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Community Resources & Things to Do · Maker spaces · 18 resources
College Park
Maryland Robotics Center IDEA Factory Open Lab
Recurring public access to a university robotics lab (see §13). Every-other-Friday Open Lab; tours three times a month; workshops by request; Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility access on tours.
Cost
Official Maryland Robotics Center pages for Open Lab hours and Group Tours describe RSVP and scheduling but list no admission charge; attendance appears to be free.[1][4][5]
Best fit
Students
Before you go
Runs monthly, year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
tours three times a month
Baltimore City
Open Works
A large nonprofit makerspace on Greenmount Ave with dedicated youth and teen programs. A teen program that pays students rather than charging them; 3D printing, laser cutting and direct-to-garment printing; industrial sewing on Singer Heavy Duty machines; $20 all-ages recycled-materials workshops.
Cost
Mixed: Maker Camps $250; "Reuse, Rebuild, Recycle!" $20 for two class spots; Teen Maker Program pays a stipend ("Stipend available, participation-based"); scholarships available.
Best fit
kids, teens, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Ages
Ages 8 to 17
Arlington
The Shop
Arlington's public makerspace at Central Library, with free classes and an equipment open lab. Free classes in sewing, 3D printing and technology; Glowforge laser cutter and Silhouette Cameo vinyl cutter; embroidery and sewing machines; Collage Club social crafting; staff on hand during Open Lab (Tue–Sat).
Cost
Free programs; only consumables are charged (3D printing $0.05/gram, buttons $0.15 each, vinyl $0.50–0.75/sheet, laminating $0.25–0.50). An active library card and Maker User Agreement are required.
Best fit
kids, teens, ya
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Ages
Ages 9 and up
Annapolis
Annapolis Makerspace
Nonprofit community workshop: 3D printers, laser cutter, CNC, woodworking and metalworking. Nonprofit community workshop: 3D printers, laser cutter, CNC, woodworking and metalworking.
Cost
Small monthly fee (amount not stated); some classes free.
Best fit
ya, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- 3D printers
- laser cutter
- CNC
- wood shop
Baltimore
Baltimore Node
Member-run 501(c)(3) hackerspace (~2,600 sq ft) with shared tools, workshops and storage. Member-run 501(c)(3) hackerspace (~2,600 sq ft) with shared tools, workshops and storage.
Cost
$50/month; household add-on $25/month each; reduced rates by need; OpenHack Thursdays free.
Best fit
ya
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Alexandria
Building Momentum Innovation Academy
10,000+ sq ft maker facility (laser cutters, 3D printers, robots, woodworking, metal shop) with youth STEAM camps including welding and gravity go-kart builds. 10,000+ sq ft maker facility (laser cutters, 3D printers, robots, woodworking, metal shop) with youth STEAM camps including welding and gravity go-kart builds.
Cost
Camp/class prices not stated.
Best fit
kids, teens
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Ages
Ages 7 to 15
What's here
- laser cutters
- 3D printers
- woodworking
- metal workshop
Silver Spring
Catylator Makerspace
Small makerspace offering teen workshops, camps, laser cutting, 3D printing/scanning, CAD lab and sewing. Small makerspace offering teen workshops, camps, laser cutting, 3D printing/scanning, CAD lab and sewing.
Cost
From about $10/hour to $142 for five visits; hourly, day and evening passes; membership price not stated.
Best fit
teens, ya
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- laser cutter
- 3D printers
- CAD lab
- sewing
Washington
Chevy Chase Community Center (makerspaces planned)
DGS modernization plan includes workshops/makerspaces, pottery, arts & crafts, tech lounges and a darkroom; not stated as open yet. DGS modernization plan includes workshops/makerspaces, pottery, arts & crafts, tech lounges and a darkroom; not stated as open yet.
Cost
Not stated.
Best fit
teens, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- planned makerspace
Indian Head
College of Southern Maryland Velocity Center makerspace and Kids' & Teens College
Nearly 2,000 sq ft public makerspace (3D printers, scanners, laser cutters, CNC, electronics, laptops with free software) hosting youth STEM camps, a spring-break academy with local schools, teen 3D printing classes and a family STEAM festival. Nearly 2,000 sq ft public makerspace (3D printers, scanners, laser cutters, CNC, electronics, laptops with free software) hosting youth STEM camps, a spring-break academy with local schools, teen 3D printing classes and a family STEAM festival.
Cost
Kids' & Teens College classes e.g. $195 half-day STEM/LEGO/robotics, $299 full-day STEM Academy; Art of Innovation STEAM Festival cost not stated.
Best fit
kids, teens, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Ages
Ages 5 to 17
What's here
- 3D printers
- laser cutters
- CNC
- electronics bench
Baltimore
Digital Harbor Foundation Tech Center
Nonprofit youth maker/tech center in a converted rec center: year-round maker programming, family make nights, FabSLAM competitions. Nonprofit youth maker/tech center in a converted rec center: year-round maker programming, family make nights, FabSLAM competitions.
Cost
Youth programs pay-what-you-can (no required cost).
Best fit
kids, teens
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- 3D printing
- electronics
- fabrication
Frederick
Frederick Makerspace (planned)
501(c)(3) planning a general community tool shop (wood, metal, electronics, 3D printing, sewing). 501(c)(3) planning a general community tool shop (wood, metal, electronics, 3D printing, sewing).
Cost
Not stated.
Best fit
ya
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Greenbelt
Greenbelt MakerSpace (Makerspace 125)
Cooperative community clubhouse/makerspace with free membership and kids' educational programs. Cooperative community clubhouse/makerspace with free membership and kids' educational programs.
Cost
Membership free; open to the public six days a week.
Best fit
kids, teens, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Washington
HacDC
Nonprofit hackerspace (est. Nonprofit hackerspace (est. 2008) in Columbia Heights with free public workshops.
Cost
Standard membership $60/month; workshops free and open to the public (materials may cost).
Best fit
ya
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- electronics
- 3D printing
Leesburg
Makersmiths Leesburg
Volunteer-run community makerspace; membership covers both Leesburg and Purcellville shops. Volunteer-run community makerspace; membership covers both Leesburg and Purcellville shops.
Cost
Individual $65/month; household $130/month; guest membership free; day pass not stated.
Best fit
ya, teens
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- shared tools (training required)
Purcellville
Makersmiths Purcellville
Second Makersmiths location. Second Makersmiths location.
Cost
Individual $65/month; household $130/month; guest membership free.
Best fit
ya, teens
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
What's here
- shared tools
Fairfax
Nova Labs
A 24/7 member-run makerspace with advanced fabrication equipment and a large class catalog. Advanced machinery — woodworking, metalworking, sewing/fiber arts, jewelry, leather, stained glass; 24/7 access with Key Membership; free open-house days to try tools; FIRST Robotics teams.
Cost
Membership/class fees not stated; free public Open House events (2025 open house ran Oct 18, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
Best fit
kids, teens
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Baltimore
Station North Tool Library
Tool-lending library and workshop with woodworking, metalworking, craft and repair classes; adults only (18+). Tool-lending library and workshop with woodworking, metalworking, craft and repair classes; adults only (18+).
Cost
Suggested minimum annual membership $1 per $1,000 of income; scholarships available.
Best fit
ya
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.
Ages
Ages 18 and up
What's here
- tool lending
- wood shop
- metal shop
Washington
The Labs at DC Public Library
A fabrication lab and audio/video studio complex at MLK Memorial Library (library-hosted but a full makerspace, not a book service). Fab Lab with 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines and soldering equipment; Studio Lab with a voiceover booth and music/video production studio; Maker-in-Residence program with community classes and open studio time; Fab Lab open noon–8 p.m. Mon–Thu.
Cost
Free -- DCPL describes The Labs at MLK as "D.C.'s free creative space"; equipment use requires orientation and a signed release.
Best fit
kids, teens, ya, families
Before you go
Open year-round. Check hours on the official site before travelling.