If you’re looking for a SUPER easy way to jazz up afternoon snack time, try building apple towers! It’s a fun STEM building challenge that will get kids thinking creatively and learning through play.
As my boys get older, I find myself looking for ways to draw everyone together for quality family time. We’re not home together all day long the way we were when they were toddlers, so lately I’ve been brainstorming ways to make the most of the time we DO have together.
This activity did just that!
A few days ago after school, rather than throwing out some apple slices and popcorn (one of our go-to after school snacks), I set up a really simple invitation to play using the same ingredients. It literally took thirty extra seconds to chop the apples into chunks instead of slices and grab the toothpicks from the cupboard.
I laid it out on the table, and waited for my boys to come home.
Then a little bit of magic happened.
Instead of just grabbing their snack after school and dashing off again, this set up made them linger.
“What IS this?” my oldest son asked.
I set the challenge for them to build a structure…anything really…using the supplies on the table. They dug right in. We talked as they built their apple towers, and as they worked I even got them to tell me a few details about their day!
It’s proof once again that simple is best. With almost no extra work, you can create the opportunity for your kids to learn, play, connect, and create.
Try building apple towers at your house and see what happens!
Apple Towers STEM Activity
What we’re learning:
- Problem-solving skills
- Fine motor skills
- Engineering principles
Materials needed:
- Apples (cut into chunks)
- Toothpicks
- Optional: popcorn or other edible “building” materials
How to play:
- Cut the apple into pieces and grab a handful of toothpicks.
- Set out the supplies & invite kids to build a structure using what is on the table.
- Let them experiment and build.
That’s it!
P.S. – If you want an amazing fruit dip to serve with your apples, try this Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip or this Caramel Cream Cheese Yogurt Dip.
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