Build a Christmas Tree STEM Challenge

If you’re looking for a Christmas themed STEM challenge, I’ve got you covered. Challenge your child to build a Christmas tree. I get commissions for purchases made through the affiliate links in this post.

What Materials to Use?

You have a ton of options for what materials to use. If you want the challenge to be open-ended, you could just ask your child to build a Christmas tree with materials in their room. Watch their creativity shine.

You could also set out a variety of materials for them to use. Or just choose one material.

Blocks

My first graders built these trees out of blocks after school one day.

Alternate colors and twist the blocks to give it a tree-like shape. Or use all one color and stack it flat.

Be creative and use whatever colors you want.

We have this Melissa and Doug block set at home that would work really well, too.

KEVA Planks

At school, I have a bin of small thin blocks that remind me of KEVA planks. I built a tree with them as an example.

Then I saw KEVA planks share a Christmas tree on their Facebook or Instagram. It was what I imagined but couldn’t quite accomplish with the shorter blocks.

We have this set of KEVA planks at home. I have ordered a large set for my classroom. They are perfect for building so many different things. I’m especially excited to use them in our force and motion unit for kindergarten.

LEGO Bricks

LEGO has several sets with Christmas trees. I just grabbed this Christmas penguin set. It has a tiny Christmas tree.

Follow the directions to build one of the Christmas tree sets.

Or find some green LEGO bricks, plus little dots for ornaments and lights to build your own LEGO Christmas tree.

Other Ideas

What other materials could you use?

Raid the recycling bin and make a Christmas tree out of egg cartons. Preschool STEAM has an example tree. Pom poms and paint complete the festive look.

You Clever Monkey shares a Christmas tree themed cup stacking challenge.

Left Brain Craft Brain challenges us to build tinkering trees with nuts, bolts, and washers.