Make a Colorful Kaleidoscope

 Our library's Summer Reading Club theme is "Reading Colors Your World" and what better way to celebrate a colorful summer by having a kaleidoscope program. I liked this idea because it paired well with the library's summer reading theme and it also has STEM characteristics. 

After scouring library books and the internet for ideas on how to go about making a kaleidoscope, I decided to buy a nice kit I found on Amazon and showcase some of the books we had that explain how to make one on your own. The kits worked out beautifully and this was one of the virtual programs with a supply bag that went like that. 

I enjoyed making the sample for this craft and it was nice to incorporate some of the science behind light and reflections. 

Virtual Program: Make a Magnet Maze

 For one of my virtual programs in November, I made a video showing kids ages 5-8 and their parents how to make a magnet maze using supplies around the house.

This was a more challenging virtual program for me since I usually don't do science programs and it was a little outside of my comfort zone, but I did my best and glad I pushed myself to try something different. 

This program would be fun to put on again when patrons are able to come back to the library for programs so that will be something I'll consider when the time comes.

It did take a lot of effort to put the program together and I thought the magnet mazes turned out well. I liked how the kids can pick any theme they want when designing and decorating their maze.

I did show a few ideas for mazes, but the simplest one was using a box or cardboard, popsicle sticks, a strong magnet, a paperclip, and whatever they wanted to use to decorate. Foam stickers work particularly well. 

I started off by explaining a little bit about magnetism using a library book and then showed them some examples and gave them directions on how to start making their maze.

My examples included the simple popsicle stick maze, a gnome-themed maze, and two examples that were more-so on magnetism and decorating with a space theme and a transportation theme. 

This program has a science/STEM element to it, a creative and artsy element to it, and a game/fun element to it so it was nice to have all of these into one program.