Early STEM/STEAM skills: Building with blocks and tape

This is such a super simple activity that you may not realize at first glance the wonderful STEM skills children can develop from this simple building activity using blocks and tape. (STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math).

Note: You’ll find lots of great STEM activities for young learners on my Science Activities for Kids page!

To prepare this activity, we started with eight cubes. We lined them up so they were all touching each other. Then I placed a long strip of scotch tape across the top of the blocks.

What was when the fun began. The tape acted as a hinge, allowing the line of blocks to bend in just one direction.

I encouraged my kids to experiment and make different figures with the blocks.

With lots of play and experimentation, they came up with many different shapes, and they gave a name to all of them.

#1 was a diamond.

#2 was a funky rectangle.

#3 was a Christmas tree.

#4 was a sun.

#5 was a sunrise.

#6 was a robot.

More ideas for developing children’s STEM skills

More STEM activities from Gift of Curiosity:

• Dancing raisins
• Candy experiments
• Jumping colors science activity
• Make your own glycerin soap
• Crystallized snowflakes
• Dissecting an apple
• What do ants like to eat?
• Make your own telescope
• The great baking soda and vinegar experiment
• Magic inflating balloons