Sunny Day Fun: Engaging Summer Paper Crafts for Kids

Table of Contents

1. The Unsung Hero of Summer Fun: Why Paper Crafts?
2. Igniting Curiosity: The STEM & Arts Behind Paper Crafts
3. Our Favorite Summer Paper Crafts for Kids (with STEM & Arts Connections)
4. I'm the Chef Too! and the Art of "Edutainment"
5. Tips for a Successful Summer Crafting Session
6. Conclusion
7. FAQ: Summer Paper Crafts for Kids

Remember those long summer days of childhood? The kind where the sun felt endless, and the biggest challenge was finding something truly captivating to do after the initial burst of outdoor play? For many parents, that familiar summertime lull still arrives, often bringing with it the dreaded refrain: "I'm bored!" But what if we told you that the secret to a summer filled with discovery, creativity, and joy might be hiding in plain sight, perhaps even in your recycling bin? Enter the wondrous world of summer paper crafts for kids – an often-underestimated powerhouse of "edutainment" that can transform ordinary afternoons into extraordinary adventures.

At I'm the Chef Too!, we believe that learning should be as delightful and engaging as a perfectly baked cookie. Our mission is to blend food, STEM, and the arts into one-of-a-kind experiences, sparking curiosity and creativity in children. Just as our cooking adventures teach complex subjects through tangible, delicious projects, paper crafts offer a similar magic: they take simple materials and, through imagination and hands-on effort, transform them into something truly special. This summer, we're diving deep into the art of paper crafting, showcasing how these accessible activities are not just time-fillers, but powerful tools for fostering critical skills, nurturing creativity, and building beautiful family memories. Get ready to cut, fold, glue, and discover a summer bursting with colorful paper possibilities!

The Unsung Hero of Summer Fun: Why Paper Crafts?

When you think of summer activities, elaborate trips and costly camps might come to mind. While those are certainly wonderful, there's an inherent charm and practicality to paper crafts that makes them an ideal choice for the sunny months. They are, in many ways, the unsung heroes of screen-free engagement.

Simplicity & Accessibility at its Best: One of the greatest advantages of paper crafts is their sheer accessibility. Most projects require only a few basic supplies: paper (construction paper, printer paper, cardstock, even recycled newspaper or magazines), scissors, and glue. Chances are, you already have these items tucked away in a drawer! This eliminates the need for special trips to the store or expensive outlays, making creative exploration achievable for every family. The ease of gathering materials means less stress for parents and more spontaneous fun for kids.

Versatility for Every Age and Interest: From toddlers fascinated by tearing paper to older children mastering intricate origami, paper crafts offer a spectrum of complexity. They can be adapted to almost any age group and cater to diverse interests. Does your child love animals? There’s a paper craft for that. Are they fascinated by space? An edible solar system with our Galaxy Donut Kit or a paper rocket awaits! The simple act of folding, cutting, or gluing paper opens up a world of possibilities, from flat, decorative pieces to three-dimensional structures.

Perfectly Portable for Summer Adventures: Summer often means travel – whether it's a road trip to visit grandparents, a picnic in the park, or just an afternoon in the backyard. Paper crafts are wonderfully portable. A small bag with paper, kid-safe scissors, and a glue stick can be taken almost anywhere. This makes them an excellent solution for keeping little hands busy and minds engaged during downtime, ensuring that learning and creativity don't stop just because you're away from home.

A Powerful Screen-Free Alternative: In an age dominated by digital screens, finding engaging, hands-on activities is more important than ever. Paper crafts provide a refreshing break from tablets and TVs, offering tangible experiences that stimulate different parts of a child's brain. This aligns perfectly with I'm the Chef Too!'s commitment to providing screen-free educational alternatives. We believe in the power of direct interaction with materials, fostering a deeper connection to the learning process.

Budget-Friendly Fun that Lasts: Beyond the initial cost of basic supplies, paper crafts are incredibly economical. Many projects can even utilize recycled materials, promoting an eco-conscious mindset. The crafts themselves often result in keepsakes, decorations, or toys that provide continued enjoyment, offering lasting value beyond the crafting session.

Ready to infuse your summer with endless creativity and learning, delivered right to your doorstep? Join The Chef's Club today and receive a new, exciting "edutainment" adventure every month, complete with pre-measured dry ingredients and specialty supplies!

Igniting Curiosity: The STEM & Arts Behind Paper Crafts

At I'm the Chef Too!, we're not just about fun; we're about sparking curiosity and developing essential skills through engaging activities. Paper crafts are surprisingly rich in educational potential, touching upon various disciplines within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and the Arts. When children engage in paper crafting, they’re not just making something pretty; they're experimenting, problem-solving, and developing crucial cognitive and physical abilities.

The Science of Paper

• Material Science: Children learn about the properties of paper itself – how it tears, folds, creases, absorbs color, and reacts to water or glue. They observe its tensile strength (how much it can withstand before tearing) and its flexibility.
• Chemical Reactions (Simple): The act of gluing involves a basic chemical reaction as the adhesive dries and bonds the paper fibers. Discussing why glue sticks or liquid glue works differently can introduce simple chemistry concepts.
• Light & Optics: When creating paper suncatchers or stained-glass designs with tissue paper, children observe how light interacts with translucent materials, creating colors and patterns.

Engineering in Every Fold and Cut

• Structural Integrity: Making 3D shapes, boxes, or even paper airplanes teaches fundamental engineering principles. Children experiment with folds, creases, and supports to make structures strong and stable. How can they make a paper bridge hold more weight? This directly relates to the engineering challenges we might encounter when building a castle out of cupcakes, for example!
• Design & Problem Solving: Following instructions to build a paper model or designing their own requires spatial reasoning and problem-solving. If a paper hat doesn't fit, what adjustments need to be made? This iterative design process is at the heart of engineering.
• Mechanisms: Pop-up cards or paper puppets introduce basic mechanical concepts like levers and pivots, showing how simple movements can create dynamic effects.

Mathematical Foundations

• Geometry & Symmetry: Folding paper naturally introduces concepts of shapes (squares, triangles, rectangles), lines, and angles. Creating symmetrical designs, like snowflakes or mandalas, reinforces understanding of reflective symmetry.
• Measurement & Proportions: Cutting strips of a certain length, or dividing a paper circle into equal parts for a mobile, involves practical application of measurement and fractions.
• Pattern Recognition: Weaving paper strips or creating paper chains helps children recognize, create, and extend patterns, a foundational mathematical skill.

The Richness of Art

• Color Theory & Design: Choosing colors for a mosaic, decorating a paper mask, or experimenting with patterns for a paper collage allows children to explore color theory, contrast, and visual design principles.
• Fine Motor Skills & Dexterity: The precise actions of cutting with scissors, gluing small pieces, folding accurately, and drawing detailed designs are invaluable for developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and finger strength. These skills are transferable to so many areas, from writing to playing musical instruments – and of course, careful mixing and decorating in the kitchen!
• Creativity & Self-Expression: Perhaps the most obvious, paper crafts provide an open canvas for imagination. Children can express their unique ideas, tell stories through their creations, and develop their artistic voice. There's no single "right" way to make a paper flower or decorate a dinosaur hat, allowing for individual flair.

Beyond STEM & Arts: Crucial Life Skills

• Patience & Focus: Completing a multi-step craft requires sustained attention and patience, especially for more intricate projects like paper quilling.
• Following Instructions: Many crafts come with step-by-step guides, teaching children the importance of careful listening and sequential thinking.
• Adaptability & Resourcefulness: What happens if you don't have the exact color paper? Children learn to adapt and use available resources, fostering creative problem-solving.
• Family Bonding: Working on a paper craft together creates shared experiences, encourages communication, and strengthens family connections – a core value we cherish at I'm the Chef Too! These moments are about more than just the craft; they're about the laughter, the learning, and the memories made together.

These valuable skills are not just theory; they are put into practice with every snip, fold, and glue application. This holistic approach to learning is what makes paper crafts, much like our I'm the Chef Too! kits, such a powerful educational tool.

Our Favorite Summer Paper Crafts for Kids (with STEM & Arts Connections)

Summer is the perfect time to explore a diverse range of paper crafts. We've curated a list of our favorites, highlighting their engaging nature and the wonderful educational benefits they offer.

Simple & Sweet Starters (Toddler & Preschooler Friendly)

These crafts are perfect for little hands, focusing on basic motor skills, color recognition, and imaginative play.

• Paper Chain Creations:
  • Activity: Cut strips of colorful paper, form them into loops, and link them together to create long chains. These can be hung as decorations, draped across a room, or even used as countdown chains for a special summer event.
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Math: Pattern recognition (e.g., red-blue-red-blue), counting the number of links, comparing lengths.
    • Fine Motor: Cutting strips (if old enough), gluing or stapling loops, linking dexterity.
    • Art: Color choice, creating long, flowing forms.
  • Summer Twist: Make a rainbow chain to celebrate sunny days, or a long "snake" to slither across the floor, perhaps inspired by a trip to the zoo!
• Handprint & Footprint Art:
  • Activity: Trace your child's hands or feet on colorful paper, cut them out, and transform them into fun summer-themed creatures or scenes. Handprints can become butterfly wings, crab claws, or even sun rays. Footprints can be fish or ice cream cones.
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Biology/Anatomy: Learning about their own body parts, understanding scale.
    • Fine Motor: Tracing (improves pencil grip), cutting.
    • Art: Self-expression, using prints as a foundation for creative designs.
  • Summer Twist: Create a "Handprint Ocean" with blue paper for water, handprint crabs, and fish. Or a bright yellow handprint sun!
• Paper Plate Transformations:
  • Activity: Paper plates are surprisingly versatile! They can be painted, cut, folded, and adorned to become masks, animals, frisbees, or even simple handheld fans for a hot day.
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Art: Painting, drawing, collage, exploring textures.
    • Engineering: Folding and cutting to create 3D effects (e.g., cutting a spiral to make a spinning mobile).
    • Imaginative Play: Encourages storytelling when creating masks or characters.
  • Summer Twist: Make paper plate jellyfish, sun masks, or decorate them as colorful fruits for a pretend summer picnic.
• Torn Paper Mosaics:
  • Activity: Instead of cutting, children tear small pieces of colored paper and glue them onto a template or blank paper to create a mosaic effect.
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Fine Motor: Tearing paper strengthens hand muscles and develops tactile awareness.
    • Art: Color blending, understanding how small pieces form a larger image, texture.
    • Pattern: Arranging torn pieces to fill a space.
  • Summer Twist: Create torn paper watermelons with red/pink, white, and green paper, or ocean scenes with blue, green, and white torn paper to represent waves and foam.

These simple yet engaging activities are perfect for sparking early creativity and developing fundamental skills. For a continuous flow of innovative activities that blend hands-on fun with learning, remember to Join The Chef's Club! Our monthly boxes deliver unique "edutainment" experiences directly to your door, offering a new adventure every time.

Folding & Sculpting Adventures (Ages 5+)

As children grow, they can tackle more complex paper crafts that introduce concepts of three-dimensionality, precision, and spatial reasoning.

• Origami Fun:
  • Activity: The ancient Japanese art of paper folding offers endless possibilities. Simple origami designs like boats, animals (cranes, butterflies), or even modular shapes can be incredibly rewarding.
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Math: Geometry (understanding angles, symmetrical folds, dividing paper), spatial reasoning, sequencing.
    • Engineering: Precision folding, understanding how flat paper transforms into 3D forms.
    • Patience & Focus: Requires careful attention to detail and following sequential steps.
  • Summer Twist: Fold paper boats to float in a puddle or a small tub of water, or create origami flowers to decorate a summer party table.
• 3D Paper Sculptures:
  • Activity: Go beyond flat pictures by cutting, folding, and gluing paper to create three-dimensional objects. Think paper ice cream cones, fruit bowls, or simple architectural models. Tabs and slots can add to the structural challenge.
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Engineering: Designing stable structures, understanding weight distribution, problem-solving when a piece doesn't fit.
    • Math: Spatial awareness, understanding volume, measuring cuts for accurate assembly.
    • Art: Visualizing in 3D, creating form and depth.
  • Summer Twist: Craft a bustling paper city scene or a miniature summer carnival tent.
• Paper Loop & Coil Critters:
  • Activity: Create animals or decorative elements by cutting paper into strips, forming them into loops or coils, and then assembling them. Think caterpillars made of connected loops, or coiled paper snails.
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Fine Motor: Cutting strips, carefully forming and gluing loops/coils.
    • Observation: Translating real-world animals into abstract paper forms.
    • Art: Exploring texture and form with looped paper, creating expressive details.
  • Summer Twist: Create a "very hungry caterpillar" using green loops, or a colorful paper snake slithering through construction paper grass.

Looking for even more hands-on fun, but prefer to choose your own adventure? Explore our full library of adventure kits available for a single purchase in our shop. From culinary concoctions to scientific explorations, there's a unique experience waiting for every child!

Weaving & Quilling Wonders (Older Kids & Patience Builders)

These crafts often require a bit more precision and patience, making them ideal for older children or those ready for a focused challenge.

• Paper Weaving:
  • Activity: Cut a base paper with parallel slits, then weave strips of different colored paper over and under the slits to create intricate patterns. This can be used to make placemats, baskets, or decorative art.
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Math: Pattern recognition (over-under, alternating colors), spatial reasoning, counting.
    • Fine Motor: Precision cutting and weaving, improving dexterity.
    • Art: Color interaction, creating texture and visual interest.
  • Summer Twist: Weave a "rainbow fish" with shiny paper strips, or colorful placemats for a summer outdoor meal.
• Paper Quilling:
  • Activity: This art form involves rolling thin strips of paper into coils, scrolls, and shapes, then gluing them onto a surface to create intricate designs. While it looks complex, there are many beginner-friendly patterns.
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Patience & Precision: Requires careful rolling and gluing, fostering concentration.
    • Fine Motor: Excellent for developing fine motor control and delicate manipulation.
    • Art: Designing intricate patterns, understanding positive and negative space, creating texture.
  • Summer Twist: Quill colorful flowers, abstract sunbursts, or delicate butterflies to decorate cards or framed art.

To ensure your child's continuous growth and a steady stream of creative, educational, and delicious adventures, we encourage you to Join The Chef's Club! With our flexible 3, 6, and 12-month pre-paid plans, a new "edutainment" experience is delivered to your door every month, making it perfect for ongoing enrichment or a thoughtful gift.

Playful Paper Innovations (Interactive & Imaginative)

These crafts encourage storytelling, role-playing, and an understanding of simple physics.

• Paper Puppets (Stick & Finger):
  • Activity: Draw and cut out characters from paper, then attach them to craft sticks for stick puppets or create small loops for finger puppets. Put on a show!
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Storytelling: Develops narrative skills and imaginative play.
    • Fine Motor: Cutting, gluing, drawing details.
    • Art: Character design, costume elements.
  • Summer Twist: Create a cast of ocean creatures for an underwater adventure puppet show, or characters inspired by summer vacation destinations. Even beloved characters can make learning fun, like when kids make Peppa Pig Muddy Puddle Cookie Pies – combining a favorite character with a baking adventure!
• Paper Spinners & Helicopters:
  • Activity: Simple paper designs can be engineered to spin or helicopter when dropped. This involves careful cutting and folding to create aerodynamic properties.
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Physics: Experimenting with air resistance, gravity, and rotation.
    • Engineering Design: Understanding how shape affects movement, iterative design (testing and modifying).
    • Observation: Watching how different designs behave.
  • Summer Twist: Decorate spinners with bright summer colors or patterns, then drop them from a high point outdoors.
• DIY Paper Hats & Crowns:
  • Activity: From simple folded paper crowns to more elaborate hats with visors or decorative elements, these crafts encourage personal design and role-playing.
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Art & Design: Decorating, choosing colors, adding embellishments.
    • Engineering: Measuring to fit, creating stable structures that stay on the head.
    • Imaginative Play: Enhances dress-up and pretend scenarios.
  • Summer Twist: Make "royal" crowns for a summer garden party or pirate hats for a backyard treasure hunt.
• Paper Suncatchers (Tissue Paper & Cut-outs):
  • Activity: Use tissue paper cut into shapes, or intricate paper cut-outs, to create designs that catch the light when hung in a window.
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Light Properties: Observing how light passes through and illuminates translucent materials.
    • Color Mixing: Overlapping tissue paper can create new colors.
    • Art: Design composition, exploring transparency, creating vibrant window art.
  • Summer Twist: Design suncatchers in the shape of suns, ice cream cones, or summer flowers.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Paper Craft Ideas

For those ready to push the boundaries of paper, these projects offer more complex challenges.

• Paper Mache Creations:
  • Activity: While messy, paper mache is a classic that involves layering strips of paper soaked in a glue-water mixture over a form (like a balloon or crumpled paper) to create solid, sculptural objects.
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Engineering: Building structure, understanding how layers create strength.
    • Patience: Requires multiple drying stages.
    • Art: Sculpting, texturing, painting.
  • Summer Twist: Create a paper mache globe for exploring geography or a large, colorful fruit for decoration.
• Pop-Up Cards & Books:
  • Activity: Learn the mechanics of pop-ups to create dynamic greeting cards or even simple storybooks with moving elements.
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Engineering: Designing simple machines (levers, pivots, parallel folds) to create movement.
    • Math: Precision cutting and folding for accurate mechanisms.
    • Storytelling: Using pop-ups to enhance narratives.
  • Summer Twist: Design a pop-up card featuring a beach scene or a summer camp adventure.
• Paper Marbling:
  • Activity: Experiment with floating paints on a liquid surface and then transferring the patterns onto paper. This is a fascinating blend of art and science.
  • STEM & Arts:
    • Chemistry/Physics: Observing how oil-based paints float on water (or other mediums), surface tension, pattern creation.
    • Art: Creating unique, abstract designs, color blending.
    • Experimentation: Understanding how different techniques affect the outcome.
  • Summer Twist: Use marbled paper to create unique greeting cards or book covers for summer journals. Just like how we create a chemical reaction that makes our Erupting Volcano Cakes bubble over with deliciousness, paper marbling involves observable scientific principles!

I'm the Chef Too! and the Art of "Edutainment"

At I'm the Chef Too!, our mission is deeply rooted in the belief that education should be an adventure. We blend the tangible joy of food with the critical thinking of STEM and the boundless expression of the arts, creating unique "edutainment" experiences that captivate young minds. Paper crafts align perfectly with our philosophy, offering another fantastic avenue to spark curiosity, foster creativity, and facilitate invaluable family bonding – all while keeping screens at bay.

Our unique approach, developed by mothers and educators, focuses on teaching complex subjects through hands-on, tangible activities. Whether it's exploring fractions by dividing cookie dough or understanding chemical reactions through a fizzy drink experiment, we make learning delicious and memorable. Similarly, paper crafts provide that same direct, immersive experience. They encourage children to think with their hands, to problem-solve in real-time, and to see the direct results of their efforts.

We empower children to become "Junior Chefs" and "Little Scientists," and paper crafts complement this beautifully. The precision required for origami, the structural thinking behind a 3D paper sculpture, the artistic expression in a collage – these are all skills that translate across various learning domains. They build confidence, develop critical thinking, and nurture a lifelong love for exploration. Just as our kits arrive with everything you need for a culinary STEM journey, paper crafts allow for immediate, low-barrier entry into a world of creative discovery.

Tips for a Successful Summer Crafting Session

To make your summer paper crafting sessions as enjoyable and enriching as possible, here are a few practical tips:

1. Gather Materials in Advance: Nothing stifles creative flow like having to search for scissors mid-project. Set out all the necessary paper, glue, scissors, markers, and any embellishments before you begin.
2. Set Up a Dedicated (and Protected) Space: Designate an area for crafting, whether it's the kitchen table, a spot on the floor, or an outdoor picnic table. Lay down a tablecloth, old newspaper, or a craft mat to protect surfaces from glue or paint.
3. Embrace the Mess (Within Reason!): Crafting with kids is inherently messy, and that's part of the fun! Encourage exploration without fear of perfection. A little mess indicates active engagement and experimentation.
4. Focus on the Process, Not Just the Product: While the end result is rewarding, emphasize the joy of creation, the learning that happens along the way, and the effort put in. Celebrate their attempts and discoveries, even if the final craft isn't "perfect." This builds resilience and a love for learning.
5. Encourage Individuality: Provide guidelines but allow children the freedom to personalize their crafts. If everyone is making paper flowers, let each child choose their own colors, shapes, and embellishments.
6. Prioritize Safety First: Always supervise children, especially when using scissors or craft knives. Teach them how to use tools properly and store them safely.
7. Store Creations Thoughtfully: Have a designated spot to display or store finished crafts. This shows children that their efforts are valued and gives them a sense of accomplishment.

Making crafting a regular part of your summer routine can be effortless. If you're looking for curated, exciting activities that take the guesswork out of planning, remember that you can always browse our complete collection of one-time kits to find the perfect theme for your little learner and jump right into a new adventure.

Conclusion

As the warm days of summer unfold, the desire for engaging, enriching, and screen-free activities becomes paramount for families. Summer paper crafts for kids offer a simple yet profound solution, transforming basic materials into powerful tools for learning, creativity, and connection. From strengthening fine motor skills and grasping geometric principles to fostering imaginative play and problem-solving, paper crafts are a treasure trove of "edutainment" waiting to be explored. They embody our core philosophy at I'm the Chef Too!: that the most impactful learning happens when children are actively involved, curious, and having a blast.

So, this summer, gather your paper, scissors, and glue, and embark on a colorful journey of discovery. Whether you're folding intricate origami, weaving vibrant patterns, or constructing imaginative 3D sculptures, you'll be building more than just crafts – you'll be building confidence, fostering a love for learning, and creating cherished family memories.

Ready to make every month an adventure in learning and delicious discovery? Join The Chef's Club today! Enjoy the convenience of a new, unique STEM cooking kit delivered right to your door every month with free shipping in the US. Choose from our flexible 3, 6, or 12-month pre-paid plans, and give the gift of ongoing educational fun that sparks curiosity and creativity all year long.

FAQ: Summer Paper Crafts for Kids

Q1: What are the best paper crafts for toddlers and preschoolers?

For toddlers and preschoolers, focus on crafts that emphasize tearing, gluing large pieces, simple folds, and tracing. Good options include torn paper mosaics (like a watermelon or ocean scene), handprint and footprint art (butterflies, crabs), simple paper chains, and decorating paper plates (as masks or animals). These activities help develop fine motor skills and introduce basic concepts like color and shape in a fun, accessible way.

Q2: What basic supplies do I need for most paper crafts?

You typically need very few supplies to get started! The essentials include:

• Paper: Construction paper, printer paper, cardstock, or even recycled materials like newspaper and magazines.
• Scissors: Kid-safe scissors for younger children.
• Glue: A glue stick for less mess, or white school glue for stronger bonds.
• Coloring tools: Crayons, markers, or colored pencils for decorating. Optional additions include glitter, googly eyes, stickers, rulers, and craft punches for added flair.

Q3: How can paper crafts teach STEM?

Paper crafts are a fantastic, hands-on way to teach STEM concepts. Children can learn Math through geometry (folding shapes, symmetry, patterns), measurement, and counting. Engineering is evident in building 3D structures, understanding stability, and designing pop-up mechanisms. Science comes into play when observing paper properties, light interaction (suncatchers), or even simple chemical reactions with glue drying. While Technology might be less direct, using templates or digital designs for inspiration touches on its principles. They teach critical thinking, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning in a tangible way.

Q4: Are paper crafts sustainable or eco-friendly?

Yes, they can be very sustainable! Many paper crafts can utilize recycled materials such as old newspapers, magazines, junk mail, cardboard boxes, or even used gift wrap. This teaches children about repurposing and reducing waste. Choosing paper from sustainable sources (FSC-certified) and using non-toxic glues and paints further enhances their eco-friendliness. Focusing on crafts that use minimal new resources is a great way to be environmentally conscious.

Q5: How can I make paper crafts more engaging for older kids?

For older children, increase the complexity and introduce more advanced techniques. Consider:

• Intricate Origami: More complex folds and models.
• Paper Quilling: Rolling thin strips into elaborate designs.
• 3D Paper Models: Architectural structures, scientific models, or detailed pop-up cards.
• Paper Weaving: Creating complex patterns or functional items like small baskets.
• Integrating Other Materials: Combining paper with string, beads, or found natural objects.
• Design Challenges: Give them a specific problem to solve (e.g., "build a paper bridge that can hold a toy car") to encourage engineering and creative problem-solving. Encourage research and planning before execution.