Downhill Skiing Winter Games STEM Challenge for Kids
Need an easy Winter Olympics STEM activity for Kindergarten through 2nd grade?
This Skiing STEM Challenge turns your classroom into the Winter Games as students build a simple skier and test how far it slides on different materials—an engaging way to explore friction.
Winter Olympics History Connection
Start with “The Global Journey of Winter Games” timeline to build excitement and context.
Students can track how the Winter Olympics began in 1924 in Chamonix, France, then notice how world events shaped the Games—like 1940 and 1944 being canceled because of World War II.
Next, connect the timeline to the challenge by highlighting that skiing became part of the Olympics in 1936—so students are testing the same big idea athletes care about: how equipment and conditions can change performance.
What students do in the Skiing STEM Challenge?
The science concept: friction
This challenge introduces friction—the force that makes it harder for objects to slide or move. As students compare surfaces, they see how different materials can change how smoothly something slides, just like in real skiing.
Students create a “ski racer” by attaching the skier printable to two popsicle sticks for skis. Then they build a simple ramp and test their skier on three surfaces: wax paper, paper, and aluminum foil. Students measure (or observe) how far the skier travels on each surface and record what happens.
Materials:
the skier printable
popsicle sticks
tape
wax paper
paper
aluminum foil
a ramp made from cardboard propped on books/blocks.
Whether you teach it as a quick Winter Olympics STEM center or a whole-class lesson, this Skiing STEM Challenge gives K–2 students a fun, meaningful way to explore friction through building, testing, and recording results. Pair it with the Winter Olympics timeline to add context and excitement, and you’ve got a ready-to-go activity that feels seasonal, hands-on, and genuinely scientific.
Everything You Need—All in One Place
All of the activities mentioned above are included in the Winter Games STEM lesson plans by Carly and Adam, making it easy to plan an engaging Olympic-themed STEM experience without starting from scratch.
STEM Teachers Club Members can download all of these activities for free.
The full resource is also available for purchase on Carly and Adam’s store.
Whether you’re planning a full multi-day unit or just a few special STEM days during the 2026 Winter Olympics, this lesson plan gives you everything you need to bring the Games to life in your classroom.
Get all of the lessons in both Winter Games bundles as part of the STEM Teachers Club.
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