Engineering with Trash: A Low-Prep, Learning Activity for Toddlers

Need a low-prep, learning activity for your toddler? You’ve got it, friend!

Inside this post, I’ll share exactly how you can grab a few recyclables to set up an irresistibly, fun STEM activity on your floor. 

Ready for some easy fun? Let’s go!

Full disclosure: I had my eye on building a giant, recyclable tower when I set this up.

You know the towers I’m talking about, right?

It’s the classic challenge to build recycled towers with empty toilet rolls and paper/cardboard. The major challenge is to get the engineering just right so that you can build up multiple levels. It’s a wonderful STEM challenge for kids.

But, my toddler doesn’t have the coordination or ability to build multiple levels independently…. yet. 

So, we created this modified version of the classic tower building idea so that toddlers can get in on the fun too! Instead of building up high, we built multiple, smaller towers to build a recycled city.

RELATED: Make fizzy waterfalls: an easy, toddler science experiment!

Supplies For This Low-Prep, Learning Activity

• Recyclables, like empty toilet rolls and small pieces of cardboard (cereal boxes or cut up Amazon boxes)
• Tape

Now, all you need to do is a little prep that takes 2 minutes or less…

How to Set Up this STEM Toddler Activity

1. Tape “x” shapes on the floor. These will be your toddler’s visual cue for where to build the houses. This not only gives them a clear purpose, but it keeps this activity more independent.
2. For younger toddlers, you may have to show them how to balance a cardboard strip on top of a toilet roll. But, older toddlers and preschoolers, will likely be able to build on their own.
3. Then, let them build!

Note: we brought cars over to the town and kept the fun going!

Not only is this easy to set up, but it’s also an easy activity to put away and bring back out again another day. You never know, your toddler may just surprise you and start building a taller tower.

That’s the power of hands-on learning and play!

Need more Inspiration?

I’ve got you covered!

You can see more hands-on learning for toddlers by clicking on the images below!