From Here to There - bridges
Public Events – Join our workshops!
ArchForKids leads public programs in libraries, museums and community organizations in the NYC metro area. Virtual programs are available to a worldwide audience. All library programs are FREE.
If you would like to bring ArchForKids to your community – live or virtual format – please contact us at info@archforkids.com or +1 (914) 200-3646
MAKE A TROLL BRIDGE – Free Virtual workshop with Borough Park Branch of Brooklyn Library
Tuesday, March 9 @ 3:30pm
Make a magical bridge for a troll to guard – and live under. We will show some examples to get your imagination fired up. Recommended for children ages 5 and up.
To create a troll bridge, please gather these materials:
- Cardboard base, cut from a mailing box
- 2 cardboard strips, same length, cut from a box flap
- 2 cardboard tubes OR paper rolled into 2 tubes
- Pipe cleaners
- Construction paper
- Cardboard scraps
- scissors, glue & tape
- Optional materials: playdough to make a troll, straws, twigs/pebbles, toothpicks, tin foil, whatever supplies you have on hand to embellish your model!
At 3:30pm on Mar. 9, click here to join the program
MAKE A LEPRECHAUN TRAP – Free virtual workshop with Yonkers Public Library
Thursday, March 11 @ 3:30pm
Build a trap for a leprechaun. Set it out the night before St. Patrick’s Day, and awaken to discover signs leprechauns have visited the trap. This will bring you good luck! This workshop is recommended for ages 5 and up. Supported by a grant from ArtsWestchester.
- Recycled box (shoebox or small mailing carton are ideal)
- Construction paper – especially green
- Cardboard scraps
- Pennies
- Pipe cleaners
- Scissors, tape & glue
- Use supplies you have at home for your trap: twigs, tissue paper, yarn, bottle caps, popsicle sticks, stickers, etc.
VACANT LOT CHALLENGE – free virtual workshop with White Plains Public Library
Monday, March 15 @ 4pm
There is a vacant lot in your neighborhood. Local officials are seeking proposals for its development. Your challenge: design a new use for this lot and make a model of your design. Some ideas to consider: a building that meets community needs, such as a community center, a storefront with apartments on the upper floors or a restaurant with indoor and outdoor eating spaces. Other ideas include making the lot into a community garden or a mini park with a wading pool. It’s up to you! This workshop is for middle school aged students – grades 6 to 8. You can pick up a materials kit from the Library, or you may furnish your own supplies.
Materials needed:
- Sketching paper & pencil
- For the lot: square or rectangular cardboard base. Can be cut from a large mailing carton. We recommend a minimum size of 16’ x 16’
- Construction paper – various colors
- If you are designing a structure for the lot: a few small recycled boxes to transform into buildings
- Cardboard scraps to make benches and other elements
- Scissors
- Tape – scotch or masking
- Glue stick
- Elmer’s glue
- Optional supplies: pipe cleaners, bottle caps, tin foil, wrapping paper, tissue paper, popsicle sticks, egg cartons toothpicks, twigs & pebbles collected outside, etc
Program full, Register for wait list here
MY SECRET GARDEN – Free Virtual workshop with the Harrison Public Library
Tuesday, March 16 @ 4pm
Design your own secret garden, a private oasis to dream, relax and play. Include all your favorite things – a playhouse, a pond, a firepit and more. Let your imagination run wild!
Materials needed:
- Cardboard base (cut from a mailing carton)
- Construction paper
- Cardboard scraps from recycled boxes to make benches, trees, walls etc
- Scissors, tape & glue and/or glue stick
- Optional: a small recycled box for a playhouse
Use whatever supplies you have at home for your garden design: pebbles, twigs, tissue paper, bottle caps, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks etc.
To register for this program, click here
CANDY DREAM HOUSE – Free Virtual workshop sponsored by Harrison Public Library
Tuesday, April 20 @ 4pm
Build a model of the house of your dreams – with a difference! Use your favorite candies to decorate your creation. For example, you can use twizzlers as columns, lollipops for trees and gumdrops as fences. Use your imagination!
Materials needed:
- For the house – 1-2 small, recycled boxes
- For the yard – a cardboard base cut from a larger box
- A variety of candy to decorate the house and yard
- Construction paper, scissors, glue and tape
Register for this program here
MAKE A CABIN IN THE WOODS – sponsored by Brooklyn Public Library
Pre-recorded virtual workshop
Build your own Tiny House in the forest. It could be a playhouse, a vacation home or a year-round residence. Gather some simple supplies and build along with ArchForKids. Recommended for ages 6 and up.
Materials needed:
- Small recycled box for the cabin – or paper rolled into small tubes to make logs
- Cardboard base for the yard/forest (can be cut from a larger box)
- Scissors
- Glue – glue stick and/or Elmer’s
- Tape
- Construction Paper
- Make trees out of pipe cleaners, cardboard or twigs you collect outside
- Use art supplies you have at home to embellish your cabin!
This pre-recorded program is available on the BPL Facebook page
STORYBOOK CASTLES – sponsored by New York Public Library
Pre-recorded virtual workshop
Magnificent castles appear in many fairy tales. They are defensive structures designed to keep invaders out and its residents safe. After learning about the evolution and architecture of these fascinating structures, build your own model castle! Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Materials needed: a box for the castle – a shoebox or small mailing box work well, a smaller box for the castle keep, cardboard base larger than the castle box, tape – scotch or masking, glue stick or Elmer’s glue, scissors, construction paper, paper towel tubes (or paper rolled into a tall tube). Optional supplies to embellish your model: tin foil, pipe cleaners, buttons, egg cartons, tissue paper, markers, crayons, wrapping paper to cover boxes, Popsicle sticks, toothpicks etc.
To access the session, go to www.nypl.org/summerreading/watch
MAKE AN ENCHANTED FOREST – sponsored by New York Public Library
Pre-recorded virtual workshop
Be a landscape designer for an imaginary land. Design a wooded area for unicorns, witches, elves and other magical creatures. We will show some examples to get your imagination fired up. Then build your model along with the founder of ArchForKids, Janny Gedeon. A great family activity for all ages!
Materials needed: cardboard base – can be cut from a mailing carton, tape, glue stick or Elmer’s glue, scissors, construction paper, small recycled boxes (to make castles, cottages, etc.), twigs collected outside, cardboard scraps to construct 3D elements. Use supplies you have at home to embellish your model: tin foil, buttons, cut-up egg cartons, Play dough, tissue paper, markers, wrapping paper to cover boxes, Popsicle sticks & toothpicks, Cardboard tubes, pebbles & pine cones and more!
To access the session, go to www.nypl.org/summerreading/watch
On Demand Programs & Mentoring
Pick your own time & date!
ArchForKids also offers mentoring and on-demand workshops. Book a program on a topic of your choice. More info on these options here.
