There’s a new kind of creative energy in Spark Shop. Recently refreshed, the space is now filled with building materials, tinkering tools, oversized bricks, and plenty of room for ideas to take shape.
Designed for open-ended exploration, the new Spark Shop invites families to build, experiment, take things apart, try again, and follow their curiosity. From recycled materials and crafting tools to LEGO® and DUPLO® bricks, there are lots of ways to get hands-on and make something entirely your own.
Tinker, Build, Create
Spark Shop brings together two big ideas: tinkering and building. The space is filled with materials and tools that invite kids to experiment, create, and follow their ideas wherever they lead.
Recycled materials like cardboard, string, and pipe cleaners are ready to become just about anything, while crafting tools give young makers the freedom to turn their ideas into something they can see, touch, and test.
The LEGO® area offers another twist on a familiar building experience. Builders can use LEGO bricks on non-traditional surfaces, encouraging them to approach their creations in new ways and think creatively about how to solve building challenges.
For younger builders, oversized DUPLO® bricks offer a fun and approachable way to build. Their larger size makes them easy for little hands to grasp and connect, while the unexpected surfaces encourage young builders to experiment with familiar materials in new ways.
Families can also revisit Flow Wall, a popular interactive from Thinkery’s former Notion of Motion exhibit. Now part of Spark Shop, it adds another opportunity to explore movement, cause and effect, and hands-on problem-solving.
There’s no single project to complete or right way to use the materials. Spark Shop is all about giving kids the freedom to follow an idea, make a change, and see what happens next.
Built With Community in Mind
The new Spark Shop was inspired by Thinkery’s work with the LEGO® Playful Learning Museum Network. After hosting a LEGO® Build the Change event in the space in summer 2025, the Exhibits team saw an opportunity to bring even more building, making, and joyful learning into Spark Shop.
The space also highlights Thinkery’s partnership with Austin-based LEGO® Master Builder Justin Brady-Joiner.
And while there’s plenty of LEGO-inspired fun, Spark Shop was designed to leave room for even more. Every major element can be moved out of the room, allowing the space to transform for programs, community partnerships, and other Thinkery experiences.
Made at Thinkery
The new Spark Shop was designed and fabricated entirely in-house at Thinkery. The Exhibits team worked with the Play and Learning team to create a flexible space for organizing materials, supporting programs, and encouraging open-ended exploration.
For Senior Exhibits Manager Anthony, the design process continues after an exhibit opens.
“I’m excited to see the versatility, variety, and creativity that I know families will bring to the space. I love seeing objects we’ve designed be used in ways we did not plan for. That becomes a new learning opportunity for the Exhibits team and me to continue iterating on our designs and hone our skills to keep things fun, fresh, and functional for the museum.”
With plenty of materials to explore and no single way to use them, Spark Shop gives kids the freedom to take the lead and see where their ideas take them.
