6 Winter-Themed STEM Challenges Your Students Will Love
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Image credit: https://www.mombrite.com/tallest-marshmallow-snowman-challenge/
As the days get shorter and excitement for winter break grows, December is the perfect time to bring some hands-on fun into your classroom. These STEM challenges will keep students engaged, encourage creative problem-solving, and add a festive twist to your lessons—without a ton of prep.
1. Build the Tallest Snowman
Materials: marshmallows or cotton balls, toothpicks, cups
Challenge: Students must design the tallest freestanding “snowman” possible.
Why it works: This challenge supports engineering design, stability, and structure while giving students plenty of opportunities to test and rebuild if needed.
Extension: Limit materials or add a “must have facial features” rule to increase complexity.
2. Ice Palace Engineering Challenge
Materials: sugar cubes, mini marshmallows, gumdrops, frosting, or glue
Challenge: Build a winter palace that can withstand a “blizzard” (a blast of wind from a fan.)
Why it works: Students explore weight distribution and structural design while working on teamwork and communication.
Extension: Add a measurement component and require students to calculate area, height, or volume.
3. Rescue the Frozen Penguin
Materials: ice blocks with small plastic animals inside, salt, warm water, pipettes, cups
Challenge: Students must “rescue” their frozen animal as quickly as possible using the provided materials.
Why it works: It introduces students to concepts like melting point, thermal energy, and the scientific method.
Extension: Have students predict (and then test) which approach is fastest.
For a more in-depth look at this activity, check out: https://viewsfromastepstool.com/salt-ice-experiment-kids-activity/
4. Winter Zipline Challenge
Materials: string, tape, pipe cleaners, paper cups, craft sticks
Challenge: Create a zipline and a “sled” that can safely transport a small winter character (penguin, snowman, gingerbread person) from one point to another.
Why it works: Students practice force, motion, and design thinking while competing to build the fastest or safest sled.
Extension: Add obstacles along the zipline route to increase difficulty.
5. Insulate the Ice Challenge
Materials: ice cubes, foil, cotton balls, fabric scraps, plastic wrap, cups
Challenge: Design a container that keeps an ice cube from melting as long as possible.
Why it works: Students test insulation materials while learning about heat transfer and energy.
Extension: Introduce temperature tracking and simple data collection.
6. Sled Design & Slope STEM Challenge
Materials: cardboard, tape, straws, craft sticks, recycled materials
Challenge: Create a sled that can travel the farthest down a ramp without tipping or stopping early.
Why it works: Students explore friction, incline, and aerodynamics with a fun, competitive twist.
Extension: Allow students to test multiple ramp angles to compare results.
See it in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIoc9ReEkXU
For more fun winter STEM ideas, check out this short video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YyaJqjxkgpk
Winter STEM challenges are a great way to spark curiosity, build teamwork, and keep students engaged during one of the busiest months of the year. With a few simple materials and a bit of imagination, your classroom can turn into a fun, winter-themed design lab.
Can’t get enough of STEM/STEAM? Check out our course, Integrating STEAM into Your Curriculum. https://www.connectinglink.com/courses/integrating-steam-into-your-curriculum