Try this fun Muffin Tin Maze Game STEM Challenge for kids to inspire creative thinking, problem solving, and FUN!
Today we’re going to put away the board games, tablets, and video games and get back to the basics. Get ready to create your own handmade interactive game! Our handheld toy will combine all the joys and close calls of mazes, marble runs, labyrinths, and pinball machines.
Your child will be transformed into a game making engineer! He or she will develop rules, create challenges, and design obstacles. Players will guide a ball over bridges, through ramps, banging bumpers and avoiding holes while trying to score the most points! Making the toy will be just as much fun as playing the game! So grab a muffin tin from the kitchen and let the games begin!
DIY Muffin Tin Maze Game STEM Challenge for Kids
FOR MORE STEAM FUN AND LEARNING TRY THE WORLD STRUCTURES STEM CHALLENGES.
STEAM Learning
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math are being creatively incorporated into playful learning everywhere. This project highlights a few of those areas.
As an engineer, your child will engage in game development, design, and functionality. Problem-solving skills will be hard at work exploring movement, weight, and speed.
As an artist, he or she will construct ramps, bumpers, bridges, and more to create a unique game space environment.
As a math master, your child will review addition and subtraction skills based on points earned and lost during gameplay.
STEAM exploration boosts the development of critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, hands-on learning, and creative thinking.
Learning Through Play
During gameplay, your child’s mind and fingers will be making countless decisions and adjustments. Fine motor skills are sure to get a workout when tilting, inclining, shifting, and moving the muffin tin just so in order for the ball to land in the most desirable spot. Your child will strategize and problem solve as the ball works its way through the course. Rewards and setbacks are sure to follow, but with patience, determination, and adaptability success will be in reach!
Materials:
- Muffin Tin – Check the Dollar Store!
- Construction Paper
- Markers
- Scissors
- Tape
- Small Pompoms
Step by Step Directions for Maze Game STEM Challenge:
1. Plan Your Design!
Draw your design out on paper before building in order to have a creative path and end goal in mind. This project is ideal for collaboration so planning, building, and playing with a parent, sibling, or friend is ideal.
2. Build it Up!
Begin to build a variety of game elements such as paths, bridges, bumpers, and obstacles. First, cut strips of paper in various lengths and around 1inch in width. Next, fold up the edges to create the railings. This will help guide and contain the ball as it rolls. To make a bridge, snip the railings in the middle on each side of the path. The cuts will help as you bend the strip in half to form the bridge.
Cut off the railings at the base on each end as well to create a smooth surface for the ball to glide on. Finally, cut small or large rectangles to be the bumpers, and circles to place inside of the muffin holes
3. Tape it Down!
Secure each game piece into place with tape. Then write the point amounts on the paper circles and place them inside the muffin holes. Add words such as winner, try again, or lose a turn.
4. Game on!
Add one or multiple pompom balls to the game. Tilt and maneuver the tin in order to score the most points. Head up the ramp or down the slide. Bounce off a bumper to score a point. Try to avoid the pitfalls and control the ball by moving the tin gently. Add another player by having a friend hold the other end of the tin and enjoy a friendly competition.
This art activity is ideal for rainy days when children are looking for a creative outlet. It also works well as a collaborative small group classroom activity. Each game is sure to be unique and contain a variety of twists and turns. Game on, boys and girls!
Be sure to tag @fantasticfunandlearning and @youngschoolartwithmr.g on Instagram so we can see what unique games you create!
CONNECT WITH VIN GIANNETTO
Learn more about Vin here on his author bio page. Follow along with him on Facebook at Young School Art with Mr. Giannetto and on Instagram @youngschoolartwithmr.g for art project ideas.
MORE ART AND CRAFT PROJECT IDEAS FROM VIN
Nonseasonal Art Projects for Kids
Click on the images below to see the full tutorial for each art project.
TRY MORE STEAM INSPIRED FUN WITH THE WORLD STEM CHALLENGES SET
Use this book of famous world structures to inspire building with blocks, LEGO, or other favorite building materials. Having buildings from around the world leads to discussions about different people and places. Geography lessons can easily spring from these discussions, as can basic engineering concepts.
This set includes:
-32 full-page images of real world structures
-10 full-page images of castles around the world
-All images provided in a four to a page option
-4 versions of planning and blueprint design pages
-6 versions of recording pages for finished structures
-6 class book cover options.
GET YOUR STEM SET
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