Build creativity, problem-solving, and STEM thinking with these 20 low-prep makerspace challenge cards for grades K–5! Each card gives students a hands-on design challenge, suggested materials, simple design rules, and a way to test their creation.
Perfect for STEM bins, morning tubs, early finishers, indoor recess, enrichment, partner work, homeschool, and sub plans.
Full Product Description
This print-and-go resource includes 20 open-ended STEM, art, and design challenges designed for elementary students in grades K–5. Students are given a simple challenge along with suggested materials, design requirements, and a “Test It” task that encourages them to evaluate their creation.
The challenges are intentionally open-ended, so there is no single correct solution. Students can experiment, problem-solve, collaborate, make changes, and explain their thinking as they work.
The cards are formatted 4 challenge cards per printable page, making them easy to print, cut apart, laminate, and add to your classroom makerspace or STEM bins.
What’s Included
20 unique makerspace challenge cards
4 challenge cards per page
1-page Teacher Guide
Student Maker Reflection Sheet
Activities incorporating STEM, engineering, art, design, creativity, and problem-solving
Print-and-go PDF format
Challenges include activities such as building with yarn, creating containers and organizers, designing bridges and structures, experimenting with patterns and color, working with clay, creating functional objects, and more.
Perfect For
STEM bins • Makerspace centers • Morning tubs • Early finishers • Indoor recess • Enrichment • Genius Hour • Partner work • Small groups • Homeschool • Sub plans • Fun Friday • Engineering centers • Project-based learning
Skills Practiced
Students practice planning, designing, building, testing, revising, perseverance, creativity, collaboration, fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving.
The included reflection page also encourages students to think about whether they planned ahead, used materials responsibly, persevered through challenges, tested and improved their work, and collaborated respectfully.
The challenges can easily be adapted by providing more support for younger learners or adding time, material, measurement, or redesign constraints for older students.
Build creativity, problem-solving, and STEM thinking with these 20 low-prep makerspace challenge cards for grades K–5! Each card gives students a hands-on design challenge, suggested materials, simple design rules, and a way to test their creation.
Perfect for STEM bins, morning tubs, early finishers, indoor recess, enrichment, partner work, homeschool, and sub plans.
Full Product Description
This print-and-go resource includes 20 open-ended STEM, art, and design challenges designed for elementary students in grades K–5. Students are given a simple challenge along with suggested materials, design requirements, and a “Test It” task that encourages them to evaluate their creation.
The challenges are intentionally open-ended, so there is no single correct solution. Students can experiment, problem-solve, collaborate, make changes, and explain their thinking as they work.
The cards are formatted 4 challenge cards per printable page, making them easy to print, cut apart, laminate, and add to your classroom makerspace or STEM bins.
What’s Included
20 unique makerspace challenge cards
4 challenge cards per page
1-page Teacher Guide
Student Maker Reflection Sheet
Activities incorporating STEM, engineering, art, design, creativity, and problem-solving
Print-and-go PDF format
Challenges include activities such as building with yarn, creating containers and organizers, designing bridges and structures, experimenting with patterns and color, working with clay, creating functional objects, and more.
Perfect For
STEM bins • Makerspace centers • Morning tubs • Early finishers • Indoor recess • Enrichment • Genius Hour • Partner work • Small groups • Homeschool • Sub plans • Fun Friday • Engineering centers • Project-based learning
Skills Practiced
Students practice planning, designing, building, testing, revising, perseverance, creativity, collaboration, fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving.
The included reflection page also encourages students to think about whether they planned ahead, used materials responsibly, persevered through challenges, tested and improved their work, and collaborated respectfully.
The challenges can easily be adapted by providing more support for younger learners or adding time, material, measurement, or redesign constraints for older students.