Wednesdays-Sundays: Noon to 4 pm
Spark!Lab, the flagship educational initiative of the Smithsonian, is a hands-on invention workspace where children and their families can learn about and engage in the history and process of invention. Spark!Lab offers any child (accompanied by an adult) an informal approach to ignite their ingenuity with compelling and open-ended challenges.
As the only Smithsonian affiliate in New Jersey, the Morris Museum is proud to share the Smithsonian’s cutting-edge educational resources with your family. One of ten Spark!Lab sites in the nation, this dynamic learning space inspires kids to create, collaborate, and innovate- and makes every visitor an inventor.
Spark!Lab is open Wednesday-Sunday from 12-4 PM.
Spark!Lab at the Morris Museum is made possible by leadership support from BASF. Generous support is also made possible by Gay H. Osborn on behalf of the Blanche and George Jones Fund, Inc.
Support of art making programs within our K-12 education efforts this year generously provided by the Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation.
Know Before You Go - Spark!Lab FAQs
What age is Spark!Lab best for?
- Spark!Lab was designed by the Smithsonian with children ages 5-12 in mind. However, inventors of any age are welcome! Our activities are designed to be approachable for younger inventors, as well as complicated and stimulating for older inventors. Because there is no one correct way to approach an activity or solve a challenge in Spark!Lab, you get to decide the level of complexity.
- Additionally, to accommodate our youngest inventors under 5 years old, we have a space within Spark!Lab called ‘Spark!Lab Junior’. This space includes a train table, building blocks, and puzzles- offering a more exploratory environment.
Do I need to accompany my kids in Spark!Lab?
Yes, your child(ren) must be accompanied by at least one adult at all times in Spark!Lab. We encourage grownups to join their young inventors and participate in the activities! Spark!Lab is a space for your entire family to have fun and explore. Your enthusiasm goes a long way in supporting and inspiring your child(ren) to be creative and solve problems.
Do I need a special ticket for Spark!Lab?
Yes, the Morris Museum has separate tickets specifically for Spark!Lab entry. All individuals entering Spark!Lab must receive a ticket– children and adults. Entry to Spark!Lab is included with general admission! Upon arrival, you may request Spark!Lab tickets at the Front Desk as your admission is processed.
Are Spark!Lab tickets guaranteed with admission?
- Spark!Lab tickets cannot be guaranteed upon arrival, as the availability of tickets is dependent on the number of visitors on a given day.
- Please also note that Spark!Lab tickets may not be reserved ahead of time.
How long can I stay in Spark!Lab?
Spark!Lab has timed tickets for a 30-minute session. The start time of your Spark!Lab session will be printed clearly on the front of the tickets.
What if I’m late to my Spark!Lab session?
- If you arrive at Spark!Lab after the start time printed on your ticket, you may still join for the remaining time of the session.
- Or you may revisit the Front Desk and ask for new tickets for a later session *dependent on availability* to have a full 30-minute session.
What can my family do in Spark!Lab?
Spark!Lab offers inventors many unique opportunities to create with our activities. Some of our most popular activities include:
- Contraptions in Action, a Rube Goldberg- inspired activity where visitors design and test their contraptions on a peg board
- Invent a Vehicle, where visitors use pipes, wheels, and connectors to design a vehicle of their imagination
- Vertical Wind Tunnel, where visitors build an invention that they think will fly, test it in our motion-activated wind tunnel, and then tweak their design.
Who can I expect to interact with during our session in Spark!Lab?
Spark!Lab Ambassadors will be supporting your family’s experience during your time in Spark!Lab. Our Ambassador team, made up of staff and volunteers, is trained to facilitate (not teach or instruct) and encourage inventors to work through challenges to meet their desired objective. You can spot an Ambassador easily in Spark!Lab- simply find someone wearing a yellow apron!
Can I bring food and drinks into Spark!Lab?
Food and drinks are not permitted in Spark!Lab, as it is considered a gallery space. Additionally, given that Spark!Lab is a hands-on space, we want to be mindful of allergies to keep visitors safe. However, you may enjoy food and drink in our Museum Pavilion at any point during your visit.
What are the health and safety guidelines in Spark!Lab?
As Spark!Lab is a hands-on experience, we do our best to ensure our space is healthy and safe for visitors. Upon entry to Spark!Lab, we offer hand sanitizer to those who are interested. We also ensure that Spark!Lab is cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis.
Can I take photos/ videos in Spark!Lab?
- Photos and videos are permitted in Spark!Lab. We encourage cellphones for the use of documenting your experience in Spark!Lab and capturing your inventions!
- If you are sharing your Spark!Lab photos to social media, feel free to tag the Morris Museum, and follow to keep up with the latest information and updates. Find us @morrismuseum on Facebook and Instagram.
