Whether you’re a teacher looking for a creative classroom activity or a parent wanting to engage your child in STEM learning at home, these printable Weight STEM Challenge Cards provide an exciting and educational experience. 

Grab your free set below and then hop over and snag an entire YEAR of playful, done-for-you challenges for endless STEM inspiration!

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Why Hands-On STEM Weight Challenges Work

Many kids struggle with abstract math concepts like measurement. By making weight comparisons a hands-on experience, students develop a deeper understanding of the subject. Here’s why interactive STEM activities are so effective:

• They make learning fun! – Kids naturally enjoy experimenting and testing ideas. These challenges turn learning into a game.
• They build real-world connections – Measuring objects they see every day helps kids understand how weight works in the world around them.
• They encourage problem-solving – Kids predict, test, and analyze their results, strengthening critical thinking skills.
• They keep students engaged – Hands-on activities prevent boredom and allow kids to learn by doing rather than just listening.

These weight measurement challenges not only teach math and science concepts but also promote curiosity and a love for learning.

Getting Ready for the STEM Weight Challenge

Before jumping into the activity, I prepped everything ahead of time to make it easy for my students to get started.

1. Printing and Laminating the Challenge Cards

To prep, I printed the STEM challenge cards (you can download them below) and laminated them. Laminating makes the cards reusable and extra durable—perfect for a classroom where little hands can be rough on materials!

Since my kids are notorious for misplacing cards, I punched a hole in the bottom right-hand corner of each one and hooked them together with a binder ring. This simple trick keeps them organized and easy to flip through.

2. Gathering Materials for the Challenge

Next, I grabbed a balance scale (we used this one from Amazon), along with a variety of small objects for the kids to weigh. Here’s what we used:

• 3 crayons
• 2 pencils
• 1 pair of scissors
• 2 pink erasers
• 5 Unifix cubes
• 2 markers
• 2 counting bears
• 5 coins (we used pennies, but any coin would work)
• 5 paper clips
• 1 pencil
• 2 dice

These everyday items are perfect for weight comparisons because they come in different sizes and materials. You can substitute with similar objects if needed.

How to Use the Weight STEM Challenge Cards

Once everything is prepped, it’s time for kids to dive into the challenge!

1. Set up learning stations – Place the balance scale and the challenge cards at a table or designated area in the classroom.
2. Assign small groups – Pair students up or put them in small groups so they can work together and discuss their findings.
3. Start exploring! – Give each group a challenge card and have them find the objects listed.
4. Make predictions – Before using the scale, ask students to guess which object they think will be heavier.
5. Test and measure – Students place objects on the balance scale to see the actual results.
6. Record observations – Have students write down or discuss what they learned from each challenge.

Encourage kids to talk about their results and compare their predictions to what actually happened. This builds reasoning skills and helps them understand that science is all about experimenting and discovery!

Fun STEM Weight Challenges to Try

Here are some examples of weight comparisons that make great STEM challenges:

• Which weighs more: 2 markers or 5 Unifix cubes?
• Are 3 crayons heavier than 5 paper clips?
• Which is lighter: 2 pink erasers or 1 pair of scissors?
• How does the weight of 5 pennies compare to 2 counting bears?

These challenges encourage curiosity and discussion. Kids love making guesses, testing their ideas, and seeing real results.

Making It More Challenging

Want to extend the activity for older students or kids who need an extra challenge? Try these ideas:

• Ask students to estimate the weight of each object in grams before measuring.
• Have students rank objects from lightest to heaviest.
• Introduce additional variables like stacking items together or using different materials (plastic vs. metal).
• Incorporate math skills by having students record their findings in a chart or graph.

By adding extra layers of challenge, students continue developing their math and problem-solving skills while having fun.

Discussion Questions to Spark Learning

After students complete the weight challenges, gather them together for a group discussion. Here are some great questions to ask:

• What surprised you the most about the results?
• Did your predictions match the actual weights? Why or why not?
• What patterns did you notice in the objects you measured?
• If you could measure different objects, what would you choose?
• Why do you think some materials are heavier than others?

Encouraging kids to reflect on what they learned helps solidify their understanding and gets them excited to explore more STEM activities!

Grab Your Download

Are you ready to try these hands-on STEM weight challenges for kids in your classroom or home? Download your free printable Weight STEM Challenge Cards below and start exploring today!

Get a Full Year of STEM Challenges!

And if you loved this weight measurement activity, why stop here? Imagine having a full year’s worth of hands-on STEM challenges ready to go at any time! Click here to get a year of simple, hands-on STEM challenges.

This massive bundle includes engaging, hands-on STEM activities that cover engineering, science, and math topics in a way that gets kids excited about learning.

Why Teachers Love This STEM Challenge Bundle:

Over 40 STEM Challenges – Perfect for the entire school year!
No-Prep Printables – Just print and use—no complicated setup required.
Covers Multiple Science Topics – Engineering, forces, motion, measurement, and more!
Encourages Problem-Solving & Creativity – Kids learn by experimenting and testing solutions.

Don’t miss out! If you want ready-to-go STEM challenges that are fun, educational, and easy to implement, this bundle is exactly what you need. Get it now!

By using hands-on STEM challenges, you’ll keep kids engaged, make learning meaningful, and build a strong foundation in math and science. Whether you’re a teacher looking for fresh lesson ideas or a parent wanting fun, educational activities, these STEM challenges are a perfect fit.

Ready to bring more hands-on learning into your classroom? Start today with the Weight STEM Challenge Cards, and grab the full STEM Challenge Bundle for endless learning fun all year long!

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What will your class come up with!?  Create more amazing STEM projects with our Epic STEM bundle!

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Learning About Bridges

Before diving into our engineering project, I wanted to introduce the kids to some bridge basics so I pulled out a copy of Bridges! Amazing Structures and shared the major highlights. (The book is written for grades 2 to 6, so I needed to be selective to keep it age-appropriate.)

As we read, we kept track of what we learned by adding to a simple anchor chart showing the five bridges we were focusing on:

• arch
• beam
• suspension
• cable-stay
• truss

We chatted about how each design evenly distributes loads through specific points using a combination of pulling forces (tension) and pushing forces (compression).

For instance, in a cable stay bridge, cables direct the weight of the traffic and the bridge itself onto the support beams in the middle (called piers) and the supports on either end (called the abutments).

Building Straw Bridges

Once the kids had a solid understanding of how bridges work, they were eager to jump in and start building their own miniature versions with straws, scissors and tape.

The challenge was to build a bridge that would hold a cup of 100 pennies without falling over. This first draft held the cup when it was empty but toppled over when it was filled with pennies.

So the kids went back to work! They added more straw supports to distribute the weight and evened out the base to make the structure more steady.

Straws and tape might not be very strong on their own, but it was amazing to see how sturdy they could be when they were combined together just so!

Want More?

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Getting Ready

Prepping this linear measurement activity was as quick as it comes!

I simply printed off the record sheet (below) and grabbed our bin of building bricks and a stack of forks.

(I used our DUPLOS because they’re a little bit larger but you could swap them out for LEGOS or unifix cubes instead.)

Linear Measurement Scavenger Hunt

When it was time, I gave my 6 year-old the scavenger hunt and challenged her to measure each item on the sheet. She was excited for the challenge!

She grabbed a shoe first and lined up the bricks along the righthand side – making sure to align the bottom of the first brick with the bottom of the shoe so that her measurement would be accurate.

One item after the next, she measured first with bricks and then with forks (which turned out to get LOTS of giggles!).

Snag Your Copy

Click the big blue download button below to grab the linear measurement freebie and then hop over to snag our Epic STEM Challenge Bundle!

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Grab your set below and then hop over to snag our best-selling Endless STEM Bundle too!  Double score!

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What Box Is Right for You?

Before you pick your STEM box labels, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of the three most popular STEM box choices so that you can pick the one that works best for your classroom.

Ziploc Storage Containers

First up, we have the least expensive option (yay!): Ziploc storage containers like these ones from Amazon.

Aside from being cost effective, two other advantages are that they easily stack on top of each other and are small enough that you can fit a big collection of STEM challenges in a relatively small area.

Unfortunately, the containers break pretty easily so you’ll need to keep back ups on hand so you can quickly swap out broken ones.

Plus, they are too small to hold record sheets so you’ll need a separate storage system like this paper sorter.

Pencil Boxes

Pencil boxes are another favorite choice because you can grab them for just 99 cents a piece during back-to-school season.

Like the Ziploc containers, pencil boxes are compact enough that you can fit many in a tight space and they stack easily.

They are slightly more expensive, however they also tend to be much more durable so you won’t need to purchase replacements nearly as often – a plus!

The big downside?! Record sheets need to be stored separately because the boxes are too small to fit them.

Large Clip Boxes

I saved my personal favorite for last: large clip boxes like these.

At closer to $5 a piece, they are the most expensive option in the bunch but they’re extremely durable and are wide enough to fit record sheets inside so students can find everything in one spot.

When it comes to busy classrooms, I like to keep my organization simple… especially when it comes to independent activities like STEM centers. And having record sheets in the same container as supplies makes it so. much. smoother.

Editable STEM Box Labels

Once you pick the boxes that will work best in your space, it’s time to snag some editable labels.

I’ll be passing along several activities to fill your boxes tomorrow but, in the meantime, download your labels (below) and then decide how you’re going to secure them to each box.

I scored a pack of thin, adhesive labeling pockets like these in the Target Dollar Spot a couple weeks back.

I stuck one to the front of each clip box and printed the labels on colored paper before cutting them apart and sliding one into each pocket.

Alternatively, if you decide to use Ziploc containers or pencil boxes, you can print the labels and laminate them before cutting them apart.

Then use Scotch mounting squares to adhere each one to the top of your box.

Easy peasy and so organized!

An awesome combination.

Grab Your Labels

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Getting Ready

Prep was super easy!

I printed the front and back of each version of the STEM pamphlet on colored paper to give them a fun pop. The four options were:

• Science
• Math
• STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)
• STEAM (STEM plus art)

I purposefully made extra copies of these pamphlets so that kids could take them home, too!

STEM Pamphlets: Science

After our science lesson later that day, I handed each child the science pamphlet and encouraged them to talk about what happened.

We cleared up any misconceptions, thought out loud about what they learned, and made sure everyone understood the big idea.

We also used this time to share interesting facts and applying it to the real world which was so powerful!

Then, students started recording their ideas in the pamphlet.

STEM Pamphlets: Math

We talk about numbers… a lot.

Sometimes all the math concepts can seem overwhelming. After our next math lesson, I handed out the reflection sheet to extend the discussion.

The STEM pamphlet was a great way to share vocabulary, challenges kids faced and questions they still had about the concept.

STEM/STEAM Pamphlets

One thing I love about STEM and STEAM activities is that they encourage students to solve problems while also looking at improving the design.

To make sure that the kids have time to plan and reflect, I started handing out the review while they were still at the STEAM or STEM center.

It was a great way to recap!

Grab Your Download

Want to try out the reflection STEM pamphlets in your class?  Click the blue button below to snag your freebie and then make sure to jump over and grab our Endless STEM Bundle, too!

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Once you’ve exhausted this awesome list, check out our Epic STEM Bundle!

Kids will have a blast with these LEGO STEM activities! They’re perfect for pre-kindergarten through elementary school. Use these LEGO activity ideas to inspire your own creative LEGO STEM and STEAM projects in the classroom or at home.

LEGO Science Activities

Build a LEGO Volcano that really erupts!

Get hands-on with physics by designing a fidget spinner. // Frugal Fun for Boys

For some simple summer science, whip up some LEGO Shadow Towers. // Lemon Lime Adventures

Design a LEGO planter.// Lemon Lime Adventures

Create a water dam made out of plastic bricks. // Little Bins for Little Hands

And learn about water displacement. // Lemon Lime Adventures

LEGO Technology Activities

Go on an official LEGO rescue mission with this wind power LEGO challenge. // STEAM Powered Family

Make a LEGO machine that paints on its own. // Stir the Wonder

Design a LEGO gravity roller. // Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Test how far your LEGO balloon cars will go.// Little Bins for Little Hands

Create a drawing LEGO robot. // STEAM Powered Family

LEGO Engineering Activities

Build famous landmarks from around the world.

Design a LEGO rainbow. //Schooling a Monkey

Solve a batch of LEGO challenge cards.

Make replicas of objects from all four seasons.

Read a storybook and then tackle an engineering challenge. // Left Brain Craft Brain

Create a LEGO zip line! // Little Bins for Little Hands

LEGO Math Activities

Practice addition by building equations.

And then print a set of these addition mats. // Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Or tackle multiplication. // Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Build numbers from LEGOS. // Little Bins for Little Hands

And solve a batch of math challenges. // Little Bins for Little Hands

More STEM Fun

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Scroll below to check them out!  And for more activities for your little engineer, check out our Epic STEM Bundle!

Race LEGOs down DIY ziplines, build rockets that really soar, launch marshmallows in the air and try your hand at classic egg drop science experiments. Kids will be tackling backyard engineering projects for days!

Use a few simple supplies to design pop rockets that really fly. // Playdough to Plato

Build a LEGO zipline that reaches from one side of the yard to the other! // Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Fill the kiddy pool with water and race junk boats. // Playdough to Plato

Design a propeller airplane that can race across the backyard. // Planet Smarty Pants

Make a LEGO water wheel! // Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Build a pulley that will lift kids into the tree top. // My Mundane and Miraculous Life

Try your luck with the classic egg drop challenge. // Buggy and Buddy

Make a jumbo-sized Hot Wheels car race track.

Turn craft sticks into exploding boomerangs. // I Can Teach My Child

Add some chemistry to engineering and make baking soda and vinegar powered boats. // Sugar Aunts

Launch marshmallows across the yard with a straw catapult. // Playdough to Plato

Or make smaller marshmallow launchers from plastic cups and balloons. // Come Together Kids

Turn pool noodles into Gobstopper tracks! // Playdough to Plato on Instagram

Make an airplane launcher. // Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

And build a batch of DIY parachutes. // Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational

50 STEM Projects Kids Love

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Getting Ready

To prep, I simply printed the cards on cardstock to give them extra durability and cut them apart with my scissors.

Note: If you were using the cards in the classroom, you may also want to laminate them.

I grabbed our bin of pattern blocks and we were ready to play!

Pattern Block STEM Challenges

My kids always get excited when I tell them that we’re going to be doing a STEM challenge, so they were eager to jump in and get to work.

Grabbing one card at a time, they used the pattern blocks to replicate the picture shown.

One card after the next, they worked their way through the pile.

When they were finished, I challenged them to stretch their learning one step further by counting and recording the number of each shape used on their sheet.

It was such a simple way to take their learning one step further!

Grab Your Copy

Click the blue download button below to grab your free building pattern block challenges!

Then, for continued STEM fun, check out our Epic STEM Bundle in our shop!

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Scroll down to snag your free STEM book and then hop over and grab our Epic STEM Bundle in our shop for endless STEM fun!

Getting Ready

To prep for the activity, I printed off the Watermelon STEM Book (below) and gathered the supplies we needed for the activity:

• Two small watermelons (one cut and one uncut)
• A bowl (or bucket) that was large enough to fit the watermelon
• A tape measure
• LEGO blocks
• Crayons
• Pencils

Watermelon STEM Book

To start the sweet STEM activity, I handed out the crayons, a pencil and the observation sheet to each child.

Then, I placed a watermelon on the table.

I asked the children to look at the watermelon and tell me what they saw. It was a great way to build their scientific observations!

Then, I had them draw the watermelon in their book – making sure to add plenty of details.

Next, we talked about circumference (the distance around the outside of the watermelon).

After the kids made some predictions about its size, I asked for a volunteer to measure the watermelon.

She carefully wrapped the measuring tape around the watermelon and proudly announced its circumference to the class.

We measured the length of the watermelon next in our watermelon STEM book.

(Although we used a measuring tape, you could use LEGO blocks to measure instead.)

For more observation, I had the kids tell me some adjectives that came to mind when they looked at the watermelon.

I wrote them on the board, while my students carefully printed them in their book.

Then, we had a brief coloring break!

Next, I asked the students to guess how many stripes were on the watermelon.

The guesses ranged from 20-72. (Aren’t kids’ predictions the best?!)

I asked for a volunteer and together we counted the stripes out loud so the whole class could follow along with us. There were 17 in all!

I cut the watermelon open and had kids guess how many seeds were inside.

We counted as many as we could find before we folded the pages together to create our own Watermelon STEM Book.

With our hard work behind us, I cut up the watermelon to make a tasty snack that the kids quickly devoured.

It was a truly sweet STEM activity!

Grab Your Download

Scroll down and click the blue button to download your copy of our awesome Epic STEM Bundle in our shop!

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Scroll below to grab your freebie and then make sure to snag our Endless STEM Bundle so you can stock your center with exciting STEM activities that will last all year long.

Whether you have a dedicated STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) center, a rolling STEM cart or a designated closet, keeping all of your basic supplies organized is a must.

And when it comes to organizing supplies, labeling goes a long way toward keeping things in their just-right spot.

Kids know exactly where to return everything when it’s time to clean up.

This colorful batch of STEM supply labels will bring you one big step closer to your organizational goals.

Prepping the STEM Supply Labels

Scroll below to download the freebie, print off the labels and run them through the laminator to give them extra durability.

Then, attach the colorful signs to their appropriate bins.

(I like to use hot glue if they’re going to be labeled permanently or tape if I’m going to swap them out.)

Viola! You are well on your way to being an organizing guru.

Grab Your Download

Ready to get organizing?

Scroll below to grab your organizational freebie and then hop over and pick up our Endless STEM Bundle so you can easily keep your center stocked with fun, engaging STEM activities all year long.

You can grab the megapack in our store!

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