Happy summer! School might be out, but innovation is still very much in. And just because classroom learning might be coming to an end for the season, it doesn't mean that opportunities for kids to get involved with art, science, and tech (and have some fun) are too. Read on below for a full roster of events and activities for the budding artists, aspiring scientists, and emerging techies in your life.
EurekaFest 2019
Join us for EurekaFest 2019 to see the working prototypes developed by high school and college students who are solving real-world problems through invention. High school students from across the country who participated in InvenTeams will discuss how they moved through challenges and built an invention during their school year. The top collegiate inventors who won the coveted 2019 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize will be showcasing their inventions alongside high school InvenTeams.
Ages: All ages
When: Wednesday, June 19, 2:00 PM — 4:00 PM
Where: MIT Building 32, 32 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
Cost: FREE
Learn more here
Idea Hub
Explore topics in design and engineering with artistic circuits, 3D printing, chain reactions, and a variety of other hands-on making and tinkering topics. Drop in each week and try out one of our many activities, including kinetic sculptures and chain reactions.
Ages: 12+
When: June 22-23 and June 29-30, 12:00 PM — 4:00 PM
Where: MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
Cost: FREE
Learn more here
STEM Saturday: Soccer Celebration: Make 3D Art
Celebrate soccer season by making Make 3D art in this hour-hour workshop. The world we live in is multidimensional, so shouldn’t our art be as well? Student ages 6+ will bring their imagination to life by creating cool and inspirational art with 3D in Windows 10. This free workshop offers a high-energy, collaborative environment for participants to fuel their creativity and have fun this soccer season.
Ages: 6+
When: Saturdays, June 22 and 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, 10:00 AM — 11:00 AM
Where: Microsoft Store, Prudential Center, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199-7016
Cost: FREE
Learn more here
Bow Make-it: Kids Arts + Crafts + Entertainment
Arts and crafts, music, magic and more at Bow Market! Come with kids of all ages to enjoy entertainment and arts and crafts stations sponsored by Make & Mend. Glitter and glue galore, enjoy easy activities and fun tunes, all while surrounded by all the incredible vendors that Bow Market has to offer.
Ages: 3-10
When: Sundays, June 23 and 30, July 7, 14, 21, 9:30 AM — 11:30 AM
Where: Bow Market, 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143
Cost: $5-$10
Learn more here
New England Aquarium Tidepool Open House on The Green
The New England Aquarium will be hosting a Tidepool Open House on The Green. Kids will learn about local marine life and habitats and are encouraged to develop a stronger science identity. This hands-on program features live tidepool animals and encourages participants to explore the textures, shapes, and movements of different animals.
Ages: All ages
When: Wednesday, June 26, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: The Street Chestnut Hill, 33 Boylston Street, Newton, MA 02467
Cost: FREE
Learn more here
MakerGirl at Boston Children's Museum
Join MakerGirl at Boston Children's Museum for a fun filled 3D design and print session! Participants will have the opportunity to brainstorm, design, and watch their print come to life. This session is specially designed for parents and their student(s) to work together to create a 3D printed object to take home and proudly display.
Ages: 12+
When: Sunday, June 30, 11:00 AM — 1:00 PM
Where: Boston Children's Museum, 308 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210
Cost: $0-$20
Learn more here
Create a Difference in Your World
In this free four-day, two-hour camp series, students ages eight and up research and identify a cause they care about in their local community, and create action plans to fundraise, volunteer, or get the word out about their personal cause. By the end of camp, students will learn to research areas of interest, develop personal passions and understand new ways to make connections with others, and gain new skills with Microsoft Office and Windows 10 applications, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint Cortana and Photos.
Ages: 8+
When: Monday, July 1 — Thursday, July 4, 10:00 AM — 12:00 PM
Where: Microsoft Store, Prudential Center, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199-7016
Cost: FREE
Learn more here
Kid-Friendly Fun with Green City Growers
Visit Green City Growers on The Green to learn about worm composting and how easy it can be to compost your kitchen scraps. Participants will incorporate a sample of rich worm compost into soil to create a wonderful soil mixture for seed germination. Participants will make a mini greenhouse out of a plastic egg carton and plant it with seeds to take home and watch grow on a window sill. This is a great gardening activity that can be recreated at home using recycled materials!
Ages: All ages
When: Tuesday, July 9, 2:00 PM — 4:00 PM
Where: The Street Chestnut Hill, 33 Boylston Street, Newton, MA 02467
Cost: FREE
Learn more here
ICA Watershed Family Day
Join the ICA as they celebrate Eastie Week with a special family day at the ICA Watershed featuring art-making activities, pop-up dance performances, tours in English and Spanish, food, music, and fun! Community partners Bibliocycle, East Boston Social Centers, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Maverick Landing Community Services and Veronica Robles Cultural Center will be on hand with activities. Plus, add a boat ride with the purchase of an ICA admission ticket for round-trip Water Shuttle service between East Boston and the Seaport.
Ages: All ages
When: Saturday, July 13, 12:00 PM — 4:00 PM
Where: ICA Watershed, 256 Marginal Street, Boston, MA 02128
Cost: FREE
Learn more here
Kids in the KITCHEN Summer Challenge
Are you ready for a challenge this summer? Kids in the KITCHEN Summer Challenge at the KITCHEN at the Boston Public Market is a one-of-a-kind, hands-on learning experience for young chefs. Each day of programming is an opportunity to learn a new cooking skill, make connections between local food and farming, and have fun! As a property of the Trustees, Massachusetts’ premier land trust non-profit organization, the KITCHEN is uniquely situated to connect kids to the artisans and farmers at the Boston Public Market and to teach culinary skills to last a lifetime.
Ages: 6-11
When: Multiple dates beginning July 15
Where: The Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02108
Cost: $44-$55
Learn more here
