
If you like including STEAM activities for kids in your child’s lesson plans, you are going to love this free STEM challenge printable cootie catcher.
Are you looking for a fun way to keep your kids entertained and engaged in STEM?
Why not try out this printable Cootie Catcher STEM Challenge!
This simple challenge printable is perfect for kids of all ages, and it’s a great way to get them thinking creatively and problem-solving. Plus, it’s a lot of fun too!
Ready to give it a try? Let’s get started!
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What Is A STEM Challenge?
STEM challenges are creative problem-solving tasks that help students develop critical thinking skills and problem solving skills. And when you include multiple kids, there is even an element of teamwork!
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. STEM activities and STEM challenges typically (though not always) require students to apply knowledge from all four subject areas to complete the task at hand.
Related – Check out these free printable scientific method worksheets! Add them to any STEM project, science activity, or science experiment.
STEM challenges can be completed individually or in groups, and they often involve an element of competition. These types of challenges can be found in many different places, including online, in books, and at STEM events.

Some popular STEM challenges include building a contraption to solve a problem, designing an experiment, and creating a model of something using only recycled materials.
STEM challenges are a great way for students to learn about the real-world applications of STEM concepts.
STEM Challenge Cards
If you like participating in random STEM challenges, whether you download the STEM challenge printable cootie catcher (below) or not, you might also want to add some STEM challenge cards to your lesson plans.
There are plenty of free STEM challenge cards available around the internet if you want to search for them. I actually plan on making some free ones to share with you here in the next few weeks or months myself.
The internet is a great place to find all kinds of free resources that revolve around STEM activities for kids.
Or you can find some great STEM challenge cards on Amazon. Like these ones here!
Fun Express Stem Challenges Kit Gr2-5 – 30 Pieces – Educational and Learning Activities for KidsCarson Dellosa – Seasonal STEM Challenges Learning Cards for Grades 2–5, 30 Activity Cards, Ages 7–11 with Resource Guide
Any of these STEM challenge cards would be a great addition to your homeschool or public school classroom.
Or keep scrolling and download the free cootie catcher printable. It brings an extra element of fun to your STEM curriculum and lessons.
What Is A Cootie Catcher?
A cootie catcher is a paper toy that was traditionally used by children to catch “cooties,” or imaginary bugs. Nowadays they are typically used as silly little fortune telling games for kids.
The cootie catcher typically consists of a square piece of paper that is folded into a triangle and then decorated with pictures or patterns.
Once the cootie catcher is decorated, it is turned inside out and then back again to form a pocket. The player then inserts their fingers into the pockets and uses them to move the cootie catcher up and down, around, and in and out.

As the cootie catcher moves, it will eventually open up to reveal one of four different messages. These messages can range from silly jokes to fortunes. Cootie catchers are often used as party games or icebreakers, but they can also be used simply as a way to pass the time.
In the case of this STEM Challenge Cootie Catcher, kids will have to play the game in order to determine what materials they will need to use in some sort of structure.
Will you need to use straws and play dough? Toothpicks and saran wrap? Only the cootie catcher knows!
Recommended Materials To Have On Hand For Your Next DIY STEM Challenge
Putting together your own team building STEM lesson? These materials are great for a variety of STEM learning adventures!
- pipe cleaners
- paper plates
- plastic cups
- marshmallows
- toothpicks
- rubber bands
- LEGOs
- saran wrap
- popsicle sticks
- tape
- empty toilet paper rolls
Just to name a few.
Whether you’re having a building challenge with your Pre-K students or your middle school students (or somebody else in between), these materials are generally very versatile and flexible. STEM education for the whole family!
Why Download The Printable STEM Challenge Cootie Catcher?
The STEM Challenge Cootie Catcher is a fun and educational activity for kids of all ages. Plus this STEM printable is low prep!
This Cootie Catcher includes a variety of DIY STEM challenges, including building towers out of toothpicks and marshmallows or building bridges out of straws and saran wrap.

The STEM Challenge Cootie Catcher is a great way to get kids interested in STEM, and it’s also a great way to teach them problem-solving skills. The Cootie Catcher STEM Challenge PDF is available to download for free! Just tell me where to send it.
The printable version of the Cootie Catcher is great for kids who want to take the challenges with them on the go. Plus, the Cootie Catcher is a fun and educational activity that your kids will love.
Download the STEM Challenge Cootie Catcher today!
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