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After-School Programs

Master new skills, explore state-of-the-art tools, and bring your ideas to life — all while having fun!

Led by our Maker Educators, each After-School session combines creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning to help students become confident, capable innovators.

Classes are offered for Pre-K through 7th grade.*
*Pre-K is only available Tuesdays at Davis Library; 5-7th Grade is only available Wednesdays at Bethesda Metro Center.

6 Week Sessions*
Winter: January 20th – February 25th
Showcase on March 1st
Spring: March 10th – April 22nd
Showcase on April 26th
*Invent the Future Club will run for 10 weeks and participate in a separate showcase.

Price per Session
Members: $315
Nonmembers: $345
*Price includes 4 free tickets to KID’s Sunday Open Explore Museum Hours on Showcase Day

Access for Every Maker: We are dedicated to expanding access to all makers by providing free and reduced-cost ways to participate in our programming. Please use this form to reach out if program fees pose a financial hardship, and we’ll ensure you and your family can participate. 

Two students focus on their robotics

WINTER: 1/20, 1/27, 2/03, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24

K - 1st: Creature Creators Studio

Design your own fantastical creatures, then bring their world to life! Build habitats, vehicles, and more while learning basic circuits, construction, and sewing.

Skills: Chomp Saw, Hand Sewing, Cardboard Construction, Circuits

Tuesdays 4:30 – 5:30 PM |  Showcase on Sunday, March 1

2nd - 4th: Robot Arcade

Create your own arcade-style game with real robots as the players! Learn robotics, coding, and design in various studios as you build and playtest your invention.

Skills: Circuits, Cardboard Fabrication, Block-Based Programming, Robotics

Tuesdays 4:30 – 6 PM |  Showcase on Sunday, March 1

SPRING: 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 4/07, 4/14, 4/21. NO CLASS 3/31

Pre-K: Mini Makers

Our Mini Makers class is an engaging introduction to maker learning tailored for children ages 4-5. This program sparks creativity and builds problem-solving skills through a range of hands-on projects that integrate invention, building, and art.

With activities ranging from circuitry to textiles, Mini Makers is designed to nurture curiosity and independence.

Skills: Each class will explore a variety of tools, techniques, and materials.

Tuesdays 3 – 4 PM |  Showcase on Sunday, April 26

K - 1st: Code & Create

Learn the basics of coding and programming — without spending the afternoon on a screen! By playing games, telling stories, and building creative inventions, students will work together to literally build an understanding of computer programming.

Skills: Icon/Block-Based Programming, Cardboard Construction, Basic Circuits

Tuesdays 4:30 – 5:30 PM |  Showcase on Sunday, April 26

2nd - 4th: Toymakers Workshop

Unmake and re-make any toy you can imagine! From plush creatures to wooden tools and 3D design, this class is your chance to invent your next favorite toy. Students will take on Frankentoy challenges, textile toy creation, and digital design with TinkerCAD.

Skills: Digital Design, Woodworking, Hand Sewing, Drills & Drivers, Pullsaws, 3D Printing

Tuesdays 4:30 – 6 PM | Showcase on Sunday, April 26

WINTER: 1/21, 1/28, 2/04, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25

K - 1st: Creature Creators Studio

Design your own fantastical creatures, then bring their world to life! Build habitats, vehicles, and more while learning basic circuits, construction, and sewing.

Skills: Chomp Saw, Hand Sewing, Cardboard Construction, Circuits

Wednesdays 4:30 – 5:30 PM |  Showcase on Sunday, March 1

SPRING: 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 4/08, 4/15, 4/22. NO CLASS 4/01

K - 1st: Code & Create

Learn the basics of coding and programming — without spending the afternoon on a screen! By playing games, telling stories, and building creative inventions, students will work together to literally build an understanding of computer programming.

Skills: Icon/Block-Based Programming, Cardboard Construction, Basic Circuits

Wednesdays 4:30 – 5:30 PM |  Showcase on Sunday, April 26

2nd - 4th: Toymakers Workshop

Unmake and re-make any toy you can imagine! From plush creatures to wooden tools and 3D design, this class is your chance to invent your next favorite toy. Students will take on Frankentoy challenges, textile toy creation, and digital design with TinkerCAD.

Skills: Digital Design, Woodworking, Hand Sewing, Drills & Drivers, Pullsaws, 3D Printing

Wednesdays 4:30 – 6 PM | Showcase on Sunday, April 26

5th - 8th: Invent The Future Club

Join KID Museum’s signature Invent the Future Challenge! Work in teams to build a prototype that answers the question: What will you make to improve life on this planet?

Students will follow the Engineering Design Process from ideation through construction, using the same tools and software as professional designers to produce their prototypes. They’ll also have the opportunity to share their ideas at the Invent the Future Expo on May 31st, where they’ll present alongside the region’s most innovative companies and thinkers!
Please note that this is a 10-week course and the club will run until May 20th.

Skills: Cardboard Construction, Electronics, micro:bit Coding, Engineering Design Process, Prototyping

Wednesdays 4:30 – 6 PM | March 11th – May 20th | Showcase on Sunday, May 31

Questions? Contact us at info@kid-museum.org.

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See our Policies for more information about our programs.