Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack’s Magic Beans

Supplies:
Clear plastic cups
Planting Soil
Bean seed
Dowels or Bamboo Skewers
Paper or Foam Sheets for Castle and Clouds
Cotton Balls
Tape/Glue Stick/Scissors

Instructions:
Just like Jack, plant your “magic” beans in the soil. If the seed is close to the edge, it can be seen sprouting. The bean may take 8 to 10 days to germinate and then the vine can climb to the castle. 

Jack’s Daring Escape

Supplies
Newspaper
String/Scissors
Jack Figure
Timer

Jack needs to escape quickly from the giant. It takes a daring leap from the clouds but he needs a parachute. Each participant or team designs a parachute so Jack can land safely. The parachute should not be more than a 12 inch square. The parachute should be attached to Jack and slow down his fall. 

Dragon Eggs
Rock Eggs
Supplies:
Landscape Round Rocks/Pebbles
Acrylic Paints
Paint Brushes
Clear Acrylic Coating Spray

Before painting the rocks, be sure to wash and scrub each one to remove dirt and dust. Paint your design. If you are not going to use a base coat on the egg, but use the natural color of the stone, be sure to see how the paint appears on a wet rock. When the clear coat is applied to stone will be darker and dark paint may not show. Permanent markers often smudge and blur when the acrylic is applied. Apply two coats of acrylic to protect the image and to make the whole egg shiny. 

Thumbtack Eggs
Supplies
Styrofoam Eggs
Thumbtacks
Spray Paint or Fingernail Polish(colors and clear top coat)
“Foamtastic” Tacky Glue
Board (cardboard or styrofoam to hold tacks for paint)

Line up thumbtacks on board, (do not push tacks in completely) be sure to color the edges. It may take several coats for the desired color. Apply a clear top coat to protect color from scratching. Allow thumbtacks to dry and harden overnight. 
To create the dragon egg, place tack on the end and then begin to work outwards in a circle overlapping the edges. Carefully work towards the other end. Before placing the last tacks apply a small amount of foamtastic glue to hold the tack in place. The other tacks will be secure by the overlapping. 
Hot Glue Eggs

Plastic Eggs
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Spray Paint and Glitter Spray
Jewels or Beads

Dribble hot glue over the egg in any design. Let glue cool and harden. Then spray the eggs with paint colors, for glitter spray with glitter spray at the end. Hot glue jewels when the paint if your dragon egg is fancy. 

3 Pigs Construction
Supplies
Scotch Tape or Masking Tape
Toothpicks or 30 Popsicle Sticks
A fan or Air Bazooka

Each team or participant constructs a house for the new 3 Pigs Construction company, they specialize in little houses. House must have a pitched roof (no flat roof). The house must be strong enough to withstand the powerful wind of the Big Bad Wolf rival. 

Through the Woods Zip Line
Supplies
String (fishing line or unwaxed floss)
Tape
Basket (or participants create)
Straws
Paper Clips
Small Disposable Cups
Index Cards
Fuzzy Sticks
Timer
Action Figure or (pennies, ball, washers)

Little Red Riding Hood needs a shortcut across the woods from Grandma’s House. Build a zip line and basket to transport her safely over the woods to avoid the Big Bad Wolf. Attach a 4 foot string about 24 inches high and anchor the string to the bottom. Participants can design a basket or provide one. Design a structure to zip the basket down the line. Little Red Riding Hood must stay in the basket and safely reach home. 
Time to see which design is the quickest and discuss why it works and what changes and enhancements can make it better. 

Rapunzel Rescue
https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/heres-why-rapunzels-hair-makes-great-rope-ladder

The Prince’s Pulley
Supplies
Pringles Can
String
Small Basket 
Tape
Fuzzy Sticks
Popsicle Sticks
Clothes Pins
Paper Clips
Straws

Help the Prince rescue Rapunzel from the tower. Design a pulley from the tower to lower Rapunzel safely from the tower. Use the various building materials provided to demonstrate your design. Build a tower with a high window for Rapunzel.

Escape Slide
Pringles Can
Supplies
Paper Tubes
Paper
Tape

Rapunzel needs to escape out the window before the witch discovers her plans. Her prince wants to build a slide for Rapunzel, so she can quickly and quietly escape. Using the materials provided, construct a slide and Rapunzel’s tower with a high window.
Ladder to Freedom (Bridge for 3 Billy Goats Gruff)
Supplies
Pringles Can
Straws
Popsicle Sticks
Fuzzy Sticks
Index Cars
Tape

Rapunzel’s had a haircut and her hair is not long enough for her to escape down from her tower window. Design Rapunzel’s castle tower with a high window. Construct a ladder that is sturdy and safe for her to leave with the Prince. 

Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Baby Bear’s New Chair
Supplies
Tape
Index Cards or Paper
Markers
Stuffed Bear
Goldilocks has broken Baby Bear's chair. He needs a new chair that is just right for him. Using only paper and tape construct a chair that is freestanding and that Baby Bear can sit in. Your chair can not break. Don’t forget to decorate the chair using the markers. 

Baby Bear’s New Bed
Supplies
Tape
Paper or Index Cards
Markers
Stuffed Bear
Baby Bear is ready for a nap but he doesn’t have a bed. Goldilocks broke his bed and he needs a new one that is just his size. Using only the tape and paper build a bed that is just right and supports Baby Bear. Don’t forget he needs a blanket and pillow. Use the markers to make his bed colorful for a bear. 

Icarus Wings
Supplies
Index Cards
Coffee Stirrers
Scotch Tape

Icarus has learned his lesson about not flying too near the sun or too low by the sea water. He needs new wings to fly at least 10 feet. Using 2 index cards, 2 coffee stirrers and only 6 inches of tape, your challenge is to design new wings. You also must use one index card to draw and cut out an Icarus to attach the wings too. 

Wing/Feather Mural 
Feather Template
Paper/Scissors
Paint optional
Tape

Each participant cuts out feathers in different colors/patterns. The feathers are hung up on the wall to complete a pair of wings. The wings should be arranged so that a person can stand in the center and it appears that wings extend from their back. 

Tower Challenge
(For Atlas, Rapunzel or other Maidens)

Supplies
Index Cards
Tape
Stuffed Animal (Tennis Ball)

Using only 100 index cards or popsicle sticks and  tape, construct a tower that is 2 feet tall and free standing. No glue allowed.  The tower must support a stuffed animal (Beanie Baby) size or tennis ball for 10 seconds. Make sure the ball does not roll off of the tower. 

Boat Projects
(Gingerbread Man, Odysseus, Styx)

Straw Boat

Supplies
Straws
Plastic Wrap
Pennies
Water and Container

Using just 10 straws and and 12 inches of plastic wrap, build a boat that will float. Your boat will be challenged to float with 25 pennies on board. 

Foil Boat

Supplies
Foil Sheets or 12 inch squares
Water and Container
Pennies (LOTS)

Using only 1 sheet of aluminum foil to create a boat that is buoyant. Each boat will be stressed for strength.  How many pennies will it support before it sinks. 

Noodle Sailboat
Supplies 
Pool Noodle
Foam Sheets
Bamboo Skewers (Straws)
Tape (maybe)
Hole Punch (maybe)
Water and Container
Small Battery Fan (maybe)

Slice pool noodles into 2 inch slices (like donuts or hotdog buns). Provide each team participant a 4 inch square of foam sheet to design a sail. Attach the sail to the pole and boat. It should just poke through the foam but a hole punch might be needed. The pole should stick into the noodle but tape might be needed for support. 

Participants/Teams can raise through an obstacle course or down a straight river. Battery fan can be used to push the boat sails or just blow on the sails. 

Humpty Dumpty
Safety Seat
Supplies
Plastic Egg
Hot Glue (or adhesive appropriate for age)
Blocks (all types and shapes, the more the better)
Water and Watering Can
Fan with low speed

The unpredictable weather in the Kingdom is creating havoc for all the King’s Horses and Men. Humpty Dumpty can not stay on the wall in the rain or wind. He needs a seat on the wall that keeps him safe when the weather changes. To test your Humpty Dumpty Safety Seat, your egg will be challenged with a rain storm of 3 cups of water and then 15 seconds of wind. 

Mythological Monsters and Creatures
Supplies
Clean out the scraps!
Ribbon, Pom poms, 
Paper Bags
Paper
Tape, Glue, Stapler
Streamers
Buttons, Beads, Sequins
Index Card

Each participant/team will create a creature or monster that is either part human and animal or made of at least two different animals. An index card must tell the name of your monster, and describe it, explain its special abilities and is it a friend or foe. 

Theseus Labyrinth
Paper Plate Maze
Supplies
Glue
12 in Paper Plate
Bead/Ball
Each participant/team designs a maze to keep the Minotaur. On the plate create your maze and glue the straws in place. It might be wise to draw it out first, from beginning to end. When it is complete share your labyrinth and challenge each other to reach the center with the bead. 

Wiki Stix Labyrinth
https://www.wikkistix.com/diy-cd-case-labyrinth-craft/
Supplies
Wikki Stix
CD Jewel Case
Scissors
Paper
Bead
Each participant/team designs a maze to keep the Minotaur. In the case create your maze and place the wikki stix and press them to stick. It might be wise to draw it out first, from beginning to end. When it is complete share your labyrinth and challenge each other to reach the center with the bead. 

Send a Message for Help
Noodle Arrow/Flare
https://frugalfun4boys.com/how-to-make-a-pool-noodle-rocket-flinger/
Supplies
Pool Noodle
Knife to cut Noodles
Small and Large Rubber Bands
Foam Sheets
Scissors to cut foam sheets
Hot Glue Gun
Hook and a nail

Other Ideas for Summer Fun
Trying to plan for the big if and how the Coronavirus may affect summer programming. Many of the STEM challenges can be altered to be done at home and brought to the library to share and display. Participants could post and tag their projects on social media. 

Barbie Princess cakes
https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/fairy-tale-princess-cake/994aa183-c7da-4b14-8435-7472c513feaf
Working with a local baker to have a class for participants to make their own cake. There are many other ideas to explore like cupcakes too.

Fairy Gardens - I have contacted our County Extension office to work with Master Gardeners programming. Try local nursery stores too. 

Continue exploring the stars and constellations. Now the programming can be more focused on the story of the myths. If you built a relationship with local astronomers/clubs and have kids interested, keep it going.

Johnny Kaw https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/6136
Kansas own Tall Tale character story. He helped Pecos Bill dig the Grand Canyon, dug the Kaw River, brought rain to farmers and whooped Paul Bunyan. The statue is in Manhattan at the City Park Johnny Kaw Plaza. https://www.manhattancvb.org/290/Johnny-Kaw-Plaza

Cinderella Stories from cultures around the world. Discover the magic of Cinderella like stories. Write a Cinderella story for Kansas heritage.
https://teachingwithchildrensbooks.com/cinderella-stories-from-around-the-world/

http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/resources/multicultural

Make a photo opportunity for selfies and fun. Teens love to help and especially to paint. Use a big frame outside or photo prop.
https://www.orientaltrading.com/mermaid-sparkle-tail-photo-booth-cardboard-stand-up-a2-13830571.fltr?categoryId=551281 
Or make your own

Birdhouses out of gourds. There are many fairytale themed inspirations from the internet. 

Kits from a craft store. Find them on sale and they work when you have no time or energy to be creative. No shame in that.

Don’t be afraid to ask volunteers to cut out stuff to prepare for projects. Being able to work at home on their own time seems to work really well for us. It saves so much time and work.