Ever been to Maker Faire? It is a great family friendly event for geeks and DIY enthusiasts of all stripes! I ran an exhibit there last year, and my only regret is that I didn't personally get to see even a fraction ofall the cool stuff going on. 

Above Left: That's me on the right with some of the volunteers for the Let's Make Robots area.

Left: My kids and some of the other Let's Make Robots folks.                                                        

Maker Faire is definitely about more than robots, but we weren't the only robot-related exhibit there. Here is Erin "RobotGrrl" Kennedy showing my daughter some of her creations. Erin is a real inspiration for anyone, but I think budding geekgrrls can relate especially well. 

Here's my kids checking out the Sashimi Tabernacle Choir car, which has to be seen to be believed. You know those Billy Bass singing fish? Imagine an entire late model car covered in animatronic acquatic life. The pièce de résistance is the extended boom on the front supporting a lobster conductor for the choir.

If that doesn't make your kids want to make stuff, I don't know what will. Oh, maybe this. A giant metal fire breathing dragon!

There was lots more to see and do, including many interactive and hands-on activities. Kids could learn to solder, program their first Arduino, isolate the DNA from a strawberry, learn to weave, and participate in many other activities.

Another popular attraction was the giant waterfall slide.

There were lots of gears, cranks and other mechanisms to play with.

Play Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock with a robot.

Arc Attack was not to be missed. (I missed it, but it was amazing, I'm told.)  The life sized Mouse Trap and the Coke Zero and Mentos fountain were also very impressive.