Summer STEM – DIY DNA

Summer STEM – DIY DNA

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

Story Time, Toddler Time, & Book Babies Monday - Wednesday Various, see below Ages 0-5 November Early Literacy is here, and we’re learning about the letter B! Whether you’ve got a baby, a toddler, or a preschooler, there’s a spot for your family in the Community Room....

July 2026 Events for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Summer Reading 2026: Unearth a Story Summer Reading 2026 is here! This summer, we're Unearthing a Story, and we want you to dig in with us. From Monday, June 8 through Saturday, August 1, read your way to awesome prizes. Sign-ups start June 8th — online with Beanstack...

June 2026 Events for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Flood 50 STEM Take Home Kits Stop by the Circulation Desk June 1–6 to pick up a free guided activity booklet and STEM supplies kit designed for kids ages 6-11 and their families (limit one per family). Activities explore the science and history of the Teton Dam Flood...

Kid ‘n’ Tween Programs April 2026

Story Time and Early Literacy Join us this April for Early Literacy Programs! Toddler Time (Ages 1–3, walking toddlers & grown-ups) Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30 AM in the Community Room.* Enjoy songs, stories, and tactile activities as we explore Fun with Favorites!...

Kids ‘n’ Tween Activities March 2026

Story Time and Early Literacy Join us this March for Early Literacy Programs! Toddler Time (Ages 1-3, walking toddlers & grown-ups) - Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30 AM in the Community Room. Enjoy songs, stories, and tactile activities as we explore FOOD! Book Babies...

Kid ‘n’ Tween Activities February 2026

Story Time and Early Literacy Join us this February for Early Literacy Programs as we explore a snowy theme! Toddler Time (Ages 1-3, walking toddlers & grown-ups) - Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30 AM in the Community Room. Enjoy songs, stories, and sensory building...

January 2026 Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Story Time and Early Literacy Join us for stories, songs, and fun all month long as we explore the letter D! We'll groove with Dance, learn from Service Dogs, try on costumes for Dress Up, and finish with something brand new just for you! Story Time is on Tuesdays and...

November 2025 Kids ‘n’ Tweens Programs

Story Time and Early Literacy Start your little ones on their reading journey with age-appropriate stories, songs, and activities! Book Babies is for infants not yet walking. Toddler Time is for walking littles 1-3 years old. Story Time is for preschoolers ages 3-5....

October Activities for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Story Time and Early Literacy Start your little ones on their reading journey with age-appropriate stories, songs, and activities! Weekly Schedule: Mondays: Toddler Time 9:30 AM | Spanish Story Time 10:30 AM (No early literacy programs Mon. Oct. 6) Tuesdays: Toddler...

Story Time: A is for Alphabet

I have 26 members, but no family. I start with A and end with Z, but you won't find me in a zoo. What am I? Of course, I am the alphabet! Help your child discover language through letter recognition and their accompanying sounds. Try beginning with your child’s name...

Grab Lab – Hansel and Gretel’s Compass

Grab Lab – Hansel and Gretel’s Compass

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!

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!

Summer STEM – Charm the Dragon

Charm the Dragon Week 1 of Summer STEM from Your Library Watch the Instruction Video 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...

Teen Summer Crafts – Wizard Wand Pens

Wizard Wand Pens Week 1 of Teen Summer Crafts Create these wands and personalize them however you want! You will need: paper Glue pen (optional) paint (optional) paintbrush (optional) tissue paper Watch the Instruction Video

Summer STEM for Kids and Tweens

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

Coded Messages Week 2 of Summer STEM from Your Library Watch the Video Instructions 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...

Teen Summer Crafts – Harry Potter Bookmarks

Harry Potter Bookmarks Week 2 of Teen Summer Crafts Color these Hogwarts bookmarks. Don't forget the tassle! You will need: printed bookmark template (preferably on cardstock) yarn contact paper Watch the Instruction Video

Summer STEM – Parachute Knight

Parachute Knight Week 3 of Summer STEM from Your Library Watch the Instruction Video 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....

Teen Summer Crafts – Dragon Eggs

Dragon Eggs Week 3 of Teen Summer Crafts Make these incredible dragon eggs! You will need: 150-200 thumb tacks styrofoam egg desired color(s) of fingernail polish Watch the Instruction Video

Summer STEM – Film Canister Rocket

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...

Sign up Grab Labs

Sign up Grab Labs Take home STEM kits for ages 6-11   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...

Grab Lab – Hickory Dickory Water Clock

Water Clock Grab Lab week 1 View instruction video More Grab Lab activities 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...

Grab Lab – Ariel’s Periscope

Grab Lab – Ariel’s Periscope

Periscopes use mirrors to relay light and let you see around corners. Here's how to build your own! You will need:

  • a pool noodle
  • duct tape
  • two 2 inch round mirrors
  • a protractor (optional)
  • scissors
  • a piece of paper
  • a marker

If you signed up for a Grab Lab and need some duct tape, come by the library and we can help you.

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!

Summer STEM – Charm the Dragon

Charm the Dragon Week 1 of Summer STEM from Your Library Watch the Instruction Video 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...

Teen Summer Crafts – Wizard Wand Pens

Wizard Wand Pens Week 1 of Teen Summer Crafts Create these wands and personalize them however you want! You will need: paper Glue pen (optional) paint (optional) paintbrush (optional) tissue paper Watch the Instruction Video

Summer STEM for Kids and Tweens

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

Coded Messages Week 2 of Summer STEM from Your Library Watch the Video Instructions 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...

Teen Summer Crafts – Harry Potter Bookmarks

Harry Potter Bookmarks Week 2 of Teen Summer Crafts Color these Hogwarts bookmarks. Don't forget the tassle! You will need: printed bookmark template (preferably on cardstock) yarn contact paper Watch the Instruction Video

Summer STEM – Parachute Knight

Parachute Knight Week 3 of Summer STEM from Your Library Watch the Instruction Video 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....

Teen Summer Crafts – Dragon Eggs

Dragon Eggs Week 3 of Teen Summer Crafts Make these incredible dragon eggs! You will need: 150-200 thumb tacks styrofoam egg desired color(s) of fingernail polish Watch the Instruction Video

Summer STEM – Film Canister Rocket

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...

Sign up Grab Labs

Sign up Grab Labs Take home STEM kits for ages 6-11   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...

Grab Lab – Hickory Dickory Water Clock

Water Clock Grab Lab week 1 View instruction video More Grab Lab activities 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...

Teen Summer Crafts – Origami Cranes

Teen Summer Crafts – Origami Cranes

Origami Cranes

Week 4 of Teen Summer Crafts

Fold these paper cranes! You will need:

  • a square sheet of paper

Step by Step Illustrated Instructions

July 2026 Events for Teens

Summer Reading 2026: Unearth a Story Summer Reading 2026 is here! This summer, we’re Unearthing a Story, and we want you to dig in with us. From Monday, June 8 through Saturday, August 1, read your way to awesome prizes. Sign-ups start June 8th — online with Beanstack...

June 2026 Events for Teens

Flood 50 We're honored to be part of the city-wide Flood 50 commemoration — remembering the Teton Dam Flood 50 years later. Stop by to explore photo displays and Flood memorabilia, pick up a "Where Did I Put..." emergency preparedness folder (one per family), and grab...

Teen Programs April 2026

Teen Action Council The Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans and come up with ways for the Library to serve teens. Select participants ages 13-18 are invited to join us Wednesday, April 1 in the Community Room at 4 PM! Apply to Join Teen Action Council Chess...

Teen Activities March 2026

Chess and Game Club Unplug and connect at Chess and Game Club! It's the perfect place to hang out, meet new people, and play some awesome games. Mondays at 4:00 PM in the Community Room, we'll have chess sets ready for players of all abilities, plus a rotating...

Teen Activities February 2026

Chess and Game Club Unplug and connect at Chess and Game Club! Join us on Mondays, February 2, 9, and 23 from 4:00-5:30 PM for an afternoon of fun and friendly competition. Whether you're a chess master or have never moved a pawn, we'll have chess sets ready for...

January 2026 Programs for Teens

Chess and Game Club Unplug and connect at Chess and Game Club! It's the perfect place to hang out, meet new people, and play some awesome games. Mondays at 4:30 PM in the Community Room, we'll have chess sets ready for players of all abilities, plus a rotating...

November 2025 Teen Programs

Chess and Game ClubTweens and teens ages 9-18, join us every Monday at 4:30 PM to learn the art of chess and other games with the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, come challenge yourself and have fun. All...

October Teen Activities

Teen Action CouncilThe Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans and come up with ways for the Library to serve teens. Ages 13-18 are invited to join us Wednesday, Oct. 1 in the Community Room at 4 PM!Teen CraftsGet crafty this spooky season! Teens ages 12–18 are...

September Activities for Teens

Teen Action Council The Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans and come up with ways for the Library to serve teens. Ages 13-18 are invited to join us Wednesday, Sept. 3 in the Community Room at 4 PM! Apply to Join Teen Action Council Teen Crafts Teen Crafts is...

July Programs for Teens

Summer Reading 2025 is Here!  You can sign up now for Summer Reading: Color Our World! With Beanstack you can sign up online, or you can visit us at the Library and track your reading on paper. Your final goal is 1500 pages, but you earn prizes for every 500 pages you...