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Home / Early Learning / Science / Engineering Project for Kids – Dens for Winter Animals

Engineering Project for Kids – Dens for Winter Animals

Shared by Mary Catherine 2 Comments

Engineering winter animal dens is such a fun STEM challenge to add to your winter activities for preschoolers.

The preschool kiddos have been into arctic animals this month. In addition to sensory and literacy activities, I set up an invitation to build dens for winter animals. This little engineering project for kids led to so much fun and learning over the course of a week!

Creating dens for winter animals - an engineering project for kids

Table of Contents

  • build and design animal dens in this engineering project for kids
  • Done-for-You Preschool Resources

build and design animal dens in this engineering project for kids

This is part of Little Bins for Little Hands’ A-Z STEM series. Be sure to check out all of the other great ideas shared there!

A-Z-STEM-Series-for-Kids-STEM-Activities-for-Kids-What-Is-STEM

I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Materials we used
Large marshmallows
Small marshmallows
Flat toothpicks
Safari Ltd. Arctic toob

Set up
I set the marshmallows and toothpicks in a few bowls on our science table. I placed a few of the arctic animals near the marshmallows, then called some of the kids over. We talked about the different places arctic animals live, discussing snow dens and the like. I explained that the kiddos could use the marshmallows and toothpicks to create their own arctic animal dens!

engineering project for kids - create a den for winter animals

Related: Winter Sensory Bottles

What the kids did
Before getting started, some of the children designed their winter dens with pen and paper first. Others decided to jump right in. Either way, I was so impressed with their creativity and out-of-the box thinking.

One of my girls turned this into a project that spanned 3 or 4 days! She planned out a circular base for a polar bear’s snow den, then decided to build up and in for the walls. Once it was done, it was proudly displayed in one of our classroom windowsills.

an in-depth engineering project for kids - creating winter animals dens with marshmallows

Another kiddo went for a more abstract winter den for an arctic wolf. He was totally enamored with the creation process, more so than functionality. In fact, he took one of his creations home but came back the next day insisting he needed to make a new one. This one, he said, “it’s going to stay in the classroom where my sister can NOT break it up!”

Engineering project for kids using toothpicks and marshmallows to make arctic animal dens

There were more polar bear dens, homes for caribous and arctic hares, as well as some entertaining “ice houses for all those animals that get cold at the North Pole.”

Engineering project for kids - making winter animal dens with marshmallows and toothpicks

The winter animal dens are still showcased around the classroom, and the kids seem to enjoy checking them on a daily basis! All of the thought and care that went into their construction tells me this activity was a hit!

Do you have a favorite engineering project for kids to try this winter? Be sure to leave any fun ideas in the comments below! If your kiddos try this activity, I’d love to see pictures of them shared over at Fun-A-Day’s Facebook page!

Engineering project for kids - building arctic animal dens with marshmallows and toothpicks

Done-for-You Preschool Resources

Planning meaningful lessons for students week after week, all while balancing other teaching responsibilities and a personal life, can be a daunting task. That’s where Preschool Teacher 101 comes in to save you time!

Preschool Teacher 101 is excited to share with you some amazing lesson plans, activity packs, and much more! We offer a wide variety of themes that are frequently used in preschool classrooms, as well as some less common (but super interesting) themes. Click on the image below to learn more about our STEM challenge bundle!

STEM Series Bundle

Join The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101 today for exclusive access to our amazing products. And we even have three different membership options to suit your needs!

Filed Under: Science Tagged With: Winter

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Comments

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  1. Mary Brittingham says

    January 5, 2016 at 9:12 am

    i like this idea. did your children do this individually or in small groups? i would like to do this in small groups but not sure it will work.

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      July 23, 2016 at 6:11 pm

      We did them in small groups during center time. The kiddos did a great job with it!

      Reply
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My name is Mary Catherine, and I love to share meaningful {and fun} learning activities for kiddos! Feel free to browse and stay awhile!

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