Family Resources

Explore more learning resources

Family Resources

Dive into a world of creativity and imagination with design activities that inspire and educate! Whether your child prefers to explore independently or enjoy collaborative projects with family, our resources provide endless opportunities for fun and learning at home. Activities are tailored for children aged 5-12. For current family workshops and more, visit Family Programs.

 

KIDS GALLERY GUIDES

Explore the galleries with our kid-friendly activity guides designed for ages 5-12. Print a guide at home or pick one up for free at the Visitor Experience desk. Each guide is filled with activities that encourage children to look, think, and discover design. 

Making Home—Smithsonian Design Triennial: Kids' Activity Guide

Ages: 5-12
Explore the many meanings of home throughout the exhibition with scavenger hunts, drawing activities, and conversation prompts to share with your family.

Explore the Carnegie Mansion

Ages: 5-12
Step back in time and uncover the details of the former home of Andrew Carnegie and his family. Hunt for shapes and patterns and learn about their family traditions.

Design at Home Videos

These fun to follow videos will have you designing everything from posters and patterns to your very own exhibition, and more.

Design a Poster

Grades: 1-6
Follow along to use elements of color, line, and composition to design a poster.

Design a Mini Exhibit

Grades: 1-6
Follow along to design a mini exhibit using objects found in your home.

Design a Repeating Pattern Inspired by Suzie Zuzek

Grades: 1-6
Design a repeating pattern inspired by nature.

Design Activity Books

These printable Design Activity books will get you thinking like a designer through fun activities and engaging storytelling. Available for download in English and Spanish.

Design at Home

Grades: 1-4
Design is all around us! In Design at Home, you’ll gain hands-on experience in thinking like a designer. Explore design solutions, enjoy coloring pages, and dream up your next big idea.

Design Around Town

Grades: 1-4
Follow 13-year-old Sofia as she travels around her hometown, noticing design everywhere she goes. You’ll get to help Sofia try out a variety of design disciplines, from graphic design to transportation design.

Explore more on the Smithsonian Learning Lab

Discover more activities to try at home on the Smithsonian Learning Lab. This digital platform inspires creativity and exploration with enriching materials. Access over 2 million images, recordings, and texts from the Smithsonian’s 19 museums, 9 major research centers, the National Zoo, and more.

Design a Habitat

Grades: 1-4
Follow along to design a habitat that can exist within an urban space.

Design an Expressive Letterform

Grades: 1-4
Follow along to design an expressive letterform inspired by 2017 National Design Award Winner for Communication Design, Jennifer Morla. 

Design a Chair

Grades: 3-6
Follow the steps to design a chair, inspired by 2018 National Design Award Winner for Product Design, Blu Dot.