Turn Easter Peeps into STEM 5 Fun Engineering Activities

Easter often brings an abundance of sugary treats like Peeps marshmallows into homes. Instead of consuming these ultra-processed sugar products, why not repurpose them for educational value? These colorful marshmallows can become excellent teaching tools for demonstrating important STEM concepts to children. You might already have most of the materials needed for these activities at home.

Activity 1: Structural Engineering with Peep Towers

This activity teaches concepts of balance, weight distribution, and basic architectural principles. When towers collapse, discuss how engineers solve similar problems in real-world construction.

Materials needed:

• Peeps marshmallows
• Toothpicks or uncooked spaghetti
• Measuring tape
• Flat surface for building

Instructions:

1. Challenge children to construct the tallest free-standing tower using Peeps connected by toothpicks or spaghetti
2. Measure each tower’s height and discuss why some designs stand while others fall
3. Experiment with different base shapes (triangles vs. squares) to test structural integrity

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Activity 2: Civil Engineering with Peep Bridges

Children learn about load distribution, compression, tension, and how different bridge designs (arch, beam, suspension) handle weight differently.

Materials needed:

• Peeps marshmallows
• Popsicle sticks or straws
• Small weights (coins or small toy cars)
• Two books creating a 6-8 inch gap

Instructions:

1. Set up two books as support structures with space between
2. Build bridges spanning the gap using Peeps and support materials
3. Test structural integrity by adding weight incrementally
4. Record how much weight each design supports before failing

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Activity 3: Physics Exploration with Peep Catapults

This hands-on physics lesson demonstrates projectile motion, potential and kinetic energy, and how angle affects trajectory.

Materials needed:

• Peeps marshmallows (as projectiles)
• Plastic spoon
• Rubber bands
• Popsicle sticks
• Tape
• Measuring tape

Instructions:

1. Create a simple lever-based catapult using the spoon and rubber bands
2. Launch Peeps at various angles and measure distance traveled
3. Record results in a simple chart
4. Experiment with different launch forces and angles

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Activity 4: Aerospace Concepts with Peep Parachutes

Children explore air resistance, gravity, and how surface area affects falling speeds.

Materials needed:

• Peeps (as weight)
• Coffee filters, paper towels, or plastic bags
• String or yarn
• Tape
• Stopwatch
• Measuring tape

Instructions:

1. Create parachutes from your chosen materials
2. Attach strings to the corners and connect to a Peep
3. Drop from consistent heights and time descent
4. Modify design variables (parachute size, shape, material) and observe differences

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Activity 5: Buoyancy Experiments with Peep Boats

This activity demonstrates principles of buoyancy, displacement, and how shape affects a vessel’s ability to float.

Materials needed:

• Peeps (as cargo)
• Aluminum foil
• Small weights (paperclips, pennies)
• Container of water

Instructions:

1. Shape aluminum foil into various boat designs
2. Place Peeps as “cargo” in the vessels
3. Test flotation capacity by adding small weights incrementally
4. Observe and record which designs hold the most weight before sinking

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Educational Benefits

These activities transform commercially produced sugar products into valuable educational tools that teach:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Scientific method through hypothesis testing
• Engineering design principles
• Basic physics concepts
• Teamwork and communication skills

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Consider This – If you still want to eat Peeps, there are a lot of websites that have recipes for healthier versions of Peeps.