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Kit Instructions

Mega Gears

Mega Gears

The Mega Gears Kit features two sets of the Gears! Gears! Gears!® Mega Builds Set from Learning Resources. This hands-on engineering kit allows kids to explore mechanical movement and STEM concepts through colorful, interlocking gears. It’s perfect for free play, structured challenges, or STEAM-focused library programs.

     Why This Kit Is Awesome

This kit supports STEM concepts, creativity and design thinking, teamwork and communication, critical thinking and trial-and-error learning, and fine motor development.

  • STEM in Action: Promotes early engineering skills like building, problem-solving, and cause & effect.
  • Creative Play: Kids can invent wild, wacky machines with spinning, twirling, and turning motion.
  • Motor Skills: Great for building fine motor coordination and spatial awareness.
  • Collaborative Learning: Encourages teamwork and communication during group builds.
  • Open-Ended: There's no "right way" to build, which fosters creativity and resilience.

Programming Ideas

  • Build & Spin Challenge: Have patrons build a structure with at least 10 gears that can spin together with one turn. You can set time limits or themes like “spinny animals” or “gears at the playground.”
  • Story + Build: Read a book like Rosie Revere, Engineer or What Do You Do With an Idea?, then invite participants to build a gear-powered invention inspired by the story.
  • Simple Machines Station: Set up a STEM station with other kits (like pulleys, ramps, or LEGO WeDo). Let kids explore how different simple machines work—and how gears play a role.
  • Gear Maze: Challenge teams to create a spinning path of gears that turns an object (like a flag or mini character) at the end. Longest chain wins!

Build Plans & Challenges

  • Tallest Spinning Tower: How tall can you build a gear-based structure that still spins?
  • Crank-a-Flag: Use the crank to raise a flag on a pole using gear rotation.
  • Creature Creations: Build a creature with spinning limbs or a wagging tail.
  • Theme Build: Assign themes like amusement park rides, robots, or Rube Goldberg machines.

Books to Pair With the Kit

  • The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
  • If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen
  • Andrew Learns about Engineers by Tiffany Obeng
  • The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

Tips for Use

  • For ages 5+, but younger kids will love free play with adult supervision.
  • Use trays or mats to contain pieces and make cleanup easier.
  • Pair with a whiteboard or chart paper for sketching ideas.
  • Great for pop-up maker programs, STEAM nights, or quiet play stations.

Rigamajig Kit #1

Rigamajig Kit #1

   

Project Plans                                                                         Play Prompts

Rigamajig Inspiration Videos

Rigamajig Pictorial Inspiration

Rigamajig's Project Plans Introduction

Rigamajig's Project Plans - broken up into levels, ages, and grades.

How to sanitize Rigamajig parts and pieces

Library Programming Ideas:

Build & Spin Playtime Family Rigamajig Build-a-Thon
Spinning Top Races & Engineering Challenges Rigamajig Obstacle Course

 

Rigamajig Kit #2

 

Rigamajig Kit #2

 

Project Plans                                                                         Play Prompts

Rigamajig Inspiration Videos

Rigamajig Pictorial Inspiration

Rigamajig's Project Plans Introduction

Rigamajig's Project Plans - broken up into levels, ages, and grades.

How to sanitize Rigamajig parts and pieces

Library Programming Ideas:

Build & Spin Playtime Family Rigamajig Build-a-Thon
Spinning Top Races & Engineering Challenges Rigamajig Obstacle Course

Rigamajig Video Inspiration

STEM Camp Kits

Water Suspension - Water Magic

Bubblology activity

 

Amazing Scientist Laboratory Activity Short

Newton's Beads

 

 The Science of Inertia

Wonder of Wind Bags

 

 

 

Quick Pour Soda Bottle - Vortex Racer

 

Cartesian Diver

 

Tornado Tube

Root Beer Genie

 

Balancing Nail Puzzle

 

Balancing Stick Challenge

Cornerstones of Science Activities:

Newton's Laws of Motion Links:

Telescope Kit #3

Using a Planisphere for Night Sky Exploration

 

Orion StarBlast 9814 Instruction Manual

Cornerstones of Science Activities

Box of Stars

Mini Night Sky Constellation

Pinwheel Galaxy

LEGO Kit #4: Letters Kit

LEGO Kit #5: Coding Express

Makedo

Makedo Toolkit Cardboard Construction System

 What is Makedo?

Makedo is a set of tools for constructing things out of cardboard, that helps kids develop skills like creativity, problem-solving, and imagination.

Invent Kit - Makedo

Makedo Toolkit Cardboard Construction System

 Benefits of the Makedo Kit in Library Programming

  • Encourages Creativity & Innovation – Sparks imagination as participants design and build with cardboard, promoting problem-solving and hands-on STEM learning.
  • Fosters Collaboration & Teamwork – Perfect for group projects, where participants share ideas, work together, and refine their designs.
  • Develops Critical Thinking – Encourages planning, adapting, and troubleshooting as users overcome challenges in their builds.
  • Integrates STEM & STEAM – Introduces engineering and design concepts while blending creativity with technical skills.
  • Promotes Sustainability – Encourages eco-friendly learning by repurposing cardboard and teaching the value of recycling.
  • Versatile for Library Programs – Adaptable for themed activities like building robots, libraries, or dream cities.
  • Supports Motor Skill Development – Enhances hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills through hands-on construction.
  • Inclusive & Accessible – Suitable for all ages and abilities, with easy adaptation for diverse learning needs.
  • Builds Persistence & Resilience – Encourages trial and error, fostering a growth mindset and confidence.
  • Great for Library Events – Ideal for STEAM nights, summer reading programs, and maker workshops.

 

Programming Ideas

Animate Your Imagination  Augmented Reality (AR) Cardboard Creations 
Build & Code a Maze Cardboard Couture: A Fashion Challenge
Chain Reaction Engineering  Bring Your Build to Life with AR 
Cardboard Roller Coaster Challenge Colorful Cardboard Communities
Colorful Stories Come to Life Illuminated Creations
Physics in Action Rainbow Arcade Challenge
Shake It Up! Engineering for Disasters  

Color Our World Large Vinyl Banner

Why Makedo & "Color Our World" Are a Perfect Fit

  • Hands-On Creativity – Participants actively engage in building, designing, and expressing themselves through color.
  • STEAM & Literacy Connections – Combines science, engineering, and art while connecting to books and storytelling.
  • Sustainability & Upcycling – Encourages eco-friendly practices by reusing cardboard in creative ways.
  • Community & Collaboration – Many of these projects can be group-based, bringing people together to color their world—literally!

The Makedo Kit is a fun, innovative way to bring this year’s summer reading theme to life, making the library an exciting hub for colorful creativity and exploration! 🎨📚✨

    

makedo HUB is a growing library of resources for cardboard construction.

Invent Kit - Makedo Invent Kit - Makedo Invent Kit - Makedo

 

Education – Makedo

  • Maker Tip: Start your Makedo journey by learning about our tools and developing cardboard construction skill.
  • Carboard and Tech: Level up your maker education experience by combining Makedo with electronics, robots, and coding tools. 
  • Social Emotional Learning: Use cardboard construction to develop SEL skills like self-management and social awareness.
  • Subject-Aligned Activities: Engage in fun cardboard construction activity, then take the learning further with subject-specific tasks.
  • STEAM Challenges: Easily bring STEAM learning to your program with ready-to-go challenges.
  • 3D Printables: Downloadable Makedo-compatible parts you can fabricate with 3D printer, laser cutter or CNC.
  • Makedo Change: A comprehensive global citizenship program exploring social justice and change making.

 

How to use Makedo tools

Makedo Mini-Tool

 

Makedo Scru-Driver

 

Makedo Safe-Saw

 

Makedo Fold-Roller

 

 

DIY Tutorials

How to Make a Cardboard Puppet

 

How to Make a Cardboard Box House

 

How to Make a Cardboard Race Car

 

How to Make a Cardboard Plane

Blockaroo

Amazon.com: Blockaroo

The Blockaroo Kit features a large collection of Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Builders, including the Mega Piece Set, Planes, and Roadsters. These soft, oversized building blocks use rotating magnetic connections, letting kids build vehicles, flying machines, and freeform creations with ease. Perfect for early learners and sensory programs, this kit offers hands-on STEM play in a colorful, safe, and creative way.

Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Blocks - Medium - Roadster (13pcs) by Discover with Dr Cool | Barnes & Noble®

Why This Kit Is Awesome

This kit supports fine motor development, spatial and engineering concepts, imaginative and pretend play, sensory engagement, color and shape recognition, and cause and effect understanding.

  • STEM + Movement: Kids can build cars, planes, and machines that roll, spin, and fly.
  • Safe for Littles: Foam is soft, durable, and easy to grip for small hands.
  • Magnetic Magic: The rotating magnets "click" together and spin, adding mechanical fun.
  • Multi-Sensory: Lightweight, washable, and floatable — great for sensory-friendly play.
  • Versatile Builds: From towers to vehicles to robots, this kit supports endless creativity.

Amazon.co.uk: Blockaroo

Programming Ideas

  • Design & Fly (Planes set): Let children build their own airplane, then "fly" it across the room (walking or tossing gently). Pair with a book like Amazing Airplanes by Tony Mitton.
  • Blockaroo Races (Roadster set): Build roadsters and race them down a ramp or hallway. Let kids modify their vehicles and experiment with speed and design.
  • Free Build + Story: Set up a free-build station and invite kids to build a creature, structure, or machine. Then ask them to tell a story about what they made. Encourage caregivers to join in!
  • Sensory STEM Bin: Use a water-safe bin or sensory table for floatable play. Perfect for summer reading programs or toddler discovery times.

  • Storytime Tie-Ins: Pair the Plane and Roadster builds with books about transportation or travel.

  • Water Play Station: Use in bins or sensory tables.

  • Spin & Count Game: Have kids spin a block and count how many rotations or build with a number of pieces shown on dice.

  • Build & Tell: After kids create a plane or car, have them share where it’s going or who’s riding in it.

Build Prompts & Challenges

  • Can you build a tower taller than your arm?
  • Create a tower as tall as you can without tipping.
  • Build a robot that spins?
  • Build a flying car.
  • Make an animal using 6 pieces or less.

Book Pairings

Here are book ideas to match the transportation theme:

  • Revver the Speedway Squirrel by Sherri Duskey Rinker

  • Go Girls Go! by Frances Gilbert, illustrated by Allison Black

  • The Wheels on the… Uh-Oh! by Sue Tarsky, illustrated by Alex Willmore

  • Old Truck by Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey

  • Go! Go! Go! Stop! by Charise Mericle Harper

  • Freight Train by Donald Crews

  • Planes Fly! by George Ella Lyon

  • If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen

  • Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry

  • Made by Maxine by Ruth Spiro

  • How to Code a Sandcastle by Josh Funk

  • The Airport Book by Lisa Brown

Care & Cleaning Instructions

  • Blocks are top-rack dishwasher safe.

  • Can be cleaned in multiple ways:

    • Mild soap and warm water

    • Vinegar and water solution

    • Antibacterial wipes

  • Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.

  • Air-dry completely after play in water to prevent mold or mildew during storage.

Set included material: Blackaroo Care and Idea Guide

foam blocks for toddlers; building blocks; magnetic blocks; mega blocks; large foam building blocks