SPARK & STEAM Kits – Manassas Park City Library

What are S.P.A.R.K.^℠ & S.T.E.A.M. Kits?

These interactive, take-home kits are a great way to foster creativity and cognitive development through a wide variety of unique activities.

Each kit focuses on a theme and contains:

an explorative, hands-on item
non-fiction books
Many kits also contain a discovery sheet for recording what you learned, observed, and designed

.
S.P.A.R.K.^℠ Kits encourage: Skills, Playing, Achievement, Reading, and Knowledge
S.T.E.A.M. Kits teach: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math

Kits can be checked out for up to 3 weeks! Kits can be placed on hold and can be picked up at either of the desks. Please keep in mind, kits must be returned to a desk inside the library. You can check out one S.T.E.A.M. kit and one S.P.A.R.K.^℠ kit per family.

S.T.E.A.M. Kits

S.P.A.R.K.^℠ Kits

Kits by Age

S.T.E.A.M Kits

S.T.E.A.M.

Science

Ages 5-10

Code & Go Mouse	Coding	Robot Mouse
Scientific Practice: Computational Thinking Ages: 5-10	Scientific Practice: Computational Thinking, Math Ages: 5-10	Scientific Practice: Computational Thinking Ages: 5-10

Create a step-by-step path for the Programmable Robot Mouse using the 30 double-sided coding cards to provide a hands-on introduction to coding concepts. The mouse lights up, makes sounds, and features 2 speeds along with colorful buttons to match coding cards for easy programming and sequencing.	Learn early coding fundamentals with this Let’s Go Code set. Children will get practice designing code without the use of a computer screen. Build a maze with 20 foam maze mats included then code the path with the 20 coding cards.	Create a step-by-step path for the Programmable Robot Mouse using the 30 double-sided coding cards to provide a hands-on introduction to coding concepts. The mouse lights up, makes sounds, and features 2 speeds along with colorful buttons to match coding cards for easy programming and sequencing.
Place on Hold	Place on Hold	Place on Hold

Astronomy Telescope
Scientific Practice: Observation, Inquiry Ages: 6-12

This Kit comes with a 70mm telescope with a travel backpack so you can easily transport it to any night sky viewing location that you like. You will be able to find constellations and maybe even a few planets with this kit!
Place on Hold

Robotics	Solar Energy
Scientific Practice: Engineering, Coding Ages: 8-15	Scientific Practice: Engineering Ages: 8-15

With this kit you can learn to code with the Sphero Edu app. You can connect your smart device to the Sphero Bolt via Bluetooth and watch as the BOLT completed your requested demands.	The SolarBot.14 is a unique bot that can be built and rebuilt into 14 different robots. The detailed instructions take you through each step. Since it is powered by solar energy you don’t need any batteries to power the robot, just place it directly in the sunlight!
Place on Hold	Place on Hold

Virginia Birds & Animals	Virginia Plants & Bugs
Scientific Practice: Observation, Data Recording Ages: 15+	Scientific Practice: Observation, Data Recording Ages: 15+

This kit is for you to observe and learn about the different birds and animals in Virginia. Identify the different birds, reptiles, and wildlife that you can see by using the pocket guide and binoculars provided in this kit.	This kit is for you to observe and learn about the different plants and bugs in Virginia. Record the trees you observe on the Common Trees of Virginia Identification Record sheet and keep it with you!
Place on Hold	Place on Hold

Botley
Scientific Practice: Computational Thinking Ages: 6-12

Learn to code with the Botley coding robot. Lay out an obstacle course and program Botley to navigate through it safely. You will gain coding knowledge without the use of a computer screen!
Place on Hold

Circuits 1: Snap Circuits	Circuits 2: Rover	Robotics
Scientific Practice: Engineering, Design Ages: 8-15	Scientific Practice: Engineering, Design Ages: 8-15	Scientific Practice: Engineering, Coding Ages: 8-15

This kit contains over 60 color-coded, real circuit components that snap together to create working electronic circuits and devices. Recommended for children 8 and older, this set offers 305 do-it-yourself projects that will give your child an entertaining, concrete education on how electronics work.	Construction play meets electrical engineering in this simple, snap-together building system– powered by real circuits! Line up the circuitry graphics on the oversized pieces and snap them together to build a fully powered, large-scale, space-themed world. Make different circuit explorer rovers by mixing and matching the pieces provided.	With this kit you can learn to code with the Sphero Edu app. You can connect your smart device to the Sphero Bolt via Bluetooth and watch as the BOLT completed your requested demands.
Place on Hold	Place on Hold	Place on Hold

Catapults	Circuits 1: Snap Circuits	Circuits 2: Rover
Scientific Practice: Engineering Ages: 8-15	Scientific Practice: Engineering, Design Ages: 8-15	Scientific Practice: Engineering, Design Ages: 8-15

Learn some engineering by building medieval siege warfare instruments. You can build ten different catapults and crossbows with this kit! Plus, there are instructions on how to build even more instruments with things around your house.	This kit contains over 60 color-coded, real circuit components that snap together to create working electronic circuits and devices. Recommended for children 8 and older, this set offers 305 do-it-yourself projects that will give your child an entertaining, concrete education on how electronics work.	Construction play meets electrical engineering in this simple, snap-together building system– powered by real circuits! Line up the circuitry graphics on the oversized pieces and snap them together to build a fully powered, large-scale, space-themed world. Make different circuit explorer rovers by mixing and matching the pieces provided.
Place on Hold	Place on Hold	Place on Hold

Math Kit	Math Kit 2	Math Kit 3
Practice: Addition, Subtraction Ages: 4-8	Practice: Addition, Subtraction Ages: 4-8	Practice: Addition, Shapes, Patterns Ages: 4-8

Practice colors and organization with the shape sequence sorting set. You can also work on counting and problem solving with the friendly farm animal counters included!	Learn your numbers and counting with the magnetic wand number maze, and practice mobility and shapes with the shape sorting cube!	Learn about patterns with the mosaic pegboard and the wooden pattern blocks. You can also practice your counting with the colorful stack and sort board!
Place on Hold	Place on Hold	Place on Hold

Botley	GPS & Maps
Scientific Practice: Computational Thinking Ages: 6-12	Scientific Practice: Maps, Latitude/Longitude Ages: 6-12

Learn to code with the Botley coding robot. Lay out an obstacle course and program Botley to navigate through it safely. You will gain coding knowledge without the use of a computer screen!	Geocaching is like a treasure hunt! With this kit you can search for hidden objects by following coordinates online. You can also try hiding your own treasure so other people can find it when they go geocaching!
Place on Hold	Place on Hold

Infant Literacy Kit	Infant Kit	Infant Kit 2
Practice: Sensory Stimulation, Movement Ages: 6 mo. – 18 mo.	Practice: Sensory Stimulation, Movement Ages: 6 mo. – 18 mo.	Practice: Sensory Stimulation, Movement Ages: 6 mo. – 18 mo.

Make playtime educational with these activities! Infants can practice coordination with the elephant rocking stacker, and work on numbers with the fish and count game.	Make playtime educational with these activities! Infants can practice coordination with the match and build blocks or the plush toolbox.	Make playtime educational with these activities! Infants can have fun with the press ‘n tumble activity dome. Their minds will be active while playing with the crinkling peekaboo book and feeding the rattling pelican.
Place on Hold	Place on Hold	Place on Hold
Infant Kit 3
Practice: Sensory Stimulation, Movement Ages: 6 mo. – 18 mo.

Make playtime educational with these activities! Infants can use their imagination and work on numbers with the dinosaur phone. The musical farmyard cube will engage also engage their minds while they play and sing-along.
Place on Hold

Fine Motor Kit	Fine Motor Kit 2	Sensory Kit
Practice: Motor skills, Manipulation Skills Ages: 2-6	Practice: Motor skills, Manipulation Skills Ages: 2-6	Practice: Motor Skills, Scientific Thinking Ages: 2-6

Children can build fine motor skills with these toys! They will learn how to lock and buckle with the wooden latch board and work on motor skills with the building bolts in the construction starter set.	Children can build fine motor skills with these activities. They will learn how to tie, button. Zip, and buckle with the dress learning boards. They will also learn how to build a structure with the Playstix blocks!	Interact with these different sensory based activities. Kids can hear what different textures sound like with the wooden shakers. They can also see and feel different textures with the sensory water beads and the sensory books included!
Place on Hold	Place on Hold	Place on Hold
Sensory Kit 2	Toddler Kit	Toddler Kit 2
Practice: Motor Skills, Scientific Thinking Ages: 2-6	Practice: Sensory Stimulation, Movement Ages: 2-6	Practice: Sensory Stimulation, Movement Ages: 2-6

Interact with these different sensory based activities. Kids can feel different textures with the touch and match board, hear different sounds with the vehicles sounds puzzle, and see different colors with the sensory book!	Toddlers can get active with these colorful activities. They will get on the move with the soft pull back cars, and work on motor skills and shapes with the jumbo knob puzzle.	Toddlers can get active with these colorful activities. They will get on the move with the stacking train and stimulate their senses with the plush flip fish.
Place on Hold	Place on Hold	Place on Hold
Toddler Kit 3	Transportation Kit	Transportation Kit 2
Practice: Sensory Stimulation, Movement Ages: 2-6	Practice: Recognition, County, Matching Ages: 2-6	Practice: Recognition, County, Matching Ages: 2-6

Toddlers will get active with these colorful activities. They can play with the pop-up farm animal toy or get on the move with the soft pull back cars!	Learn to recognize different vehicles and modes of transportation with these activities. Children can drive around town with the magnetic puzzle game or count and stack cars with the color-coded parking garage.	Learn to recognize different vehicles and modes of transportation with these activities. Children can build train tracks with the 60-piece city train set and learn about construction vehicles with the wooden matching puzzle.
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Animal Kit	Animal Kit 2	Animal Kit 3
Practice: Observation, Recognition Ages: 4-8	Practice: Observation, Recognition Ages: 4-8	Practice: Observation, Recognition Ages: 4-8

Learn about animals with the activities included in this kit. The sound puzzle allows you to match the zoo animals and hear their sounds. You can also work on organization and numbers with the nesting and sorting farm game!	Learn about animals with these activities! You can view 35 photographs of animals with the science viewer included. You can also work on problem solving and motor skills with the jigsaw puzzle.	Learn about animals with these activities. You can study replica mammal specimens in the science specimen center, and you can work on fine motor skills with the feed the dog game!
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Literacy Kit	Literacy Kit 2	Music Kit
Practice: Reading, Matching, Recognition Ages: 4-8	Practice: Reading, Matching, Recognition Ages: 4-8	Practice: Musicality, Color Recognition Ages: 4-8

Practice the alphabet and letter recognition with these activities. Children can also sharpen their memory with the two memory match card games included!	Practice the alphabet and recognition with these activities. Children can also sharpen their memory with the two memory match games included!	Enhance your color recognition, musicality, and imaginative play with these activities. The sound puzzle will help children learn instrument sounds and the colorful hand bells will help them learn notes and colors.
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Music Kit 2
Practice: Musicality, Color Recognition Ages: 4-8

Enhance your color recognition, musicality, and imaginative play with these activities. The drum set will help children learn how to make sounds and the caterpillar xylophone will help them learn letters and notes.
Place on Hold