Engineering Activities

Build Stuff with Sugar Cubes. Use wet sugar paste as glue. Challenge them to make a particular type of building.



Challenge Kids to Build Things with Readily-Found Materials. For example, make a model yurt with foam core base, Popsicle sticks, wire/pipe cleaners, straw, fabric, and a plastic ring cut from the bottom of a cup. Getting the roof piece right is tricky. Measure inner circumference, width, and outer circumference to draft pattern on paper.

My inspiration for the yurt came from this kit: https://youtu.be/vH1oyeMAiKw

Paper Airplanes Do a search for paper airplane designs, or design your own. Set different challenges for older kids - longest distance, longest time aloft, barrel roll, loop-de-loop. If you have them on hand, compare with different weights of paper. Add paper clips, how does that alter flight? What about by clipping and bending ailerons?



Roman Engineering Challenge for Older Kids: provide Popsicle sticks & glue gun. Challenge them to create an aqueduct. Test aqueduct by rolling a marble on it. Remember, it must roll gently but consistently, without snagging.


Stuffed Animal Zipline Test Lab - Set up an action figure/doll/small stuffed animal zipline. Run a string or rope from an upper level to a lower level, or just from high up to the floor. Secure both ends. Make a paperclip hook and have kids figure out ways to secure the hook to their action figure. Multiple kids = zipline races. Use different weights, strings, materials, angles to try to speed up your figurine, but they MUST make it the full length of the string to win.