AH my inner geek is so happy right now! After a year waiting in anticipation, the Maker Faire is finally happening this May 17-19 at the San Mateo Event Center. It’s the perfect three day event for getting out with the entire family to celebrate the Maker Movement. Prepare yourself for some hands-on inspiration by over 800 innovative makers, exhibits, presenters, speakers and super cool stuff. 

After attending many Maker Faire’s, I've taken one or two (or more) missteps. So here are my personal suggestions and tips for an AWESOME day at The Maker Faire!

Plan Your Day

If you haven't bought your tickets yet, stop here and get them ASAP! 

Phew! OK, you bought your tickets, now what? Expect to have the time of your life! Every nook and cranny has makers of all kinds, attractions and performances, presentations and hands-on activities to ignite the fire in you to become a Maker. Which is why I create a game plan in advance. No FOMO for my family. I have my personal plan to tackle the bounty of options to play, tinker & hack. 

Some of this years highlights:

• See Adam Savage’s inspiring “Sunday Sermon”

• Try your hand at circuitry, lace making, and light saber training

• Get up close to the newest Maker tech tools & platforms

• Hone your drone operator chops with the Museum of Future Sports

• Explore mobile architecture in the Tiny Home Zone

• Witness physical feats of flex and power on the Dance Battle stage

• Shop for handmade and hard to find crafts at the SFBazaar

• Big art! Droids! Robots! Racecars! Drones! Fire!

• Hundreds of hands-on and interactive exhibits

• 8 stages brimming with presentations and how-tos across science, art, craft and engineering

• Glimpse the future and get inspired at Maker Faire!

I’m already feeling so empowered to create. You’ll want to see it all.

Be Prepared

A hot sunny weekend is in the forecast. In other words, with all of outdoor activities load up on the sunscreen and bring a refillable water bottle. Wear layers and leave the dress shoes at home - you’ll be on your feet all day. And don't forget the camera!

There's plenty of delicious food options but if you have a restrictive diet plan to bring your own food. 

Transportation to the Maker Faire

Maker Faire Bay Area takes place at the San Mateo Event Center but there is limited onsite parking. Parking is available in specific locations with an inexpensive shuttle buses to the event. Click here for details on how to get to The Maker Faire in advance and avoid circling round and round which I would, er, um, never do.

Create, invent, play, explore and buckle up for the ultimate S.T.E.A.M. adventure!  See you at the Maker Faire!

About Maker Faire
Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness, and celebration of the Maker Movement. It's a place where people of all ages and backgrounds gather together to show what they are making and share what they are learning. Save the dates for Maker Faire Bay Area 2019 at the San Mateo Event Center in San Mateo, CA, on Friday-Sunday, May 19-21, 2018. More information about Maker Faire can be found at http://www.makerfaire.com, Friend on Facebook, Follow on Instagram and Twitter: @makerfaire