Photograms
Open family programme
Photos without a camera – is that possible? With photograms, it certainly is! In our darkroom, we create little works of art without a camera. Under guidance, you’ll create your own photograms in this workshop for young people and families and take them home with you.
- For families with children aged primary school and above
- Open session from 14:00 – 16:30
Playdough, Fruit & Code: Programming controllers and instruments with the Makey Makey
Holiday workshop for girls as part of Code Week
9.30 am to 4.30 pm
Fruit, modelling clay or pencil drawings: you can turn the world around you into a controller! This makes a mouse, keyboard and touchscreen redundant. The small circuit board, its circuits and plug connections make it all possible. With just a few lines of code, you can create a banana piano, build a gaming controller out of play dough or make a poster come to life. The main thing is that it conducts electricity! You don’t need any prior knowledge – just the desire to let your creativity run wild.
- Snacks and lunch are included; travel expenses may be covered.
- This course is for girls only.
- Recommended age: 12 to 16 years
- Duration: 7 hours
This programme is co-funded by tax revenue based on the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament.
This course is taking place as part of the CrossMedia Tour to mark Code Week 2026.
Party Lights: Build your own LED light display
Holiday workshop
Together, we’ll explore the evolution from the perforated disc to music streaming and learn how to transform music into rhythmic light effects. You’ll build your very own LED light organ, which reacts to sounds and lights up to the beat of your favourite songs. It’s entirely up to you to decide what your light show will look like!
- Age: 12 to 16 years
- Duration: 3 hours
- Cost: €5 per person
- Book online or via the visitor services team at the Dresden City Museums on +49 351 488 7272 (Mon–Fri)
Short film programme ‘Courage from the Bag of Tricks’
KINOLINO – 33rd Film Festival for Young Audiences at the Museum Cinema
Courage doesn’t mean not being afraid, but daring to do something despite that queasy feeling. That’s what sets the main characters of these DEFA animated films from Dresden apart: they try new things, say ‘no’ or face up to a difficult situation. Curiosity, humour and skill, as well as their empathy for other living creatures, help them to do so.
Film selection:
*The Fairy-Tale Cloak*, Horst J. Tappert, GDR 1981, puppet animation
The Scaredy-Cat, Lothar Barke, GDR 1964, hand-drawn animation
The Little Elephant’s Big Journey, Heinz Nagel, GDR 1969, flat-figure animation
*Jungle Fairy Tale*, Katja Georgi, GDR 1978, puppet animation
- In cooperation with the German Institute for Animated Film (DIAF)
- Recommended for ages 6 and over
- Total running time: 54 mins
- Admission: 1 euro plus museum entry fee
- Book online or via the visitor services desk at the Museums of the City of Dresden on +49 351 488 7272 (Mon–Fri)
3D printing for beginners: Design and print your first model
Holiday workshop for girls as part of Code Week
In this one-day workshop, you’ll discover the world of 3D design. You’ll learn how to design your own digital models using TinkerCAD, a free online tool for creative 3D design. Unlike traditional drawing, here you’ll be working with shapes in space, which you’ll assemble to create your own figure. In the process, you’ll learn the basics of design, how to position and manipulate objects, and how to prepare your figure for 3D printing.
As well as gaining a wealth of knowledge, you can even take your finished model home with you – either as a 3D-printed object or as a file to tinker with further.
The workshop is ideal for all girls who fancy getting creative with digital design and want to gain their first experience with 3D software.
- Refreshments and lunch are included; travel costs may be covered.
- This course is for girls only.
- Recommended age: 12 to 16 years
- Duration: 7 hours
This programme is co-funded by tax revenue in accordance with the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament.
This course is taking place as part of the CrossMedia Tour to mark Code Week 2026.
Short film programme ‘Courage from the Bag of Tricks’
KINOLINO – 33rd Film Festival for Young Audiences at the Museum Cinema
Courage doesn’t mean not being afraid, but daring to do something despite that queasy feeling. That’s what sets the main characters of these DEFA animated films from Dresden apart: they try new things, say ‘no’ or face up to a difficult situation. Curiosity, humour and skill, as well as their empathy for other living creatures, help them to do so.
Film selection:
*The Fairy-Tale Cloak*, Horst J. Tappert, GDR 1981, puppet animation
The Scaredy-Cat, Lothar Barke, GDR 1964, hand-drawn animation
The Little Elephant’s Big Journey, Heinz Nagel, GDR 1969, flat-figure animation
*Jungle Fairy Tale*, Katja Georgi, GDR 1978, puppet animation
- In cooperation with the German Institute for Animated Film (DIAF)
- Recommended for ages 6 and over
- Total running time: 54 mins
- Admission: 1 euro plus museum entry fee
- Book online or via the visitor services desk at the Museums of the City of Dresden on +49 351 488 7272 (Mon–Fri)
Pixel art
Family DIY at MACHwerk
1.00 pm to 5.00 pm
At MACHwerk today, you can design your own pixel art and print it using LEGO® bricks.
- Museum admission
A riot of colour and a blaze of light: Build an LED spinning top
Holiday workshop
How do you actually build a circuit? How does soldering work? Together, we’ll take our first steps into the world of soldering and learn the basics of electrical circuits quickly and easily. You’ll then solder your own LED spinning top together using electronic components.
- Age: 12 to 16 years
- Duration: 2 hours
- Cost: €5 per child
- Book online or via the visitor services team at Dresden City Museums on +49 351 488 7272 (Mon–Fri)
Water, soap, air
Public science show for families with children aged 6 and over
Water and air are wonderful and important elements that can be used to carry out lots of fun and interesting experiments. You’re in for a treat!
- For children aged 6 to 14 and a maximum of two accompanying adults
- €1 per person plus museum admission (family ticket)
- Book online or via the visitor services department of Dresden’s museums on +49 351 488 7272 (Mon–Fri)
Farewell party ahead of the refurbishment
Family celebration
10.00 to 18.00 each day
Before the Dresden Technology Collections close temporarily for energy-efficiency refurbishment, we warmly invite you to a family festival featuring exciting hands-on activities, science shows and exclusive behind-the-scenes tours.
- Museum admission