There is so much to love about a makerspace in the school libraries. And you can create one no matter the size of your budget. Makerspace allow you to have the resources on hand to support creativity and hands-on learning, and it’s the perfect match for literature, learning and reading. But with so many different resources, equipment items, and tech tools to choose from, the possibilities for what to stock in your makerspace can seem endless – and overwhelming. So here’s an overview of what resources you should add to your wishlist. And there is something for every makerspace type and budget.
Stationery Basics
Let’s start with the basics, yet they can go a long way to facilitating a range of activities. Most of these are common to classrooms and libraries, but it’s how you use them and the activities they can support that turn them into makerspace supplies.
These basics include pens, pencils – led and coloured, coloured markers, rulers, erasers, sticky tape, staplers, pencil sharpener, scissors, glue, paper – coloured, white and of various sizes, whiteboard markers and erasers, and masking tape.
Specialist Pens
Once you have the stationery basics stocked, you can branch out with a range of different pens and markers. These might include paint pens, crayons, oil pastels, charcoal (can be messy!!), fine-tip markers, art markers, and permanent markers in a variety of sizes and colours.
Cardboard Creations
Creating with cardboard is a cheap (how many boxes get delivered to your school (or house) on a regular basis? What a treasure trove of free material ready for you to grab) and what you can create with cardboard is literally endless. Be mindful that cardboard when cut can be quite messy, so you are going to need to decide if you have the space and clean-up to support this. If not, stick with cardstock.
You’ll need cardboard (recycled shoe boxes, delivery boxes, and fridge boxes provide an endless supply), string, cardstock, masking tape, paper.
The best, must-have tools for creating with cardboard are the MakeDo cardboard saws, screws and screwdrivers. Safe for use by 6-year-olds and up, these are incredible tools that are safe but slice through cardboard so easily!! Seriously avoid scissors or sharp blades and purchase a set of MakeDo, they last for ages.
Construction
Construction doesn’t have to include glue! There are so many popular and common construction toys that can be incredible makerspace resources (and save you a lot of time on clean-up and can be used over and over again).
Lego is a very popular choice but can be expensive. Fortunately there are suppliers who sell recycled Lego. My favourite is Bricktastics.
Jenga or Keva Planks is another awesome option, and if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, ask someone to cut timber into little planks for you. These can be used for bridge and tower challenges.
You’ll also find marble runs or fort building kits appealing to students.
Craft
Let’s get crafting. From macrame and paper mache to crochet and collage, there is no limit to the crafting possibilities in a makerspace. These supplies can help support a massive range of making activities. Stuck for ideas? Check out Pinterest, Instagram or basically any craft for kids blog. And there are so many that link to stories.
To get started, you might be interested in pulling together yarn, fabric scraps, wool, ribbons, string, tapes (duct tape, coloured tape, Washi tape), pop poms, origami paper, paddle pop sticks, goggly eyes, stickers – honestly the list is endless and you can build this around the craft projects you choose and what is popular with the students.
Taking it to the next level and again if you have the room and clean-up ability, add hot glue guns and glue sticks to your list. You can purchase low temp models or cordless battery models to make this safer and cord-free.
Books
Yes, you read that correctly. Your makerspace should have books in it. Lego ideas books, origami books, painting books, STEM books, maker books, knitting guides and books with pretty landscape pictures to inspire budding artists. Here are some of my favourite titles that we keep in our makerspace.
No-mess making setups
If you are looking for makerspace activities that can be hosted in a small section of you library and which require minimal clean-up, then here are a few items you might like to purchase. These do have a bit more of a set-up cost involved but you’ll get lots of use from them.
A badge maker machine, and badge components.
Perler beads and heat press/iron.
Giant colouring in poster.
Stick together sheets and stickers.
Sensory Station
Kids just love sticking their hands into things. So why not provide them with a range of sensory materials to explore.
Start with fidget toys, soft fuzzy cushions, leaves, twigs, and stones. Timber stacking stones are popular. And if you can stand the mess, play-dough (just be careful if you have carpet), kinetic sand and modelling clay are eternally popular. And if you really want to embrace the mess, try making slime.
Junk Prototyping
I was introduced to junk prototyping by the Curriculum Leader of Technologies that I have the privilege of working with. Junk prototyping uses recycled materials to bring students’ ideas and creations to life. You can create your own resource bank from donated materials, speak to your local industrial businesses or find your local recycling shop, as they might sell kits on like Reverse Garbage. The more diverse and interesting the materials the better.
Bottle tops, small boxes, foam (just avoid styrofoam, it’s so messy), fabric offcuts, rubber, plastic and cardboard rolls (just avoid toilet paper rolls for sanitary reasons) corks (our students adore corks, they have made so many creations with them, including a whole town of cork people), packaging, strings, dials or circuits, manufacturing offcuts.
As well as the MakeDo Cardboard blades and screws you might also like to purchase retractable safety blades and cutting mats
Painting
The joys of painting. It’s an eternally popular activity in our makerspace and fortunately we have the wipable floor and near-by sink to support this activity.
Washable paints, brushes, paint pots, water pots, paint palettes, and aprons or smocks. Clear plastic sheeting – nice and thick, makes it easy to wipe up after painting, or brown paper rolls.
Robotics
Your makerspace can be tech-free, but adding robotics and integrating it into making can bring a whole lot of joy and possibilities.
- Lego and Lego batteries and motors
- Ozobot
- Spheros (needs iPads)
- Wonder Dash (needs iPads)
- Cubelets
- MakeyMakey
- Motors and batteries
- MicroBits
Sewing and Textiles
Makerspace can provide a space for students to sew, design, knit, crochet or create wearable art. This might include sewing machines, mannequin, yarn, wool, fabric, thread, crochet hooks and knitting needles, fabric scissors, pins, pin holder, bobbins, and hand sewing needles.
3D Printers
A 3D printer can offer students a whole new way to prototype and create. These days, the printers are quick enough to make them suitable for makerspaces and far more rewarding. Prices vary and you’ll need to purchase filament. I can recommend the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon and filament from Makerhero.
Cricut Machines
Cricut machines are a great way to increase the possibilities in your makerspace, as well as help you label things and prep activities on mass. These machines can cut a range of materials, including paper, vinyl and HTV. Adding a heat press means you can create iron-on projects. Learn more here about using or selecting a Cricut machine for your space.
Tech Recording Equipment
A space for making digital content is essential in a modern makerspace. This might include a greenscreen backdrop and lights, tripods, microphones, cameras, and ipads. Podcasting equipment is also popular, including microphones students can plug into laptops or sound board set-ups or recording booths.
Clean up
You absolutely don’t want to skip adding clean-up materials to your makerspace purchase list. Actually, I probably should have put this at the top. Here are the basics you’ll need to survive the mess!!
Dust pan, large broom, wipes, paper towel, dish rack and dish brush (if you have access to a sink), buckets, mop and bucket, vacuum, small bead vacuum, dish cloths, old towels.
A first aid kit is also essential for your set-up.
Containers and trolleys
Trolleys, storage solutions and containers are vital in a makerspace. Determine what you need based on the size of your makerspace and the materials you will purchase. Clear plastic containers with labels make great stackable storage solutions. Trolleys full of similar materials or a project’s worth of materials make prep and pack-up easier. A clean-up trolley makes all those essential supplies easier to grab. And shelving units can hold your kits, robotics or supplies.