Spark Your Imagination With Summer Reading 2025 Activities for Ages 5-12

This summer, spark curiosity and creativity with summer reading at the library, centered around the exciting world of STEAM! From science to art, we've got fun activities for every letter in STEAM to keep kids engaged and learning all summer long. Join us for a season of discovery, imagination and endless possibilities!

Check out additional activities at home for children 0-5 and teens 12-18.

Science

Growing Crystals

Supplies: 1 cup water, saucepan, 1 cup Epsom salt, wooden spoon, several clear jars, liquid food coloring, large salt crystals or pebbles

Instructions:

1. Ask an adult to heat the water in the saucepan until the water is hot but not boiling.
2. Add an equal amount of Epsom salt into the saucepan and mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon. You should see some extra salt on the bottom of the saucepan. If you see that all the Epsom salt has absorbed into the water, add some more salt. 
3. Have an adult pour the mixture into the jars, add 10 drops of food coloring to each jar, with a different color in each jar.
4. Add the large salt crystals to each of the jars. This will help to start the crystals forming.
5. Place the jars in the refrigerator overnight to allow the crystals time to form.
6. The next day, remove the jars from the refrigerator and pour out any excess liquid to reveal the beautiful crystals. Keep your crystals dry and they will last for a long time!

Why it’s cool/explanation: Epsom salt is also known as magnesium sulfate. Hot water absorbs more salt than cold water, so when you add Epsom salt to hot water, it creates a supersaturated solution. When the mixture is cooled in the refrigerator, the water can no longer hold all the salt, so the magnesium sulfate pulls away, creating all the crystals.

Invisible Ink

Supplies: 1 lemon, small bowl, water, cotton swab, white paper, lamp
Instructions:

1. Squeeze the lemon juice into a small bowl.
2. Add a splash of water and use the cotton swab to write a message on white paper.
3. The lemon juice will dry clear, and your message will be invisible.
4. To make the ink visible, hold the paper up to the warm lightbulb of the lamp and watch the message appear on the paper!

Tip: Test other liquids in the same manner (milk, watered down honey, orange juice or vinegar) to see if they work the same way as lemon.

Why it’s cool/explanation: Lemon juice contains carbon compounds that oxidize and turn brown when heated. The compounds are colorless when dissolved in water, but when heated they produce, which is brown or black. That's what makes your message appear on the paper.

Fill the Balloon

Supplies: very hot water, 2 glass baking dishes, cold water (including ice), balloon, 1 empty 2-L bottle

Instructions:

1. Get an adult to help you pour the very hot water into one of the glass dishes until it's halfway full.
2. Add the cold water with ice to the other baking dish until it's halfway full.
3. Place the end of the balloon over the opening of the 2-liter bottle.
4. Place the bottle in the hot water and watch the balloon inflate.
5. Then, move the bottle to the cold water and watch it deflate.
6. Repeat these steps to watch the balloon inflate and deflate!

Why it’s cool/explanation: As air molecules get hot, they move around more and occupy more space, thus inflating the balloon. When the balloon is moved to the ice water the molecules cool off, move closer together and occupy less space.

Technology

Explore Technology Resources at Arapahoe Libraries

Instructions: Find out what great technology resources we have at Arapahoe Libraries! Check out a video game or robot to play as a family or a playaway launchpad, one of the pre-loaded learning tablets featuring educational apps, videos, comics and more.

Why it’s cool/explanation: What could be better than using your library card to find free and amazing resources?! These items are educational, fun and exciting for the whole family!

Tinkercad DIY 3D Prints

Supplies: computer/smart device, internet connection

Instructions:

1. Using your device, or one of the PCs at the library, go to the Tinkercad website, opens a new window. Tinkercad is a free program designed for kids, so click on the “Sign Up” button in the top right corner and follow the instructions to create an account.
2. Once you’ve created your account, select the tab labeled "Tutorials," located on the left side of the screen and start browsing to get up and running with the basics of Tinkercad. (If you’ve already used it a bit, you can skip this step.)
3. When you’re ready to begin, go back to the home screen and select “Create” in the top right corner to get started with a new project. Tinker and make whatever you want!
4. Once you’re finished with your creation, export your file as an .STL, and upload it to the following link to 3D print your creation at the library! https://arapahoelibraries.org/3d-printing/

Why it’s cool/explanation: Did you know that Arapahoe Libraries has 3D printers at all of 8 branches? And that you can create your very own designs and files to print? Check it out if you're looking for a fun, creative tech activity this summer!

Build a Solar Powered Pizza Box Oven

Supplies: pizza box (the larger the box, the better the oven should work), pencil or pen, ruler, white school glue, a sheet of black paper, utility knife, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, shipping tape or black electrical tape, a wooden skewer or pencil, oven mitts. 

Before you start: To use your solar oven for cooking, you’ll need sunny, warm weather (ideally above 75°F, and the hotter, the better). The day should be calm with little to no wind. 

Instructions:

1. Clean out the pizza box so it's ready for transformation. Remove any loose internal lining.  
2. On the lid of the pizza box, draw a square about 1 inch away from each edge. 
3. Use the utility knife and ruler to carefully cut along the three sides of the square, leaving the side along the box's hinge uncut. Once done, fold the flap back slightly.  
4. Line the inside of the flap with aluminum foil; secure the foil with glue and fold the edges over to keep it in place. Keeping the foil smooth will improve heat reflection.  
5. Cover the opening in the lid with plastic wrap. Attach it tightly around the edges using shipping tape or black electrical tape. Make sure there are no gaps, and the wrap is sealed securely.  
6. Line the interior of the box with aluminum foil and glue in place for a smooth finish. This helps reflect and trap more heat.
7. Glue or tape a sheet of black paper to the bottom of the box, making sure it’s centered. This will absorb sunlight and help retain heat inside the oven.  
8. Use a wooden skewer or pencil, along with tape, to prop the lid up at a 90-degree angle, allowing sunlight to enter the box effectively. Your solar oven is ready! 

Optional Activity: Cooking S’mores with your solar oven.

Additional supplies: graham crackers, marshmallows and a chocolate bar.

1. Break a graham cracker in half and place a marshmallow and a small piece of chocolate between the two halves.
2. Set the s'more on a small square of aluminum foil or an aluminum pie pan, slightly larger than the treat itself, which will serve as a tray.
3. To test the solar oven before cooking s'mores, you can try melting a bit of butter on the tray.
4. Place the tray on top of the black paper inside the oven.
5. Put your solar oven outside, ensuring it gets direct sunlight for at least 30 minutes.
6. Adjust the oven so the reflective flap faces the sun.
7. Keep an eye on the marshmallow. Once it becomes soft and gooey, your s’more is ready to enjoy!   

Safety Tip: Always handle the utility knife carefully. Adult supervision is recommended for knife work. Use caution as the solar oven can get very hot.   

Why it’s cool/explanation: Solar ovens harness the sun's energy, both its light and heat, to cook food, purify water or even sterilize tools. In essence, solar ovens are designed to trap more heat than they release. In this activity, you created a basic solar oven designed to cook a s'more using the sun's heat. In sunny, warm conditions (when the temperature is between 85-90 F), it can take around 30 to 35 minutes for the marshmallow to soften and melt some of the chocolate. In ideal conditions, the interior of the solar oven can reach temperatures of 160-200 F. To maximize the solar oven's effectiveness, it's crucial to place it in direct sunlight.

The solar oven you constructed in this activity is a simple design. This setup reflects sunlight into the box. The opening is sealed with plastic wrap, acting as a "greenhouse" window that allows sunlight to enter while keeping the heat inside. At the bottom of the box, a sheet of black paper serves as a "heat sink," absorbing the heat from the sunlight and transferring that heat to the food placed above it. 

Engineering

Design, build and test structures inspired by the Three Little Pigs

Will your structure stand?

Supplies: straw (e.g., hay, shredded paper), sticks (e.g., craft sticks, twigs), bricks (e.g., LEGO bricks, sugar cubes), glue (hot glue, school glue), tape (masking tape, clear tape), scissors, ruler or measuring tape, hairdryer or small fan to test the houses, weights (e.g., coins, small toys)

Instructions:

1. Plan a house using various materials that mimic those used in the 3 Little Pigs. You can draw blueprints or sketch your ideas, considering factors like stability, strength and durability.
2. Build your houses using provided materials such as straws, popsicle sticks and small bricks. Assemble your structures using glue, tape and scissors.
3. Using a hairdryer or fan, test your houses to see how well they withstand the “wolf’s” efforts to blow them down. Which materials and designs were most effective in resisting the force of the air?
4. What worked, what didn’t and why? Consider how different materials and construction techniques affected the stability and strength of your houses.
5. Reflect on the design and building process. Think about what you will do differently next time and how you can improve your designs.

Why it’s cool/explanation: This is a fun way to use your own creativity while experimenting with engineering and architecture to build miniature houses!

Paper Grabber STEAM Challenge

Build a grabber that can pick up a small, lightweight object without directly touching the object. Your grabber should be able to pick up and hold the object for at least 5 seconds. Think you can do it?

Supplies: 10 sheets of paper (printer paper or construction paper), 4 rubber bands, 2 feet of tape (masking or scotch tape), scissors, a small object to grab (like a small toy, marshmallow or ping pong ball), pencil and paper to sketch the design

Instructions:

1. Ask yourself "what’s the problem you're trying to solve?" Your goal is to make a grabber that can pick up an object without touching the object directly. Consider what your grabber needs to do and what materials you have available.
2. Time to get creative and brainstorm solutions. How can you use paper, tape and rubber bands to make a tool that grabs things? Think of different ways to fold, bend or twist the paper. Sketch out some of your ideas. You can make it long, short, claw-like or even have a springy action
3. Choose your favorite idea and make a plan. Draw your grabber and decide how you will use your materials. Write down the steps you’ll take to build it.
4. Now it’s time to build. Follow your plan and assemble your grabber using paper, tape and rubber bands. It’s okay if you need to change things along the way.
5. Once your grabber is ready, try to pick up the object. Can it hold it for at least 5 seconds? Does it grab from 12 inches away? What worked well and what didn’t?
6. Think about how you can improve your design. Is there a way to make it grab better? Maybe you need to adjust the grip or make it longer. Make a new design or change the design and test it again!

Constraints:

• You can only use the materials provided.
• Your grabber needs to work from at least 12 inches away.
• You’ll have 20-30 minutes to create your grabber.

Why it’s cool/explanation: You get to experiment to make a new way to pick things up!

DIY Stethoscope

Supplies: funnel, duct tape, paper towel roll

Instructions:

1. Place the small end of your funnel inside the paper towel roll.
2. Use several pieces of duct tape to attach the funnel and tube.
3. Place the ‘stethoscope’ on a volunteer’s chest and listen very carefully. You should be able to hear their heart beating! Make sure the room is quiet. 
4.  Now, get them to jump around before listening to your partner’s heart again. What do you notice?

Why it’s cool/explanation: In the 1800’s French doctor René Laennec was having trouble hearing the sounds from a patient’s chest, so he rolled up his notebook, put it to their chest, and listened. It was groundbreaking! From there, he experimented with wooden sound devices. He called his device a stethoscope, which is Greek for “looking into the thorax.” In 1851, Irish doctor Arthur Leared made it bi-aural, which meant it had two tubes for hearing with both ears. Nowadays the modern stethoscope is one of the most common medical instruments we associate with nurses and doctors.

Art

Firefly Lanterns

Supplies: wax paper, scissors, crayons, popsicle sticks, glue (optional: tea lights or a flashlight)

Instructions:

1. Glue 4 popsicle sticks into a square to create your picture frame.
2. Measure and cut a piece of wax paper to fit on the square.
3. Using a crayon, draw fireflies (or whatever you like!) onto the wax paper.
4. Glue finished wax paper onto popsicle stick frame. Then set it up against a window or illuminate the picture with a flashlight or tea light for the full effect.

Optional activity: Repeat steps 1-4 until you have enough panels to make a box. Glue the four panels together and place a tea light, or your phone's camera in the center to see the illuminated pictures.

Why it’s cool/explanation: While there aren't that many fireflies in Colorado, you can capture the magic of a summer evening lit up with them right at home!

Watercolor Splash Animals

Supplies: watercolors, brushes, scissors, heavy paper/cardstock, masking tape

Instructions:

1. Cut strips of masking tape vertically. (You can also use the tape as is, if you prefer bigger pieces.)
2. Using your masking tape, make the shape of an animal. This is a great time to look up/look at a picture of what you're trying to make, and then reproduce it using pieces of tape.
3. Once you've got the tape set, paint over your animal using watercolors. Blend paint, make a rainbow, whatever you like!
4. After the paint is dry, carefully remove tape to reveal your finished work!

Why it’s cool/explanation: You only need to be able to place down tape in order to make these vibrant watercolor pieces! Also, looking at references and breaking them down into bigger shapes is great practice for any aspiring artist.

Mad Lib Comics with a Friend

Supplies: paper, pen/pencil, ruler or book spine

Instructions:

1. Using a ruler, make three equal length, horizontal lines across your paper.
2. On the top row, draw a vertical line to make your first panel.
3. In this panel, have one person draw the first thing that happens in your comic.
4. Have someone else draw the second panel.
5. Continue along the page, alternating people until your comic is complete! Who knows what random twists and turns your story will take?

Why it’s cool/explanation: Make storytelling and art collaborative in a fun, funny way!

Math

Multiplication Hopscotch

Supplies: sidewalk chalk

Instructions:

1. Using chalk, draw out hopscotch squares on the ground.
2. In each square, write multiples of a number, multiplication facts or math questions.
3. Each person then hops, skips and answers the questions at the same time.

Why it’s cool/explanation: This physical game is a really good way of helping those multiplication tables stick. Kids can do this alone or with friends. The math questions or answers in the boxes can be erased and new questions can be put in.

Addition and Subtraction Bingo

Supplies: pencil, paper

Instructions:

• Create bingo cards with the answers to simple addition and/or subtraction problems.
• When you're ready to play, instead of reading out the numbers, read out math problems such as “7 + 3” or “5 – 2”.
• Mark the correct answers to claim a bingo square.
• The first person to get five correct answers in a line wins the bingo game.

Tip: You can also make this division and multiplication bingo for older kids.

Why it’s cool/explanation: Kids love bingo. This is a great way to add learning into the game, and you can even have prizes for bingo winners.

Math-problem Scavenger Hunt

Supplies: pencil, paper, ruler

Instructions:

• Give children a grid with some pre-set weights and lengths written on it.
• The challenge for kids is to find something in the garden or around the house that matches those weights and lengths.
  • For example, find an object that is approximately 10 inches long, or something in the house that weighs 1 pound.

Why it’s cool/explanation: This scavenger hunt challenges kids to use their powers of observation. For an added twist, the lengths and weights can be used to lead the kids to a treasure at the end.