. Please let us know how many teachers and chaperones you plan to bring with you.

Reservations

How do I make and confirm a reservation?

All field trips are booked through our online reservation system linked above. Completion of the online reservation system does not constitute a confirmation. Your field trip is confirmed when you receive the contract and send your deposit to hold the reservation.

Payment

How can I pay for our field trip?

We will arrange payment details during the booking process.

Is there a minimum payment or number of students required to run a program?

Our minimum payment to run a weekday program is $400. For our Explorer program, that price includes up to 25 students.

When are the deposit and final balance due?

  • The deposit is due within three weeks after the contract has been sent.
  • The balance is due one month prior to your scheduled field trip.
  • If you book a visit less than one month before your scheduled field trip, full payment is due within one week of booking.

Do you offer reduced rates?

If your school is Title I or any other designation, please include that information on your request form.

Arrival & Departure

What should we do if we are running late for our scheduled field trip?

If you are running late for your program, please call the museum to inform our staff.

Bethesda Metro Center: 301-941-4905
Davis Library: 301-897-5437

We understand that it is difficult to arrive exactly at your scheduled time due to traffic, weather, busing and other factors out of your control. If you arrive late, we will make our best effort to accommodate your group for the full program length but we cannot guarantee it.

After our program, can we visit other parts of the museum?

Due to our limited space, the only program(s) available during your visit are those reserved in advance and facilitated by our educators. We do not have exhibits for self-guided activities.

Transportation

Where can we park our school bus or cars?

KID Museum Bethesda Metro Center 

For GPS Purposes, search for:
Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services Ctr.
4805 Edgemoor Ln. Bethesda, MD

KID Museum bus parking is on Edgemoor Lane. Please use this address to input into your GPS. KID Museum has the ability to park two buses at any given time. Buses need to be parked there and wait for KID Museum staff for pick-up and drop-off of group visits. Bus parking is not available in the Metro Bus Bay

KID Museum Davis Library is located on the lower level of the Davis Library at 6400 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20817. Our entrance is on the back side of the building off of Bells Mill Road and it says KID Museum on the glass doors. There is a free parking lot for you to use if you arrive by car. If you arrive by bus, please inform your bus driver to drop off students at the doors of KID Museum then to park on the street. Note: please do not park too close to the corner of Bells Mill and Montauk Avenue because it blocks the stop sign at that intersection.

Food Options

Can we eat lunch at KID Museum?

Please coordinate with the KID Museum staff member completing your reservation to arrange details.

Do you have food available to purchase?

We do not sell meals or beverages.

Policies

Inclement Weather

In the event of inclement weather, KID Museum follows Montgomery County’s snow and inclement weather policies, not Montgomery County Public Schools’ closures. We will be closed when the County is closed. Closure information will be posted on our website by 8am. Please email us at fieldtrips@kid-museum.org if you are uncertain about the status of your field trip.

If your school district is closed, has a delayed start or an early dismissal due to inclement weather and you are unable to attend your field trip, please contact us at fieldtrips@kid-museum.org as soon as possible. We will do our best to reschedule your field trip at no additional cost. If we are unable to find a suitable date to reschedule, your payment will be returned in full.

Invent the Future Challenge afternoon field trips – MCPS buses reserved as part of the Invent the Future Challenge are able to visit even when there is a two hour delay. Please call the bus lot to confirm that your bus will pick you up at the designated time.

Program Cancellations & Refunds

If you need to cancel your program for any reason other than inclement weather, we will follow the guidelines below:

  • Full refund up to two months prior to scheduled date (minus processing fee).
  • 50% refund up to one month prior to scheduled date (minus processing fee).
  • No refund if canceled less than one month prior to the scheduled date.

If you want to reschedule your visit for a different date, we can transfer your payment up to one month prior to your originally scheduled date without penalty. However, we cannot reschedule your visit for a different date if it is less than one month prior to your originally scheduled date.

Full payment is due at the time of booking. An invoice will be emailed to the booking email address upon confirmation. In the event that some of your students are unable to attend the field trip, we do not refund your school for those students. Any additional students beyond the booking amount must be paid for at the time of the visit.

Additional questions? Contact us at fieldtrips@kid-museum.org.

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