{"id":5929,"date":"2023-11-20T11:54:15","date_gmt":"2023-11-20T19:54:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/?p=5929"},"modified":"2026-05-19T09:53:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T16:53:34","slug":"stem-activity-for-kids-popsicle-stick-ferris-wheel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/activities\/stem-activity-for-kids-popsicle-stick-ferris-wheel\/5929","title":{"rendered":"Try This STEM Activity for Kids: Popsicle Stick Ferris Wheel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Try This STEM Activity for Kids: Popsicle Stick Ferris Wheel<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);line-height:1.5\">Welcome to a hands-on project that combines fun, learning, and a touch of engineering! This DIY Popsicle Stick Ferris Wheel project is perfect for young minds that are curious about STEM\u2013science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and uses just a few household supplies. For more STEM-related activities, check out our<a href=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/activities\/stem-activities-for-kids\/40979\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> 90+ stem activities for kids in preschool through first grade.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"STEM Activity for Kids: Popsicle Stick Ferris Wheel by ABCmouse.com\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bEN9qcnU6eI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group rounded-corners has-border-color has-background\" style=\"border-color:#2d56be;border-width:3px;background-color:#eff2ff\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong><strong><strong>What You\u2019ll Need to Create a Popsicle Stick Ferris Wheel:<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cardboard<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Popsicle sticks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A glue gun or white glue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Skewers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Instructions for Making Your Popsicle Stick Ferris Wheel:<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"63\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/BlueDot-Separator-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/BlueDot-Separator-4.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/BlueDot-Separator-4-300x18.png 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/BlueDot-Separator-4-768x47.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Step 1: <\/strong>Create the Base of the Wheels<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns aofl-figure-column-spacing is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">Start be deciding if you&#8217;ll make a one-wheel or two-wheel Ferris wheel. Take a piece of cardboard and, with a grown-up&#8217;s help, cut out on or two small, perfect circles depending on the number of Ferris wheels you&#8217;ll be making. Use the skewer to poke holes through the center of the cardboard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Screenshot-2024-02-22-at-1.56.55-PM-1200x666.png\" alt=\"First step of a popsicle stick Ferris wheel. \" class=\"wp-image-12549\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Screenshot-2024-02-22-at-1.56.55-PM-1200x666.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Screenshot-2024-02-22-at-1.56.55-PM-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Screenshot-2024-02-22-at-1.56.55-PM-768x426.png 768w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Screenshot-2024-02-22-at-1.56.55-PM.png 1258w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Step 2: <strong><strong>Form the Wheels<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns aofl-figure-column-spacing is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"659\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.41.04-PM-1200x659.png\" alt=\"The first step in a fun popsicle stick craft. Gluing sticks together in a radial pattern. \" class=\"wp-image-5942\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.41.04-PM-1200x659.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.41.04-PM-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.41.04-PM-768x422.png 768w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.41.04-PM-1536x844.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.41.04-PM.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">Then, glue popsicle sticks in a radial pattern on this cardboard base. Attach the popsicle sticks to each other for stability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#eef7ff\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Step 3: <strong><strong><strong>Create a Wheel Stand<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns reverse-order is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">Follow the steps in the video and use your popsicle sticks to create a base for the Ferris wheel. Make sure it&#8217;s sturdy enough to support the weight and size of the wheel without tipping over.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"659\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.41.53-PM-1200x659.png\" alt=\"Popsicle sticks forming the base of a Ferris Wheel for this STEM activity by ABCmouse. \" class=\"wp-image-5944\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.41.53-PM-1200x659.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.41.53-PM-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.41.53-PM-768x422.png 768w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.41.53-PM-1536x844.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.41.53-PM.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Step 4:<\/strong><\/strong> Decorate the Wheel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns aofl-figure-column-spacing is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.44.31-PM-1200x684.png\" alt=\"Decorating a fun popsicle stick Ferris Wheel STEM activity craft by ABCmouse. \" class=\"wp-image-5948\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.44.31-PM-1200x684.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.44.31-PM-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.44.31-PM-768x438.png 768w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.44.31-PM-1536x875.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-16-at-1.44.31-PM.png 1604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">If you&#8217;re going to create a large, one-wheeled Ferris wheel, it&#8217;s time to get creative with paint, crayons, plastic gems, etc and decorate it. Then, slide your skewer through the hole in the center piece of cardboard and rest it on the wheel stand. Give your Ferris wheel a spin!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#eef7ff\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Step 5: <\/strong><\/strong>Try Making a Larger Wheel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns reverse-order is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">Repeat the above steps to create a second Ferris wheel. Slide the skewer through both wheels and rest it on the wheel stand. You can use the same process from above to decorate your double Ferris wheel. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"657\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Ferris-Wheel-Craft-1200x657.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6104\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-radius:15px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Ferris-Wheel-Craft-1200x657.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Ferris-Wheel-Craft-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Ferris-Wheel-Craft-768x420.png 768w, https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Ferris-Wheel-Craft.png 1279w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">While constructing this ferris wheel, there&#8217;s a wonderful opportunity to discuss the science behind amusement park rides, building a foundational understanding of physics and engineering principles. Consider asking your child the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>How does a Ferris wheel work? <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What roles do engineers and architects play in creating these structures? <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Can you think of other rides or objects that operate in a similar way to a Ferris wheel?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"line-height:1.5\">This project not only <strong>ignites curiosity<\/strong> but also provides a foundational understanding of physics and engineering principles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-vertical is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fac2cdea wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<printables-email-registration style=\"width:fit-content;display:flex;margin:auto\" class=\"wp-block-abcmouse-printables-email-registration\"><\/printables-email-registration>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Embark on a thrilling educational adventure with this DIY Popsicle Stick Ferris Wheel project, perfect for young minds keen on exploring STEM concepts. This activity melds creativity with basic engineering principles, offering a hands-on understanding of physics in a fun, tangible way. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":5948,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[34,35,17],"class_list":["post-5929","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-activities","tag-activities","tag-crafts","tag-science"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5929","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5929"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5929\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":229968,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5929\/revisions\/229968"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5948"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5929"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5929"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}