Homemade Stick Fort For Outdoor STEM

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. This month we are hosting 31 Days of Outdoor STEM with new ideas each day and a new theme to start each week. Last week was outdoor science projects, and this week it is outdoor engineering projects. Join us!

OUTDOOR ENGINEERING: BUILDING STICK FORTS

THE BENEFITS OF BUILDING STICK FORTS

We don’t have woods or a forrest in a backyard, but my husband grew up with a great woodsy play area. When we were out in Virginia last month, my husband captured the perfect opportunity to pass down the art of building stick forts to our son. Obviously, you need a certain environment for building stick forts, but if you have the chance, it’s a great outdoor STEM idea for engineering! There are so many ideas for simple STEM projects indoors and outdoors to do with your kids!

WHAT DO KIDS LEARN FROM BUILDING STICK FORTS?

Remember I said building stick forts was a great STEM activity? What is STEM? STEM is science, technology, engineering, and math. Read about STEM here to see exactly how building a stick fort is all about STEM!

DESIGNING/PLANNING SKILLS. What is the best place/location to build a stick fort. What shape should it be? How tall or wide will it be? How many walls should it have? What materials can be used? Is there a big rock or tree that can be used.

We found an interesting area that had large rocks and tree that proved to be very useful. There were a lot of downed tree branches and small trees to work with as well.

BUILDING SKILLS. Does it need a foundation? How will the materials be put together? Tee pee style or lincoln log style? Or some other style? Finding the right pieces: same length, same size, too curved. Lots of possibilities. How do we set them in place? How many do we need?

My husband showed my son how to find similar sized branches that we could use to build Lincoln Log style. Alternately placing branches between the three wall we needed so that they all interlinked to form a strong stick fort. We all enjoyed and hunting down the right branches and found delight in finding new ones to use.

BUILDING STICK FORTS WITH DAD WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY

PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS. How do we change the design if the wall keeps falling over? Do we need longer branches, straighter branches? Are the branches on the top to thick to stay balanced on the thinner branches that are below them. Do we need a more stable base? Are we building it too high? Does it need to be wider or narrower?

When something doesn’t work out the way you planned, it isn’t a failure. It’s an amazing chance to use your problem solving skills and figure out a new or better way to build your stick fort. Some of our branches were too short on one side and one was very crooked which was making everything wobble.

The perfect place to hang out on a warm day, a stick fort you built!

THEY WILL REMEMBER BUILDING STICK FORTS WITH YOU!

Building a stick fort is a great experience for kids and families to do together. We had a blast and it occupied the whole afternoon for a totally screen free outdoor family time. It is essential for kids to explore nature, become immersed in all it has to offer, and explore all the possibilities it offers. This month of outdoor STEM ideas is all about just that, getting outside and experimenting or exploring!