Summer STEM – DIY DNA

by Lauren Abbott | Jul 13, 2020 | Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Tween STEAM | 0 comments

DIY DNA

Week 5 of Summer STEM from Your Library

Solve who broke into the Bears’ house and ate their porridge by making this tasty DNA strand. There are four types of chemical bases in DNA. They always form the same pairs. Adenine (A) always pairs with Thymine (T), and Cytosine (C) always pairs with Guanine (G) Write in a jellybean color for each chemical base to make sure you pair them properly!
A: ___________________
T: ___________________
G: ___________________
C: ___________________

Put a jellybean on one end of a toothpick.
Match your chemical base pairs by adding the second jellybean. Remember that A always pairs with T, and C always pairs with G!
Push the tip of each toothpick into a licorice twist on either end. Give it a twist to see the shape of a double helix.

Enter the Summer STEM drawing!

Enter to win STEM-themed prizes by sending us a photo of you doing one of these activities! Place the photo in the body of your email (no attachments) and send it to madisonlib.org@gmail.com. We’ll hold drawings at the end of the month!

November Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

by Mary Kirkpatrick | October 30, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Story TimeNovember Story Time is here, and our themes are “Duck, Duck, Goose!” for Book Babies and Toddler Time and the letter “G” for Story Time! Join us in the Community Room for songs, stories, and sensory activities perfect for each age group. Book Babies...

October Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

by Mary Kirkpatrick | September 30, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Story TimeGallop into Story Time fun this October! Toddler Time (ages 10-23 months) on Mondays & Tuesdays at 9:30 AM and Book Babies (ages 0-9 months) on Wednesdays at 9:30 AM will both feature “Clippity-clop, on a horse and pony we’ll hop!” Note: there will be no...

September 2024 Activities for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

by Mary Kirkpatrick | August 29, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Story TimeJoin us for Story Time fun at Madison Library District! Book Babies (0-9 months) Wednesdays at 9:30 AM in the Community Room September theme: "Feelings... Big and Small!" Toddler Time (10-23 months) Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30 AM September theme:...

July 2024 Kids & Tween Activities

by Mary Kirkpatrick | June 27, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Summer Reading 2024Adventure Begins at Your Library with Summer Reading 2024! This annual program is designed for all ages to read every day, participate in special Library programs, and keep smashing our reading goals! The second prizes for every level will be...

June 2024 Kid & Tween Activities

by Mary Kirkpatrick | May 30, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Summer Reading 2024Adventure Begins at Your Library with Summer Reading 2024! This annual program is designed for all ages to read every day, participate in special Library programs, and stay active all summer long! Sign-ups begin on Monday, June 3rd, either online or...

April 2024 Kids & Tween Activities

by Mary Kirkpatrick | March 29, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

National Library Week Book Nook ContestStep into a world of tiny wonders during National Library Week! Our Book Nook Contest invites you to explore Small Adventures to Amazing Places! From fantastical realms to cozy real-world corners, you may create a miniature...

Kid & Tween Activities March 2024

by Mary Kirkpatrick | March 1, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Story TimeJoin us in March for a world of imagination and learning at Story Time! This month we’re celebrating author-illustrator, Eric Carle! Preschool Story Time (ages 2-5): Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 AM and Tuesdays at 6:30 PM. Toddler Time (ages 10-23...

Kid & Tween Activities February 2024

by Mary Kirkpatrick | January 31, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Story TimeJoin us in February for a world of imagination and learning at Story Time! Preschool Story Time (ages 2-5): It’s all about the Letter V! Explore Veggies, Valentine’s Day, Violins, and Something NEW, Just For You! Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 AM and...

January Kid & Tween Activities

by Mary Kirkpatrick | December 29, 2023 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Story Time Preschool Story Time (ages 2-5): It’s all about the Letter D! Explore Dance, Dinosaurs, Dirt, Disguises, and Something NEW, Just For You! Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 AM Toddler Time (ages 10-23 months): Dive into the exciting world of dinosaurs with...

November Kid and Tween Activities

by Mary Kirkpatrick | October 30, 2023 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Story TimeJoin us this November for a world of imagination and learning at Story Time! The theme for Preschool Story Time (ages 2-5) is The Letter U! Explore the magical world of "Uni"-horns, Umbrellas, Under the…, and something NEW, just for U... or should we say...

Grab Lab – Hansel and Gretel’s Compass

by Lauren Abbott | Jul 13, 2020 | Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Tween STEAM | 0 comments



Always find north with this simple compass! Make sure you have an adult help you for this craft. You will need:

a bar magnet
a large bowl
a smaller bowl (needs to fit the magnet on the bottom)
a piece of cardboard or paper that fits over the small bowl
tape
a marker
water

Enter the Summer STEM drawing!

Summer STEM – Charm the Dragon

by Lauren Abbott | June 15, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Experiment with static electricity and charm a tissue paper dragon! Place your tissue paper over your dragon template. Trace the lines and cut out your dragon. Place your dragon on the sheet of tin foil. Bend the head slightly towards you. Rub your pen against the...

Teen Summer Crafts – Wizard Wand Pens

by Lauren Abbott | June 18, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Teen Crafts, Teen Zone | 0 Comments

Create these wands and personalize them however you want! You will need: paper Glue pen (optional) paint (optional) paintbrush (optional) tissue paper

Summer STEM for Kids and Tweens

by Lauren Abbott | June 19, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Summer STEM for Kids and Tweens This summer, we'll be doing video crafting focusing on STEM activities. Our Kids' Corner and Tween Scene web pages will have links to videos with the instructions and demonstrations for each craft activity. You can come by and pick up a...

Summer STEM – Coded Messages

by Lauren Abbott | June 22, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Encode hidden messages with a crayon and water color paint! Use the white crayon to write out your message on a blank piece of paper. To reveal your message, paint over it with watercolors. Pro tip: Encode your message before writing it in white to add another layer....

Teen Summer Crafts – Harry Potter Bookmarks

by Lauren Abbott | June 25, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Teen Crafts, Teen Zone | 0 Comments

Color these Hogwarts bookmarks. Don't forget the tassle! You will need: printed bookmark template (preferably on cardstock) yarn contact paper

Summer STEM – Parachute Knight

by Lauren Abbott | June 29, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Experiment with air resistance by making parachutes! You will need string, a straw, a sandwich bag and/or coffee filter, and a toy figure. Pull one of the strings through the straw. Cut off the zipper portion of the bag. Reach into the bag and pull both bottom...

Teen Summer Crafts – Dragon Eggs

by Lauren Abbott | July 2, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Teen Crafts, Teen Zone | 0 Comments

Make these incredible dragon eggs! You will need: 150-200 thumb tacks styrofoam egg desired color(s) of fingernail polish

Summer STEM – Film Canister Rocket

by Lauren Abbott | July 6, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Learn about Newton's 3rd Law with these film canister rockets! Do this activity with an accompanying adult. You will need antacid tablets and a film canister. In an OUTDOOR place, put one antacid tablet in the film canister. Do the next steps quickly: 2. Add a tsp of...

Sign up Grab Labs

by Lauren Abbott | July 6, 2020 | Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

UPDATE: These kits have all been taken, but you can still watch the instructional videos to follow along with your own supplies!In place of our in-person STEM activities, we are offering these grab labs for kids ages 6-11. There are 29 kits available, so be...

Grab Lab – Hickory Dickory Water Clock

by Lauren Abbott | July 6, 2020 | Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Tween STEAM | 2 Comments

Water clocks have been used for centuries to tell time. Build your own using cardboard and cups! This week you will need: a long piece of cardboard 3 disposable cups 2 push pins a glass of water (not provided) a marker (not provided) a timer (not provided) Once you've...

Toddler Time and Book Babies – This Little Piggie

by Lauren Abbott | Jul 8, 2020 | Blog, Book Babies, Kid's Corner | 0 comments

Toddler Time and Book Babies – This Little Piggie

Toddler Time and Book Babies – July 6 and 8, 2020

Toddler Time for ages 10 to 23 months – 9:45 am Mondays (July 6)

Book Babies for ages 0 to 9 months – 9:45 am Wednesdays (July 8)

Do you remember, “This Little Piggy Went to Market?” This week in Toddler Time and Book Babies we had fun with pigs. We also learned a new diaper changing song, and the sign for pig. If you have a chance, take your baby to a farm or fair and visit the animals where they can see a real pig.

See the Toddler and Baby Time Videos on Facebook!

Welcome Songs

Here We Are Together

Here we are together, together, together! Oh, here we are together in our library. There’s (sing names)… Here we are together in our library!

Hello Everybody

Hello everybody let’s clap our hands*, clap our hands, clap our hands. Hello everybody let’s clap our hands today! *pat our head, stretch up high, wiggle our fingers, tickle our knees, kick our feet, bounce up high!

S, T, R, W, P

(Sing while pointing to each finger on your child’s hand.) Sing, talk, read, write, play! Sing, talk, read write, play! Sing, talk, read, write, play! Sing, talk, read, write, play each day!

Books Presented

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Flannel Board: Five Pigs so Squeaky Clean

(to the tune of Five Green and Speckled Frogs)

Five pigs so squeaky clean
Cleanest you’ve ever seen
Wanted to go outside and play
Oink! Oink!
One jumped into the mud
Landed with a big THUD
Then there were four clean squeaky pigs!

(Take a pig and flip it over to show it getting dirty. Repeat the rhyme with one fewer pig mentioned, until there are no more clean pigs)

– Pasadena Library

To Market to Market

To market, to market, to buy a fat pig,
Home again, home again, jiggety-jig.

To market, to market, to buy a fat hog,
Home again, home again, jiggety-jog.

To market, to market to buy a fat dog,
Home again, home again, jiggety jog.

To market, to market to buy a small chick,
Home again, home again, jiggety jig.

–Traditional

Fingerplay: Two Mother Pigs

Two mother pigs lived in a pen (show thumbs)
Each had four babies, and that made ten (show fingers & thumbs)
These four babies were black as night (thumb in palm, wiggle fingers)
These four babies were black and white (switch hands, repeat)
But all eight babies loved to play
And they rolled and rolled in the mud all day (roll hands)
At night, with their mother, they curled up in a heap (clasp hands)
And squealed and squealed till they fell fast asleep.

– Storytimekatie.com

Diaper Changing: The Diaper on the Bottom

(Tune: The Wheels on the Bus)

The diaper on the bottom
Comes off, off, off
Off, off, off
Off, off, off
The diaper on the bottom
Comes off, off, off
Nice and clean!

– Oremlibrary.org

I’m a Little Piggy

(Tune: I’m a Little Teapot)

I’m a little piggy, short and stout
Here are my ears (bring hands to top of head)
And here is my snout (use fingers to gesture a long snout)
When I see the yummy food in my pail
I oink, oink, oink (jump)
and I wiggle my tail! (shake imaginary “tail”)

– Pasadena Library

If You’re a Pig and You Know it

(To Tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)

If you’re a pig and you know it say “Oink Oink”
“Oink Oink”
If you’re a pig and you know it say “Oink Oink”
“Oink Oink”
If you’re a pig and you know it,
Then you really ought to show it.
If you’re a pig and you know it say “Oink Oink”
“Oink Oink”

If you’re a pig and you know it wiggle your tail…
trot your feet….

-Jeninthelibrary.com

Dancing With Bears

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Dancing with bears
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Dancing round chairs
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
That’s what we’ll do
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Dancing with you!

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Dancing with pigs
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Jiggity jig
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
That’s what we’ll do
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
Dancing with you!

Fun tip: This is a fun song to sing while dancing around the room with baby! It doesn’t matter if you know any steps, just have fun! (if you know any basic waltz steps, they are fun to use with this song!)

-Oremlibrary.org

The Tail of the Pig

(sung to The Wheels on the Bus)

The tail of the pig curls round and round
Round and round, round and round
The tail of the pig curls round and round
All through the mud!

The mouth of the pig goes oink oink oink
Oink oink oink, oink oink oink
The mouth of the pig goes oink oink oink
All through the mud!

The nose of the pig goes root root root
Root root root, root root root
The nose of the pig goes root root root
All through the mud!

The hooves of the pig go run run run
Run run run, run run run
The hooves of the pig go run run run
All through the mud!

The ears of the pig go twitch twitch twitch
Twitch twitch twitch, twitch twitch twitch
The ears of the pig go twitch twitch twitch
All through the mud!

– Storytimehooligans.wordpress.com

Two Fat Pigs

Two fat pigs
Met in a glen
Bowed most politely
And bowed once again
“How do you do?”
And “How do you do?”
And “How do you do?” again

“How do you do?”
And “How do you do?”
And “How do you do?” again

Craft Activity

Muddy Pig Craft

Try this fun in the mud pig craft with your toddler. He will learn textures and patterns. Then talk with your baby about clean and dirty.

Find more information

Tummy Time Painting

If your infant is too young for the Muddy Pig craft, try putting some paint, pudding, or Nutella with the pig in a freezer Zip-lock bag. They will love squishing the paint around the bag while the pig “wallows” in the mud.

Find more information

Signing

“Pig”

Early Literacy Tip and Activity:

Tip

Even little rhymes present knowledge about our world. “Two fat Pigs” tells the story of two piglets who wallow in the mud, crawl out, and then return, just as real pigs do.

- Lambert

Activity

Recite the “Two fat Pigs,” modeling the fingerplay with your child. You can also add the sign language sign and make “pig” noises while you do it, too.

Additional Books

Story Time – July 7th 2020

by Lauren Abbott | Jul 7, 2020 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 comments

Story Time – July 7th 2020

Story Time – July 7th, 2020

10:30 am ONLINE on Facebook – ages 2 to 5

We met Mr. Pig and Mr. Wolf in story time this week. They helped us act out the familiar fairy tale, “The Three Little Pigs.” See if you can remember the story, too. Print off the stick puppets from the link below, color and cut them out, and create your own puppet show!

See the latest Story Time video on Facebook!

Early Literacy Tip and Activity:

Tip

As children mature, they realize that certain behaviors cause certain responses. Having good manners means responding politely to people when they address you, and this rhyme helps children practice polite greetings.

- Lambert

Activity

Try acting out the fingerplay, “Two Fat Gentlemen.” Start by holding your fists behind your back with your thumbs extended. Then move your thumbs appropriately while reciting the rhyme. You may want to put small rounds sticker at the end of each thumb. You can also practice this rhyme with a friend saying, “How do you do?” to one another.

Books Presented

Songs, Rhymes and Fingerplays

The Tail of the Pig

(sung to The Wheels on the Bus)

The tail of the pig curls round and round
Round and round, round and round
The tail of the pig curls round and round
All through the mud!

The mouth of the pig goes oink oink oink
Oink oink oink, oink oink oink
The mouth of the pig goes oink oink oink
All through the mud!

The nose of the pig goes root root root
Root root root, root root root
The nose of the pig goes root root root
All through the mud!

The hooves of the pig go run run run
Run run run, run run run
The hooves of the pig go run run run
All through the mud!

The ears of the pig go twitch twitch twitch
Twitch twitch twitch, twitch twitch twitch
The ears of the pig go twitch twitch twitch
All through the mud!

– Storytimehooligans.wordpress.com

If You’re Happy, Howl at the Moon

If you’re happy and you know it, howl at the moon,
If you’re happy and you know it, howl at the moon,
If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, howl at the moon.
Aaaaaawwwooooooo!

– Sunflowerstorytime.com

Fingerplay: Two Fat Gentlemen

Met in a glen
Bowed most politely
And bowed once again
“How do you do?”
And “How do you do?”
And “How do you do?” again

“How do you do?”
And “How do you do?”
And “How do you do?” again

– Traditional

Fingerplay: Five Little Piggies

“It’s time for my piggies to go to bed,” the great big mother piggy said.
“So I will count them first to see if all my piggies came back to me.
One little piggy, two little piggies, three little piggies dear
Four little piggies, five little piggies, — yes, they’re all here!”

– Preschool Rainbow

Craft Activities

Print out this three little pigs coloring page or color online!

Go to the coloring page

Create your own three little pigs puppet show with the template available below!

Find instructions here!

Additional Books

Summer STEM – Film Canister Rocket

by Lauren Abbott | Jul 6, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 comments

Film Canister Rocket

Week 4 of Summer STEM from Your Library

Watch the Instruction Video Watch the Slow Motion Video



Learn about Newton’s 3rd Law with these film canister rockets! Do this activity with an accompanying adult.

You will need antacid tablets and a film canister.

In an OUTDOOR place, put one antacid tablet in the film canister. Do the next steps quickly:

2. Add a tsp of water. Put the lid on tightly and put the canister cap side down on the ground.

3. STEP BACK AT LEAST SIX FEET.

4. About ten seconds later, the film canister will launch! If it does not launch, wait 30+ seconds before examining. Usually the cap is not on tight enough.

Enter the Summer STEM drawing!

November Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

by Mary Kirkpatrick | October 30, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

October Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

by Mary Kirkpatrick | September 30, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

September 2024 Activities for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

by Mary Kirkpatrick | August 29, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

July 2024 Kids & Tween Activities

by Mary Kirkpatrick | June 27, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

June 2024 Kid & Tween Activities

by Mary Kirkpatrick | May 30, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Summer Reading 2024Adventure Begins at Your Library with Summer Reading 2024! This annual program is designed for all ages to read every day, participate in special Library programs, and stay active all summer long! Sign-ups begin on Monday, June 3rd, either online or...

April 2024 Kids & Tween Activities

by Mary Kirkpatrick | March 29, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Kid & Tween Activities March 2024

by Mary Kirkpatrick | March 1, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Kid & Tween Activities February 2024

by Mary Kirkpatrick | January 31, 2024 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

January Kid & Tween Activities

by Mary Kirkpatrick | December 29, 2023 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

November Kid and Tween Activities

by Mary Kirkpatrick | October 30, 2023 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Toddler Time and Book Babies – June 29 and July 1

by Lauren Abbott | Jul 1, 2020 | Blog, Book Babies, Kid's Corner | 0 comments

Toddler Time and Book Babies – June 29 and July 1

Toddler Time and Book Babies – June 29 and July 1, 2020

Toddler Time for ages 10 to 23 months – 9:45 am Mondays (June 29)

Book Babies for ages 0 to 9 months – 9:45 am Wednesdays (July 1)

This week in Toddler Time and Book Babies, we went “up” and “down” the beanstalk with Jack. We also had fun with other nursery rhymes that go up and down. Nursery rhymes are timeless, not only because they have great rhythm and rhyme, but they also teach concepts such as opposites. So, grab a shaker and sing some nursery rhymes with your child!

See the Toddler and Baby Time Videos on Facebook!