STEAM Discovery Kits
Build, code, and investigate with NYPL’s amazing STEAM Discovery Kits, available to borrow from more than 50 branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island! STEAM Discovery Kits enable kids and tweens to explore robotics, circuitry, microbiology, engineering, coding, and more using exciting tools, toys, and books at home. Find out more about the kits and where you can borrow one.
What Is STEAM?
STEAM is short for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. STEAM activities and programs are an excellent opportunity to introduce concepts and promote skills that can set you up for creative, scientific, and collaborative thinking now and in the future. The New York Public Library offers lots of ways for kids and teens to explore STEAM concepts and develop their skills! Plus, you can borrow one of our five STEAM Discovery Kits—Microbiology, Circuits, Young Coders, Young Builders, and Sphero Robotics—from more than 50 branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Kits are available at the following locations:
Bronx
Allerton Library*, Baychester Library, Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center, Bronx Library Center*, Clason’s Point Library*, Eastchester Library*, Edenwald Library*, Francis Martin Library, High Bridge Library, Jerome Park Library, Kingsbridge Library*, Morris Park Library, Morrisania Library*, Mosholu Library, Mott Haven Library*, Parkchester Library*, Pelham Bay Library, Sedgwick Library, Soundview Library, Throg’s Neck Library, Tremont Library, Van Cortlandt Library, Westchester Square Library, West Farms Library, Wakefield Library, Woodstock Library*.
Manhattan
67th Street Library, 96th Street Library, Aguilar Library, Bloomingdale Library*, Chatham Square Library*, Columbus Library, Countee Cullen Library, George Bruce Library*, Grand Concourse Library, Hamilton Grange Library, Harlem Library*, Harry Belafonte 115th Street Library*, Inwood Library, Macomb's Bridge Library*, Morningside Heights Library, Ottendorfer Library, Riverside Library, Roosevelt Island Library, St. Agnes Library, Seward Park Library*, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL), Tompkins Square Library, Washington Heights Library*.
Staten Island
Charleston Library, Mariners Harbor Library, St. George Library Center*, Richmondtown Library, Stapleton Library, West New Brighton Library.
* Please note that Sphero Robotics Kits are only available to borrow at branches marked with an asterisk above. They are also available to explore in person at those branches!
If you want to check the availability of a particular kit, please call ahead to see what’s available.
New! Microbiology Kits
Explore the microscopic mysteries of everyday objects with this microbiology kit. Use the microscope to see how things look up close. Examine everything from real animal hairs to plants you find in the park to understand them on a micro level. Kit includes: Two handheld microscopes, 48 slides, three books. Download the guide.
New! Circuits Kits
Build your own arcade! Using batteries, a simple circuit board, and wires, you can build hundreds of projects and games. The manual included shows you how to build each one, step by step. Kit includes: Snap Circuits Arcade Kit (circuit board, snap and jumper wires, game parts), Big Manual, two books. Download the guide.
New! Young Builders Kits
In this kit, you'll find a 61-piece set of a Marble Run—one of our very favorite playsets for supporting creative, open-ended, kid-driven play. Children simply connect the colorful building pieces together to build tall towers, slides, mazes, and anything they can imagine! Unstructured play with building sets helps kids grow problem-solving and design skills. Kit includes: Marble Run Classic set and three books. Download the guide.
Young Coders Kits
By coding a robot pet to move in different directions or guiding a family member through a maze, kids will practice real-world computer science skills such as decomposition and sequential thinking. Kit includes: Coding Critters robot set, Let’s Go Code game, and two books. Download the guide.
Sphero Robotics Kits
Take control of Sphero Mini—the amazing rolling robot—and guide Mini through mazes or to victory in a bowling game. Create challenges for Sphero using materials from home, or the construction set items and activity cards included. Use the iPad to steer Mini with a virtual joystick, or direct it to navigate puzzles using code! (Please note that the iPad included cannot be used for web browsing.) Kit includes: Sphero Mini robot and activity kit, iPad, and a six-book graphic novel series. Download the guide.
More for Kids
Kids at NYPL
The New York Public Library is here for kids of all ages to help you read, learn, and have fun! Discover free events, join us at select branches for NYPL After School, get free homework help, find the best new reading recommendations, and more.
STEAM at NYPL for Kids & Teens
Get ready to create, explore the natural world, and express yourself while developing your STEAM skills! From origami to coding games, discover the wide range of STEAM videos and activities the Library has to offer kids and teens.