Cardboard Engineering

Cardboard is a basic, maker supply.  Engineering is often a neglected area of science.  Let’s do a bit of cardboard engineering!  Cardboard 101 has tips for cutting and attaching pieces.  Tips and Tricks   has both inspiration and storage ideas.  This Educator’s Guide has loads of book titles.  The kiddos at Faith Camp made shields for an Armor of God lesson.  Colorful painter’s tape enhances a cardboard project.  Tape binds rough edges, too.  Yes, in addition to engineering projects, your kiddos are going to want to make shields and swords from cardboard.  I think once your kiddos make a few of the projects below the images, they’ll spend the afternoon playing with their creations..

First, get inspired by Cardboard Collaborative.  Wow!  So many things to build!  Keep scrolling to see plans, such as The Gravity Racer and most importantly, the Stomp Rocket.  

The Happy Hooligans have this neat Homemade Cardboard Construction Kit.  Ask an older child to make a few for your toddler.  Try to make the Cardboard Scissors Lift.

Air and Water Power is an introduction to hydraulics.  You’ll need plastic syringes and tubing. 

This guide, Cardboard Constructions, begins with a basic stool to explain the engineering process.  

Technovation has an excellent Cardboard Robotic Hydraulic Arm.  The instructions have templates, images, and a video.  Try this Hydraulic Lift.  

Make a Cardboard Rover move with pencils and rubber bands.  Here are more cardboard movers.  Now, save several boxes in the garage, do a scavenger hunt for rubber bands, pencils, etc, and head to the library for books.  Friday Fun Day is going to rock!