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.
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.
This post contains affiliate links.
First, Download the STEM Resource Guide for Parents and Teachers – It’s FREE
Preschool STEM & Engineering Projects for Kids
Straw Structures – So easy with only two items needed–Play dough and straws!
Aeornautics for PreK from NASA – this is a PDF with lots of lesson ideas
STEM & Engineering Projects for Students
Make a model of the snare design end-effector on the Space Station Canadaarm2 – using a few household materials.
What’s Causing Seas Levels to Rise? From NASA, grades 2-8
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
Building With Paper Engineering Challenge
Homemade Cardboard Construction Kit
Using Light to Study Planets. This is for grades 6-12
Build an Airboat – from the Cornell Center for Materials Research. This is a Google doc that opens. This is a great family or class group activity!
Build An Aircraft Engineering Challenge
Simple Machines For Kids: The Pulley
K’nex Intro To Simple Machines: Gears
K’nex Intro To Simple Machines: Levers and Pulleys
K’nex Education Exploring Machines
Paper Structure Engineering Challenge
The Magic School Bus Engineering Lab
Foil Boat Engineering Challenge
Make Silly Putty This is from Cornell’s EYES Program – Encouraging Young Engineer and Scientists
Reverse Engineering w/ Printable Worksheets
K’nex Education – Roller Coaster Physics
Straw Rockets Engineering Challenge
Build A Bridge With Straws And Straight Pins
Straw Geodesic Dome and Sphere
Build A Paper Airplane Launcher
Create A Rube Goldberg Machine
World’s Tallest Building Unit Study
Study The Engineering Of Bird Flight
Choose A Pyramid Building Site
Learn About And Build A Simple Machine
Build A Strong Honeycomb Structure
Design A Skyscraper For The Wind
Construct Hoop And Launcher Game
photo: www.whimsy-love.com
Interactive Physics Simulations
Build A Solar Hot Water Heater
Acoustic Engineering and Sound Control
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Check out 98 more lists of 100 Things from the bloggers of iHomeschool Network like:
- 100 Awesome STEM Resources
- 100 Hands-On Projects For Middle and High School
- 100 Living Math Resources
- 100 Field Trip Ideas
- 100 Resources For Homeschooling A Large Family
What an amazing list of engineering projects. Definitely pinning this one! Thanks for including our DIY Suspension Bridge.
LOVE your bridge idea. Definitely on our project list for the Christmas break. Gotta keep those kids busy 🙂
This is a wonderful list, Marci!! I am looking forward to sprinkling more engineering projects into our school week. 🙂
These are fantastic projects which will develop skill sets and the enquiring mind . Experience gained will be the foundations for bigger things to come unlike the modern day curriculum at schools.
What a great list, thank you for sharing!
I’m so excited that I found this amazing list of awesome projects. I can’t wait to get started with my kids. They will LOVE these!!!
I Really think that all of these Engineering inventions. I really hope I can do the same some day!
# AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!$
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These are awesome experiments! We love these educational activities!!
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Wonderful project I’m sure kids will love that just like kidzgeek purpose school.
What an absolutely awesome list of engineering projects. I am definitely going to be checking these out tomorrow in our homeschool
These looks like so much fun! thank you for sharing!
Hi my name is Nickolas Does Anyone have any good Science Fair Experiment projects that explain a better way to use a resource in a environment friendly manner of use!
Instead of whats being used now!
Thanks 🙂