Extreme STEAM Science Kids - CURIOSITY BUILDERS - Engineering Activities for Curious Kids! - Cardboard Grabber! Activity 8.
Engineering is about providing solutions to all types of issues. Previously, we challenged you to engineer things intended for outdoor experiments such as cardboard boats and balloon cars. For this one challenge, what would you think of designing something better suited for your home? Team up once again with your little engineer and apply...
Tapping Into Declarative and Procedural Knowledge in the Art Room Curriculum Design % %
Cardboard Tube Projects- the amazing cardboard roll is a versatile material for STEM. Check this post for activities to do with elementary students.
Cardboard is everywhere! For creative kids aged 9 to 14, it’s the perfect eco-friendly building material, and Cardboard Box Engineering is the perfect guide to get them started on inventive tinkering. A working kaleidoscope, a marble roller coaster, a robotic hand, and a wind-powered tractor with cardboard gears are just some of the ingenious projects developed by Jonathan Adolph, author of the best-selling Mason Jar Science. Working with simple household tools, kids can follow the step-by-step photographic instructions to exercise their design smarts, expand their 3-D thinking, and learn the basics of physics and engineering with activities that have real-life applications.
11 Ways to Cut and Connect Cardboard: I created this display of 11 techniques for cardboard for an upcoming two day Make Yourself Into a Maker Workshop I run for educators. One of the days is a challenge to create something out of cardboard that you can use in your classroom. After runn…
Attaching cardboard pieces together is simple with some amazing techniques. Check this blog post for ideas, tips, and photos!
Art meets engineering with our awesome cardboard automaton! Use simple materials to build a fun machine that spins and bobs in Galileo's DIY for kids challenge.
In this science fair project, learn how to make gears and find out why they transmit torques in predictable ways.
11 Ways to Cut and Connect Cardboard: I created this display of 11 techniques for cardboard for an upcoming two day Make Yourself Into a Maker Workshop I run for educators. One of the days is a challenge to create something out of cardboard that you can use in your classroom. After runn…
If you follow us on Instagram or Facebook you'll see that we spent Sunday afternoon making a model of a roman amphitheatre for one of Theo's homework challenges. And he took over my Instagram stories for the day with a follow along tutorial of how he made it. It was SO fun! And I'm pretty sure we've got a future Blue Peter presenter in the making ;) So we wanted to put together a blog post tutorial too, just like our solar system one, in case it's any help when you need to make a roman amphitheatre. Because who doesn't need a roman amphitheatre in their lives?! We used: - some thick cardboard sheets - glue gun & glue - acrylic paints - a plate to draw around - a scalpel (for grown ups only) Theo did A LOT of research beforehand into exactly what type of model he wanted to make, and what he wanted his amphitheatre to look like. He LOVES this kind of thing! He started by drawing several circles around our plate on the cardboard. Luckily we have lots of these big sheets of cardboard at the studio leftover from when our wrapping paper gets delivered. But any thickish cardboard would work. We needed eight circles for our amphitheatre but you could use more or less depending on how tall you want it to be. I cut each one out using a scalpel. Theo did have a little try with the scalpel, while I held his hand, but he's a leftie and found it really difficult. So I did the tricky cutting. Once each circle was cut we made them into donut shapes with larger centre holes as we went. The bottom circle has the smallest hole and we each one about 1cm - 1.5cm bigger than the one underneath. So you want the outside of the circle to be the same size, but the inside to get smaller - hope that makes sense! These make the seats. Whilst I was cutting the circles Theo painted the base using acrylic paints. He wanted a sandy base so used yellow, orange, and cream paints, with some green splashes for grassy areas! - a top tip we found for painting sandy texture is to dab your brush onto the base rather than paint with strokes. So your dab dab dabbing to create a mottled texture. Once all of the circles were cut we got our trusty glue gun out and glued them together. Theo and Matilda are both really confident using a glue gun (all that wand making has paid off!). He started with the smallest ring at the bottom and then glued each one on top. Then he glued this whole structure to the base. To make the outer wall of the amphitheatre we cut a long strip of the same cardboard and Theo drew the shape of the wall he wanted - with one taller side. A really good tip for helping the wall to bend around your circular seats is to scalpel some vertical lines at regular intervals. Cut through about half of the depth of the cardboard, so it doesn't slice fully through. Keep the cut sides as the outside, and then you'll find it bends round really well. Theo drew some arches into the taller side of the wall and I cut them out. We thought this gave it an authentic tumbledown feel! Once they were cut we glued the wall around the outside of our circular seats. This was a little tricky and we took our time. We found gluing it in small sections worked best. We thought that the combination of the arches and the vertical slices gave a really good look to the outside wall. The slices worked really well! Theo drew some lower arch shapes around the wall to give a bit more detail and a more authentic look :) Once the amphitheatre was all put together we added a few details. A lion, of course! We just printed this and glued it onto some thin card before gluing it to the base. And Theo insisted on putting the gladiator on the steps outside of the amphitheatre - because why would he want to be inside with the lion?! Well exactly Theo! So there you have it. A pretty effective but really very simple to make roman amphitheatre. Theo absolutely loved making it and he learnt so much. Filming the process for his Instagram stories takeover worked brilliantly too, as he really thought extra hard about every step of the process so that he could explain it on camera. One of his 'grown up' career options is to be a set designer for films. I think he's off to a great start don't you?! If you have any questions do send them through - Theo is loving your messages and comments :) x ✂️ For more brilliant school project and craft ideas for children head to our Reuse & Recycle page. ✂️ Or have a browse of our Pinterest boards for even more school project, craft, and play ideas.
Materials As much as possible I try to use recyclable materials for construction art lessons. I source these from Recreate or ask the children to bring things in from home. Recyclable materials Bottles Caps Cardboard boxes (cereal/shoeboxes etc.) Wrapping paper Scrap paper Containers (yoghurt pots/egg cartons) Other materials Tin foil Scissors Foam sheets Stickers Crepe paper Pipe
I learned about MakeDo Cardboard Construction Kits while at TLA Annual earlier this year. We bought several kits for our Teen MakerSpace and a fun new station was born. A basic kit comes with a safety saw, a whole punch, several screws, and some hinges. Everything works great except for the safety saw. The safety […]
Shooting Cardboard Da Vinci Tank: Hi! In this instructable you will learn how to create an actual shooting cardboard da Vinci tank. (Note: If you can't play the videos try to use a computer)
Building something out of cardboard? Here's an overview of the many different ways you can connect and join cardboard!
I am obsessed with this project. My roommate came home a few months ago after studying at the National Art Gallery with these little pentagons of pressed board with notches cut into them. And by studying, I mean building really cool sculptures that sometimes resemble female reproductive organs. I immediately decided that we would have to do this at the library and then almost as immediately forgot all about it. Until I saw a Pinterest post in which a mom cut narrow triangles in chipboard squares and let her kids spend hours just experimenting with the types of structures they could build. Supplies: -corrugated cardboard -paper cutter (prep) -scissors (prep) -paint (optional) Prep: Using the paper cutter, cut the cardboard into approximate 3x3 squares. I got 160 squares from an average size shipping box. Then, with the scissors, cut narrow triangles about a third of the way through on the sides on the squares. Go crazy with triangle placement, put two on one side, or snip out the corners. They don't have to all be the same, but the notches shouldn't ever go more than half-way through the square. Process: Lay the squares out and let the kids build! I presented my kids with a list of challenges to get them started... 1) Build the tallest structure possible using 15 squares. 2) Build the longest structure possible using 15 squares 3) Work together to build a structure with all the pieces 4) Build a structure that looks like a tree 5) Build one that looks like an animal 6) Build a structure where every square connects to at least two other squares. Optional: Once someone has built a structure that they're really happy with, let them paint it and take it home. Paint can transform the structure into a sculpture! Miss Lucy's Example: Kid Art: Inspiration
I was 12 when I discovered that I had a talent for reverse engineering. I remember browsing in a bookshop and being utterly fascinated by a Japanese book on modular origami. One model in particular…
This is an amazing list of cardboard projects to use all that leftover cardboard! From cardboard crafts to marble mazes this list has it all.
DIY Cardboard Crane: Intro!! Cranes are one of the vehicles that fascinate every kid. Operating a crane looks cool and is the dream of every kid. Unfortunately, no government allows kids to drive them. So in this instructable, I will show you how to build a cool cardboa…
Shooting Cardboard Da Vinci Tank: Hi! In this instructable you will learn how to create an actual shooting cardboard da Vinci tank. (Note: If you can't play the videos try to use a computer)
Attaching cardboard pieces together is simple with some amazing techniques. Check this blog post for ideas, tips, and photos!
Toddlers and Preschoolers who love to build will enjoy this homemade cardboard construction set. Raid your recycle bin for sturdy cardboard to make this homemade building set. It's great for fine motor skills, to challenge your kids critical thinking.
Easy Cardboard Automata Toy With a Motor: In celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I was asked by the local chapter of UNWomen to run a STEM-focused workshop for a group of girls aged 9 to 12-year-old and their parents as a way to inspire them as makers. I had …
Pyramid Marble Run: Have fun making this simple ‘Pyramid Marble Run’
Engineering Activity for Kids – Build a Cardboard Box Marble Labyrinth! Oh my goodness. You have to try this project! This cardboard box marble labyrinth game is simple to put together, and my kids have been fighting over turns on it. In a good way, though. It has been a huge hit! This post contains […]
Attaching cardboard pieces together is simple with some amazing techniques. Check this blog post for ideas, tips, and photos!
Articulated Grabber - Engineering Project for Kids: Have you ever dropped something behind the couch and couldn’t get it? Or perhaps your parents keep the best snacks on the top shelf, out of reach? If so, this project is perfect for you! This’ll extend your reach by over 30" (76cm)! I’ll show you ho…
Safe Box With Combination Lock From Cardboard: This tutorial show you how to made a Safe Box with Combination Lock from Cardboard. Follow the following steps in this instructable if you want to repeat and watch video to enjoy :) Materials and Tools : - 2 x Cardboard 50x80cm - 1 meter x Tube PVC …
Here’s a fun STEM challenge – combine cardboard boxes with Hot Wheels track to make a really awesome ball track! Elementary kids will enjoy this building challenge, and preschoolers will love it too, if someone older helps build the track. Owen and I had a great time transforming some cardboard boxes into this track. We […]
Check out this astounding papercraft from Haruki Nakamura
Architect Drew Lang shares some tips on how to keep a cardboard fort together using design principles he uses to create his own structures.
DIY Cardboard Mechanical Hand: If you haven't noticed already, this Instructable is to help you to make your very own cardboard mechanical hand. This is very simple to make, and the supplies are readily available around the house. Personally, I only used it for aesthetics after c…
