By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com
Technology and textiles, creativity and computers… if there’s something you can think of and something you can make — whether it’s with your own hands or with a computer program — chances are good that you will find it at a “maker faire,” an event that showcases people’s creations, from traditional artifacts to items made with the latest technologies.
One such event is the annual NoVa Mini Maker Faire. This year’s faire is on Sunday, March 13, 2016. The daylong (11 am to 5 pm) event in Reston, Virginia, is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, resourcefulness, and the Maker movement where people show what they make and share what they learn. This event is fun, educational, inspirational, and great for all ages!
NoVa Mini Maker Faire features extraordinary projects by some of the most inventive minds in our community. The Faire is independently organized by a community of makers at Nova Labs, the premier makerspace in our area. The event at Langston Hughes Middle School and South Lakes High School features all kinds of “makers” — technology enthusiasts, crafters, homesteaders, scientists, and more — to share their knowledge through hands-on projects for adults and kids on topics ranging from blacksmithing and primitive skills to 3D printing and work with drones and robots. Makers are grouped in neighborhoods such as Young Makers, Creativity Lane, Drone Zone, Robotics, 3D Printing Village, Science Lab, Flight Path, and Sustainability Village. Activities include many opportunities for children to participate.
Advance tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children, and new this year is a family pass at $40 for admission for a family of up to five people in advance (online tickets also have a small processing fee). Same-day tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for children. There will also be food trucks on site for concessions. Most activities are indoors, with some other events taking place outside. There is no parking right at the schools, but free shuttles from the Reston Whiele Avenue Metro station will be running all day.
For details and the final event schedule, see the NoVa Mini Maker Faire website. Want to attend for FREE? We’re giving away one family pass! See details at the end of this post!
Win tickets to the Maker Faire!
Fairfax Family Fun is giving away tickets to one lucky subscriber! The winner will get one family pass (good for five admissions) to the event! (total prize value: up to 75) To enter, simply:
1. Sign up for our free newsletter at this link (if you haven’t yet done so).
2. Leave a comment below to let us know you entered and what you most look forward to seeing at the event!
Enter by 11 pm on Wednesday, March 9, 2016. The winner will be picked immediately after that and notified by email. The winner must reply by 9 am on Thursday, March 10, 2016, to claim the prize; failure to do so risks forfeiture. Tickets will be sent via email to the winner. Contestants agree to abide by our giveaway terms and conditions.
My son is almost 2.5 and he absolutely loves the chaos machine!
The Chaos Machine! Oh, my! I should dig up my photos from that for an update post… that thing is amazing and my son, too, spent an incredible amount of time there! Seriously, I thought he would never leave!
He would’ve stayed there for hours, he loved it and that was a year ago, he was only a little over 1.5. We bought him a couple similar sets that he plays with at home but nothing beats the real deal Chaos Machine! If you need any Chaos machine photos I have some from last year you can take a look at to see if they’re usable.
My son would love to see the robots!
I would love to go to this event with my kids!
Take us!
Sounds fun
Hope we can go!
I look forward to seeing all the science projects especially robotics
My family would love to go to this faire!
Yes, we would love some creative fun!!! Hope to win this time!!
My 8YO son has been fascinated with the concept of a 3D printer since seeing Big Hero 6 – he’s love to see one in person, and even try it!
Would love to go
Pick me!
Both my kids would love this. Robots, machines!