15 engineering challenges kids love {STEAM}

For nearly a year and a half now I have been teaching STEAM classes for homeschoolers. (STEAM is an acronym for Science / Technology / Engineering / Art / Math.)

One of the classes I taught late last year was focused on engineering challenges. The kids had so much fun working in groups and working individually to design and build a number of structures and projects.

I decided it would be fun to compile a list of awesome engineering challenges that are sure to stimulate kids’ creativity and critical thinking skills.

The wonderful building challenges below utilize a wide range of materials and encourage children to design, build, and adjust plans to create some very cool structures, towers, boats, and more.

Build a hex bug maze from Buggy and Buddy

Build gumdrop structures from Little Bins for Little Hands

Build a tower out of straws and tape from Lemon Lime Adventures

Build a marble run using cardboard rolls and tape from Tinkerlab

Build a raft that floats on water from Kitchen Counter Chronicles

Build a structure using cups, craft sticks, and blocks from Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls

Build a LEGO boat that can hold pennies from Kids’ STEAM Lab

Build a race car using K’nex from Playdough to Plato

Build a road using an egg carton and paint brushes from Preschool Powol Packets

Build a structure from paper blocks from Babble Dabble and Do

Build a Rube Goldberg machine from Brain Power Boy

Build a turbo charged LEGO car from Geek Pack Hack

Build a bridge using straws from Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational

Build a candy tower from Science Sparks

Build a structure using cardboard from Happy Hooligans

More resources for STEAM learning

Most STEAM posts from Gift of Curiosity:

• Egg drop challenge
• Chromatography flowers
• Building with blocks and tape
• Dancing raisins
• What do ants like to eat?
• Make your own telescope
• The great baking soda and vinegar experiment

Looking for even more STEAM ideas for your classroom? Check out these printable resources:

• Straw STEM Challenges
• Paper STEM Challenges
• Toothpick STEM Challenges
• Famous landmarks STEM Challenges

Find more awesome building challenges on my Engineering Challenges Pinterest board.