Engineering for Kids | Building Igloos with Marshmallows

Welcome back for another STEM Saturday! If you have followed along our adventures very long, you might have realized we are slightly obsessed with building projects for kids. This week, we have taken the classic marshmallow building challenge and used it for building igloos with marshmallows.

Simple Engineering for Kids Building Igloos with Marshmallows

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Engineering for Kids | Building Igloos with Marshmallows

Materials for Building Igloos with Marshmallows

Materials:

Marshmallows
Toothpicks

(more marshmallows for snacking)

This project is all about simple fun indoor winter fun! Nothing fancy. Nothing expensive. Just a great way to keep your kids’ minds fresh while being stuck indoors. Plus, it has a nice wintery theme to it.

Engineering Challenge: Build an Igloo Using Marshmallows and Toothpicks

Building Igloos with Marshmallows

For this challenge, there was one instruction…. make an igloo using both toothpicks and marshmallows. That was it. No special instructions. Completely open ended. Well, not completely… we could have just had a free build, however the “igloo” was an insisted upon demand of my ten year old.

He decided to start with a solid base and then build up and out from there. After building a few layers up, he decided to take apart his base and add in a marshmallow to the center of each toothpick so he could have a stronger support in the middle of the 2nd layer. (I never would have thought of this)

Making Observations and Noticing

After my son had made his “igloo” he decided it needed to filled to the brim with snow. After a lot of contemplating, he filled the structure as much as he possibly could. He even added in a few snowmen figures to guard the front entrance.

Of course the whole family had to have a marshmallow feast that night!

Building with Marshmallows

I know this is a little “different” than a cute project or a cookie cutter igloo, however, what I love about this engineering project is that it involved problem solving, geometric concepts and spatial reasoning. I love how my son was able to take his idea and turn it into a working igloo made of marshmallows.

If you gave your kids the challenge to create an igloo with marshmallows, what would they choose to use as their base? What would their end product be? I’d love to see! Tag me on instagram so I can see your awesome thinking!

Marshmallow Igloo Engineered by Kids

Do you have a favorite Engineering Project for Kids? I would love to know! Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram or subscribe by email. I can’t wait to hear your ideas.

STEM Activities for kids

Still wanting more STEM activity ideas? Luckily you can always head over to last week’s post and check out more great resources!

VISIT THESE GREAT BLOGGERS FOR MORE STEM FUN!

Coding with LEGO from Little Bins for Little Hands

Polar Bear Science STEM Experiment from Preschool Powol Packets

Hands-on Sorting Vertebrates & Invertebrates from Stir the Wonder

10 Winter STEAM Challenges for Kids from Handmade Kids Art

10 Ice Science and Engineering Activities from The Science Kiddo

Buoyancy and Density Science for kids: King Arthur’s Sword from The Usual Mayhem

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