Open the Doors with the Mouse 2026
Workshop at the recording studio
Do you have any sounds? Vinyl records, tape and cassettes – I’ve got those. But what’s an audio tape, what’s a tangled tape, and how can you easily ‘conjure up’ sounds from a record? And is it really that difficult to build your own radio? Give it a go with us and then take your very own homemade radio home with you!
- Ages: 7 to 12 years
- Duration: 1 hour
- Book online or via the visitor services department of the Dresden City Museums on +49 351 488 7272 (Mon–Fri)
It's all a trick
Family DIY at MACHwerk
1.00 pm to 5.00 pm
At MACHwerk today, you can use the ‘Wheel of Life’, the ‘Wonder Disc’ and a flipbook to make pictures move, just like in animated films.
- Museum admission
Jugend hackt Lab Dresden
Open Lab
Next up: learning to code, programming the Calliope mini, programming games, discovering the world of AI, bringing your own projects to life, or developing project ideas with us.
We look forward to seeing both new and familiar faces.
Just pop in – no need to register!
Lötpunkt AG
The Cool Creative Lab
Want to build your own robot? At Lötpunkt, the cool creative lab, it’s no problem. Here, you can experience electronics first-hand. You can quickly and easily solder electronic devices together from components – whether it’s a mini torch, a moisture indicator for a flower pot, a glowing heart for Granny’s birthday cake, an anemometer or even a small robot.
Every Thursday (except during the holidays), 3.30–5.30 pm
Free to attend
Ages 12 and over
Register with the visitor services department of the Dresden City Museums on +49 351 488 7272 or at service@museen-dresden.de
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)
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)
My glowing paper object
Family DIY at MACHwerk
1.00 pm to 5.00 pm
At MACHwerk today, you can make your own paper creation and make it glow. Whether it’s a jellyfish or a tetrahedron, pop in and show us what you can conjure up using tracing paper, LEDs and copper tape!
- Museum admission
From sound to music!
Holiday workshop
How is sound actually produced? Why do instruments sound different? And how does a loudspeaker work?
In this holiday programme organised by DLR_School_Lab and the Klippel Foundation, you’ll get to the bottom of these questions together with other pupils. Bring your own musical instrument and discover fascinating acoustic phenomena through listening, measuring with your smartphone and hands-on experiments.
Together, you’ll explore acoustic concepts and even build the simplest loudspeaker there is. This way, you’ll learn about the technology behind sound and music in a fun and engaging way. The expertise and guidance come from acousticians Wolfgang Klippel and Wolfgang Böhm.
- This programme is aimed at pupils aged 12 and over who love music, enjoy experimenting or are simply curious about how sound works.
- Dates: 13 to 15 October, 10.00–16.00 each day
- Meals provided (free of charge)
- Register online or by contacting the visitor services department of the Museums of the City of Dresden on +49 351 488 7272 (Mon–Fri)
This workshop is being held in cooperation with CrossMedia Tour e.V. as part of Code Week 2026.
This initiative is co-funded by tax revenue based on the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament.
It's all a trick
Open family programme
How do still images suddenly come to life? Find out here. In our workshop for children and families, we’ll discover the early tricks of film history.
- For families with children of primary school age and above
- Open session from 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm
- Museum admission
Jugend hackt Lab Dresden: Open Lab XL
Holiday workshop
Want to learn to code through games? You can give it a go at XL-Lab Dresden. Automate your farm with drones, solve puzzles using code, or programme creative 3D sculptures. And, of course, there’s support from the pros too.
- Age: 12 to 18 years
- Duration: 4 hours
- Register online or via the visitor service at Dresden’s museums on +49 351 488 7272 (Mon–Fri)
It's all a trick
Open family programme
How do still images suddenly come to life? Find out here. In our workshop for children and families, we’ll discover the early tricks of film history.
- For families with children of primary school age and above
- Open session from 2.00 pm – 4.30 pm
- Museum admission
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)