Put on your thinking caps and get those creative juices flowing! On Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25, science, technology, math and arts come together for the third annual New Jersey Makers Day. Libraries and museums throughout the state host an array of events and demonstrations focused on modern maker culture.
Some of the featured activities include robotics, sewing, marble-runs, STEM-based projects, LEGOS, 3D creations, Brushbots, instruments and more. In fact, there’s something for everyone at this fun and educational event.
Check out our roundup of some of the great Makers Day festivals happening around the state and search for other events online via the NJ Makers Day website.
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Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Where: 211 Main Street, West Orange
When: March 24 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm
Price: $10 entrance fee, free for children under 16
Details: Explore modern technology in an historical setting at this special Makers Day event. Participants will create a simple Brushbot robot using a toothbrush.
More info: Visit the website or call 973-736-0550
Sparta Public Library
Where: 22 Woodport Road, Sparta
When: March 25 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: Rise and shine for Makers Day at Sparta Public Library, with early morning tie-dyed flowers, followed by duct tape creations and wire sculpture dancers.
More info: Sparta Public Library or call 973-729-3101
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts
Where: 9 Main Street, Madison
When: March 25 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Price: $5 admission, $3 for children (free under 6)
Details: There’s tons of hands-on fun happening at METC’s Makers Day workshops, featuring demonstrations on handcrafted wooden tool kits and simple machines. Plus, check out all of the museum’s exhibits on early trade and craftsman technology.
More info: Museum of Early Trades & Crafts or call 973-377-2982
Cherry Hill Public Library
Where: 1100 Kings Highway North, Cherry Hill
When: March 25 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: Enjoy a full day of exciting Maker events at Cherry Hill Public Library. The schedule includes Introduction to Microcontrollers, Brushbots Racing, Robotics Club, What’s Brewing and other fun activities.
More info: Cherry Hill Public Library or call 856-667-0300
Elizabeth Public Library – LaCorte Branch
Where: 418-424 Palmer Street, Elizabeth
When: March 25 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: The LaCorte Branch hosts a wide variety of fun projects for Makers Day. Planned activities include Nail Painting, Make Your Own Tacos, Edible Fingerpaint, Write Your Own Story and Lego Hour.
More info: Visit the website or call 908-469-1866
Warren County Library – Franklin Branch
Where: 1502 Route 57, Washington
When: March 25 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: Get innovative at this library’s third annual Makers Day event. Projects include tie-dye shirts, recycled crayons and tissue paper flowers, plus ride a DIY skateboard and watch a robotics demonstration.
More info: Warren County Library or call 908-689-7922
Maplewood Library – Hilton Branch
Where: 1688 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood
When: March 25 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: Maplewood Library’s Makers Day events are part of the Maplewood Ideas Festival. Stop by the Hilton Branch for Battling Robots, 3D Crater Creator, Kinetic Sand, Apple Product Museum and Balloon Lunar Vehicles, among other hands-on demonstrations.
More info: Visit the website or call 973-762-1688
Fanwood Memorial Library
Where: 5 Forest Road, Fanwood
When: March 25 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: Experiment with snap circuits, 3-D pens, button makers, pom-pom bookmarks and big blue blocks at Fanwood Library’s Makers Day event. Plus, representatives from the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts will be on hand with a book-making workshop.
More info: Fanwood Library or call 908-322-6400
East Brunswick Public Library
Where: 2 Jean Walling Civic Center, East Brunswick
When: March 25 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: It’s non-stop creative events all day at East Brunswick Public Library! Kids can check out bottle cap jewelry, tech petting zoo, video game controllers, constellation viewers, knitting, pasta making and many other activities.
More info: Visit the website or call 732-390-6767
Middletown Township Public Library
Where: 55 New Monmouth Road, Middletown
When: March 25 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: This Makers Day celebration is jam-packed with a huge round-up of guest demonstrators, including Bayshore MS Makers, Kaleidoscope Enrichment-Nerdy Derby, Ranney Robotics Team, Monmouth County Master Gardeners and Let’s Sew Studio. Stop in for fun activities all day long.
More info: Middletown Public Library or call 732-671-3700
Top (Hero) Photo: © micromonkey / Adobe Stock
Other Photos (in Order) Courtesy:
National Park Service / Website
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts / Website
NJ Makers Day / Facebook
Maplewood Memorial Library / Website
East Brunswick Public Library / Facebook
