100 Engineering Projects For Kids
Actually ,we have assembled over 105 engineering projects for kids and are adding more as we complete or find more resources.
100 Engineering Projects for Kids
Why list so many engineering projects for kids?
Recent information from the Department of Labor Statistics forecasts that the largest job and demand growth will be in the technology fields between now and 2030.
Did you know the interest in engineering and STEM decreases for girls as they move into the upper grade levels in school?
A study conducted by Microsoft in partnership with KRC Research, related to engineering activities and STEM education, indicated that even with increased exposure for females to STEM education, interest in engineering and STEM related jobs did not increase as expected.
The reasons why the interest in STEM dropped off as girls got older:
- Lack of role models
- Peer pressure (Perhaps it wasn’t “cool” to be interested in STEM?)
- Support from parents
- Support from teachers
One solution even the study students pointed to was providing more hands-on engineering activities and STEM projects!
Below we have 105 engineering projects for kids. Whether you need a group or individual project, there is a variety of engineering projects listed below from which to choose.
Listed first are a few STEM and engineering activities specifically for preschoolers. We encourage you to involve your preschoolers with activities that may seem above grade level, as they will still learn by watching or participating in a small way, i.e. handing an older sibling supplies as needed, letting them take photos of the project along the way, or having them work on their own version of the project.
First, Download the STEM Resource Guide for Parents and Teachers – It’s FREE
As you get started browsing, check out the STEM Resource Guide we have put together for parents and teachers that includes STEM activities, links to no-cost or low-cost coding, math, engineering, an robotics resources. (Yes, it’s FREE!) You’ll find everything from preschool worksheets to high school apprenticeship information. Plus, there are articles to help you get your kids interested in STEM activities or to help them get ready for a career in STEM. Download your FREE copy today!
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Preschool STEM & Engineering Projects for Kids
Straw Structures – So easy with only two items needed–Play dough and straws!
Walking Water experiment with worksheets
Fireworks in a Jar from our YouTube channel (opens in new tab)
Aeornautics for PreK from NASA – this is a PDF with lots of lesson ideas
STEM & Engineering Projects for Students
Law of Inertia and Center of Mass Activity
Build a rotating Earth with Legos and learn about gears
Make a model of the snare design end-effector on the Space Station Canadaarm2 – using a few household materials.
How to Make a Geoboard with geoboard printable
Paper Structures Building Practices
Cargo Steam Boat Building Challenge
What’s Causing Seas Levels to Rise? From NASA, grades 2-8
Reverse Engineering w/ Printable Worksheets
Build With Straws and Paper Towel Rolls
The Air Up There. Making Space Breathable. This is for grades 10-12, from the Jet Propulsion Lab
Aircraft Engineering Challenge with Building Challenge Cards
Homemade Cardboard Construction Kit
Using Light to Study Planets. This is for grades 6-12
Experiment With Columns – simple to do and an effective way to show students how to build for strength.
Simple Machines For Kids: The Pulley
K’nex Intro To Simple Machines: Gears
K’nex Intro To Simple Machines: Levers and Pulleys
Paper Structure Engineering Challenge
Windy City Tower from Discover Engineering
The Magic School Bus Engineering Lab
Foil Boat Engineering Challenge
Reverse Engineering w/ Printable Worksheets
K’nex Education – Roller Coaster Physics
Straw Rockets Engineering Challenge
Build A Bridge With Straws And Straight Pins
Build A Paper Airplane Launcher
Dispenser Designs (for high school)
Create A Rube Goldberg Machine
Experiment With Ramps and learn about potential and kinetic energy
Cool Puppy: Build a Doghouse Challenge from Teach Engineering
Will it Fly? from Teach Engineering
Straw Bridges Building for Strength from TeachEngineering.org
Make a Seismograph from Discover Engineering
Interactive Physics Simulations
I hold a master’s degree in child development and early education and am working on a post-baccalaureate in biology. I spent 15 years working for a biotechnology company developing IT systems in DNA testing laboratories across the US. I taught K4 in a private school, homeschooled my children, and have taught on the mission field in southern Asia. For 4 years, I served on our state’s FIRST Lego League tournament Board and served as the Judging Director. I own thehomeschoolscientist and also write a regular science column for Homeschooling Today Magazine. You’ll also find my writings on the CTCMath blog. Through this site, I have authored over 50 math and science resources.