Do you have spaghetti and marshmallows lying around in your kitchen? With these simple supplies you can build out a tower resilient to shaking and earthquakes! This activity is great for all ages, lots of fun, and easy to clean (as long as you don’t mind having a tasty snack)!

 

Supplies:

• Spaghetti or Tooth Picks

• Marshmallows or Jelly Beans

 

Directions:

 

Step 1: Connect pieces of spaghetti by sticking them into marshmallows.

Step 2: Build out a tower one shape at a time.

Step 2: Try out different shapes (triangles, cubes, crosses). See how high you can build!

Step 3: Test out resilience of structures by shaking tables.

 

Learning Benefits

Makers can make sturdy structures and discover which shapes work best through fun hands-on learning. With Earthquake Towers kids can physically feel and see the basics of architecture and design, trying out different shapes and builds.

 

Earthquake Towers are also great for all ages since it allows kids to build what they want. They can build their towers as large and complex as they like!

 

Kids can work with friends to learn and grow teamwork skills!

 

Maker Fun Fact!

Triangles are a very important shape in structural design. They are often regarded as the strongest shape because of how they distribute force. Learn more!

If you want to build a marble run, play-doh is the way to go! With play-doh you can craft your own shapes for your marbles to roll down. Your imagination is the limit, and imagination is limitless. See how high you can build! See how fast the marble rolls!

 

Supplies:

• Play-doh 

• A Tray 

• Paper Cups 

• Duct Tape 

• Marbles

 

Directions:

 

Step 1: Stack cups, or line play-doh on the tray.

Step 2: With play-doh, create a path/route the marble can follow.

Step 3: Make sure the path has an incline so that the marble can roll down.

Step 4: Try out different patterns! See how shape and steepness can affect speed.

Step 5: Try out different sizes and weights of marbles to see how weight affects speed.

Step 6: Roll the marble down to see the results!

 

Learning Benefits

Makers will make marble runs out of play-doh, and see how gravity (and play-doh) can guide marbles to a specific spot. They will discover how gravitational force is affected by steepness and weight.

 

Play-Doh Marble Runs allow kids to build with just their hands and gives them the freedom to explore the shapes and designs they want to build. This activity lets their creativity shine.

 

Maker Fun Fact!

Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity in 1665 or 1666. It’s said that he watched an apple fall from a tree, and asked why it fell straight down. Never stop asking questions, it’s how we discover! Learn more!

In the mood for fun play? Do you want to attack your friends with pom-pom balls? Try out making Catapults! Learn how to make simple projectiles. All you need are popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and a mischievous spirit. Just remember to clean up all the balls after you’re done!

​

Supplies:

• Popsicle Sticks 

• Rubber Bands 

• Spoons or Caps 

• Hot Glue gun (if needed)

• Pom-pom Balls, Ping Pong Balls, or other small projectiles

 

Directions:

 

Step 1: Wrap two rubber bands around the end of 2 popsicle sticks.

Step 2: Stick another popsicle stick between, perpendicular (like a cross “+”). Push the popsicle stick towards the rubber band to separate out the 2 popsicle sticks. The popsicle sticks should make a “<” shape.

Step 3: Take a 4th popsicle stick, and put it at the bottom, parallel (like “=”) to the middle one. Use rubber bands to connect the two sticks together.

Step 4: With two more rubber bands, make an “x” shape to connect all of the popsicles where they all intersect. This will keep everything in place.

Step 5: Connect a spoon or bottle cap to the top popsicle stick.

Step 6: Pull back and fling small objects such as pom-pom balls! See how far they go!

 

Learning Benefits

Makers can make Catapults and discover how they work. This is a fun activity where kids make a toy that they get to keep! Kids will use their hands to build, and they will feel how the rubber bands create tension that gets released. They will learn and discover the fundamentals of projectiles.

 

Kids can work with friends, or against friends, for teamwork and competition.

 

Maker Fun Fact!

Catapults work by storing tension and releasing. They can often launch objects 500 to 1,000 feet.  Learn more!

One maker's trash is another maker's treasure! Instead of throwing away your toilet paper rolls, use them to create a fun elevator to carry objects up and down. Discover how to defy gravity with little more than string and cardboard! The Elevator Challenge is a great way to use recycled materials and learn basic engineering. All while having fun!

 

Supplies:

• Small Dowel Rods or Sticks

• Popsicle Sticks 

• Tape 

• String 

• Paper towel Tube 

• Toilet paper Tube 

• Cardboard 

• Cups or container

• Hole Puncher

 

Directions:

 

Step 1: Create a cardboard base. Tape 2 paper towel rolls on them.

Step 2: Punch holes at the tops of the rolls. Stick a dowel or stick through them to make a “π” shape.

Step 3: Tie a string to the stick. Connect the string to a container or cup.

Step 4: Spin the stick to roll the container up and down.

Step 5: If you want to change things up, put a paper towel roll on the stick and tie the string to the TP roll. See how speed changes!

 

Learning Benefits

Makers can learn to create vertical motion with pull to carry an object or container. Variations to the elevator reveal how the string acts differently when wrapping around different surface areas. Kids will discover different ways to defy gravity and how these types of tools help us in the world.

 

This project is lots of fun, especially working in groups. Kids can work with friends to learn team building and collaboration.  

 

Maker Fun Fact!

The use of elevators dates back all the way to 236 BC! Back then elevators were powered by animals and people. Learn more!

Ever wanted to make your own car? Want a fun toy to play with? The Rubber Band Car is a perfect activity to play with your friends. Build your own car powered by rubber bands and learn the fundamentals of motion. Race with your friends, and see how far your car goes!​

 

Supplies:

• Hot Glue Gun 

• Glue Sticks 

• Masking Tape 

• Craft Cubes (if needed)

• Straws 

• Wheels or Caps

• Dowells or ticks

• Rubber Bands 

• Pencils  

 

Directions:

 

Step 1: Create a sturdy base for your car out of popsicle sticks. Make a square shape.

Step 2: Build out the rest of your car structure using popsicle sticks and hot glue. Use craft cubes to help with the corner parts.

Step 3: Put the dowels or sticks through straws, attach the wheels to the dowels. 

Step 4: Connect the straw parts to the base of the car with tape or hot glue.

Step 5: Tie a rubber band to the front of the car.

Step 6: Pull the rubber band with a pencil taped to the ground or table. Release!

 

Learning Benefits

Makers get to discover how to make wheels turn. They will feel the tension that builds and releases when they stretch a rubber band. The Rubber Band Car allows for an exciting discovery of the fundamentals of motion.

 

This is a perfect activity for kids to let out their competitive sides. They can compete with friends to see whose car goes the farthest.

 

Maker Fun Fact!

Stretched rubber bands have something called “potential energy”. That’s energy that is stored until it is released. When we release rubber bands, the “potential energy” becomes “kinetic energy” which creates motion. Learn more!

Your friends and family better watch out! After you make your Balloon Cup Shooter no one will be safe. Turn a cup into a shooter with little more than tape and a balloon. See how good your aim is and see how far your balls go! Work with friends to have a fun battle! 

 

Supplies:

• Cup 

• Balloon 

• Ping pong ball 

• Tape 

• Stickers  

 

Directions:

 

Step 1: Cut out the bottom of a cup. Tape edges so it’s not sharp.

Step 2: Cut the balloon in half, and stretch it around the top of the cup and tape it.

Step 3: Tie the balloon, use the tied part to pull back the balloon.

Step 4: Decorate the shooter.

Step 5: Pull back the balloon to shoot ping pong balls!

Step 6: See how good your aim is, see how far it goes!

Step 7: Create a target and play with your friends. See how many points you get!

 

Learning Benefits

Makers will learn how to make basic thrust with this fun and simple activity. They will learn and see how to make ping pong balls into projectiles. They can also shoot out different objects to see how results change. Makers can turn any small object into a projectile with their shooters.

 

The activity can help spark a kid's creative thinking skills. Balloon Cup Shooters show how you can turn any simple supplies around the house into a fun game. Balloon Cup Shooters are also a great way to compete and play with friends.

 

Maker Fun Fact!

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was the first person to describe projectile motion accurately!  Learn more!

Make a fun homemade toy! All you need is a marble, a cap, and a CD. Put them all together to make a fun spinner kids of all ages can enjoy. Decorate your CD spinner and see the cool designs it makes while spinning. Looks like CD’s still have a use! ​

 

Supplies:

• CD 

• Marbles 

• Water Bottle Cap 

• Hot Glue Gun 

• Markers 

 

Directions:

 

Step 1: Hot glue a marble to the middle of the CD.

Step 2: Glue a bottle cap to the middle on the other side. 

Step 3: Decorate the CD with markers.

Step 4: Spin!

 

Learning Benefits

Makers will let out their creative side using simple materials. This activity encourages tinkering and creativity, all while using reused and recycled supplies. Kids will also see first hand the concept of spin. They will see how objects can have constant spinning rotation.

 

Maker Fun Fact!

Spin is the constant rotation of an object. The Earth is spinning right now, just like our tops!  Learn more!

Make your own instrument! With simple craft supplies you can build your own harmonica. All you need is some popsicle sticks, a straw, and some rubber bands. Make a song to go with your harmonica. Let’s hear your amazing music!

 

Supplies:

• Jumbo Popsicle Sticks

• Rubber bands 

• Straws 

• Scissors

 

Directions:

 

Step 1: Cut small pieces of straw.

Step 2: Wrap a rubber band around a popsicle stick (long way), with the two small pieces of straw sitting on each end.

Step 3: Attach a second glue stick on top by wrapping two rubber bands on each end.

Step 4: Blow through the harmonica, see what sounds are made!

 

Learning Benefits

Makers can learn how to create sound and music using basic craft supplies. They will see, feel, and hear how the vibration of the rubber band creates sound. All while building a fun homemade toy for themselves.

 

Working with friends to create an instrument and a song together will bring out a group's creativity and teamwork.

 

Maker Fun Fact!

All sound is created from vibrations. Sound is really just a wave that can move through solid, liquid, and gas.  Learn more!

Bring out your creative side and make a fun homemade toy! All you need is some paper and a stick. This fun toy is very satisfying to see. Spinning the Paper Twirler Toy will cause paper strips to move up and down, and spin around. Use fun colors of paper to make it really shine!

 

Supplies:

• Colored Paper

• Glue Sticks 

• Hot Glue Gun 

• Wooden skewer

 

Directions:

•  

Step 1: Cut strips of colored paper ½ inch wide.

Step 2: Cut two small paper circles.

Step 3: Glue all of the strips of colored paper to two paper circles. Connect them together in a round cage-like shape. 

Step 4: Peirce a stick through the circles, and glue the top circle to the stick.

Step 5: Spin the toy between your hands! See how different color paper can mix together when spun fast!

 

Learning Benefits

Makers can see how the paper strips are affected by spinning, and how the push and pull of the paper causes it to move up and down. Kids can bring out their creativity and decorate their toys how they like. The toy is very cool to watch, so kids will have a great time making and playing with it.  The Paper Twirler toy is also a great opportunity to explore color and patterns. 

 

Maker Fun Fact!

If you spin it very fast, the colors can begin to appear to blend together. Red and yellow make orange. Blue and red make purple. Yellow and blue make green. The combinations are endless! Learn more!

Cardboard Basketball Game

 

Don’t throw away your shoe boxes! Instead turn them into a fun basketball game the whole family can play with. With a shoebox, a spoon, and a cup you can make a mini basketball game that is fun for everyone. The Cardboard Basketball Game is also easy to store. You can take your box out whenever your friends come over and see how many points you can get!

 

Supplies:

• Shoe Box

• Cardboard 

• Cup 

• Paper 

• Plastic Spoon 

• Stickers 

• Ping Pong ball 

• Scissors

• Rubber Band

• Tape or Glue

 

Directions:

 

Step 1: Decorate a shoe box into a basketball game.

Step 2: Place the box against the lid to create an “L” shape.

Step 3: Cut a cup to create a hoop. Tape or glue it to the lid wall.

Step 4: Glue or tape a spoon through the end of the box to create a catapult, attach it to a rubber band to add more tension.

Step 5: Fling ping pong balls into the hoop. See how many points you can get!

 

Learning Benefits

Makers can build simple catapults with spoons to see how to make ping pong balls into projectiles. The Cardboard Basketball Game is a fun game that anyone can enjoy. The activity will get kids excited to build, craft, and tinker. The activity also encourages variation and creativity. Kids can make sliding hoops and obstacles. They can make different types of catapults and use different kinds of projectiles.

 

Kids can play in teams, or play against each other, to build teamwork skills and let out their competitive nature.

 

Maker Fun Fact!

Basketball was invented in 1891 by James Naismith. The game used to be played with a soccer ball until 1929. Learn more!