Through a series of hands-on activities, students are encouraged to experience a new way of observing reality—by adopting Leonardo’s attentive and inquisitive gaze.

This approach helps place the young da Vinci within the cultural context of his time—not as a visionary ahead of his era, but as a true child of the Renaissance. It also provides a key to understanding how his technological studies (to which the Leonardo Museum is particularly dedicated) were closely intertwined with his interests in nature, science, and art.

Participants are invited to analyze some of Leonardo’s drawings through a specific lens: artistic, scientific, or technical. The insights they share become the starting point for practical exploration, direct experimentation, and creative exercises—such as drawing a spiral using a spinning top, recreating a miniature whirlwind, or testing a heat-powered propeller.

Primary and secondary schools.
The maximum number of participants is 25.

The duration of the activity is approximately 1 hour.

The workshop is available ONLY AT THE MUSEUM at a cost of €4.00 per person, not including the admission ticket to the Leonardo Museum.

The workshop is accessible to people with motor and visual disabilities.

The workshop invites participants to step into the shoes of Leonardo, simultaneously artist, scientist, and engineer, and to relive the wonder and curiosity he felt toward everything around him. Starting from some of Leonardo’s drawings and texts, families taking part in the workshop will engage in a series of experiences related to the many interests of the Vinci genius, designed to stimulate the curiosity and keen observational spirit typical of Renaissance men. Leonardo’s artistic, scientific, and technical studies intertwine to inspire different activities each time, tailored to the interests, inspirations, and ages of the participants.

The Hypnotic Spiral
Using paper, spools, and pencils, we will recreate a spiral like the one Leonardo drew to represent the swirling movements of water in a river.

Mini Tornado
With special jars, we will create water vortices resembling tornadoes.

Mirror Writing
Using a pen and inkwell, we will try out Leonardo’s mirror writing and experiment with various ways to decipher it.

Helicopters in Nature
We will observe the spinning motion of certain flying seeds, the same movement performed by Leonardo’s famous helicopter design — the so-called Aerial Screw!

Heat-Conduction Propeller
We will test the principle Leonardo applied to a roasting spit powered by a propeller moved by hot air from a fireplace.

Mechanical Elements
Starting from some simple gears drawn by Leonardo, we will become engineers and assemble a machine, then put it to the test.

Drawing in Perspective
Using the perspectograph designed by Leonardo and following his instructions, we will draw a still life.

For families with children aged 5 to 14 years. The maximum number of participants is 25.

The activity is available according to the Museum’s event calendar.

The experience lasts about 1 hour.

The activity can only be purchased with the museum entrance ticket at a cost of €3.00 for children and €5.00 for adults.

The workshop is accessible to people with motor disabilities.

Please note that each child must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required for both the adult and the child. Educational staff are in no way responsible for supervising minors: parents are therefore kindly asked not to leave their children unattended during the activities.

The puzzles and riddles contained in the booklet will challenge both young and old as they discover the incredible world of the Tuscan genius, where nature, with its wonders, becomes the “teacher of teachers.” Gears and mechanisms applied to construction machines or those in the textile production cycle; studies on flight and movement in air and water are just some examples of Leonardo’s endless passions.

For families with children aged 6 to 11 years.

The experience lasts approximately one hour.

museumGame is available for purchase at the museum ticket office for €2.00.