Discovery Kit Resources
Discovery Kits are available to check from the library for up to a week at a time and offer hands-on learning for a variety of ages. This page contains links to extra resources for deeper immersion into topics covered in the kits. Please note: while these are educational resources, the library does not monitor or endorse their content. Explore these resources with parental supervision and discretion.
Bug Hunt Kit
Insect Identification Apps: Audubon: Insects, Bugs, and Spiders identification app This app is a mobile version of the Audubon Field Guide. It is very comprehensive, but because of its scope, it can be overwhelming to navigate. For young users, we recommend using with an adult’s guidance.
Insect Identification App This app uses a picture of an insect to identify it. While a faster search than the Audubon app, this app will best fulfill the needs of budding bug hunters!
Insect Identification Website This website allows you to search for insects in several ways. You can look by Sate, Insect shape, Insect variety, or even function of insect (biting, flying, ect.) This is a great option to teaching kids about process of elimination and sorting by category, while learning about bugs.
Code-a-pillar Kit
Teaching code: resources for parents This blog post offer interactive links and inspirational reading for parents who want to teach their children coding.
Coding in Cascade: Classes and workshops on coding are offered at the Cascade Cultural Art Center, as well as coding opportunities through the University of Idaho Extension program. For more information on current activities, visit uidaho.edu/extension/county/valley or cascadeculturalarts.org
Pollinator Kit
Pollinator websites: pollinator.org This website promotes conservation, education, and research for furthering pollinator health. It offers learning activities, as well as ways to get involved in protecting pollinators and their habitats.
beecology.wpi.edu This website was created to gather data about pollinators. It offers opportunities for people to get involved in researching why pollinator populations are declining. It also hosts several simulation tools which allow viewer to take a closer look at pollinators in their local area and the effects of pesticides and invasive species on modern pollinators.
Plant Adaptation Kit
Brain Pop plant adaptation lessons and activities This link offers resources for parents and activities for kids, providing an in-depth look at plant adaptation.
There are numerous pages, posts, and images of different kinds of fairies and fairy houses. Although it is easy to pull up pictures for children to copy, letting them brainstorm and use their imaginations will build creativity and problem solving skills.
Flower Press Kit
This free app offers over 3000 flowers growing in Idaho. The app asks for information about your flower in order to identify it. Once identified, you can look at the scientific classification and color photos of the plant.
