Do you want to add some fun to your homeschool? Your classroom? Or downtime with your kids? Well, you’ll want to check out these cool STEM activities with popsicle sticks (or craft sticks, if you prefer). Most of us parents and teachers/home educators have craft sticks around somewhere. They come in handy for different crafts, to spread glue (I’ve had kids that didn’t like sticky fingers) or using them to make popsicles. With a few other simple household items, you and your kids can have some fun and even learn something too.
So one day, while I was searching for some entertaining STEM activities, I came across some great ones using craft sticks that I thought others might like. I’m always on the lookout for STEM activities because they are fun, engaging, and educational for kids. It gets them problem-solving and using critical thinking skills in different ways.
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In addition, these types of activities can certainly make learning science, technology, engineering, and math more exciting because we often find interesting ways to teach these areas. At the very least, STEM activities are very hands-on, which some kids really need, and all kids can benefit from.
So, let me share the different STEM activities with popsicle sticks I found and see if your kids/students will enjoy them.
STEM Activities with Popsicle Sticks (a.k.a Craft Sticks)
Below, I share a bunch of fun STEM activities and challenges that involve science and engineering skills. You are sure to find something your kids will love.
- Foosball Frenzy STEM Challenge at Teachers are Terrific- What kid hasn’t enjoyed playing foosball at some time?! Now they can make one of their own. It is a simple activity that gives you some hints on what does and doesn’t work well in making them.
- Popsicle Stick Chain Reaction at Frugal Fun for Boys- At this site, you will find good directions and video of making this chain reaction. You can see it in action! Kids will have a great time building this again and again. They can then look up the science behind this.
- Siege Tower STEM Challenge (and Ballista) at Student Savvy- I included these activities even though it is a Teacher Pay Teachers site because the two STEM activities included are low cost. It is $3.50 (at the time of writing this) for the two projects. Both are fun activities on their own or incorporated into a study of medieval times. By the way, if you’d like to do the Ballista and don’t want to pay for it, below, I include a toy car launcher that works the same way.
- How to Make a Toy Car Launcher from Popsicle Sticks at Go Science Girls- At this site, you will find step-by-step directions with images which I always appreciate. What is even better is that the science involved with the toy is explained. So kids not only have an awesome car launcher but learn the science of what makes it work.
- Skyscraper Day Building Activity at No Time for Flash Cards- Kids will have a lot of fun building tall skyscrapers and seeing who can build a taller one that will stand.
- Popsicle Stick Catapult for STEM at Little Bins for Little Hands-Catapults are so much fun. We’ve made this version before, and it worked well. At this site, you find an explanation of the science behind the activity and how to expand it too.
- Create a Ferris Wheel at ABCmouse.com- This YouTube video is short, but you can still easily figure out the steps to make your own Ferris wheel. You could also make this a tougher challenge for older kids by giving them cardboard, popsicle sticks, and glue and having them figure it out for themselves.
- DIY Marble Run at What’s Up Moms- In this YouTube tutorial video, kids learn to make a marble run. I like how the video gives some alternate ideas for simpler materials than PVC pipes for bumpers. You can definitely make smaller versions inside boxes (we used the cardboard tray that held a carton of canned cat food because it had small sides), the lid of a shoebox, or use a big piece of cardboard and make cardboard sides. It is a fun activity for all different ages.
- Build Working Gears out of Popsicle Sticks at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls- This clever STEM project takes a little planning because you need milk and/or bottle caps, but I think it is worth it.
Math STEM Activity with Popsicle Sticks
Building 2D and 3D Shapes with Craft Sticks at In the Playroom- Here is an easy way to include the M in STEM, math, that is. Kids use popsicle sticks to build 2D AND 3D shapes. It is a great hands-on activity to help kids learn using multiple senses.
Craft Stick Bridges
Below I have a few different approaches to using craft sticks to make bridges. I chose to include more than one idea. This way, you can make STEM bridges for different ages and ability levels. Plus, some have complete instructions while others are challenges kids need to figure out on their own.
- Easy Craft Stick Bridge Building Activity for Preschoolers at Hands-on As We Grow- This is a VERY simple activity for preschool kids but will offer a ton of fun. Plus, it is an easy introduction to STEM activities.
- Engineer a Truss Bridge with Craft Sticks at There’s Just One Mommy- Here, you will see how to make a truss bridge and learn how they work. This would be a great way to research and make other bridges too.
- Da Vinci Popsicle Stick Bridge at Instructables- Luckily, Instructables provides step-by-step directions with images to help create the Da Vinci bridge. We’ve done this bridge before (with smaller craft sticks), and it was a challenge, more so in patience. It is really cool, though, once it is complete.
- Popsicle Stick Bridge Challenge at Happy Mom, Busy Kids- I love this STEM activity because kids are given certain materials and need to construct the bridge themselves. They are left to use some critical thinking skills to figure out what type of bridge can hold weight. You can adapt it to your kids by requiring it to hold more weight or be longer.
Technology
I didn’t find any STEM activities with popsicle sticks that used technology. However, technology can be incorporated. It can be incorporated with online research or using computers to type up an easy science report. Kids could also do a simple PowerPoint presentation with images to show their results.
More advanced students may even know how to create drawings of bridges, buildings, and Ferris wheels on a computer.
Fun Fact about Popsicle Sticks
As I was writing up these STEM activities with popsicle sticks, I came across some neat history on popsicles. And, of course, this is where we get popsicle sticks from. It was on Weird Facts Facebook page. Take a look.
I love learning where things came from and the names of everyday things too. Don’t you?
Now, a fun way to help kids with STEM activities and challenges is with a STEM Journal.
Below is a 6-paged STEM journal with 6 additional STEM worksheets to use with any STEM project you can dream up. Take a look.
STEM with Craft Sticks
So whether you call them popsicle sticks or craft sticks, they are a fun thing to have around the house and classroom. There are so many interesting things you can do with them that can even be educational.
Next time you need to add a little fun to your day or to a lesson, try one of these STEM activities with popsicle sticks. It is sure to be a hit.
Happy Homeschooling!
