Are you ready for another great STEM toothpick challenge that is sure to entertain your little builder? This Jelly Bean Toothpick Building Activity is going to become one that you keep around as the perfect boredom buster!
My favorite type of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities are hands-on challenges. Most kids enjoy seeing the process and changes as they manipulate, build, or experiment.
This activity is both a hands-on learning experience and a lesson in engineering. Their creations develop right before their eyes, all while using their cognitive skills to make them structurally sound.
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Supplies for Jelly Bean Toothpick Building Activity
Want to know what I love more than a great STEM Activity? It’s a frugal STEM activity that doesn’t involve multiple supplies! For this one, you will only need:
It also doesn’t hurt to provide the children with a paper plate or bowl to contain their jelly beans and toothpicks.
Building with Jelly Beans and Toothpicks
There are lots of ways kids can build with jelly beans & toothpicks. I find that mixing a little bit of a structure competition with creative building time works well.
For example, you could have kids do a challenge and then allow for extra time for creative building.
CREATIVE BUILDING PROJECTS
One way to do the Jelly Bean Toothpick Building Activity is to have your child work independently on creating anything they can imagine.
There are no rules or set guidelines for the kids to follow in this situation. They simply have time to explore the materials and be creative.
Do you have a kid who loves STEM projects? Then check out our list of favorite . Perfect for using in an Easter Basket or while you are trying to keep your kids busy at home.
PROJECT-BASED BUILDING
Beyond creative building, there are lots of challenges that are project-based for the kids to enjoy building with jelly beans.
This means providing the kids with a set challenge or project and letting them work alone or as a team to accomplish the task.
Here are some ideas for challenges that work well for elementary to middle school kids.
Building a flat creation
Creating something with a 3D effect
Making the tallest jelly bean tower
Using the jelly beans to make letters or numbers
Building two structures and attempting to connect them (think bridges)
MINUTE-TO-WIN-IT VERSION
Another way to use the Jelly Bean Toothpick Building Activity is to make it a timed game. You could do this as a solo activity or place the children into teams.
This is a great team-building challenge. It would be perfect for Scout meetings, Vacation Bible School, or Easter Parties in the classroom.
Also, using the project-based ideas from the above category, you could challenge the groups to build various toothpick structures with their jelly beans.
You could also finish a team-building challenge by having all of the groups connect their jelly bean toothpick structures!
If you are looking for a true “Minute to Win It” type game, I would recommend making the challenge to see how tall they can build their structures.
I would suggest adjusting the time you give the kids based on their ages. Jelly beans, depending on which brand you are using, can be a little tough to pierce with the toothpicks. Younger children might need to have a “two-minute to win it” game.
ADDING AN EXTRA DIMENSION TO THE STEM PROJECT
Another fun way to use the jelly beans & toothpicks involves building but with the addition of other materials.
Perhaps you add beads or buttons to the toothpicks. Kids will see how the different weights of other items affect their building.
Or maybe kids turn a simple drawing into a 3-D structure like my oldest did with this YODA jelly bean design.
Another fun STEM Toothpick Challenge
Looking for even more fun ways to make toothpick STEM structures? Then take a look at my Spice Drop STEM Activity for Kids post! Spice Drops are a softer candy and are easier for younger children, such as preschoolers, to use as building tools.
Also, we have tons of fun Easter Ideas for Kids too! Like an Easter Word Scramble & a LEGO Easter Egg Hunt Idea.
Our super popular “What to Put in Your Tween Boy’s Easter Basket” will have you solving the issue of gifts for your 8-12-year-old boy.
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