Picture this - It’s a rainy day. Everyone is tired of being inside. The toys are no longer holding their attention. What do you do?? This super easy and very fun activity takes only minutes to set up and can keep your children occupied for quite some time. The best part is that it is also educational. Stacking cups allows your child to develop skills in engineering, as well as practice counting skills.
The Challenge:
Give your children a big stack of plastic cups. Tell them that their challenge is to build the tallest tower or pyramid that they can, using the cups provided. Then, leave them to complete the challenge. You may see them start with one line for the base, or maybe they make a square like the base of a pyramid. Either one works. They will discover the principles of engineering as they work on their construction. You will see them experimenting with spacing, with creating a stable foundation, and trying creative ways to stack the cups. It’s okay if the tower falls a few times. Let your kiddos learn from these structural failures.
Extend the Challenge:
When your children have mastered this challenge, you can extend the fun by introducing new elements. Add some construction and design materials; such as cardstock squares, large popsicle sticks, and legos. Have them build a castle, a garage, or some other unique structure. Use tools instead of your hands to stack the cups. Your options are endless!