Teen STEAM Manipulatives
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Let’s be honest, teens are HARD to program for and engage. You likely have a few tried-and-true programs or manipulatives that you can pull out at a moments notice and use with your teens. However, if you are anything like me and many other programming librarians I know, you are always in search of new ideas!
Cue a list of engaging manipulatives for teens!
First, what is STEAM? STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. STEAM education is a method of teaching that engages students in critical thinking using a variety of topics together. For instance, if I wanted to teach about gear ratios I could walk students through an engineering activity designing and building their own car. In this activity we could discuss engineering, physics, math, and they create art through designing their car. This is the great thing about STEAM — with one activity kids are engaging in learning about at least 4 different areas of study, not to mention the problem solving and design thinking they will use.
After years and years of programming for tweens and teens, here are just a few of the manipulatives I think you might find use for in your library! This list is by no means exhaustive and you may have several you could add to this list! But hopefully you can leave this post with a few more ideas to add to your tried-and-true arsenal.
A pink bucket holding a variety of slime making supplies in bottles and baggies.
Slime Kits
There are SO many options for slime kits and there are just a few included in this post. You can also purchase all of the elements separately and combine different materials into a kit if you feel so inclined. Slime is great because it can be so individually creative and I have not met any teens (or kids or tweens) who don’t enjoy playing with slime!
Slime is also a great start to a conversation about chemistry. Why do the reactions happen? How do different materials change the reactions? For instance, if you add shaving cream to the slime how does that change the texture? There is so much experimenting that can be done with slime and it is relatively inexpensive! Here are a few more kit options if you choose to buy it all in one:
A variety of wood burning tools and wood burning examples.
Wood Burning Kit
This wood burning kit has all of the basics to get started in this creative hobby and the supplies are relatively inexpensive to replace. Wood burning is such a creative hobby and it is unique enough that it will pique the curiosity of even the most stubborn teens.
This would be a great manipulative to use for an in-house program as the liability concerns would likely make it difficult to send home for use. However, if you do choose to go that route just make sure you consult your library’s lawyer to ensure the library is covered.
K’NEX Blocks built into a ferris wheel and other carnival rides.
K’NEX Thrill Rides
K’NEX sets are an oldie but a goodie. The great thing about K’NEX is they work for a variety of ages. Many of their sets are geared toward older tweens and teens. This Thrill Rides set is perfect to teach many concepts such as engineering, math, and physics and it is complex and challenging enough to make it appealing for teens.
And if this set is a hit, there are a variety of more complex kits to build everything from The Empire State Building to mini models of sharks and helicopters.
Picture of Lilypad circuits, conductive thread, misc. electronic parts, and an instruction book.
Lilypad Starter Set
If you haven’t seen any projects with conductive thread, take a minute to Google conductive thread projects. The creativity of this activity astounds me and I have seen everything from blinking stars to a custom bike riding jacket. This is a more time intensive and complex project so it may be better suited for a circulating kit, replacing some of the components each time. I have also used these in multi-week programs or classes with the same attendees each time.
Though this is a complete starter set, you can easily purchase all of the components separately for a larger group or for kit replacements.
As with many great manipulatives, this activity is multi-faceted. Not only is it creative and artistic, but kids are required to gain a basic understanding of circuitry (sometimes even without realizing it) in order to complete their projects. Win-Win!
CLICK HERE to get started with Lilypad and Conductive Thread
Copper tape and multi-colored small LED lights.
Copper Tape and LED’s
Continuing with the theme of circuitry is Copper Tape and LED lights! These are SO EASY to use and so fun. You can teach your teens to make light-up greeting cards, bookmarks, car-window signs, and so much more! The creativity is endless and, again, they will inevitably learn at least a little bit about completing a circuit and the flow of electricity.
A picture on a box of a variety of green, red, and black pieces built into a marble track.
Fischertechnik
I love Fischertechnik engineering blocks. You can purchase them in a set such as this to complete specific projects — these would be ideal for circulating kits — or in kits of a variety of pieces with instructions for several different builds. Fischertechnik are more complex than many other engineering blocks which is what makes them well-suited to teens. They are best done with the guided builds, however, once kids are familiar with them they will enjoy branching out and exploring their own builds.
These sets would also be a great gift for a giveaway as part of a summer reading program or other library challenge.
Two vehicle type toys built out of colorful connecting blocks.
LEGO® Education BricQ Motion Prime Set
These sets are specifically designed with education in mind and therefore come with 7-lessons complete with videos and worksheets. It is hard to go wrong with LEGO® manipulatives, and these are specifically directed at engaging tweens and teens to teach concepts of forces and motion. Another bonus to these sets is they are actually quite affordable in comparison to some of the other manipulatives offered by LEGO®.
CLICK HERE to get started with LEGO® Education BricQ Motion Prime Set!
A Makey Makey board as well as a variety of colorful cords and instructions.
Makey Makey
If you haven’t heard of Makey Makey boards I would be surprised, however, I would also be remiss not to mention them as a fantastic teen manipulative! One of my favorite teen projects I ever did for a program used several Makey Makey bords along with various other supplies to make a life-size video game course from a popular family video game.
But don’t feel like you have to go crazy with ideas! The Makey Makey website has some great intro programs the board can be used with and the only thing users will need is something conductive such as bananas. Makey Makey boards are also popular enough that if you or your teens aren’t sure what to do, you can find a plethora of ideas on the internet.
Makey Makey needs to be connected to a computer so keep that in mind for planning purposes. Makey Makey boards teach circuitry and also can be used to teach basic coding. Versatile and fun!
A small spherical robot with components visible through the plastic casing.
Sphero Bolt
The Sphero Bolt is an advanced programmable robot. With a variety of sensors and a Bluetooth connection, teens can experiment and learn programming using the approachable app. It is becoming ever more necessary for people to have some understanding of computer programming and the Sphero Bolt is a great way to introduce more advanced programming skills in a fun and approachable way.
Sphero really has some great products for a variety of ages and skill levels, so if this one doesn’t fit your needs, take a look at their other products!
A hand holding a cylindrical disc with a connecting rod attached.
Chaos Machine
Don’t let the title description on Amazon fool you in regards to this manipulative. Though it states “construction for babies” this project is far from babyish and is ideally for kids 12 and older. The Chaos Machine can be built and rebuilt into several different configurations on any magnetic surface and this conglomeration of swinging pendulums teaches everything from increased fine motor skills, problem solving, spatial reasoning, physics, to concepts such as chaos theory. This set also comes with an insert to help kids learn all about the basics of chaos theory and what they will be doing with the myriad of provided pieces.
The creativity and experimentation that happens when using this set would also make it an ideal gift for any science minded kids in your life!
A box with 5 colored blotches, each blotch containing an electronic build such as an automatic hand sanitizer dispenser.
Electronics and Robotics Science Kit
If you have ever used Snap Circuits, this set is similar in its concept. There are over 100 pieces in this with the instructions to build over 40 projects for home automation. This set works with a variety of sensors and electronic parts and can be used without any prior knowledge of coding. The included instruction book gives detailed descriptions of the different part functions and the projects are great to teach the basics of circuitry.
Additionally, kids can move on and build their own inventions when they understand how the pieces and parts work. That is one reason this kit is so great for teens, because it will cater to a variety of skill levels as they learn and grow. AND, in addition to learning circuitry and electronics, kids will practice design thinking and great problem solving skills as they work through any complications that arise when working to build their own inventions.
CLICK HERE to get started with this Electronics and Robotics Science Kit.
A Celestron Telescope pictured with different lenses and a carrying case.
Celestron Telescope
A telescope is such an underrated manipulative for older kids and teens and it is so versatile! Telescopes are great for a variety of astronomy programs, can be included in a kit with some astronomy books, or set up semi-permanently in the library for a passive activity.
Through using a telescope not only can you teach astronomy but also math. Astronomers use math frequently and if you are in search of good teen math activities to fulfill the ‘M’ in STEAM, then a telescope is a great option.
This particular telescope is an entry level telescope and, from experience, very user friendly. It also comes with a nice carrying case that makes it very easy to pack up, transport, and store without taking up a ton of space.
A box with a picture of a model machine on the front and that same model machine built off to the side.
Engino - Physics Laws
I love a good engineering manipulative and this is a good one! The great thing with engineering blocks is you can teach so many different subjects in combination (math, physics, problem solving, art, design thinking, etc.) and as I have oft heard, repetition is the key to success. In my opinion and experience, there is nothing wrong with having several different types of engineering manipulatives for kids to use and learn engineering and physics concepts in a variety of ways.
This Engino set comes with an instruction book to teach users about the basic laws of physics while walking them through 6 different builds. Additionally, the kit comes with several pages of quizzes and experimental activities to use with the builds, so this set would convert nicely for classroom or after-school program use.
I am a big fan of versatility in the manipulatives I purchase and recommend because I believe in stretching your budget as much as you can! This set is versatile and would work great in a circulating kit, a makerspace, a classroom, for a program, for a gift, and more!
10 different shaped wooden puzzle balls.
Puzzle Balls
Puzzle balls: seems too simple, right? But hear me out! Puzzle balls are so great for teaching problem solving and improving fine motor skills. They are also a very individual activity that require little to no interaction-which is ideal for some teens!
You can also branch out and plan a program where you talk about mathematical concepts with puzzle balls. Trust me, I’ve done so! And it doesn’t have to be just simple wooden puzzle balls, though these specific ones offer enough of a challenge to keep teens interested without being too complex. Puzzle cubes, such as a Rubik's Cube, are also great for teaching mathematical and computer science concepts such as algorithms.
While you can plan a program around puzzle balls, I think these are ideal for a circulating kit or passive program with simple info sheet included for learning purposes.
Whichever way you do it, puzzle balls and cubes are an easy and cost effective way to jump into STEAM programming.
Tangram pieces in a hexagon-shaped wooden board.
Tangram Puzzle
Tangram puzzles are another simple but great way to incorporate STEAM into teen programs and activities without making it overwhelming. Tangram puzzles teach problem solving skills and are ideal for an activity about geometry.
You can also get tangram blocks in a variety of sets, containers, colors, etc. They are inexpensive, quick to use, and versatile for large group programs as well as individual learning. These are a staple in programming supplies for me!
UV Resin Jewelry Set and Flower Press
This activity definitely fits firmly within the Art section of STEAM, however, it is also perfect to talk about subjects such as botany and chemistry. This UV resin jewelry set is less messy than traditional resin and is a great manipulative to have for your more artistic teens that may not be interested in traditional science and engineering activities.
Though I have linked a beginner set here, you can definitely purchase supplies separately to mix and match the elements you need for your specific program. And if you are in need of inspiration, simply Google “resin jewelry” and you will find a myriad of ideas.
CLICK HERE to get started with this UV Resin Jewelry Set and this Flower Press
A variety of colorful towers built with tegu building blocks.
Tegu Blocks
Tegu blocks are another great-for-all-ages activity that is easy to pull out and use for a variety of events. This set linked here is a 340 piece set which is fantastic for free play or for structured engineering challenges. I still maintain (especially after building an entire block hospital with my kids this week) that no one is too old to enjoy building blocks.
If you have ever used Tegu blocks before you are likely used to them being magnetic like THIS SET. The set I have linked in this post is actually one of their first non-magnetic sets and is great for inciting creativity. While both types of blocks are great, these are intriguing due to their honeycomb pattern which allows their use with a variety of other materials (string, hooks, straws, etc.) and enhances the creativity aspect.
Offer up these blocks with a building challenge and a great prize and see what creativity abounds!
There are countless manipulatives out there you could use for programming or circulation in your library and these are just a few favorites of mine. Too often educators of all types overcomplicate STEAM education and I think we as librarians feel that we have to have elaborate programs with all sorts of science experiments and giant engineering challenges in order for it to count as a STEAM program, but that is not the case!!
STEAM programming can be as simple as a tangram puzzle and talking about geometric angles or as complicated as building your own video game course. Whichever way you choose to take your programming, my hope is that you just START! Good Luck!
