Each week during the summer, our library sets out a new Creation Station for kids to explore. It\u2019s a self-serve table with a fun board that includes graphics, simple instructions, step-by-step directions, and cool facts about the project. Kids can jump in whenever they want\u2014no sign-up or staff help needed. Since it\u2019s passive, we track participation by counting how many supplies get used. Curious what we\u2019ve got planned? Keep reading for all 8 of our summer projects\u2014fun, simple, and full of creativity!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Build a Robot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This project really only requires scrap paper! I\u2019m providing rectangles of paper, various scrap paper shapes, googly eyes, scissors, markers, and glue. Children can cut and glue to create their own robot\u2014one that can do whatever they imagine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chromatography Butterflies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you take a coffee filter and draw a circle in the middle with a black or brown marker or pen, then fold the filter and place the bottom edge in water, the colors will separate as they travel at different speeds due to their varying polarities. The result is a beautiful display of separated colors. If you tie a pipe cleaner around the middle, it looks like a lovely butterfly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Design a Maze<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This is one of my most involved activities, but it\u2019s too fun to pass up\u2014and I love sharing the science of magnetism. Each child gets a paper plate to create their own maze using paper strips and pieces of plastic straws (both of which we\u2019ve had lying around for years). Then, they tape a magnet to a popsicle stick and use it underneath the plate to guide a paperclip through their maze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Energy Burst Sticks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Giving each person 4 popsicle sticks lets them make a little ninja star that\u2019s safe to play with but breaks apart dramatically when thrown or dropped. They\u2019ll have a ton of fun with this one! It\u2019s cheap and simple, and I even created an informational sheet about kinetic and potential energy to go along with it.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Paper Flowers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I gathered a pile of old, discarded magazines, removed the staples, and cut each spread lengthwise. With some scissors and glue, children can create paper flowers\u2014making it a great opportunity to talk about recycling!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parachute Person<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Coffee filters for the win again! Kids can decorate the coffee filter with crayons, hole punch each end, and tie pre-cut yarn to it. I provide instructions on how to fold a pipe cleaner into a person, but they\u2019re free to create whatever they like (I wanted to use Lego people, but pipe cleaners are more budget-friendly). Once they tie their pipe cleaner creation to the yarn, their parachute is complete.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Pinwheels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The materials for this project are a 6×6 piece of cardstock, a brad fastener, and a paper straw. Kids will also need a ruler, scissors, a hole punch, and markers for decorating. While these don\u2019t spin as smoothly as a traditional pinwheel, they do spin\u2014and they\u2019re absolutely adorable and fun!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Tic-Tac-Toe on the Go<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This is my absolute favorite Creation Station activity! Our summer theme is iRead: Level Up<\/em>, which focuses on puzzles and games\u2014and what could be more classic than tic-tac-toe? Each child gets a reusable drawstring bag (ordered from Amazon) and selects 10 recycled bottle caps, generously donated by our amazing staff over the past few months. They write X\u2019s and O\u2019s on the caps and draw a 3×3 grid directly onto the bag. When they\u2019re done playing, the pieces store neatly inside the bag. It\u2019s fun, reusable, and a fantastic hands-on activity!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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