One of my favorite ways to do a STEM challenge with little kids is by having a literary connection. This STEM challenge is a great activity to do after reading Jack and the Beanstalk.
I had so much fun reading Jack and the Beanstalk with Fitz. We got a bunch of fairy tale books at the library for some themed reading and I hadn’t realized he had never read it before!
He was really into how tall the beanstalk was and how funny the ogre was at the top! So what better activity to do afterwards than build a tall “beanstalk”?
Jack and the Beanstalk STEM Activity
Materials:
This activity uses a different type of building material for a new, fun challenge!
- pipe cleaners
- 1 or 2 large building blocks
- Optional items: A plastic egg, coin, Lego man
What do do:
I always like to start a STEM challenge with a question:
How can we use pipe cleaners (or whatever material you are using) to build a tall beanstalk?
Who can build the tallest beanstalk?
Even more challenging: Can we build a beanstalk that can hold the plastic egg?
Isn’t his face while hoping his beanstalk stays standing just priceless?!
Tips for this challenge:
- Use a large building block to help provide a strong foundation, especially for younger kids.
- Spend time showing how pipe cleaners work. This was a new material for Fitz, so I had to show him how to bend and connect them.
- We used a plastic egg and chocolate coins (you could also use a penny!) to simulate the items from Jack and the Beanstalk. You could also use a little Lego man to represent the giant.
After the problem is established, just let your child explore, build, and create. Guide them or provide support if they get stuck or need help.
Also see my 3 tips to encourage STEM skills at home for more guidance on how to manage a STEM challenge with your kids!
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