Who leaves the empty cardboard tube in the bathroom at your house? Or who leaves the last paper towel on the roll without getting out a new one? I bet every family has a main culprit, but now you can thank them for making sure to save all of those rolls for these cardboard tube STEM activities! Next time you go to remove one of those empty rolls, stash it away for a cool STEM activity to do with the kids.

CARDBOARD TUBE STEM ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

Cardboard tubes, paper towel rolls, TP rolls, toilet paper rolls, wrapping paper rolls, you name it! If it’s a tube shaped piece of cardboard, it will work perfectly for these cardboard tube STEM activities.

WANT TO KNOW MORE: What is STEM?

Some of the STEM challenges will require a whole bunch, some just a few, and some just one! That means you can get started today because I am sure someone has left a tube laying around somewhere in the house. Better yet, make sure to save them in a bin along with other cool recycled items!

MAKE SURE TO READ: Cheap STEM Supplies and Ideas

These cardboard roll STEM ideas do not require to many extra supplies, and I am sure you will already have the other items necessary to try out the projects or improved with what you do have. That’s the best part about bing an inventor isn’t it?

PRINT IT OUT: STEM Challenge Journal Page

AWESOME CARDBOARD STEM ACTIVITIES TO TRY: Click on all the blue links to learn more about each idea.

WALL CARDBOARD TUBE  MARBLE RUN

FREE STANDING CARDBOARD TUBE MARBLE RUN

CARDBOARD TUBE ROLL CATAPULT

BUILD A CAR {THAT GOES}

WINCH/PULLEY SIMPLE MACHINE

BUILDING STRUCTURES WITH STRAWS AND CARDBOARD TUBE ROLLS

DIY CARDBOARD TUBES CONSTRUCTION TOY

BUILDING BRIDGES

BUILD BALL MAZES

JAVELIN THROW STEM CHALLENGE

MAKE A CARDBOARD TUBE ZIP LINE STEAM ACTIVITY

ROBOT BUILDING STEAM ACTIVITY

CARDBOARD TUBE TELESCOPE

MAKE CARDBOARD TUBE CAR RAMPS

CARDBOARD TUBE SEED PLANTERS FOR KIDS

CARDBOARD TUBE ARCHITECTURE ACTIVITY

WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM A CARDBOARD TUBE?