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Quick and Easy Ancient Chinese Paper making for Kids

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love this quick and easy ancient China paper making activity. Also, look at my post Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History.

Did you know that the smooth white paper you write on everyday got its start in Ancient China right around 100 BC during the Han Dynasty?

Prior to the invention of paper as we know it there was papyrus and parchment  that people could write on, but it was expensive and very difficult to make.

In China expensive silk was also used but that was reserved for only the very wealthy.

That means that it was not readily available to everyone.

Did you know that the smooth white paper you write on everyday got its start in Ancient China? Your kids will love this quick and easy Ancient Chinese paper making activity. CLICK HERE to add this fun hands-on history project to your homeschool curriculum!

Its invention meant that people of all economic backgrounds could learn and write.

Because it absorbed ink, forgery was harder and it made carrying a book so much easier! Just a stack of paper sheets is much lighter than carrying a dozen hand chiseled tablets across town. Teachers had to be smart and strong!

Ancient China Paper Making

Plant fibers and rags were soaked in water until they became a pulpy mush then they were mashed and pressed onto screens in different sizes so that the water could drain off.

Once dry the paper was much lighter and easier to use than its heavier ancestor.

Since bamboo and other plant fibers are not as readily available to us as it was in 100 BC we are going to improvise with our own paper making and use supplies that we have on hand so that we can still get an idea of the paper making process.

Chinese Paper Making Activity

For this activity you will need:

  • newspaper
  • art paper or construction paper
  • water
  • Hardware screen/window screen
  • wood/frame
  • a blender
  • plastic tub
Ancient China Paper Making

You can buy paper making screens or you can make a simple one like we did here, by making a simple frame of wood scraps and stapling a square of hardware cloth to the back.

You could also do the same with a piece of window screen and the backside of a picture frame.

Tear your paper into smaller pieces, about 1” square.

Now we are going to hurry along our paper dissolving process by adding water and paper to a blender.

Ancient China Paper Making

Run the blender until you get a nice watery pulp, add water as needed to make sure it purees up well, you can’t have too much water as it will drip off. 

I used white drawing paper and one small piece of blue construction paper to get a very light blue shade.

In ancient China this process would have been done by a long soak of bark, hemp, bamboo, and other plant materials rather than a blender!

Ancient China Paper Making

Lay the frame in a tub large enough to hold it and pour the mixture from the blender onto the screen, flatten it out with your fingers so that it is as smooth as you can get it.

Chinese Paper Making Activity

The trick is to pour slowly and move it rather than pouring a giant pile in the center.

Ancient China Paper Making

Let most of the water drain off your screen until it is just a slow drip then carefully flip your screen to release the paper onto an absorbent surface, I used a sheet of craft felt for mine.

Ancient China Paper Making

Press a stack of several paper towels or napkins on top and press to absorb some of the water.

Place a block of wood on top and press or even stand on it to press it flat and squeeze more water out. Allow your paper to dry completely- it may take a day or two depending on how much water is left in your paper at this point as well as the humidity in your area.

Once your paper is completely dry you can trim it with scissors if you like to make it a more uniform shape. Still not flat enough?

Lay it under a couple of heavy books for a few days and it will be smooth and flat for your writing.

Ancient China Paper Making

Use a small paintbrush to paint a few basic Chinese characters as part of your studies.

Did you know that the smooth white paper you write on everyday got its start in Ancient China? Your kids will love this quick and easy Ancient Chinese paper making activity. CLICK HERE to add this fun hands-on history project to your homeschool curriculum!

Experiment with different types and colors of paper, brown paper bags make a nice parchment style paper, add a little color, and cut some into various shapes.

Ancient China Paper Making

More Ancient China Hands-on History Activities for Kids

Did you know that the smooth white paper you write on everyday got its start in Ancient China? Your kids will love this quick and easy Ancient Chinese paper making activity. CLICK HERE to add this fun hands-on history project to your homeschool curriculum!

Ancient China Paper Making Fun Facts

  • Paper making hasn’t changed much in all these years, basically the process is the same with new technologies and methods added in.
  • China tried to keep the art of paper making a secret but it eventually spread.
  • A Chinese government official, Ts’ ai  Lun, is credited with starting the paper making industry.
  • It was another 1000 years before paper making spread into other parts of Eurasia.
  • The original paper making was originally done with mainly hemp.
  • The oldest record of paper making that we have is dated 105 AD.
  • Combined with the invention of woodblock printing in 600 AD China was able to print its first newspaper in 740 AD.
  • How To Make Paper Look Old Craft With Kids
Ancient China Paper Making

You’ll love some of these other fun hands-on Ancient Civilization kids activities:

Hands-on Ancient Mesopotamia: Easy STEM Irrigation Activity

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, we’re doing a fun STEM irrigation in Ancient Mesopotamia activity. Also, look at my page Ancient Mesopotamia Fun Facts For Kids Who Love History for more hands-on history ideas.

The study of Mesopotamia is one of our middle school requirements

. I’ve been really surprised by how much fun we’ve been having studying about this time period.

I’m sure the STEM projects we have been including may have something to do with it! We have this next one ready which is an easy stem irrigation activity.

Ancient Mesopotamia STEM Irrigation Activity

With this project, kids learn how this ancient civilization invented a system to grow crops.

The most extraordinary thing about this is that we still use this system today.

Irrigation has been the main contributor in the development of agriculture.

If you are studying about erosion in science, this could also double as a great STEM project for science too. Hands-On Ancient Mesopotamia: STEM Irrigation System

About the Mesopotamians

In addition, Mesopotamia was a region situated along the Tigris-Euphrates River system located in Western Asia.

It’s where Kuwait, Iraq, sections of Saudi Arabia, the eastern sections of Syria, Southwestern Turkey, and parts of Turkish-Syrian and Iran-Iraq borders are today.

The name Mesopotamia means “between rivers.”

It’s said this was the center of culture and where the influence of agriculture began.

Agriculture changed the game for ancient people. Instead of hunting and gathering, tribes of people were beginning to settle down and form civilizations.

The Mesopotamians were the first to develop a written language and invented the wheel.

They also built ships to travel the Persian Gulf in order to trade with other civilizations.

In the center of their cities they constructed temples of the many gods they worshiped.

The anatomy of these structures would have involved thousands of workers and would have taken many years to construct.

More Ancient Mesopotamia Activities for Kids

Mesopotamia’s Engineering

In Southern Mesopotamia, the Sumerians built city walls and canals to prevent flooding.

The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers carried monstrous amounts of silt, resulting in fast rising rivers.

The irrigation system was of a basin type.

They would dig a hole in the embankment and then use mud to close it back up. Water was then lifted up using a swape, which is a pole acting as a lever.

Some of these canals may have been used for 1,000 years before they were left and others rebuilt.

Today, 3,000-4,000 years later, remains of the canals are still present.

To build your own Mesopotamia irrigation system you will need the following items:

  • a big baking pan
  • sand
  • cotton squares
  • water
  • pieces of wood/popsicle sticks
  • soil
  • green construction paper/green food coloring
  • sticks and leaves
  • monopoly houses
  • hot glue

Moreover, cover your table or do this outside. Have a trash can nearby, as this project tends to get messy.

Hands-On Ancient Mesopotamia: STEM Irrigation System

I was able to find many of these supplies around the house. The only thing I had to buy was a big bag of sand from Home Depot.

Mesopotamia Irrigation System

This is what makes this STEM project really affordable. Start by filling up one side of the baking pan with cotton squares.

This will help prevent your sand from eroding when you fill up the river with water.

The other side will be the river. Play around with the sand until it begins to look like a beach.

After you get the look you want, begin sectioning off where you want to place the fields of crops. This is where you’ll need the soil.

Also, plan out little sections to build homes or temples to represent the cities.

Additionally, you’ll love these super hands-on history resources from Home School in the Woods.

Hands-On Ancient Mesopotamia: STEM Irrigation System
Hands-On Ancient Mesopotamia: STEM Irrigation System
Hands-On Ancient Mesopotamia: STEM Irrigation System
Hands-On Ancient Mesopotamia: STEM Irrigation System
Hands-On Ancient Mesopotamia: STEM Irrigation System


Using green construction paper, or leaves, place your crops in the fields. You can dye some of your sand green to represent fields. Use the sticks and leaves to look like trees.

We used the hot glue gun to glue the leaves onto the sticks.

Move on now to build your canals.

Ancient Civilization Irrigation System

Begin digging trenches in between the fields with a ditch leading out towards your river. (You’ll fill in the river in just a bit!)

Now that your canals have been dug, you will need a gate to control how much water will be needed for your crops.

Furthermore, you can use popsicle sticks, pieces of wood, or sticks to build a gate to fit between the edges of your canal.

The gate will need to be able to open and close, and it will need to be water proof. We hot glued pieces of popsicle sticks together.

Once your gate is built, install it into your canal.

Pour water into your river with the gate shut. If the water leaks keep modifying your gate.

The river should not be released into the canals until the gate opens.

Begin digging trenches in between the fields with a ditch leading out towards your river. (You’ll fill in the river in just a bit!)

Now that your canals have been dug, you will need a gate to control how much water will be needed for your crops.

Use popsicle sticks, pieces of wood, or sticks to build a gate to fit between the edges of your canal.

The gate will need to be able to open and close, and it will need to be water proof. We hot glued pieces of popsicle sticks together.

Once your gate is built, install it into your canal. Pour water into your river with the gate shut. If the water leaks keep modifying your gate. The river should not be released into the canals until the gate opens.

Hands-on History for Kids

Next, search online for pictures of irrigation systems of Mesopotamia if you are stuck. I found an image to show my kids before I let them go.

They always surprise me with ways to build things that I never would have thought to do.

With this project, kids learn how this ancient civilization invented a system to grow crops. The most extraordinary thing about this is that we still use this system today! CLICK HERE to do this Ancient Mesopotamia Kids Hands-on History and STEM Irrigation Activity!

These ancient people were truly remarkable. I love being able to build small replicas of engineering systems so the kids can understand how they work.

Not only does it improve their comprehension of what is being read, it also improves their critical thinking as they try to build what they read!

You’ll love these other activities:

100 Easy Ways Kids Can Fight Boredom & Celebrate Childhood

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

“I’m bored!” Two infamous words that make every parent cringe. It’s frustrating to hear our kids complain about having nothing to do. We immediately feel resentful and turn into our own parents hollering the phrases we swore we’d never say ourselves. How can you possibly be bored?! I’ll give you something to do!  Anybody else guilty of this?

I’ve rounded up 100 easy ways kids can fight boredom and celebrate childhood. We live in a world where our kids don’t know how to be bored. Having minimal activity is so underwhelming they just give up altogether. I’ve noticed this all or nothing attitude from my own kids and some days it makes me crazy. If our kids aren’t stimulated on a superpower level they don’t feel stimulated at all. Sigh…

Now more than ever our kids are having to learn how to be “bored”. For lack of a better word. As much as I want to throw some chores and school work their way when my kids complain about being bored, I’m trying to respond in a way that gets me the results I really want.

One thing that doesn’t work for me is getting an attitude. Believe me, I know. This is the tactic I’ve used a thousand times, but for some reason, it doesn’t help. Go figure?

They’ve also never willingly taken me up on my offer to have them do chores. Yeah, yeah. They get the point, but they also don’t find anything productive to do.100 Easy Ways Kids Can Fight Boredom & Celebrate Childhood. "I'm bored!" Two infamous words that make every parent cringe. It's frustrating to hear our kids complain about having nothing to do. We immediately feel resentful and turn into our own parents hollering the phrases we swore we'd never say ourselves. How can you possibly be bored?! I'll give you something to do! Anybody else guilty of this? CLICK HERE to grab these AWESOME 100 Easy Ways Kids Can Fight Boredom!

3 Simple Strategies for Responding to Bored Kids

Humor

“I’m bored.”

“I’m Mom. Nice to meet you.”

They hate it, but they always laugh.

Fantasy

I love responding this way to my youngest. It works every time!

“Wouldn’t it be awesome if we had an activities planner? Like a life coach that keeps us from ever being bored?”

He eats it up.

Time

It’s hard to admit, but when my kids are complaining about being bored, they often crave time with me.

They aren’t going to admit this. Especially older kids! But? It never fails. If I take a few minutes to give them my attention, listen to what’s on their mind, or even offer to watch a short show, it makes a big difference.

It’s not always easy to deal with bored kids, but the next time your kiddos are looking for something to do see what happens if you respond in a new way. And if all else fails, here’s a mega list of chore-free ideas to help give them some direction.

100 Easy and Fun Activities For Bored Homeschooled Kids

Read a book. Look at 5 BEST Books to Create an Around the World Unit Study (and Hands-on Activities)
Go outside.
Make homemade sun catchers.
Draw a self-portrait.
Write a letter to a loved one. Even a short card, most grandparents delight to get.

Learn morse code.
Ride your bike.
Invent an app.
Make a stop motion video.
Go for a walk. Check out this fun Above and Below a Pond Unit Study. Something about exploring in water that most kids of any age can’t resist.

You’ll have to check out these fun and quick file folder games too. Great boredom busters!

Plant a tree.
Go on a scavenger hunt. Check out Hands-On Middle School Math: Everyday Math Scavenger Hunt (Printable) and Geoscavenge – A Rock and Mineral Hunt: Day 6 Hands-on Learning.
Try bird watching.
Do 10 jumping jacks.
Make a friendship bracelet.

Learn how to play chess.
Bake a cake.
Freeze something weird.
Make a homemade cat condo out of cardboard.
Play a game with your brother.

Take the dog for a walk.
Make an indoor fort with pillows and blankets.
Listen to music.
Have a dance party.
Learn to write in Japanese.

Build a Viking Ship.
Do 10 push-ups.
Make slime.
Jump rope.
Record a funny video.

Be sure to check out Ellen McHenry’s Basement Workshop for lots of hands-on activities and free ones too.

The Basement Workshop Store

Make homemade ice-cream.
Sell old games and figures on eBay.
Paint a picture.
Make a birdfeeder.
Write a story.

Take your fingerprints.
Make a collage of all your favorite pictures.
Rearrange your bedroom.
Make rock candy.
Do 15 squats.

Play a board game.
Watch a movie.
Make a list of things you like about yourself.
Learn to play an instrument.
Do an easy hands-on history activity.

Create a vision board.
Try learning sign language.
Learn to crochet.
Do 5 yoga poses.
Go for a run around the block.

Make edible rocks.
Cook dinner for your family.
Collect garbage around the neighborhood.
Learn to crochet.
Do 20 sit-ups.
Destination Switzerland CASE OF ADVENTURE
Make a timeline of your life.
Find a service project.
Call a grandparent.
Play “I Spy”.
Collect leaves for crafts.

Use a metal detector in your backyard.
Do a handstand.
Look at leaves under a microscope.
Learn a foreign language.
Have a lemonade or hot cocoa stand.

Make a time capsule and bury it in the backyard.
Pack a bag of old toys to donate.
Make a message in a bottle.
Build a tent with bed sheets.
Make a costume. Check out my post Bring History To Life With Historical Costumes: Fun, Fashion and Unforgettable.

Art classes help too.

Interview a grandparent.
Do 24 lunges (12 on each leg).
Offer to help a neighbor.
Cook a dish from a different country.
Design an outfit.

Make a list of places you want to visit.
Start a journal.
Try origami.
Bake cookies.
Make a flip book.

Learn about the human body.
Take a personality quiz.
Do a science experiment.
Plank for one minute.
Go outside and take some pictures of nature.

Learn how to tie knots.
Write a list of countries you want to visit.
Make a family tree.
Create a sculpture with found objects.
Do 25 jumping jacks.

Create a product.
Research your dream job.
Make oobleck.
Bake bread.
Create a “dream” Amazon wish list.

Make mixed media flower art.
Do a backbend.
Collect canned good to donate to a food pantry.
Memorize the state capitals.
Make a diorama of a scene from your favorite book.

Even though it can be frustrating, sometimes I think our kids just genuinely don’t know what to do with themselves. In our fast-paced, technology-filled society, they are looking for that constant flow of information. I don’t have all the answers, but a fresh list of ideas is always helpful!100 Easy Ways Kids Can Fight Boredom & Celebrate Childhood. "I'm bored!" Two infamous words that make every parent cringe. It's frustrating to hear our kids complain about having nothing to do. We immediately feel resentful and turn into our own parents hollering the phrases we swore we'd never say ourselves. How can you possibly be bored?! I'll give you something to do! Anybody else guilty of this? CLICK HERE to grab these AWESOME 100 Easy Ways Kids Can Fight Boredom!

You’ll also love these other ideas:

How do you deal with bored kids?

Hugs and love ya,

 

Hands-on Ancient Babylon: Hanging Gardens Fun Activity

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Known as one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were thought to have been a showpiece in the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and built by King Nebuchadnezzar.

Also, look at my page Ancient Mesopotamia Fun Facts For Kids Who Love History for more hands-on history ideas.

But there is some debate among scholars if it really even existed or it was just a fable or who actually built it.

Hands-on Ancient Babylon: Hanging Gardens Fun Activity

While some historians believe that the gardens towered hundreds of feet in the air while others believe it was much smaller, there is also some debate on just exactly where the gardens were located.

It is said that the gardens were built to help Nebuchadnezzar’s wife Amytis get over her homesickness.

She was from a region that was green and mountainous and very much unlike the flat land of Mesopotamia. Again, there is some disagreement here.

Some believe that the queen Sammu-ramat who ruled after Nebuchadnezzar was responsible for the gardens instead.

They were built with layered platforms of stone and filled with trees, hanging plants, and flowers.

The gardens are thought to have disappeared during an earthquake and we do not have any physical confirmed evidence of their existence but there are varied accounts of them throughout history and foundation vaults and chambers were located near the palace by archeologists that could support their location.

This is a great hands-on project for children from middle elementary up through high school and can be done while you read about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It can be made as simple or as elaborate a project as you wish.

To make your own Hanging Gardens of Babylon you will need the following items:

Hands-on Ancient Babylon Hanging Gardens of Babylon

  • A floral foam block
  • Cream or tan craft paint
  • Play sand
  • Tools-wooden skewer, spoon, wooden craft sticks,etc..
  • Small silk flowers, real flower cuttings, greenery
  • Tacky craft glue
  • Knife/cutting board
  • Paint brush

I was able to pick up all of our items at our local Dollar Tree and some we had on hand with plenty of leftovers for another project. This makes it a really inexpensive way to get some hands-on learning.Hands-on Ancient Babylon: Hanging Garden Fun Activity 1 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Start by cutting floral foam block into 3 pieces of graduating size, so that your layers when stacked leave a ledge on each one.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon Hands-on History

For little ones you can let them cut their own foam with a wooden craft stick or even a plastic knife (the foam is soft and easy to work with). Press a skewer down through the center to secure them together. We will trim it later.

It is very simple to add foam pieces together and make this project as large as you like. We stuck with a small tabletop version so that everyone could make their own to enjoy looking at.Hands-on Ancient Babylon: Hanging Garden Fun Activity 2 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plu

Search for photos of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon online to use as a reference and leave it open as your child works.

We looked up several sites to get a clear picture of what they are believed to have looked like.

Use your tools to carve out windows, doors, columns, steps, etc. in the foam, this is a great medium for carving. Our preferred tool was a wooden skewer because it gives great detail.

Hands-on Ancient Babylon: Hanging Garden Fun Activity 3 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plu

Brush away any excess foam in your carving with a soft paint brush to give it clean sharp lines. If you use something too stiff it will wear away more of your foam.

You could also blow it clean with canned air if you like.

Hands-on Ancient Babylon: Hanging Garden Fun Activity 4 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plu

Mix cream or tan craft paint with a couple teaspoons of play sand. We are going to create a texture that is similar to bricks or stone on our tower.

Hands-on History: Ancient Civilizations

Paint your structure all over, be sure to get some inside your carved areas. Allow to dry for 2- 3 hours, or until completely dry to the touch.

Hands-on Ancient Babylon: Hanging Garden Fun Activity 5 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plu

Place on a plate or other flat surface in a small bed of play sand. Lift up your top most layer and snip off the skewer, leaving enough that the top piece remains secured.

Hands-on Ancient Babylon: Hanging Garden Fun Activity 6 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plu

Begin decorating by laying moss all over the levels, letting it hang down randomly and securing with glue as you go.

Press the plastic end of small flowers, greenery, and even small pieces of aquarium plants into the foam to make your gardens lush and exotic looking.

Secure your plants with glue if you feel like they need a little more anchoring.

Imagine the beauty that must have been there as they walked throughout the various levels, the exotic scents and sounds.

Also, I wanted to let you know about this. If you’re looking for more hands-on history, we love using Home School in the Woods.

Hands-on Ancient Babylon: Hanging Garden Fun Activity @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plu

We added a few blue pebbles at the bottom for water.

This is an ideal time to talk about the watering system they were believed to have used on the gardens- a series of waterways to deliver water to the top that then cascaded downwards, very similar to Archimedes Screw.

Hands-on Ancient Babylon: Hanging Gardens Fun Activity

You’ll love these other hands-on Ancient Civilizations fun activities:

Hands-on Ancient Babylon Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Known as one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, were thought to have been a showpiece in the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and built by King Nebuchadnezzar. CLICK HERE to build this hands-on fun kid’s activity!!
Hands-on Ancient Babylon Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Known as one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, were thought to have been a showpiece in the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and built by King Nebuchadnezzar. CLICK HERE to build this hands-on fun kid’s activity!!

STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, we’re making an Ancient Viking ship. Also, look at my page more Vikings Lapbook Unit Study. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

We’ve been learning so much about early explorers such as the Vikings.

From reading fun books to STEM projects, this Viking Unit gave us a vast insight to where exploration began and helped set the stage for the Age of Exploration.

Studying the Vikings is not a standard that is mandated by our state, but I still wanted the kids to be interested in these explorers who were instrumental in changing the world.

There are many options for studying about the Vikings, but my love for hands-on learning drove me to find STEM projects to keep my engineering minded kids engaged.

Ancient Viking Ships

Since geography and map skills are important standards to be covered, I made sure to include map activities as well.

I decided to begin our history journey with the Vikings this year, and was able to create a fun, engaging unit in the process!

First, look at some of our favorite books about Vikings.

12 Viking Resources & Books for Multiple Ages

Grab some of these books and resources for multiple ages about Vikings.

Hands-On Viking Unit: Geography

To do this activity you will need the following materials:

  • books about the Vikings (“You Wouldn’t Want to be a Viking Explorer”, “National Geographic Kids Everything Vikings”, Viking (DK Eyewitness Books))
  • blue poster board
  • reference map of the Viking routes
  • pencil
  • black fine tipped marker
  • orange/red/green paint
  • viking ship pattern

You also may want to have something to cover your table during this project.

I like to use Rosen paper from Home Depot. It’s durable enough to withhold spills and can be reused for other art projects.

STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship 1 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship 2 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship 3 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Using a pencil in case of mistakes, we drew out the shapes of the countries onto the blue poster board. When we were satisfied with our outline, we went over it with the black tipped marker.

We then painted the countries to represent the Viking’s homeland and their settlements.

We made a map key and labeled each country

You’ll love this idea too for studying around the world using picture books.

To get some writing into this activity, I had the kids write down some facts about the Vikings on ship templates.  Then we glued them around the poster board.

Because I have engineering minded kids, it’s really hard to not do a whole unit without a STEM project.

To tie a little science into this history unit, we also completed a Viking Ship STEM challenge.

An important aspect to this challenge is researching the history and the anatomy of a Viking ship.

It was important for the kids to realize how the environment and the purpose of the ships affected the way they were designed.

Not only were Vikings barbaric warriors, they also had a mind for engineering.

They truly understood how to mold their engineering designs to fit their need of plundering, raiding and invading their neighbors!

Their ships were such a great design that it’s still in use today!

Hands On Viking Unit: STEM

Hands-On Viking Unit: STEM and Geography

To do this activity you will need the following materials:

  • an image of the anatomy of a Viking ship (there are many resources on the internet.  Just google it.)
  • paper and pencil
  • ruler
  • 8 popsicle sticks
  • 2 straws
  • 1 piece of card stock
  • 2 strips of duct tape
  • stick of modeling clay
  • hot glue
  • scissors
  • markers or paint

The very first step of any type of STEM project should be the blueprint.

After researching and observing the design of a Viking ship, the kids determined how they could use the materials to build their own.

I made sure they drew out their ship, carefully labeling the materials they would use as the parts of their ships.

STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship 5 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship 6 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Next, the kids used the hot glue to build up the design of their ship.With the card stock, markers, straws, and modeling clay, the kids designed their own sails.

Because the Vikings didn’t have a lot of materials in which to choose, I made sure to limit the amount of materials available to build the ships.

The kids got very creative in designing. Another thing I really like to do with STEM projects is to let the kids come up with their own ideas and designs.

I only give hints or ideas when I see them becoming frustrated.

Hands-On Viking Unit: STEM and Geography

STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship 7 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

After building, the kids tested out their design.

This is a very important step and one of the most fun!

After careful observation, the kids could see what parts of their ship needed modification.

Also, you’ll love the hands-on ideas from Home School in the Woods.

Hands on Ancient Viking Ship | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Helpful Hints

  • To build the hull, use popsicle sticks and hot glue. Make the bow tall enough so water won’t submerge and sink the ship. The bow and stern should be the same height since Viking designed their ships to travel either way.
  • For the keel, use more popsicle sticks to create and place on the underside of the hull. This should run from bow to stern. The keel counteracts the side to side motion of the ship. Test in water before proceeding.
  • Use a straw and card stock to build a sail and mast. Use modeling clay to attach the mast to the hull.
  • Add ballast if the ship needs more weight. Small amounts of modeling clay works well.
  • Keep modifying! Use a hair dryer to test your ship during a storm. A rudder may be needed to keep the ship on course.
From reading fun books to STEM projects, this Viking Unit gave us a vast insight to where exploration began and helped set the stage for the Age of Exploration.

Look at these other awesome hands-on ideas for studying Ancient Civilizations: