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.

Looking for more hands-on activities that incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM)? Then you’ll love STEAM Kids! This book features 52 hands-on activities are helpfully identified by category (science / technology / engineering / art / math) so you know exactly what skills your kids are developing.

Grab a copy of the e-book delivered as a PDF download (or this e-book for EU residents) and in print at Amazon.

More ideas for developing children’s STEM skills

More STEM activities from Gift of Curiosity:

Don’t have time to gather materials? Want to make science super easy? Check out these monthly subscription services that will send science and creativity kits to your door!

Find more great science activities on my Science Activities for Kids page and my Science Activities Pinterest board.

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