2026 Summer Library Workshops
Unearth a Story — Dino Machines and Circuits! 🦖
Create a Cranky Dino Automaton!
Learn about simple machines, cams, and cranks as you build a paper dinosaur automaton that moves when you turn the handle! In this workshop you will make a model Jurassic-era creature looking for a meal. Choose from:
a pterodactyl that flaps its wings as it soars above its habitat, scanning for prey (easiest, 90 minutes)
a brontosaurus that munches on leaves from the highest trees (intermediate, 90 minutes)
or a Tyrannosaurus rex that opens its mouth to roar and scare away its rivals! (most complex, 2 hours).
Decorate the beast and its base, then put the model and the mechanism together and watch how it works! The Cranky Automaton is one of over 30 projects in Kathy’s new book, Paper Inventions 2nd Edition. The project is good for ages 10 and up as well as teens.
Make a Dino Shadow Squeeze Card!
Learn the basics of electric circuits when you build the squeeze card project from Paper Inventions 2nd Edition and make a dinosaur shadow appear! Pick your choice of dino silhouettes — or create your own — and decorate the frame around it. This workshop lasts about 45 minutes and is good for ages 6 and up as well as teens. (Younger kids may need adult help.)
Build Dino Paper Circuits!
Templates from simple to advanced walk you through the steps of constructing electric circuits, switches, and sensors with dino-themed Light-Up Creature activities from Paper Inventions 2nd Edition. This workshop is good for teens, and takes 60-90 minutes.
Ask about Kathy’s
Sewable Dino
Multi-Session Coding Workshops
for Teens!
