We all know that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) activities are all the rage right now, but these might also be the most difficult activities to organize, especially if you’re not completely interested in STEM. I never took interest in any part of STEM, other than math when I was younger. Science and technology are not interesting to me, and engineering was a completely foreign concept. So, imagine my chagrin when I realized that my oldest son LOVES STEM! Actually, I am so thankful that he does because it forced me to take an interest, which has also helped each subsequent child to take an interest. So, because this is “Keep Kids Learning Week” and part of the family fun challenge, why not throw in some engineering projects for kids into the mix?
Over the last decade, there has been a big push to get more girls interested in STEM. Honestly, I think most girls are just not hard-wired for STEM. For me, I didn’t take interest because I wasn’t good at it. However, when I started helping my sons participate in different fun challenges, I became more interested and learned that I can actually do it too (though I’m not quitting my day job!)
So, for the sakes of mothers and daughters everywhere, don’t worry! These activities are fun and inclusive for you too!
I owe you one warning though. Most engineering projects for kids are messy. We’re not talking paint and glue and Play-Doh-style messy. However, when kids are learning these skills, most of it happens by doing, and trying, and physically laying things out. Eventually, they’ll be able to draw the plans and then execute. The things they learn and meeting your kids in their interests make it worth the mess though!
Five Engineering Projects for Kids:
- Toothpicks and marshmallows—
This is one of the simplest and most inclusive of all ages of the engineering projects for kids. All you need are toothpicks and marshmallows and you can see what you and your children can come up with! I love this activity because first, our children love it and it keeps them very busy, and second, because it’s cheap and easy and requires practically no prior preparation.
You can take it to the next level by giving the whole family a specific challenge and seeing what everyone comes up with. This would be more of an engineering challenge. I prefer more open-ended projects and love to see how proud my younger children are of their creations.
- How much weight can paper hold?—
This is such an interesting project because it surprises me every time! It always amazes me just how much weight paper can hold! You can play as a family, or have each family member complete the challenge individually.
Each person gets four pieces of paper. The challenge is to see how much weight the paper can support by folding it into shapes (i.e. cylinder, triangle, etc.)
- Play Mouse Trap or Jenga—
Mouse Trap is a form of a Rube Goldberg Machine; therefore, it’s great for a STEM night and is good for all ages. Our family has not tested this one because we do not have this game, but I do remember enjoying it when I played it at my friend’s house as a kid.
Jenga helps your child learn some of the basics of foundation, stability, and precision. You can help your child choose which piece to take out by reminding her that a tower will need to have a wide base, stability, and she will need to be precise when taking out a block. We have also been known to just build towers with Jenga blocks, which also reinforces these concepts.
- RGM Challenge—
For three years, I led a team for the Rube Goldberg Machine Challenge for 4H. My nieces, nephew, and my sons competed in this at the state fair for three years, earning a Grand Champion ribbon at the state fair the final year. These are great memories!
This one stands out to me because it was so far out of my comfort zone when we started. So, I learned a lot along the way too!
If you don’t know what a Rube Goldberg Machine is, you can look up some of Rube Goldberg’s cartoons here. Basically, it’s a contraption that you would find in a cartoon, but that accomplishes a task. Our challenges included zipping a zipper, squeezing toothpaste onto a toothbrush, and crushing a can. Your team builds a contraption that accomplishes a task using simple machines along the way. You can see one of our machines here.
Of course, you don’t have to do a full RGM challenge in order to have fun with your family. Instead, just build a little contraption together using things you have, or you could work on it over a week. It’s more fun for older kids to build, but younger kids love to watch it once it’s working too! I recommend this activity if you have children who are already engineering-minded if you’re not looking for a lot of work for family fun night. Engineer kids will easily come up with ideas and it won’t be a lot of work for you. However, if you’re up for a challenge, this is a great learning experience for those who are less naturally inclined toward STEM.
- Canstruction—
This is another challenge that can be scaled back for family fun night. One year, we completed a Canstruction challenge at Christmas time and it was a fantastic, but exhausting and stressful experience. We built a giant tree out of green vegetables and the planning and executing processes ended up taking a lot of time in an already busy season.
It took a whole lot to plan, but doing this on a much smaller scale is possible and probably a lot more fun!
To scale this back for family fun: Give each family member a set of Dixie cups and some paper squares (or index cards cut in half work well). Then, start building! Once everyone has had a chance to build what he or she wants, you could work as a family to build something more elaborate if you want. If you have younger children, you may just want to be done at that point because it can be very frustrating for older kids if the project they worked hard on gets knocked over by fingers that might be a little clumsier.
Now you have five more ideas for a family fun night! You don’t have to do all of them. You don’t have to do any of them! But I do hope you’re choosing at least one fun thing per day to do. This commitment to family fun is definitely changing our family and breaking us out of old ruts.
RElated: Support Your Children’s Interests
