Barnes & Noble Presents First-Ever Mini Maker Faire #BNMakerFaire

Like most parents, I love when my kids are creative. This summer 3 of my kids made movies using smartphones and tablets. They were physically active as they served as the actors in one another’s movies and they were creative as they wrote scripts, thought about props, lighting, angles, and timing. After filming, they spent time putting the movies together, editing, adding music and/or sound and text. They experienced a sense of pride on sharing their final projects. It was an excellent learning opportunity for them, but more than that, it was creative and fun and challenging. Today’s post is sponsored by Barnes & Noble; all opinions are my own.

Barnes & Noble, the nation’s largest retail bookseller, will be partnering with Maker Media, publisher of Make: Magazine, to present the first-ever Mini Maker Faire in all stores across the nation. From Friday, November 6^th – Sunday, November 8^th, Mini Maker Faires will provide guests ages 5 and up with product demonstrations and hand-on-learning experiences that will inspire creative thinking, art, design, construction, programming, coding, and 3D printing.

The Mini Maker Faires will consist of 3 main areas:

The Make Workspace

In this tech-educational expo space, guests will experience the latest technologies in 3D printing, robotics, coding, and programming. The five featured products in this area include da Vinci Jr. 1.0 3D Printer from XYZPrinting, Ozboth, Sphero SPRK, Sphero SPRK Edition, The Slipstream Done from Protocol, and Meccano Meccanoid from Spin Master.

Make & Collaborate

B&N customers of all ages will have the opportunity to get hands-on experiences and immerse themselves in the process of ideation, rapid prototyping, circuitry and more. Featured products for children include: Electronic Snap Circuits from ELENCO, littleBits, Maker Studio from ThinkFun, and LEGO Bionicle Bricks. Adults will have the opportunity to make and collaborate using products like Extraordinaires Design Studio PRO and LEGO Architecture Studio.

Select Barnes & Noble stores will also host special Raspberry Jam events designed to teach attendees how to use Raspberry Pi, a tiny and affordable computer that helps users learn programming through fun, practical projects.

Meet the Makers

Throughout the Mini Makers Faire leaders and top brands will be available to discuss the latest trends in designing, building, creating and making.

For more information on special guests and these great events, you can contact your local Barnes & Noble or visit BN.com/MakerFaire. Share your experiences at the Barnes & Noble’s Mini Maker Faire events using #BNMakerFaire and check out some of the exciting events others are participating in.

I am really excited to participate in Barnes & Noble’s first-ever Mini Maker Faire with my kids. I love spending a weekend where they have the opportunity to be curious, think outside the box, and try new things. It is these moments that I hope inspire them to be lifelong learners. But don’t tell my kids, I’m pretty sure they will think they are just there to play and check out some really cool things!

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