DIY Toy Waterslide | A STEM Activity for Preschoolers

Create your own waterslide for your favorite small figurine! This week for our Summer STEAM series cool off with some fun hands-on water play.

STEAM represents the combination of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.

Preschoolers naturally are inquisitive and ask a lot of questions just like a scientist, mathematician or artist. Through the process of experimenting and exploring children are developing their creative and critical thinking skills.

STEAM Challenge: Can you build a waterslide that can transport a toy?

Objective: Build a waterslide that can transport a toy from one end to the other.

Materials:

• Book, “Roll, Slope, and Slide: A Book About Ramps”
• Pool Noodle
• Plastic Toy Figure
• Large Plastic Container
• Pitcher of Water
• Large Building Blocks

Adult Prep: Slice a pool noodle in half lengthwise.

Read the book, “Roll, Slope, and Slide: A Book About Ramps”.  Discuss slides and ramps.

Use the building materials plus pool noodles to build a water slide for a small toy figurine.

Use a pitcher to pour water down the slide to transport your toy.

Did it work?

Did your toy make it to the end of the slide?

Redesign your waterslide as necessary.

Guiding Questions:

• Where have you seen slides or ramps before?
• How can you make your toy slide faster down the slide?
• What other objects will slide down your waterslide?

STEAM Integrations:

Science:  What happens if you raise or lower your slide?

Technology: Use a timer to record how fast your toy floats down the water slide.

Engineering: Build a waterslide that can transport your toy.

Art: Make a boat from recycled materials that can float down your waterslide.

Math: How fast can your toy float down the water slide?

Get the DIY Waterslide STEAM Lesson in Pathways

Join Pathways to access the complete DIY waterslide lesson plan with step-by-step building instructions, discussion prompts, extension activities, and printable resources. You’ll also unlock seasonal play guides, hundreds of hands-on STEAM invitations, and a full resource vault to keep summer learning fun and engaging all year long.