Family Activity Kits
The Head Start on Engineering program focuses on creating fun engineering learning experiences for the whole family at home. Each family that participates gets a set of bilingual (Spanish/English) take-home activity kits that help engage children and adults in the engineering design process. Each activity focuses on a hands-on engineering design challenge and includes:
- A storybook or song selected to launch the activity and create an age-appropriate, imaginative design context for young children;
- Simple materials that can be easily reused, replaced, and supplemented; and
- A parent facilitation guide with instructions and extension ideas.
Click on the images below to learn more about each activity.
Baby Chick
Families build structures to keep a flock of baby chickens safe and cozy. This challenge is based on the song, Pollitos Dicen. The activity guide is available in Spanish, English, and Arabic here.
Fort Building
Families design and build a fort that is big enough for everyone to fit inside. This challenge is based on the book, Little Red Fort. The activity guide is available in Spanish and English here.
Taco Party
Families work together to plan a taco party for their friends and family and design a process for assembling the tacos. This activity is based on the book, How to Fold a Taco. The activity guide is available in Spanish and English here.
Mouse Run
Families use tubes and other household materials to help a “mouse” escape a cat, collect food, and get back to its family. This challenge is based on the book, How to Catch a Mouse. The activity guide is available in Spanish and English here.
Big Dog, Little Dog
Families collaborate to create beds and houses that are just the right size for stuffed doggies of different sizes. This challenge is based on the book, Big Dog, Little Dog. The activity guide is available in Spanish, English, and Arabic here.
The activity kits are designed for the whole family, including adults, preschool-age children, and other family members and friends. It’s easy to adapt and expand the activities to your own family’s needs and interests. The activity kits also provide a model for other family learning experiences—like finding new storybooks that inspire engineering design challenges using everyday materials around the house.