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
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 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.
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