Engaging Summer Programs for Kids at Tempe Museums: Hands-On Fun at TCA, ASU Art Museum, and Halle Heart
Keeping kids engaged during summer break presents a fun challenge. The Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA), ASU Art Museum, and Halle Heart Children’s Museum deliver innovative programs blending education and creativity. These workshops combat summer boredom with hands-on projects kids can take home—many at no cost. Explore more Tempe summer activities at tempetourism.com/summer/.
Gallery at Tempe Center for the Arts features workshops tied to the exhibition Biomimicry: Nature-Inspired Design, showcasing how nature inspires sustainable innovations like Velcro (from plant burrs) and solar cells (from photosynthesis). On view through August 26, 2017.
Family Arts & Sciences Workshops, Saturdays, 12-2 p.m.
- June 24 – Biomimicry Trading Cards – New Inventions with TCA staff
Discover biomimicry examples while designing trading cards for your nature-inspired inventions with TCA experts. - July 8 – Sonoran Wildlife: Clay Creatures with Halldor Hjalmarson
Meet acclaimed ceramics artist Halldor Hjalmarson and craft clay creatures using his handmade molds and sprigging techniques. - July 15 – Sustainability with ASU Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability
Build a sustainable city through an interactive game exploring society, economy, and environment with ASU’s Teacher Academy. - July 22 – Beyond the Collection Box with ASU Natural History Collections
ASU Biodiversity Knowledge Integration Center (BioKIC) specialists demo the “LepSnap” app for imaging moths and butterflies.
Friday Night Maker Night with Cyndi Coon of Laboratory 5 Inc. – Gallery at TCA, 6-8 p.m.
- August 18 – Date Night: Follow the Glow, inspired by the Israeli Deathstalker Scorpion
Explore how scorpion venom creates “glowing tumor paint” and craft glow-in-the-dark maps with TCA staff.
Additional Programs
- Through July 21 – Biomimicry Challenge
Artists Jose Benavides, Alexandra Bowers, and Nissa Kubly completed a 9-week residency in on-site studios. - August 24 – Free Lecture: Dayna Baumeister, Biomimicry Institute Co-Founder – Gallery at TCA, 7-8:30 p.m.
- June 16-23 – Bee Hive Café for Teens – Gallery at TCA, 4-7 p.m. Teens from art groups, science clubs, and robotics teams brainstorm in the Bee Hive space. Limited spots; coffee and water provided.
- Satellite Workshops at Edna Vihel Center – 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; $10 registration, lunch included
– June 24: Biomimicry DESIGN Challenge for Teens with artist Christine Cassano and biomimicry specialist Kyra Galani. Register here.
– July 15: Biomimicry CHAIR Design Challenge for Teens & Adults with artist Damon McIntyre & biomimicry specialist Kyra Galani. Register here.
- Satellite Workshops at Edna Vihel Center – 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; $10 registration, lunch included
ASU Art Museum
Creative Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.—Drop in for free art activities like button-making and basket-weaving. Flexible participation; no registration needed—kids take home their creations.
July 8 – Family Day with Las Hermanas Iglesias, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
A full day of art stations in the galleries for ages 4-12, inspired by RE: SISTERS. Join the artist sisters for interactive fun.
Halle Heart Children’s Museum
Escape the heat with themed activities: CPR Super Hero Week, Kids Move with Heart, Dinosaur Discovery, and Sustainability Week. Tots enjoy Toddler Test Kitchen cooking series, Get Moving!, Little Rhythms dance, and Terrific Tuesdays parties. Camp Heart Beat includes guided tours and free lunches via Kids Café.
