Rosie Revere Engineer was our inspiration for this paper plate hovercraft. My kids are big into engineering and STEM, so when we found the book Rosie Revere Engineer, of course we had to buy it. This book is so much fun, because not only does it show kids that they can be inventors too, but ...
Your little engineers will really enjoy these 12 creative engineering activities. On a recent trip to Sydney, Australia, I spent a lot of time admiring (and photographing) the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge which is the widest and one of the longest steel arch bridges in the world. Quite the engineering feat! Between that and the world famous Sydney Opera House, I came back buzzing from my little getaway with lots of thoughts about engineering and just how important it is for our children to have opportunities to experience it and to learn more about it. What is engineering? Engineering is the application of science, technology and maths to develop solutions to problems. Put simply, engineers are creators! They take the above disciplines and combine these with creativity and ingenuity to make something new. Engineers see a problem and solve it. They create and re-create products, infrastructure and solutions that make our everyday life easier. Architectural engineers play a huge role in the construction of buildings like the Sydney Opera House (pictured above) and civil engineers work on things like roads and bridges like the Sydney Harbour Bridge (see pictures below). There are also many other types of engineers that are heavily involved in so many different projects and areas of production. From technology and the engineering of the mobile phones we use, to robots, computer games, chemical engineering, medicine, renewable energy, aircraft and much more. There are so many different avenues that engineers can put their skills and passions towards in this modern day and age. Why is it important for children to learn engineering? Allowing children to experience different forms of engineering helps them to understand more about the processes that go into making up so much of the world around us. Engineering encourages creativity, problem solving and cooperation. It allows children to think outside the box and to come up with solutions to problems through experimentation and trial and error, whilst putting into practice so many of the skills they are acquiring as they grow. Check out this fabulous video from the 2012 Young Australian of the year, Marita Cheng as she talks at TEDx Sydney about why we need to teach our children to be makers and the fabulous work they're doing, encouraging girls in particular, to take an interest in engineering. Engineering Activity ideas for kids Here are 12 fabulous activities that allow children to experience a number of different types of engineering. These activities encourage creativity, problem solving, trial-and-error, maths, science, technology and more. Designing and Building bridges by The Imagination Tree Build Blinking Bugs by Inner Child Fun Toothpick and Mini-marshmallow challenge by Learn with Play at Home Four Engineering challenges with Craft Sticks, Cups and Cubes by Frugal Fun for Boys Spaghetti Tower Challenge by Tinkerlab Make Soda Rockets by Lemon Lime Adventures Make a Tinkering Station by Left Brain Craft Brain on A Mom With a Lesson Plan Make a Catapult by Fun-A-Day Paper Building Blocks by Babble Dabble Do Test the Stability of Structures by Science Sparks Design a Cardboard Tube Marble Run by Learn with Play at Home Design and Build a Rollercoaster by Planet Smarty Pants Highlights from Sydney Well, isn't that a lot of fun? All inspired by a little bridge. Ok, not so little! Here are some pictures from my weekend in Sydney. My fabulous kid blogger buddies and I at Nuffnang's Sydney Office Launch Party. L-R: Me (Learn with Play at Home), Kelly from Be A Fun Mum, Danya from Danya Banya, Chelsea from Moments a Day and Rachel from Racheous- Lovable Learning. Even with the dark clouds rolling in, the harbour was a spectacular sight. See the bridge? I got to drive a yacht around Sydney Harbour! Very cool! (Thanks for the pic, Kelly- Be A Fun Mum!) Sailing underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge gave a whole different perspective and you got an even great feel for the gigantic scale of it all. Engineers are incredible! The food! Oh the food. My favourite was Spice Temple and meeting the owner and celebrity chef Neil Perry. Amazing! Definitely some food engineering going on there! Yes, food engineering is a real thing. Why didn't anyone tell me that when I was at school? Yum! A comfy bed, good food and a good location. Couldn't ask for more from our accommodation at Rydges Sydney Central And I can't resist just a few final shots of the bridge! Sydney Harbour bridge. Spectacular by day and by night. If you get a chance to go to Sydney, you really must. Such a vibrant place to visit with tons to see and do for all the family! (Even in winter.) A huge thanks to the major trip sponsor, Destination NSW for an amazing launch party at ECQ Bar and an incredible sailing adventure around the bay with East Sail; Qantas for getting me there and back as well as hosting a mouth watering lunch at The Burger Project and an unforgettable dinner at Spice Temple (you really must go!);; and of course my comfy and well positioned accommodation for the weekend, Rydges Sydney Central Hotel! Also thanks to Spotlight (check out their awesome range in-store or online) for sponsoring our conference in the Macquarie Room at the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney on the final day (location, location!). Sydney, thanks for having me and I can't wait to come back. Next time with my whole family! Further Reading: Here is a fabulous article on 10 ways to support an interest in Engineering! A good read with lots of other engineering activity ideas. Have you been to Sydney? Do you have little future engineers at your house? Happy playing, Debs :) {Disclaimer: This is not a paid post. My Sydney trip was provided thanks to my agency Nuffnang, Destination NSW, Qantas and Rydges. All opinions are, as always, my own.) Look where else we are. Are you following along? :)
Learn how to build a catapult! This STEM activity is so fun for kids and needs just a few simple supplies! Plus learn history in the process.
Kids will LOVE these engineering challenges with craft sticks, cups, and wood cubes. Engaging, open-ended, and creative!
A fun and easy STEM challenge for kids. See how many pennies a straw boat can carry before it sinks in this awesome straw boats engineering challenge.
Kids love to build, engineering projects seem just like play. With the emphasis of STEM and STEAM in the classroom, wouldn't it be fun to do some engineering at home? Engineering Projects for Kids We
First Angle Projection vs Third Angle Projection: First angle projection and Third angle projection are two different methods of creating a 2D drawing of a 3D part. First Angle Projection is common…
Share with your friends!4 3 The demand for STEM careers continues to grow in the Technology Age. Yet, companies struggle to find qualified engineers and scientists to fill the jobs openings. I decided to research why there isn’t a pipeline of engineers for the available jobs, and found that kids lose interest in STEM careers around middle […]
If you were given a piece of paper, tinfoil, six straws, two paperclips, two pieces of string, two pipe cleaners, three mailing labels, and an envelope -
Kids will LOVE these engineering challenges with craft sticks, cups, and wood cubes. Engaging, open-ended, and creative!
TOY MAKING STEM ACTIVITIES - Inspire kids to develop skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Kids will love to make, learn and play!
Engineering Challenge: Can you create a paper pinwheel that spins the fastest? Materials: (per student) Variety of paper (different weights, colors, etc.) Bamboo skewer or thin wooden dowel Metal brad or push pin Box fan Scissors, tape, and glue This packet contains all the information you need to make this a great engineering activity in your classroom! Lab sheets, student and teacher instructions, and challenge signs are all included! Using simple and cheap materials, you can engage your students in the engineering process! This is one of many engineering challenges that I will be posting, follow my store to receive notifications when new challenges are posted! Check out these TEN PACKS of STEM Challenges! STEM Challenges Ten Pack #1 STEM Challenges Ten Pack #2 STEM Challenges Ten Pack #3
If you love simple engineering challenges for kids, you will love this simple challenge of building with straws. Plus over 100 more science activities to try!
The best building activities and construction activities for kids! Everyday materials are amazing building materials for STEM play.
We’re back with another STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) series! This time it’s Summer STEAM Camp. We will be joining up with some other fabulous bloggers over the next few weeks to bring you simple STEAM projects centered around the five senses. This week’s theme is SEE. I decided to explore tessellations. A […]
Engineering is all about finding out how things are built and why. It’s about finding ways to construct things better, and it’s about solving problems through the development of new technologies. And for preschoolers, engineering is about play. Through their play, engineering for preschoolers looks like building challenges, blocks, marble runs, and sandcastles. It
These 20 Engineering STEM Challenges are great because they use simple materials you probably have at home already.. and they are fun!
Learn how to make a geodesic dome (and sphere) out of straws and pipe cleaners.
Rosie Revere Engineer was our inspiration for this paper plate hovercraft. My kids are big into engineering and STEM, so when we found the book Rosie Revere Engineer, of course we had to buy it. This book is so much fun, because not only does it show kids that they can be inventors too, but ...
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A list of picture books about houses and homes for the preschool, pre-k, or kindergarten classroom. Pre-K books about houses; preschool About Me books
The newly crowned Miss America 2020, Camille Schrier from Virginia, did a chemistry demonstration for her talent. It was an elaborate version of the classic elephant toothpaste experiment. This was the first time a Miss America participant has ever won with a science experiment for their talent. Unfortunately, I have seen people criticize her talent […]
Keep students engaged and check out this must-try collection of hands-on, educational, and FUN engineering activities for kids!
How strong is paper? Make these simple paper building blocks and learn how an objects shape affects its strength.
Circuit Flowers explore circuit science in an easy way for elementary to teens. Learn art, chromatography, diffusion, engineering and more.
Summer time means there will be a lot of free time for your kiddos. In between all the vacations and pool parties, try one of these STEAM projects!
Weaving on simple cardboard looms was a favorite activity at our nature art themed summer camp last year. Making your owl loom is so simple and uses materials you probably have laying around your house. Even though it’s just cardboard, with a little care you can reuse it over and over to make all
STEM and blocks center prop idea list for the WHOLE year, every season, holiday, and theme! Make it an amazing place for your preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten engineers. #preschool #prek #kindergarten #STEM #blockscenter
Five engineering challenges for kids – with wooden clothespins, binder clips, and craft sticks! It’s a simple STEM activity that kids of all ages will love. Move over, expensive building sets! These simple materials were a huge hit with my boys. The first time we got them out, Owen (almost 7) spent well over an […]
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Mix some architecture and engineering skills with this kindergarten and preschool STEM activity for kids. Use simple materials.
Fantastic resource for engineering for preschoolers & STEM activities!
Bring out your students' inner engineer with these amazing marshmallow and pretzel STEM structures! It's great as an entire class activity.
How and why do we teach STEM to preschoolers? Learn not how to teach STEM to preschoolers but get STEM activities for your class too.
Build real constellation models using marshmallows when you make Marshmallow Constellations! A super fun STEM activity for kids!
Fairy Tale STEM Activity for Rapunzel Rapunzel can escape the tower with a little help from your students! Materials Needed for this STEM Fairy Tale Activity cardboard tubes printable character various recyclable materials other crafting supplies (craft sticks, pipe cleaners, pompoms, etc.) Before Getting Started with the STEM Tale First your students will craft a tower. This is a fun standalone activity. You don't even have to let your kids know there will be another part to the challenge after this. Use long cardboard tubes from paper towel rolls (or tape TP rolls together). Cut out a window near the top. Decorate as desired. Washi tape is always fun for this activity! STEM tales work best if you read the original fairy tale first (or do your own storytelling!). This also leads to great discussions during the engineering process, as kids love to compare the original story with the new version. Fairy Tale STEM with the Engineering Design Process I have designed STEM tales so that as students read the story, they will follow the engineering design process. First, they need to identify the problem (Rapunzel needs to escape from the tower). Then they need to think of some ways she could get down. Allow their imaginations to soar! I have had kids think of everything from a water slide to a parachute to a zip line and even a hang glider. Design an Escape for Rapunzel After thinking of some ways Rapunzel can escape, the kids will then choose one they can build. They will plan out the materials and design, and then construct their escape route based on the plan. After the prototype is built, the kids then test it out! If something didn't work right, it's time to go back and improve the design. STEM tales are a great way to foster teamwork and problem-solving. This STEM tale usually inspires amazing creativity and excitement from the littlest engineers. To find the full resource, which includes an 8-page booklet, printable characters, check list for self-evaluation, and tips, visit this link: Pin the idea for later: To read more about how to conduct a STEM challenge, visit this post: To see all posts in this series, click here:
