Makers Day 2015

Last week, our library hosted a NJ Makers Day. We had 900 patrons walk through our doors to participate in all of the fun activities we offered.

I decided to host  a recycled robot station with a fellow librarian. All of our supplies were donated by the community and library staff members! Over 100 people stopped by our table to make their own robot.

 Recycled Robot Station

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 Sample Robot

 Robot Friends

Supplies:

• Tin cans
• Paper towel rolls
• Pom Poms
• Pipe cleaners
• Sticker eyes
• Google eyes
• Sequins
• Buttons
• Pony beads
• CDs
• Glue sticks

*I recommend using glue sticks for the robots. Make sure you use a lot of glue so the decorations stick! The school glue and tacky glue wouldn't stick to the cans.*

Lamb Craft

I used this craft for an outreach storytime! It was super easy and the kids loved it. All you need is card stock, cotton balls, and crayons. I found an image online of a cute lamb and printed it on the  card stock. This would be great in a Spring or farm storytime.

Supplies:

• Cardstock
• Crayons
• Cotton balls

Cities

This program was for children ages 3 and 4. It was a huge hit! They loved the songs and the exciting noises in the books.

Books

Drum City by Thea Guidone
Subway by Anastasia Suen
Zoom! Zoom! Sound of Things That Go in the City by Robert Burleigh

Songs and Fingerplays

Elevator Song
Courtesy of Jbrary

For our version we throw our arms in the air, bend down, and spin at the end. It's very fun!

Zoom Down the Highway
Courtesy of Jbrary

This is another favorite with the kids.

Craft

City Skyline
I created the skyline using shapes in Publisher.

 Supplies:

• Black Card Stock
• White Card Stock
• Star Stickers
• Crayons

Sweet Treat Storytime

This program was for children ages 3 to 6. I used this theme for a Valentine's Day storytime.

Books

Mr. Cookie Baker by Monica Wellington
The Ice Cream King by Steve Metzger
Blueberry Mouse by Alice Low
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Songs and Flannel Boards

Cupcakes
Courtesy of Poetry for Kids 

I made this into a flannel board.

Cupcakes courtesy of My Cute Graphics.

Five Little Cookies
Courtesy of HCL.

I made this into a flannel board and switched out some of the colors. I made the cookies out of construction paper.

Hot Cocoa
Courtesy of Little Fingers That Play

I made a large mug with marshmallows to go along with the rhyme.

Mug courtesy of My Cute Graphics.

Mix a Pancake
Courtesy of Jbrary 

Craft

Hard Candy Cards

I made a sign that said "You're Sweet". The kids glued this inside the card.

 

Supplies:

• Cardstock
• Cupcakewrappers
• Buttons, sequins, or gems
• Glue

Dr. Suess Storytime

This program was for children ages 3 to 6.

Books

Oh, The Thinks You Can Think!
I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
My Many Colored Days

Songs and Fingerplays

You're a Real Cool Cat
Courtesy of Jbrary

Instead of saying a name, we just say "Hey there, you're a real cool cat."

Little Cat
Courtesy of Mel's Desk

Instead of making paper finger puppets, I used pipe cleaner. I simply wrapped red and white pieces of pipe cleaner around my finger until they looked like the hat from The Cat in the Hat.

Craft

Lorax Planter

This craft was inspired by the blog See Vanessa Craft. I placed soil and seeds in plastic bags, so the kids could easily carry the craft home.

Supplies:

• Orange paper cups
• Yellow felt
• Google eyes
• Orange pom poms
• Seeds
• Potting soil

Storytime Prop

I love using large props in storytime. At my library, we're lucky to have a large printer and laminator.  This equipment allows us to make wonderful props and large song boards. One of my favorite props is The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Throughout the story, I place a variety of food cutouts into the pocket of the caterpillar. If it's a smaller storytime, I allow the kids to feed the caterpillar. I also have a large cocoon and butterfly to show the caterpillar's transition.

Friendship

This program was for children ages 3 and 4.

Books

Make a Wish Bear by Greg Foley
Hooray for Hat! by Brian Won
Little Elliot, Big City by Mike Curato

Song

Will You Be a Friend of Mine?
Courtesy of  Preschool Education

Instead of saying the name of each kid, we perform an action.
For instance, "Will you be a friend of mine and clap along with me?"
Other actions include stomping, tapping, and rolling arms.

Craft

Silly Hat

This craft was inspired by the book Hooray for Hat!

Winter Wonderland

This program was for children ages 3 to 6.

Books

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
Snow! Snow! Snow! by Lee Harper
Winter is the Warmest Season  by Lauren Stringer 

Songs and Fingerplays
Below is a list of a few of the songs and fingerplays I used in the program.

Dance Like Snowflakes
Courtesy of Storytime Katie

Polar Bear, Polar Bear
Courtesy of Preschool Express

Mittens
Courtesy of Can Teach

My Dog Rags
Courtesy of Jbrary

Elevator Song
Courtesy of Jbrary

Go Bananas!
Courtesy of Jbrary
Instead of chopping bananas we pick bananas. 

The kids really enjoyed My Dog Rags and Go Bananas! I've used the songs in many of my programs and they are always a hit!

Craft

Build a Snowman

Supplies:

• Small popsicle sticks
• Buttons
• Cotton balls
• Cardstock for the background, hat and scarf
• Doilies 

Scarf Clipart
Courtesy of Clipart Panda

Top Hat Clipart
Courtesy of Clipart Panda

Activity

I've used this snowman game toss in programs before. The kids love it. It would have fit perfectly with the winter theme.