Program description

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: Encourage children to build cities upward if you have wheelchair users or children who cannot easily sit on the floor. Have grip tools available for those with fine motor skill challenges.

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Mode: In-person

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Staff Energy: Moderate

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Ages: 3-12

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Cost: Minimal

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Length: 1 hr.

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Ideal Attendance: Varies

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STEAM Practices:

✓ Engineering

✓ Arts

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Tags: STEAM, upcycling, ages 3-12, low cost

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Credit: Kate Davis

Supplies:

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

Cardboard boxes of different sizes

Crayons/markers

Packing tape ($10.65)

Road tape ($10)

Total Cost: $20.65

stack of cardboard boxes

Instructions:

Set out boxes, markers, and road tape and let the kids go wild! Encourage them to decorate however they’d like– a town, castle, spaceship, etc. Encourage them to work together.

Staff Know-How

Planning, Set Up & Facilitation

Tape together the bottoms of the boxes ahead of time.

Save boxes from book and supply deliveries.

If you have an upcoming library move or reno, plan this program for right after you upack!

Pro-Tips

Let the kids take the lead, but offer suggestions they made not have thought of, like a parking lot for spaceships or a laundromat in their town.

If you see kids working independently, watch to see if you get the feeling that they may like to work with other kids. Facilitate as necessary, but if they’re happy working alone, that is perfectly fine.