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Discovery Kits

Discovery Kits are a collection of interactive items that you can check out to explore new topics, hobbies, and interests at home. They cover a wide range of topics, including robotics, knitting looms, building blocks, engineering challenges, and more. 

There are Discovery Kits for all ages, from young kids to adults. 

They are stored at Cheyenne Mountain Library, East Library, Library 21c, Monument Library, and Sand Creek Library but can be reserved for pickup at any PPLD location. 

a photo of Remote Control Gear-bot discovery kit with a yellow backgroung

How It Works

  • Who can borrow: Adults (18+) with a PPLD library card in good standing  
  • Loan period: Check out for seven days
  • Limit: Two kits per cardholder
  • Renewals/Holds: Can be renewed two times as long as there are no holds.
  • Returns: Kits must be returned to a staff member while the library is open. They cannot be placed in a bookdrop. 
  • Available at: Cheyenne Mountain Library, East Library, Library 21c, Monument Library, and Sand Creek Library 
  • Browse the collection and place kits on hold.

Check Out a Discovery Kit!

Requirements

To check out a kit, you must:

  • Have a library account in good standing (Accounts cannot be blocked or expired; ACCESS cards and PowerPass are not eligible)  

Guidelines

  • Kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis  
  • Kits must be used in a non-smoking/non-vaping environment  
  • Children must be supervised while using the kits 

Locations

Discovery Kits are available at these locations:

  • Cheyenne Mountain Library
  • East Library
  • Library 21c
  • Monument Library
  • Sand Creek Library

RETURNS AND FEES

  • Return kits in person during library open hours. 
  • Items not returned within three weeks after the due date will be considered lost. 
  • A replacement fee will apply to unreturned kits. 

Browse Available Discovery Kits

 Browse a selection of kits available at participating locations. Kits are not available at all locations

See the status and availability of kits

a photo of a Bee-Bot toy, which looks like a plastic black and yellow bee

Bee Bots

Category: Programming

For ages: 4 and up 

Bee-Bot is a fun and friendly robot designed to be sturdy and easy to operate for young children and beginners of all ages. Children’s as young as four can earn sequencing, estimation, and problem-solving while having fun putting Bee-Bot through its paces! Use the directional keys to enter a sequence of commands directing Bee-Bot to move forward or back or to turn left or right. A handy beep and blink after each command makes it easy to follow Bee-Bot’s progress through the entire program sequence. This kit includes three Bee-Bots so the entire family can have fun together. 

While using and playing with this kit, users will: 

  • Sequence simple steps to move Bee-Bot in the desired direction 
  • Use basic programming principles by plotting and executing a desired course of action for Bee-Bot
a photo of the Code and Go game available as a Discovery Kit

Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set 

Category: Programming 

For ages: 5 and up 

This activity set provides a fun and interactive introduction to coding concepts, as Colby, the programmable mouse, races through a maze to find the cheese. Using an activity card, kids build a maze out of plastic grid pieces, wall, and tunnels (the cheese is the prize at the end!). Next, they use coding cards (with directional symbols) to plan a step-by-step path through the maze. Finally, they program the sequence of steps into the robot mouse, and then watch Colby race toward the cheese! Kids can follow the mazes presented on the activity cards or build their own maze! 

While using and playing with this kit, users will: 

  • Learn about basic coding and programming skills in a fun and engaging way 
  • Build problem-solving and critical thinking skills • Explore design skills 
  • Learn about cause and effect and if-then logic 
  • Build awareness of spatial concepts and calculating distances
a photo of the Cubelets discovery set box and cubes

Cubelets Discovery Set

Category: Programming

For ages: 4 and up 

Explore the world of robotics and coding with these easy-to-use robot blocks that snap together to make an endless variety of robots with no coding or wires. Cubelets are little blocks of software inside little blocks of hardware. Each Cubelet has a special function: SENSE Cubelets take in information from the robot's environment, THINK Cubelets compute and change that information, and ACT Cubelets turn that information into a physical action. Cubelets' magnetic faces make them simple to snap together and pull apart.

While using and playing with this kit, users will: 

  • Learn about basic coding and programming skills in a fun and engaging way 
  • Build problem-solving and critical thinking skills. 
  • Develop computational thinking skills 
  • Nurture imagination, creativity, and inventive spirit 
  • Develop design thinking
a photo of a box of Magna-Tiles

MAGNA-TILES Building Set

Category: Construction

For ages: 3 and up 

This 3D magnetic building set engages young minds by fusing together math, science, and creativity! Magnetic edges allow the plastic to easily snap and stay together! The set comes with an array of shapes (large and small squares and three different types of triangles) encouraging kids to imagine and build all sorts of different objects and structures. In addition to inspiring imaginary play, MAGNA-TILES develop math, science, spatial and tactile skills.

While using and playing with this kit, users will: 

  • Open-ended play spurs imagination and creativity
  • Develop building and construction skills, hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, fine motor skills
  • Develop creative problem solving skills
  • Develop concentration and familiarity with basic math concepts (shape recognition, symmetry, spatial reasoning, patterning skills)
  • Begin to understand magnetic principles
a photo of a Remote Control Gear bot kit

Remote Control Gear Bot

Category: Robotics

For ages: 4 to 10

This fun set invites children to use a variety of gears and other pieces to build a robot atop a motorized base and then command it with a wireless remote control! Kids can choose any combination of gears, claws, heads, and other pieces to snap together and create their robot and then use the wireless remote control to direct the robot to roll and turn in any direction they choose--from up to 50 feet away! Then they can take their robot apart and build an entirely new one!

While using and playing with this kit, users will: 

  • Learn how to design and build a simple robot
  • Utilize creativity and imagination to design a robot/ enjoy free play
  • Utilize manual dexterity to build and control a robot
  • Think about what purposes for which robots are designed and how they are used
  • Learn to follow visual building directions
a photo of round knitting looms that are part of the discovery kit

Round Looms 

Category: Crafting 

For ages: 5 and up 

Round looms are a fast, easy way to learn how to knit. Create hats, scarves, and more using this kit, which contains 4 round looms, a looming tool, and a plastic needle. A pamphlet with instructions for knitting a hat is included, along with information on where to find other loom knitting guides and projects. 

Please be aware that yarn is not included in this kit. 

While using and playing with this kit, users will: 

  • List the supplies needed for loom knitting. 
  • Cast on to a round loom. 
  • Perform basic stitches while knitting in the round. 
  • Remove a project from a round loom.
a photo of Survive the Quake Engineering kit

Survive the Quake Engineering Kit

Category: Physics

For ages: 4 to 12

Kids can test their engineering skills with this fun, interactive activity. Build a structure from 30 plastic bricks of varying sizes atop a platform with a grid. Then, test the structure's integrity against five different levels of platform-shaking quakes. An activity booklet provides a brief introduction to earthquakes, tips about how to think like an engineer, and step-by-step instructions for building five different structures and info about why some are more stable than others.

While using and playing with this kit, users will: 

  • Learn about earthquakes and their impact
  • Discover how engineers design structures that can withstand the motion of an earthquake
  • Make predictions and test them
  • Understand the process of designing, testing, and utilizing results to re-evaluate and modify designs
  • Discover which structures are the most stable
a photo of two children building a fort with Ultimate Fort Builder

Ultimate Fort Builder

Category: Construction

For ages: 4 to 11

Kids can design the shape and size of their fort, snap together the pieces to make the frame, and then finish building by placing a covering over the framework (you supply the sheet or blanket!). 

A building guide provides helpful hints about how to use the connectors to make different types of angles. The guide also includes step-by-step directions for making a castle, a house, an arch, an igloo, and a rocket, and more.

While using and playing with this kit, users will: 

  • Explore basic engineering, math, and design skills
  • Develop problem-solving skills
  • Use creativity to come up with different designs
  • Think about the reasons for building a shelter and the benefits that different structures provide
  • Develop physical dexterity
  • Engage in imaginary play / free play

Have any questions? 

Ask staff at any participating location or contact a librarian to get help »