Makerspaces blend creativity, innovation, and collaboration in libraries designed for making, building, and experimenting. Whether a student is prototyping an new invention, crafting an unique design or tinkering with electronics, makerspaces foster a sense of wonder and possibility. In a makerspace, the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary, and the impossible becomes achievable.

 

Beginner Makers:

1. Make Your Own Wind Chimes

By Mari Bolte
(Gr. K-3)

Wind chimes are fun to look at and listen to. Grab a few simple art supplies and follow the easy steps in this book to create your very own!
(Check out Pebble Maker Crafts here.)

 

 

 

2. Make Your Own Marshmallow Catapult

By Mari Bolte
(Gr. K-3)

With just a few supplies and easy-to-follow steps, create a marshmallow catapult. This project demonstrates how a simple machine and forces and motion send a sweet treat skyward.
(Check out Pebble Maker Science here.)

 

 

3. Grow Your Own Green Beans

By Lisa J. Amstutz
(Gr. K-3)

Readers don’t need to just eat their green beans—they can grow them too! Simple instructions on how to plant and care for bean plants gives readers a chance to do a project they can be proud of.
(Check out Pebble Maker Grow here.)

 

 

STEM and Arts Connection:

4. 10-Minute Art Projects

By Sarah L. Schuette
(Gr. 3-5)

Looking for quick, engaging art projects for your makerspace? You've come to the right place! From kindness rocks and unicorn dust to foil and cube art, these amazing 10-minute art projects will have kids making in no time!
(Check out 10-Minute Makers here.)

 

 

5. Make Cute Critters from Bits and Pieces

By Tamara JM Peterson and Ruthie Van Oosbree
(Gr. 3-5)

Warm hearts and show your love for animals with scrap metal art! Get inspired with crafts that sculpt sweet, adorable critters from everyday metal objects and junk drawer finds. You might craft tiny hedgehogs with old nails or build beautiful birds from old light bulbs. With creativity and imagination, you'll transform simple scraps into cute critters!
(Check out Scrap Art Fun here.)

 

 

6. Drawing Aircraft, Ships, and High-Speed Vehicles

By Clara Cella
(Gr. 3-9)

Fuel your readers' need to draw modes of transportation that move on land, in the air, and across the sea. Step-by-step instructions show budding artists how to illustrate airplanes, ships, trucks, and more, with projects increasing in difficulty to build drawing skills and confidence.
 

 

Aspiring Artists:

7. Sort-of-Difficult Origami

By Chris Alexander
(Gr. 3-9)

Butterflies, speedboats, and penguins, who would have thought so much could be made out of paper?  These step-by-step guides offer origami projects with a range of difficulty levels.  Clear illustrations of folds and photos of the finished product are included in each fun project.
 

 

 

8. Monster Doodles with Scooby-Doo!

By Benjamin Bird
(Gr. 3-9)

Draw, color, and create MONSTER doodles with Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang!
(Check out Scooby-Doodles! here.)

 

 

9. How to Draw Incredible Dinosaurs

By Juan Calle
(Gr. 3-6)

Claws, horns, spikes, and scales. Whether it's the towering diplodocus or the mini microraptor, dinosaurs are cool. Discover how you can capture them on paper in just a few steps. Awesome drawings made easy!
(Check out Smithsonian Drawing Books here.)

 

Engineering Excitement:

10. 10-Minute Engineering Projects

By Sarah L. Schuette
(Gr. 3-5)

Searching for easy engineering projects for your makerspace? You've come to the right place! From winches and gears to bridges and marble runs, these 10-minute STEM projects will have kids making in no time!
(Check out 10-Minute Makers here.)

 

 

 

11. Super Cool Construction Activities with Max Axiom

By Tammy Enz
(Gr. 3-9)

From pyramids to arches to bridges, Super Scientist Max Axiom makes hands on engineering projects super cool! From the secret files of Axiom Laboratories comes a collection of kid friendly construction projects and activities. With clear step by step, photo illustrated instructions, these projects will not only teach core curriculum engineering concepts, but also amaze aspiring young engineers.
(Check out Max Axiom Science and Engineering Activities here.)

 

 

12. Exciting Engineering Activities

By Angie Smibert
(Gr. 1-3)

Educational, easy-to-do activities will teach young readers more about engineering. Using simple, easy to find materials, these activities will help readers better understand electrical engineering, structural engineering, environmental engineering, and more!
(Check out Curious Scientists here.)

 

 

Code Like the Pros:

13. Adi Sorts with Variables

By Caroline Karanja
(Gr. 1-3)

It's time to clean Adi's room! If only a computer could do it for her! That gives Adi and her best friend Gabi an idea-think like a coder! These scientific thinkers put on their computer coding caps and make cleaning up a snap by sorting with variables!
(Check out Code Play here.)

 

 

14. Coding Games from Scratch

By Rachel Ziter
(Gr. 3-5)

Learn the basics of coding using Scratch by focusing on simple coding techniques and language. This visual, hands-on guide will teach junior makerspace users how to create their games - including animated games, timed games, levels, and live variables - all using Scratch.
(Check out Code It Yourself 4D here.)

 

 

15. Get Involved in a Coding Club!

By Rachel Ziter-Grant
(Gr. 3-5)

Can't get enough of coding? If so, a coding club might be the right fit for you! Find out what it takes to join a coding club or start your own, including information on membership, meetings, and activities. Together, you and your fellow members can participate, create, and most importantly, have fun. Take the plunge, join the club, and get involved!

Check out our Makerspace page for more resources!