Galaxy-themed anything is always trending. These fun little magnets are easy for teens to create while they decompress after school. They’re perfect for lockers, so this would be a great start-of-the-school year activity.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Library programming is designed to be fully inclusive. Age limits may be implemented in certain programs to ensure that program content fosters appropriate developmental markers.

Accessibility: For patrons with small motor challenges, purchase 5” acrylic squares to use instead of the tiny glass discs. Have spring-loaded scissors on hand. Lay printed directions on tables from introverted participants to refer to.

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Mode: Facilitated

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Staff Energy: Moderate

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Ages: 12+

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Cost: Low

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Length: 45 min.

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Ideal Attendance: 5+

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STEAM Practices:

✓ Science (magnets)

✓ Art

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Tags: Teens, Science, Low Cost, Art, Galaxy

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Credit: popcraftart.com

Supplies:

(Commonly on-hand supplies are not included in cost breakdown.)

Glass floral gems ($7.99/3500)
½” round magnets ($24.4/100)
Mod Podge 8 oz/$3.97
Print outs or magazine pictures of your galaxy images
Foam Brush
Craft Knife
Scissors
Super Glue/Hot glue
Magnets

Total Cost: ~$.30/magnet total

Instructions:

Cut images into squares just larger than the glass discs. Apply Mod Podge to the flat side of your glass gems with a foam brush, then brush a layer onto the right side of your picture. Place the gem onto the paper and push to secure. Let everything dry. (You may want to do another activity while the glue dries.) Rinse your foam brush.
Trim the paper either with scissors or a craft knife.
Brush another layer of Mod Podge onto the back of the paper that is on the glass gem. Cover the edges to seal the paper to the gem, wiping away any excess glue that gets on the sides of the gem. Let dry thoroughly.
Attach magnets with super glue or hot glue.

Glass discs and round magnets on a wooden board

Staff Know-How

Planning, Set Up & Facilitation

Collect galaxy patterns from magazines, images, cardstock or print out patterns from the web.

Pro-Tips

Use self-adhesive magnets to avoid using super glue or hot glue.
Because of the drying time, use this activity as either a take-home craft or during a lock-in/longer event.
Use this program as a casual afterschool drop-in activity for kids who come in every day. They can let their pieces dry, then return the next day to finish.
You may be able to find magnets at the dollar store and significantly reduce the overall cost of this project.