Build a PVC Pipe house for play and hands on learning with STEM! These PVC projects are awesome for STEM learning, think engineering and designing! Plus, our new PVC Pipe Kit is an easy, frugal alternative to the pricey toy alternatives. The hardware store is an amazing resource for alternative toys!

Enjoy PVC Projects For Awesome STEM

I love to use and reuse what I have on hand for our DIY STEM projects. I like to keep it simple and I like to keep it cheap! For this DIY pulley system, I did purchase the plastic PVC tubing at the hardware store {$5}. I can see tons of ways we will reuse the tubing for more activities down the road.

Did you see our PVC Pipe Hearts we made too! My son loves using “real” household items for play rather than toys. This PVC pipe house building project was right up his alley.

It’s amazing what you can make for play and learning. STEM activities are easy and engaging for young children! Give it a try and head to your local hardware store the next time you want to find a new activity. These PVC pipes are pretty and easy!

BUILD: PVC Pipe Water Wall, PVC Pulley System, PVC Pipe Heart

What Is STEM For Kids?

So you might ask, what does STEM actually stand for? STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. The most important thing you can take away from this, is that STEM is for everyone!

Yes, kids of all ages can work on STEM projects and enjoy STEM lessons. STEM activities are great for group work, too!

STEM is everywhere! Just look around. The simple fact that STEM surrounds us is why it’s so important for kids to be a part of, to use and to understand STEM.

From the buildings you see in town, the bridges that connect places, the computers we use, the software programs that go with them, and to the air we breathe, STEM is what makes it all possible.

Interested in STEM plus ART? Check out all our STEAM Activities!

Engineering is an important part of STEM. What is engineering in kindergarten and elementary? Well, it’s putting together simple structures and other items, and in the process, learning about the science behind them. Essentially, it’s a whole lot of doing! 

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.

Helpful STEM Resources To Get You Started

Click here to get your free printable engineering challenges!

PVC Pipe House Project Set Up

We made a pretty simple PVC Pipe house with the pieces we had. It didn’t take much to put together this PVC pipe house except a little creativity.

Once we got started I could see how the possibilities are endless with enough pieces. My son loves his simple PVC Pipe house. So far it has housed Superheroes, LEGO men, and a large stuffed animal. I bet it would be awesome draped with a silk play scarf too!

Supplies:

  • 1/2 inch PVC Pipes sold in lengths of 5′ and 10′. All the pieces you see in photos are from 20′ of pvc pipe.
  • 1/2 inch 90 degree PVC Pipe Fittings including 45 degree, 90 degree, straight connectors and three way connectors. There are so many more possibilities once you get started!
  • Tape Measure and pencil
  • Small Saw or Sawzall {Adults only please!}
PVC Pipe House Building Project PVC Pipe engineering activityPin

How To Make PVC Pipe House

For our PVC pipe house we chose 10″ pieces for the bottom three pieces connected with 90 degree elbow fittings.

The sides are two 5 inch pieces connected with a three way pipe fitting and then a 10 inch pipe piece through the middle.

The roof is made of four 6 inch pieces connected to the frame with 45 degree elbows. The very top of the roof has a 10 inch piece connected by two, 3-way, 90 degree elbows. That also doubles as a carry handle!

The possibilities are endless for creating rooms and floors!

TIP: Having an extra length of pipe handy will let you measure and cut specialty pieces for whatever you can dream up

PVC Pipe House Building Project Engineering House Frame activityPin

More Suggestions For Your PVC Pipe Project

We added a whole bunch of items from my treasure bin including cardboard floors, transparent CD cases, and odd little plastic pieces. This treasure bin is essentially random items that look cool and hope one day will make a neat project.

Mostly the items are from packaging materials, boxes, and bottles! Any thing that looks neat gets tucked away in a container for just this occasion! Feel free to cut in a slide or trap door. Build stairs for your PVC pipe house!

 This would be an excellent project for multiple ages. Older children can include measurements and drawings into a journal first! Younger children can help measure and build too! Everyone can play! How cool is our PVC pipe house!

Find some superheroes, mini-figs or animals to complete your PVC pipe house! 

It’s amazing what you can make for play and learning. STEM activities are easy and engaging for young children! Give it a try and head to your local hardware store the next time you want to find a new activity. These PVC pipes are pretty and easy!

What can you engineer with PVC Pipes today?

PVC Pipe House Building Project Engineering STEM Activity DIY Superhero housePin

More Fun Engineering Projects

When you finish building your PVC Pipe house, why not explore more engineering with one of these ideas below. You can find all our engineering activities for kids here!

Build a DIY solar oven.

Construct a marble run wall from pool noodles.

Make this erupting bottle rocket.

Make a sundial to tell the time by.

Make a homemade magnifying glass.

Build a compass and work out which way is true north.

Construct a working Archimedes screw simple machine.

Make a paper helicopter and explore motion in action.

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!

2 Comments

  1. This is awesome! How much total did it cost to build one house? I am thinking of doing this with my class but would need at least 10 houses.

  2. I don’t remember the cost offhand. However, I know that it wasn’t expensive at all. I had one very long pipe that I cut down into pieces and the connectors can be bought singular or in a package for a few dollars. It makes a great reusable building kit!

Comments are closed.