Summer reading programs are approaching and the MeL.org eResources can help you design programming to excite patrons of all ages and provide a variety of experiences to make the Oceans of Possibilities theme come to life. The MeL eResources can be used to develop in-person programming and grab-and-go kits, as well as newsletter and social media content.
If you’re looking for hands-on craft activities for children, Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center includes the eBook More Crafty Activities: Over 50 Fun & Easy Things to Make. Projects include collage, clay modeling, beadwork, decorative painting, papermaking, and paperfolding. There are instructions for creating a Sea Scene and a Fish Tile, both of which require few supplies and would work well with both children and tweens. The Seaside Pebble Frame in Crafty Activities: Over 50 Fun & Easy Things to Make is another excellent project which will remind patrons of their library’s ocean adventures for years to come.
Origami and foldables make great content for grab and go bags, as well as in-library stations. The EBSCO eBook Public Library Collection includes Origami Fish and Other Sea Creatures, an eBook in which artists provide detailed folding instructions and diagrams for creatures such as a Clownfish, a Shark, a Manta Ray, and even a Puffer Fish. My Sea Creatures in Ladybug from MasterFILE Complete is another great option for a sea-themed foldable mobile for younger children.
Don’t worry—kids won’t have all the fun this summer. Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center also includes craft patterns that would work for older teens and adults. The Letter Library feature from CrossStitcher has some great sea-themed alphabets including Seaside and Sea Creatures. These patterns are free to print and are small enough to only need limited supplies to complete each letter. In addition to cross stitching, patrons can try their hand at making jewelry including a beautiful Glistening Ocean Necklace or Ocean Wave Pendant with easy-to-follow instructions and supply lists from Bead&Button.
For more help with reading lists, activities, and content to share with patrons this summer, be sure to check out this handy Oceans of Possibilities MeL eResource guide. Using MeL in your programming? We’d love to hear your stories and see pictures of the results. Be sure to tag MeL in your social media posts and email your stories and pictures to melerhelp@mcls.org.
If you are having any issues linking to items on this page, please explore the MeL eResource Access Page. Contact melerhelp@mcls.org for help.
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