Fun and Easy STEM Projects for Kids

Original DIY designs from truss bridges to rubber band race cars, helicopters and rockets.

Explore 30 cool projects or browse by category.

Rubber Band Helicopter

A DIY rubber band-powered helicopter science project for kids.

Powered by rubber bands, this helicopter is easy to build and can fly straight up over 20ft.

Suggested ages: 7+

Science Fair Experiment Guide

Propeller Powered Car

A DIY engineering car project that's powered by a propeller and rubber bands.

This rubber band-powered propeller car design is optimized for speed and distance.

Suggested ages: 9+

Marble Roller Coaster

Foam pipe insulation cut in half to form roller coaster tracks for a marble.

Experiment with the science of momentum, potential energy, and conservation of energy.

Suggested ages: 5+

Science Fair Experiment Guide

Mousetrap Car

A DIY class engineering challenge: a car that drives using the power of a single mousetrap.

A classic mousetrap car design. Create the car, then use math to predict the distance it will go.

Suggested ages: 11+

Class 1 Lever Catapult

A DIY catapult project made from craft sticks that uses a class 1 lever.

This push-powered catapult is an exciting way to teach the concept of a class 1 lever.

Suggested ages: 9+

Pull-String Spinner

A string is wound around a dowel with small wheels. When pulled, the wheels spin rapidly.

A quirky project, the pull-string spinner shows kids the concept of angular momentum.

Suggested ages: 9+

Zip Line Racer

A DIY rubber band-powered propeller project that's hanging on a zipline.

This simple propeller-powered invention zips along a taut string at remarkable speeds.

Suggested ages: 9+

Pyramid Catapult

A DIY pyramid made of craft sticks forms the main structure of a simple catapult project.

A simpler catapult that doesn't require hot glue, yet it can fire far and get kids excited.

Suggested ages: 7+

Easy Pneumatic Machine

A DIY simple machine made of craft sticks with a lift that's powered by a pneumatic system made of plastic syringes.

Experiment with the science of pneumatics (air pressure-power) to create a powered lift.

Suggested ages: 7+

Mini Projects

Three simple science and engineering experiments: a paper plane, a paper structure, and small tops.

Keep these 3 quick and easy engineering activities on hand to fill out extra class time.

Suggested ages: 5+

Rubber Band Car

A DIY rubber band car engineering project made from craft sticks and large wheels.

A high-performing rubber band-powered car design. Big wheels provide traction and distance.

Suggested ages: 9+

Triangle Truss Bridge

A DIY truss bridge science project made from craft sticks.

Stronger than a square-shaped bridge, this truss bridge design will hold extremely heavy loads.

Suggested ages: 9+

Hydraulic Lift Bridge

A DIY bridge made from craft sticks that can be raised and lowered using a hydraulic system made from plastic syringes.

Create a hydraulic-powered lift, then design and build a truss bridge to activate.

Suggested ages: 11+

Hydraulic Box

A DIY small box made of craft sticks with a lid that opens and closes using a simple hydraulic system made from plastic syringes.

Engineer a hydraulic-powered box project for kids to store their small possessions.

Suggested ages: 11+

Class 3 Lever Catapult

A DIY catapult project made from craft sticks that uses a class 3 lever and is powered by a rubber band.

This rubber band-powered catapult is a fun way to show what a class 3 lever is.

Suggested ages: 9+

Hydraulic Judo Robot

A DIY simple robot designed to play a judo-like game. It can move up and down and side to side using hydraulic systems made from plastic syringes.

Create a custom hydraulic-powered robot project, then compete in a judo-like competition.

Suggested ages: 11+

Egg Crash Car

A DIY small car that keeps an egg safe in a head-on collision, inspired by the classic egg drop science experiment.

Better than the egg drop challenge: Engineer a car that keeps an egg safe in a collision.

Suggested ages: 7+

Gliding Car

A DIY car project for kids that has paper wings which enable it to glide from a table onto the floor.

Use the science of aerodynamics to create a car that can gently glide to the floor.

Suggested ages: 7+

Wind-Powered Car

A DIY simple car project that moves using wind power.

Create a lightweight car that's easy to build and powered by the wind.

Suggested ages: 7+

3D Geometric Shapes

A DIY pyramid made of geometric shapes that are made of craft sticks.

Transform basic geometric shapes into more complex 3-dimensional forms.

Suggested ages: 5+

Slingshot Car

A DIY small car project that launches using rubber band power.

Simple to build with a big payoff, the slingshot car zips across the floor surprisingly fast.

Suggested ages: 7+

Easy Hydraulic Machine

A DIY easy and fun engineering project that uses a hydraulic system made from plastic syringes.

Build a simply hydraulic mechanism, then customize its function however you'd like.

Suggested ages: 9+

Slingshot Straw Rocket

A DIY simple engineering rocket project made from a straw and paper, and launched with a rubber band slingshot.

Simple and cheap to build, yet slingshot straw rockets can be launched well over 75ft.

Suggested ages: 7+

Science Fair Experiment Guide

Bow and Arrow

A DIY bow and arrow project for kids that uses the power of a rubber band to launch arrows made from straws.

A kid favorite, the craft stick bow and arrow is fun to build and exciting to play with.

Suggested ages: 9+

Handheld Slingshot

A DIY handheld slingshot project made from craft sticks that's powered by a rubber band.

Truss supports and rubber band power enable this durable slingshot design to shoot far.

Suggested ages: 9+

Tornado Truss Tower

A DIY structure made of craft sticks that gets its strength from trusses.

Build a strong tower comprised of trusses, then test its strength and stability.

Suggested ages: 9+

Pyramid Slingshot

A DIY pyramid made out of dowels supports a rubber band-powered slingshot.

Inspired by the 'viking catapult,' this design is simple yet strong due to the pyramid structure.

Suggested ages: 7+

Trigger Launcher

A DIY device made of craft sticks that fires small objects using the power of a rubber band.

A kid favorite, the trigger launcher is easy to customize and a blast to use.

Suggested ages: 7+

Mechanical Grabber

A DIY mechanical grabber hand project made of craft sticks.

Engineer a mechanical hand, then test different designs until it can pick up anything.

Suggested ages: 11+

DIY Robot Kits

A small DIY robot made of laser cut wood and powered by a small motor and batteries.

Explore our Etsy shop of original robot kits made from laser cut wood and simple electronics.

Suggested ages: 11+