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Christmas STEM Challenges

 

 

Christmas Star Engineering

Objective: Construct a 3D star using recycled materials.
Equipment per group: 5 cardboard pieces (each 10x10 cm), tape or glue, markers.
Instructions:

  1. Draw and cut out five star shapes from each cardboard piece.

  2. Decorate each star with markers.

  3. Attach the points of each star to create a 3D star shape.

  4. Secure each connection with tape or glue.

  5. Display the star or hang it as a decoration.

 

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Paper Chain Garland

Objective: Make a long garland using paper chains.
Equipment per group: 10 sheets of paper (cut into strips, about 2 cm wide), glue stick.
Instructions:

  1. Cut each sheet of paper into 2 cm-wide strips.

  2. Create a loop with the first strip and glue the ends together.

  3. Take the next strip, loop it through the first link, and glue the ends.

  4. Repeat until all strips are used, creating a garland.

  5. Hang up the garland as a Christmas decoration.

 

 

Bottle Cap Snowmen

Objective: Design mini snowmen from bottle caps.
Equipment per group: 3 bottle caps, white paint, markers, 1 piece of string (30 cm).
Instructions:

  1. Paint each bottle cap white to resemble snow.

  2. Arrange the caps vertically and tape or glue them together.

  3. Use markers to draw a face, buttons, and a scarf on the snowman.

  4. Attach a string to the top for hanging, if desired.

 

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Mini Santa’s Workshop

Objective: Construct a model workshop for Santa.
Equipment per group: 5 small cardboard boxes, tape, markers, small pieces of paper for decoration
Instructions:

  1. Stack and arrange the cardboard boxes to form a building layout.

  2. Tape them together securely.

  3. Decorate the outside with markers to resemble Santa's workshop.

  4. Use paper to create "tools" or "toys" as extra details in the workshop.

 

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Elf Hat Design

Objective: Create an elf hat from recyclable materials.
Equipment: 1 sheet of green paper, red paper scraps, glue, 1 piece of string (30 cm).
Instructions:

  1. Shape the green paper into a cone to fit as a hat.

  2. Glue the edges together to hold the cone shape.

  3. Cut red paper scraps into small shapes and glue them around the hat as decoration.

  4. Attach string to secure the hat under the chin.

 

 

Candy Cane Catapult (Advanced)

Objective: Design a stronger catapult for a heavier "candy cane."
Equipment per group: 10 popsicle sticks, 5 rubber bands, 1 bottle cap, 1 mini candy cane.
Instructions:

  1. Stack eight popsicle sticks and tie each end with a rubber band.

  2. Use two more popsicle sticks to form a lever, securing one end with a rubber band.

  3. Attach the lever to the stack by weaving another rubber band in the middle.

  4. Tape a bottle cap at the end of the lever as a "holder" for the candy cane.

  5. Place the candy cane in the cap, push down on the lever, and release to launch it.

 

 

Ornament Drop Challenge

Objective: Create a safe landing system for a small ornament.
Equipment per group: 1 small ornament, 5 pieces of paper, 1 plastic bag, tape.
Instructions:

  1. Use the paper to create a parachute by taping the four corners of a square to the plastic bag.

  2. Attach the plastic bag to the ornament with tape.

  3. Test the parachute by dropping it from a height, adjusting as needed to ensure a soft landing.

 

 

Reindeer Sleigh Run

Objective: Build a sled that can carry weight.
Equipment per group: 1 small cardboard box, 4 plastic bottle caps, piece of string (30 cm), Tape
Instructions:

  1. Attach bottle caps to the bottom of the cardboard box as sled runners using tape.

  2. Tape one end of the string to the front of the box to serve as a "pull cord."

  3. Test the sled by pulling it across the ground with a small load inside.

 

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Christmas Light Circuit

Objective: Make a simple circuit to light up Christmas "lights".
Equipment per group: 1 LED light, 2 pieces of aluminium foil (10 cm each), 1 battery, 1 clear plastic bottle cap
Instructions:

  1. Create two strips of aluminium foil and connect them to each side of the battery.

  2. Attach one end of each foil strip to the LED’s  terminals.

  3. Place the bottle cap over the LED light for a decorative touch.

  4. Observe how the LED lights up, mimicking Christmas lights.

 

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Christmas Tree Balancing Challenge

Objective: Build a tree that can balance small weights on each branch.
Equipment per group: 1 cardboard roll, 5 cardboard strips (for branches), tape, small weights like buttons or pebbles
Instructions:

  1. Attach the cardboard strips to the cardboard roll as "branches".

  2. Secure the branches at different heights and angles.

  3. Place small weights on each branch to test the balance of the structure.

 

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Santa's Chimney Drop

Objective: Design a chimney that can hold "Santa" safely.
Equipment per group: 4 paper towel rolls, tape, 1 small object (like a marble)
Instructions:

  1. Stack the toilet paper rolls vertically, taping them together to form a chimney.

  2. Place the small object inside and test if it can rest securely without falling out.

 

 

Snowball Blower

Objective: Design a blower that can move a paper "snowball".
Equipment per group: 1 straw, 1 piece of paper, scissors.
Instructions:

  1. Roll the paper into a small snowball and set it on a flat surface.

  2. Use the straw to blow air and push the snowball across the surface.

 

 

Wreath Engineering with Straws

Objective: Create a wreath using straw "branches".
Equipment per group: 10 straws, tape, paper decorations.
Instructions:

  1. Tape the straws end-to-end to form a circle, creating the wreath base.

  2. Cut out paper decorations like holly leaves and berries.

  3. Tape the decorations onto the wreath and hang it up.

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Holiday Structure Challenge

Objective: Build a stable structure to represent a holiday home.
Equipment per group: 10 paddlepop sticks, tape, 1 cardboard base (10x10 cm)
Instructions:

  1. Use paddlepop sticks to form four walls and a roof, taping each part as you go.

  2. Attach the structure to the cardboard base.

  3. Test the stability by gently pressing on the roof or walls.

 

 

Present Pulley System

Objective: Create a pulley system to lift a "present".
Equipment per group: 1 cardboard roll, 1 small box, string (50 cm).
Instructions:

  1. Set the cardboard roll horizontally on a surface.

  2. Tie one end of the string to the small box and the other around the roll.

  3. Lift the box by rotating the roll to wind up the string.

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Christmas Tree Cardboard Pyramid

Objective: Build a pyramid that resembles a Christmas tree.
Equipment per group: 6 cardboard triangles (each side 10 cm), tape, green paint or markers.
Instructions:

  1. Paint or color each cardboard triangle green.

  2. Arrange four triangles in a pyramid shape with tape securing each edge.

  3. Add the final two triangles as a base to stabilise it.

  4. Display your tree pyramid, optionally decorating it with small paper "ornaments".

 

 

Snowflake Symmetry

Objective: Create symmetrical snowflakes and learn about symmetry.
Equipment per group: 5 sheets of white paper, scissors.
Instructions:

  1. Fold each sheet of paper in half and then in half again.

  2. Cut small shapes along the edges of the folded paper.

  3. Unfold the paper to reveal a symmetrical snowflake pattern.

  4. Create multiple snowflakes, discussing the patterns and symmetry.

 

 

Snowball Launcher

Objective: Design a launcher that can throw a small snowball (cotton ball).
Equipment per group: 1 plastic spoon, 1 rubber band, 1 cardboard base (10x10 cm), tape, cotton ball
Instructions:

  1. Tape the spoon to one side of the cardboard base.

  2. Loop a rubber band around the handle of the spoon for tension.

  3. Place the cotton ball in the spoon, pull back, and release to launch it.

 

 

Snowstorm in a Jar

Objective: Simulate a snowstorm effect using simple materials.
Equipment per group: 1 glass jar, white glitter or small bits of white paper, water, oil.
Instructions:

  1. Fill the jar halfway with water, then add a layer of oil on top.

  2. Add a small amount of glitter or paper bits.

  3. Shake the jar gently to create a swirling "snowstorm" effect.

 

 

Santa Sleigh on Skis

Objective: Create a sleigh that can slide on a smooth surface.
Equipment per group: 1 small cardboard box, 4 paddlepop sticks, tape
Instructions:

  1. Tape paddlepop sticks to the bottom of the box as "skis".

  2. Test by sliding the sleigh across a smooth surface.

  3. Adjust the angle of the skis if it doesn’t slide smoothly.

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Reindeer Antler Balance Game

Objective: Design a balancing game with "antlers".
Equipment per group: 2 sticks or cardboard strips (20 cm each), tape, small objects to balance (like coins or buttons).
Instructions:

  1. Tape the sticks in a V-shape to resemble antlers.
    Try balancing small objects on each "antler".

  2. See how many objects can be balanced without toppling over.

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Ice Candle Holders

Objective: Create candle holders that look like they're made of ice.
Equipment per group: 1 plastic cup, water, 1 small tealight candle.
Instructions:

  1. Fill the plastic cup with water and freeze.

  2. Once frozen, pop the ice out of the cup to form a "candle holder".

  3. Place a tealight inside (for supervised use only) to illuminate the ice.

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Christmas Crackers

Objective: Make a Christmas cracker filled with a small surprise.
Equipment per group: 1 paper towel roll, tissue paper (20 cm x 20 cm), small surprise (a joke or toy), ribbon or string.
Instructions:

  1. Place the small surprise inside the roll.

  2. Wrap the roll in tissue paper, twisting the ends.

  3. Tie the ends with ribbon or string to secure.

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Santa's Sleigh on Wheels

Objective: Build a simple sleigh that can roll using wheels made from bottle caps.
Equipment per group: 1 small cardboard box, 4 plastic bottle caps, 2 straws, tape.
Instructions:

  1. Tape the straws to the bottom of the box to act as axles.

  2. Attach bottle caps to the ends of the straws as wheels.

  3. Push the sleigh along a smooth surface and see if it rolls smoothly. Adjust as needed.

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