March 12, 2025 – The library's second annual Maker Fest is coming up at the Downtown Library on Wednesday, March 19, from 1-3 pm. This open house will feature an afternoon of hands-on, family-friendly STEAM activities with both the library and community partners. See robot demonstrations, watch the 3D printers and laser cutters in action, create your own technology projects and crafts to take home, contribute to community art, and more. Find all the details here.
No library event would be complete without a list of recommended reading. From books of crafts and fun science experiments to try at home to picture books about groundbreaking inventors and creators, these books are designed to inspire kids and get them excited about STEAM learning (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math).
Browse the titles below and put them on hold in our catalog by clicking on their titles.
"Eco Kids Self-Sufficiency Handbook: Steam Projects to Help Kids Make a Difference" by Alan Bridgewater
By cleverly combining creativity with eco-awareness, this timely book encourages children aged 7-14 to put down their mobile devices and get involved. From building a wind turbine and a go-kart to creating light, growing vegetables, and making green gifts, "Eco Kids Self-Sufficiency Handbook" offers a wide range of ways to capture the imagination and make a positive contribution to the world around us.
"Brick Science: Stem Tips and Tricks for Experimenting With Your Lego Bricks" by Jacquie Fisher
Does your young scientist love LEGOs? Then this is the book for them! Contained within these pages is an assortment of experiments and activities to teach your child all about Science and STEM subjects using LEGO bricks.
"Outdoor Activity Lab: Exciting Stem Projects for Budding Scientists" by Jack Challoner
This book is perfect for every young scientist curious about the world. Using easy-to-find household items, you can make giant bubbles to reveal how surface tension works, construct a water rocket and blast it skyward to learn about Newton's law of physics, discover how mushrooms grow by cultivating mycelium, make your own barometer to measure atmospheric pressure ... and much more!
"Math Maker Lab: 27 Super-Cool Projects"
To complete these engaging projects, kids don't need to be math geniuses or even know how to use a calculator. Each task comes with easy-to-follow instructions, photographs, and illustrations to help whip up super cool mathematics creations.
"Eco-Friendly Crafting With Kids: 35 Step-by-Step Projects for Preschool Kids and Adults to Create Together" by Kate Lilley
Presents thirty-five simple music, nature, science, and paper craft ideas for children that can be made using easy-to-find materials from around the home.
"Kids' Ultimate Craft Book: Bead, Crochet, Knot, Braid, Knit, Sew!"
The perfect guide to crafting with kids, "Kids Ultimate Craft Book" starts with the absolute basics, then gradually introduces skills and techniques so kids can create fantastic projects with beading, braiding and knotting, crochet, knitting, and sewing.
"My Sewing Workshop: Simple Guide to Skills & Supplies – 40 Fun Projects to Stitch & Share" by Annabel Wrigley
Includes not just sewing projects but crafts like painting, cross-stitch, and wall art. Step-by-step for kids to learn the basics of sewing and crafting.
"Be a Maker" by Katey Howes
Illustrations and simple, rhyming text invite the reader to make everything from a tower to a charitable donation, alone or with neighbors.
"Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects"
Presents over two dozen simple science activities using food, common household items, water, and the outdoors.
"Maker Comics: Build a Robot!" by Colleen Venable
The family toaster is preparing to take over the world with an army of evil robots, but he needs your help to build them! Several obstacles lie in his path: his homework, a pesky little sister, and even a dastardly kitty cat. Just follow his instructions to build a series of robots and world domination is within reach!
"Junior Maker: Experiments to Try, Crafts to Create, and Lots to Learn!"
Offers instructions for interactive activities, crafts, and experiments designed to supplement what young readers learn in school, including creating marshmallow constellations, a lion mosaic, and fizzing balloons.
"Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe" by Deborah Blumenthal
As soon as Ann Cole Lowe could walk, her momma and grandma taught her to sew. When her mom died, Ann continued sewing dresses. It wasn't easy, especially when she went to design school and had to learn alone, segregated from the rest of the class. But the work she did set her spirit soaring, as evidenced in the clothes she made. Rarely credited, Ann Cole Lowe became "society's best kept secret." This beautiful picture book shines the spotlight on a figure who proved that with hard work and passion, any obstacles can be overcome.
"Boxitects" by Kim Smith
Meg goes to Maker School to hone her talent for building with boxes, but when Simone, another boxitect, arrives they become so competitive they nearly fail in the annual Maker Match.
"Uma Wimple Charts Her House" by Reif Larsen
A young chart maker faces a challenge when she is given an assignment to make a chart of her own home.
"Gizmos, Gadgets, and Guitars: The Story of Leo Fender" by Michael Mahin
A picture book biography of American inventor Leo Fender, best known for creating the world's most iconic electric guitar.
"The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman
Newbery-Honor winning author Joyce Sidman explores the extraordinary life and scientific discoveries of Maria Merian, who discovered the truth about metamorphosis and documented the science behind the mystery in this visual biography that features many original paintings by Maria herself.
The Maker Fest is generously supported by Curiosity Sponsor Sunrise Builders.