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25 Amazing Engineering Ideas for Bigger Kids

January 1, 2017 Mary Malcolm

4.9K shares

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?

25 amazing engineering activities for bigger kids Featured collage
Engineering Projects for Kids

We have handpicked 25 of the best engineering projects for kids that would appeal to older kids.

So whether your budding engineer is in elementary school, middle school or high school, there is something for them on this list to make their STEM heart sing.

These activities will get the whole family into the engineering design process with awesome results.

Whether it be with LEGOs, cards, Tinker Toys, paper or other household items, some kids just love to watch things come together. You can help encourage them by showing them activities they’ll build, create and enjoy.

Build those STEM skills with projects that are fun and enlightening.

Enjoy!

25 COOL AND AMAZING ENGINEERING ACTIVITIES FOR BIGGER KIDS!

1. DO THIS AWESOME PAPER AIRPLANE CHALLENGE

How many coins can a paper airplane hold?

If you build this paper airplane by Kids Activities Blog with a different structure, will it hold more?

Have FUN with physics!

airplane challenge - paper engineering design for kids
FLY HIGH!!!

2. FASCINATING STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING WITH TIN FOIL

Your kids can use foil and pipe cleaners by Housing A Forest Blog to build structures for an entire imaginary village!

Will your construction techniques hold up?

aluminum foil and pipe cleaners - structural engineering for kids

3. WONDERFUL CONSTRUCTION INSPIRATION FROM BIG HERO 6

Do you have a Big Hero 6 fan? See if your kiddos can create their very own Baymax. This craft by Left Brain Craft Brain Blog is creating, building and material manipulation at its finest!

big hero six challenge - construction inspiration 25 amazing engineering activities for bigger kids Featured
CUTIEE BAYMAX

4. DESIGN THIS ASTOUNDING STRUCTURAL BRIDGE

Let your little structural engineers build their very own bridge by Playdough To Plato Blog and see how much it can hold! Young innovator’s can explore their engineering curiosities.

bridge structural construction and design for kids
25 amazing engineering activities for bigger kids Featured
Hope it won’t fall! ^o^

5. ENJOY MAKING THESE CREATIVE JELLY BEAN SKY SCRAPERS

Jelly beans and toothpicks are great for construction!  Older kids can get hands-on with this simple project by Lemon Lime Adventures.

building with jelly beans - sky scraper design- 25 amazing engineering activities for bigger kids
skeleton!

6. BUILD THIS COLORFUL TOWER MADE FROM STRAWS AND WASHI TAPE

Or use some straws and washi tape for an especially colorful tower. Your children will love making this easy to make tower by Lemon Lime Adventures.

building with straws

7. COOL CORK LAUNCHER TO PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS

Can your kids build a cork launcher by Instructables that actually works? They can with this tutorial!

cork launcher

8. HAVE FUN MAKING TOWERS BY BALANCING POPSICLE STICKS

Let your kids stretch their brain muscle by figuring out how to use popsicle sticks for balance. This creative activity by Frugal Fun For Boys Blog is a big challenge for the kiddos.

craft sticks challenge

9. BUILD THIS BREATHTAKING ROCKET WITH YOUR KIDDOS!

Build a rocket that actually goes with this awesome tutorial by Lemon Lime Adventures. It will inspire your kids to become a rocket engineer someday!

homemade rocket

10. ASSEMBLE AMAZING HYDRAULIC JUDO BOTS

Learn all about the power of hydraulics with these hydraulic judo bots by Instructables. Another engineering principle to learn with your future engineers!

hydraulic judo bots

11. CONSTRUCT THIS EASY TO MAKE ICE BRIDGE

Teach your kids about science and construction with this awesome ice bridge by Almost Unschoolers! Have fun building this chilly cold ice bridge with your little structural engineers!

ice bridge

12. HAVE FUN PLAYING WITH THIS SURPRISING STICK STRUCTURE

Watch the stick fly with this incredible stick structure by Frugal Fun For Boys. Have fun watching with your kids the chain effect of these sticks flying.

keva reaction

13. BUILD THIS SIMPLE PAINTING MACHINE FOR YOUR BIGGER KIDS

Can your kids figure out how to build a painting machine? They’ll love it when you show them how this machine by My Nearest And Dearest blog (unavailable) works!

painting machine

14. AMAZING PAPER BLOCKS

Who knew paper blocks by Baddle Dabble Do could work so well for building? How big can your kids go?

paper building blocks

15. PLAY THIS PAPER TOWER CHALLENG WITH YOUR KIDS

Or check out this incredible paper tower by The Homeschool Scientist. Challenge your kids who will have the strongest paper tower among your family. How strong do you think your tower will be?

paper building challenge

16. INNOVATIVE AND FUN AIRPLANE LAUNCHER

Build paper airplane launcher with your kiddos that actually works. Have fun letting those planes fly using these launchers by Frugal For Fun Boys!

plane launcher

17. INGENIOUS WAY TO STACK YOUR CUPS

This STEM challenge is awesome! Can your kids figure out how to stack cups without using their hands? Enjoy playing with your kids using this method of stacking caps by Kids Activities Blog.


plastic cup stem challenge

18. EASY TO MAKE POM POM TUNNEL

Let your child build a pom pom tunnel that leads all the way to the floor. elp your kids learn problem solving with this clever idea by Coffee Cups and Crayon.

pom pom drop

19. BUILD THIS POOL NOODLE STRUCTURE

Or here’s an awesome pool noodle structure! How far can you and your kiddos make the marble race in this pool noodle run?

Via Left Brain, Craft Brain

pool noodle engineering wall

20. ROLLERCOASTER

How awesome is this kid made rollercoaster! Your child is going to love learning the physics of this one.

Via Planet Smarty Pants

rollercoaster

21. RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINES

Rube Goldberg machines are so much fun. Let your child make one from toys in their own room.

Via Tinker Lab

rube goldberg machine

22. ANOTHER RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINES

Or go to the hardware store and build a Rube Goldberg machine with all the bells and whistles!

Via Brain Power Boy

rube goldberg

23. STRAW DOME

This straw dome is such a fun STEM challenge and your kids are going to love watching it come together.

Via Kids Activities Blog

straw globe

24. WIGGLE BOT

Wiggle bot loves to draw. Wiggle bot has his own motor and smily face and everything.

Via Research Parent

wigglebot

25. MAKE THIS SUPER CUTE WOBBLE BOT

Wobble bot wobbles but he don’t fall down. Just kidding. But no, really, he doesn’t fall down.

Via Research Parent

wobblebot

MORE FUN AND AWESOME ENGINEERING AND BUILDING ACTIVITIES

25 amazing engineering activities for bigger kids

Which awesome engineering activity will you build with your kids today?

Kid's Activities, Math, Science bridges, building, construction, engineering, ice, paper, sticks, straws

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