Join us for another week of vacation fun with the 100 days of Summer STEM Activities. These summer activities below are all about simple engineering projects for kids. That is, engineering projects that don’t take long to set up or cost a ton of money either. If you are just joining us, make sure to check out our LEGO Building Ideas and Chemical Reactions!
Explore Engineering For Summer STEM
Calling all junior scientists, engineers, explorers, inventors, and the like to dive into our simple engineering projects for kids. These are STEM activities you can really do, and they really work!
Whether you are tackling STEM in the classroom, with small groups, or in your own home, these simple STEM projects are the perfect way for kids to find out how fun STEM can be. But what is STEM?
The simple answer is to break down the acronym! STEM is really science, technology, engineering, and math. A good STEM project will intertwine two or more of these concepts to complete the project or to solve a problem.
Almost every good science or engineering project is really a STEM project because you have to pull from different resources to complete it! Results happen when many different factors fall into place.
Technology and math are also important to work into the framework of STEM whether it’s through research or measurements.
It’s important that kids can navigate the technology and engineering portions of STEM needed for a successful future, but that’s not limited to building expensive robots or being stuck on screens for hours. Hence, our list of fun and easy engineering projects below that kids will love!
Helpful STEM Resources To Get You Started
Here are a few resources that will help you introduce STEM more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
Fun Engineering Projects For Kids
Building With PVC Pipe
The hardware store can be a great place to pick up cheap building materials for kids’ engineering projects. I love the PVC pipes!
We simply bought one long 1/2 inch diameter pipe and sawed it into pieces. We also purchased different types of joints. Now my son can build anything he wants over and over again!
Straw Structures
I love super easy engineering projects like our Fourth of July building idea! Construct a simple building from a common household item, like straws. One of my passions is STEM on a budget. When you don’t want to spend much, I want to make sure that all kids have the opportunity to try out fun engineering ideas.
Build Stick Forts
When you were a kid, did you ever try building stick forts in the woods? I bet nobody thought to call it outdoor engineering or outdoor STEM, but it really is an awesome and fun learning project for kids. Plus, building a stick fort gets everybody {moms and dads too} outside and exploring nature.
DIY Water Wall
Kick off your summer play in your backyard or at camp with this homemade water wall! This simple engineering project is quick to make with a few simple materials. Play with engineering, science, and a little math too!
Marble Run Wall
Pool noodles are amazing and cheap materials for so many STEM projects. I keep a bunch on hand all year-long to keep my kid busy. I bet you didn’t know how useful a pool noodle could be for kids’ engineering projects.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Cardboard Tube Marble Run
Hand Crank Winch
If you are anything like me, then you probably have a big container of recycled materials and cool items you can’t bear to get rid of! That’s exactly how we built this hand crank winch. Using recycled items for engineering projects is an awesome way to re-use and re-purpose common items you would normally recycle or throw away.
Popsicle Stick Catapult
Who doesn’t love to fling things as far as they can? This Popsicle stick catapult design is an AWESOME engineering project for kids of all ages! Everyone loves to launch stuff into the air.
We have also made a spoon catapult, LEGO catapult, pencil catapult, and a jumbo marshmallow catapult!
Toy Zip Line
Make this fun zip line to carry kids’ favorite toys from supplies we used for our homemade pulley system. An awesome engineering project to set up in the backyard this summer!
More Simple Kids’ Engineering Projects
Build Boats That Float: Test how well they float by adding pennies until it sinks! Use recycled materials.
Egg Drop Challenge: Outdoors is the perfect place to test your skills at the great Egg Drop Challenge! Use materials you have on hand to see if you can protect the egg from breaking when dropped.
Build A Dam or Bridge: Next time you are at a stream or brook, try your luck building a dam or bridge! Great hands-on learning experience in the fresh air.
Build a Wind Powered Car: Build a car that uses wind to move {or a fan depending on the day!} Use recycled materials, LEGO, or even a toy car. How can you make it wind powered?
More Ideas For Summer Activities
- Free summer science camp! Ensure you also check out our week-long summer science camp for a week of science fun!
- Easy STEAM projects to combine science and art!
- Nature STEM activities and free printables to make STEM outside fun.
- 25+ Fun Things to Do Outside Awesome DIY recipes for classic fun outdoors!
- Ocean experiments and crafts that you can do even if you don’t live by the ocean.
Printable Engineering Projects Pack
Get started with STEM and engineering projects today with this fantastic resource that includes all the information you need to complete more than 50 activities that encourage STEM skills!
Where is the links to the prinables is this a fake?
There are two blue boxes, one near the top and one at the very bottom that say click here!