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    Home » Holiday Science » Christmas Science » Christmas STEM – Raft For The Reindeer

    Christmas STEM – Raft For The Reindeer

    November 30, 2018 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    Are you ready for today’s Christmas STEM Challenge? We’re making rafts for lost little reindeers!

    This activity is also part of my science advent calendar if you need more Christmas Science ideas.

    Reindeer STEM Challenge

    This activity can be split into several stages.

    • Design a raft – think about which materials will work the best.
    • Gather materials together.
    • Build the raft 
    • Review the design, build and functionality of the raft.
    • Does it need to be changed?
    • Test the rafts to see if they sink or float.
    • Can the raft support the weight of a toy reindeer or Santa?
    Christmas STEM - raft for reindeer -example materials - straws, lollysticks, tape, sponge, toy reindeer

    Materials

    Lolly sticks

    Kitchen sponge

    Corks

    Glue/Double sided tape

    Paper

    Kitchen roll

    Toy Reindeer, we used our DUPLO Reindeer

    Instructions

    Build and test your rafts. To make the investigation a fair test the same toy reindeer and possibly the same size rafts should be used.

    A simple raft can be made with craft sticks like the image below. Try adding corks to the underneath for extra buoyancy!

    Instructions for building a reindeer raft as a simple Christmas STEM challenge
    Reindeer Raft Instructions and Results Table
    Results table for a Christmas STEM challenge

    Extension Activities

    Design a table to record results of raft testing and try to predict which rafts will sink and which float before starting testing.

    Use a straw to blow the rafts across a calm surface of water. Investigate to discover what happens when the rafts are blown gently and then with more force. Does the raft move faster if air is blown close to the raft or from further away?

    reindeer sat on a homemade lolly stick raft in a container of water for a Christmas STEM challenge

    More Christmas STEM

    Investigate to find the best material for a paper chain?

    Make a Christmas optical illusion.

    Or try one of our other easy Christmas science experiments!

    If you liked this activity don’t forget I have a couple of science books available to buy too.

    Reindeer STEM Challenge. Fun Christmas reindeer themed activity for kids! Save a reindeer by designing, building and testing rafts #ChristmasSTEM #ChristmasScience #Scienceforkids

    Last Updated on November 20, 2021 by Emma Vanstone

    « 12 Easy and Fun Ideas for Christmas
    Christmas STEM – New bell for an elf »

    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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