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It’s never too early to start developing engineering skills! Elementary STEM activities focused on engineering can help instill scientific principles, introduce students to the basics of engineering, and encourage collaboration and problem-solving, all while having fun.
Key engineering concepts for elementary students include understanding simple machines, force and motion, structural stability, materials science, and the process from design to construction. Engage kids with these team-building engineering games to encourage them to start thinking like an engineer. These activities encourage creativity as students build structures, machines, and tools, paving the way for their scientific futures.
1. Become super cup stackers
When teachers think of “engineering projects and games,” they might imagine lengthy materials lists and complex instructions. However, it doesn’t have to be that way! To create cup structures, all you need is a pack of cups and your students’ creativity.
Set up challenges such as “Create the tallest cup structure in this small space” or “Balance the heaviest object using only cups” and watch the students’ creative solutions.
Cup Stacking – Differentiated Challenge Cards by Heaps of Firsts
By Heaps of Firsts
Grades: K-3rd
Subjects: Classroom Community, Engineering
For young engineers, cups are for more than just drinking! An array of 80 cup stacking challenges allows young scientists to hone fine motor skills, collaboration, and critical thinking. These activities are suitable for STEM focus periods, free time, or even PE classes.
2. Earthquake-proof a building
How can engineering principles protect people and property during natural disasters? Designing earthquake-resistant buildings is a primary goal for engineers and can be an excellent activity for kids in science class.
After completing a unit on earthquakes, provide students with the materials needed for their structures, or challenge them to create their own materials list with team members. Find ways to simulate an earthquake to test their structures!
STEM Challenge Earthquake Engineering Problem-Solving Natural Disasters Activity
By Teachers Are Terrific – STEM Activities
Grades: 4th-5th
Subject: Engineering
Standards: NGSS 3-5-ETS1-1, 2, 3; 4-ESS3-1, 2
This NGSS-aligned engineering resource encourages elementary students to design earthquake-resistant structures. With a complete materials list, student lab sheets, and teacher guidance notes, this project offers a memorable hands-on experience in building integrity.
3. Design a paper chair for teddy bears
Even teddy bears need somewhere to sit! Encourage elementary students to use blank paper and tape to create a sturdy chair that can support a teddy bear’s weight. Host a gallery walk where each group presents their project to the class, with success awarded to those whose teddy bears stay seated.
Paper Chair: Engineering Challenge Project ~ Great STEM Activity!
By Smart Chick
Grades: 2nd-7th
Subject: Engineering
This paper chair project resource provides everything needed to complete the activity from start to finish. With lab sheets, student instructions, and teacher materials, this low-prep engineering resource effectively promotes collaboration and critical thinking among students.
4. Set up their first Rube Goldberg machine
Rube Goldberg machines are excellent demonstrations of cause and effect for young students, making them popular team-building engineering games. The excitement doesn’t end once they’re built; students can continue playing with them! Marbles, small balls, dominoes, or other items work well, and students can incorporate ramps, tools, levers, and other devices to maintain motion.
Rube Goldberg Simple Machine STEM Engineering Project for Energy Transfer, Force
By Designed to Educate
Grades: 4th-8th
Subjects: General Science, Physical Science
Standards: NGSS 3-5-ETS1-1, 2, 3; 4-PS3-3; 5-PS2-1; MS-PS3-2, 5
Introduce important engineering concepts to elementary students with a classic Rube Goldberg project. This resource includes a 10-step student pack to help teams understand energy transfer and force, complete with background information on Rube Goldberg himself.
5. Create a house of cards
Move beyond flashcards by using index cards for a STEM structure challenge. With a set base size and materials list—including cards, tape, paper, or other items—teams work together to build the highest or strongest tower of index cards. Older students can attempt the challenge using only the cards and their center of gravity to balance the tower!
Elementary STEM Engineering Project: Index Card Tower (Elementary)
By Science Demo Guy STEM Challenges & Activities
Grades: K-2nd
Subjects: Engineering, General Science
With a stack of index cards, the possibilities are endless! Use a kindergarten engineering resource to teach students STEM basics as they create towers using only index cards, masking tape, and teamwork. Challenge older students to try the activity without tape.
6. Make a snack pulley
Pulleys are used daily in various jobs, including delivering snacks. With everyday materials like shoelaces, yarn, popsicle sticks, and cardboard, students work together to design a pulley system to deliver snacks to each person’s bowl. Once the pulley is created, students can play a game where study or trivia question winners receive snacks via their invention.
7. Clean up an oil spill
Combine chemistry, earth science, environmental science, and engineering as teams develop a way to clean up an oil spill efficiently. This STEM project can be low-prep, using materials like vegetable or olive oil, oil-cleaning soap, sponges, and equipment for scrubbing or bathing systems. Encourage students to get creative with their materials and craftsmanship. Turn the task into a game by challenging students to create a system that cleans the most oil-covered rubber ducks in a set time frame.
8. Craft an energizing greenhouse
A greenhouse project is popular among kids as it allows them to observe a plant’s growth from germination to blooming. Using solar energy and their understanding of engineering and earth science, elementary students create a greenhouse for their seeds to grow efficiently. Materials can include cellophane, clear plastic, tape, or anything else necessary to ensure sunlight reaches their plants.
9. See music with a DIY tonoscope
A tonoscope is an engaging sound science project that allows students to see sound vibrations as they play. Encourage students to bring materials from home, like recycled food containers and cardboard paper towel tubes, while supplying them with rubber bands, balloons, and salt.
Guide them through the process of cutting a hole into the container, taping the tube into the hole, covering the container with the balloon, and sprinkling salt on top. When students sing into the tube, they can watch the salt’s reaction!
10. Catch engineering concepts with a marshmallow catapult
Combining fun and learning, a marshmallow catapult is a beloved team-building engineering game. Students follow steps to create a catapult using classroom or household materials like rubber bands, cardboard, index cards, or anything else they choose, then test which team’s catapult can launch a marshmallow the furthest.
Turn this project into a game by marking where marshmallows land and awarding extra points for marshmallows landing in students’ mouths. Medals can be awarded for the best catapult designs at the end of class.
11. Set up a spaghetti house that doesn’t break
Teach students how engineering can transform fragile materials into strong structures by using dry spaghetti noodles to build a standing house. Older students can work with minimal materials to design and construct their house, while younger students can use additional support materials, like cardboard foundations if needed. Decide whether the challenge is to create a house that remains standing or one that bears weight, providing an extra challenge for testing tension.
Benefits of Team-Building Engineering Games for Kids
Although engineering projects and games might seem advanced for elementary students, these activities are vital for their scientific development and understanding.
They offer numerous benefits, including:
- Building a foundational understanding of STEM concepts
- Providing opportunities for students to collaborate on team-building activities
- Fostering independence and persistence in a creative environment
- Developing essential problem-solving skills across the curriculum
- Promoting a growth mindset for individuals and the entire class
- Introducing engineering careers and problem-solving approaches
Engineer ways for students to collaborate creatively
Incorporating team-building engineering games in your elementary class empowers students to tackle problems with creativity and knowledge. Finding elementary engineering resources isn’t challenging, especially when students participate in selecting their materials and projects!
For additional challenges or inspiration, check out a list of high school engineering class projects that older elementary students might want to try after completing their own activities.
