Legos are a favorite learning tool in our homeschool. They can be used for so many different types of activities. In this post I share six fun STEAM activities using Legos!
We love STEAM education in our homeschool. The 5 subjects STEAM education focuses on are subjects with growing job markets. They're also just a really fun hands on way to learn that encourages creative thinking and helps develop problem solving skills.
What is a STEAM activity:
STEAM stands for: science, technology, engineering, art, and math. A STEAM activity is a hands on learning activity involving any combination of the above subjects and often includes some sort of problem solving or creative aspect.We love STEAM education in our homeschool. The 5 subjects STEAM education focuses on are subjects with growing job markets. They're also just a really fun hands on way to learn that encourages creative thinking and helps develop problem solving skills.
Lego Bridges
Lego bridges are a fun activity that combines engineering and math. Start by researching and looking at pictures of different types of bridges. Then challenge your children to build their own bridge out of Legos that will hold as much weight as possible. It's a good idea to set a minimum span length (how far your bridge needs to span).
When their bridges are finished, test them by setting a paper or plastic cup in the center and adding pennies to the cup. Count how many pennies each bridge can hold or use a scale to weigh the cup.
Lego Towers
Lego towers are a simple but fun activity and a great one for younger kids. Start by giving each child a bucket with Legos, make sure each child's bucket has the same number of each type of Lego so each kid has the same materials to build with.
Then challenge your kids to build the tallest tower they can with the Legos in their bucket. You can set a time limit if you want or let them take their time. It's up to you.
Lego Monuments
Making Lego monuments is a great way to incorporate engineering, art, and history all into one activity.
Pick a historical monument to study like the Eiffel Tower, or the Parthenon, or spend some time studying medieval castles or ancient step pyramids. Then challenge your child to build a replica using Legos.
Lego Place Value Challenge
This is a fun activity that incorporates math and engineering and is great for kids learning about place value.
Give your child a two digit number like 24 and have them build tens and ones blocks with Legos to represent the number. So for the number 24 they would build 2 tens blocks and have 4 singles.
Lego Math Facts
Get a sharpie and write math facts on Legos. Write numbers like "2+" and "3=" on 2x2 blocks and the answers on the longer 2x4 blocks like this:
Then have your child build math fact blocks.
You can do a set for addition, subtraction, multiplication, or even division facts.
Lego Robotics
Lego makes really awesome robotics kits. If you've never looked into them, I highly recommend you do. Back before I was a stay at home, homeschooling mom, I ran an after school program for elementary and jr. high students. One of the coolest curriculum packs we ever ordered was some Lego robotics kits. The kids loved them! There are lots of different kits for different age levels and they come with step by step picture instructions just like all Lego kits do.
For more information, check out their site:
What are your favorite ways to use Legos for learning?
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I am in awe of the power of Lego. It has taught my son so much over the years. But creativity in solitude has revealed a clever, engineering, strategy-focussed mind. Love Lego.
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