Want an easy way to capture the Winter Olympics excitement in your classroom?
These 12 Winter Games STEM challenges are organized by grades K–2 and 3–5, so you can pick an event, run one challenge at a time, and keep the “Winter Games” theme rolling all week.
Start with a Winter Olympic Games FREEBIE for tracking medals, learning about the history of the Winter Olympics, and creating country reports!
K–2 Winter Games STEM Challenges
Figure Skating STEM Challenge
Students design a figure skater and ice rink, then use magnetism to move their skater around the “ice” in a routine. They experiment with control, paths, and turns while connecting science to a favorite Winter Games sport.
Skeleton STEM Challenge
Students design a headfirst skeleton sled with a skeleton rider printable and simple materials, then send it down a ramp to explore balance, speed, and staying upright during a run.
Luge STEM Challenge
Students create a luge sled and rider from thin cardboard, popsicle sticks, straws, and tape, then race it down a ramp. Along the way, they explore speed, motion, and simple ways to make their sled go faster or straighter.
Skiing STEM Challenge
Students build a popsicle-stick skier and test it on different surfaces (such as wax paper, regular paper, and foil) to investigate friction and how it affects how far the skier slides.
Speed Skating STEM Challenge
Students build a magnet-powered speed skater that glides across a tabletop “ice track.” Using a magnet wand, they test how pushing vs. pulling and different setups affect the skater’s motion.
Build a Bob Run STEM Challenge
Students design and build their own bob run (bobsled track) using recyclables like paper plates, cardboard tubes, and cups. They must include a straight section and a section with three turns in a row, then test a marble or LEGO minifigure “bobsled” to see how it travels.
3rd–5th Grade Winter Games STEM Challenges
Bobsled Winter Games STEM Challenge
In this winter sports–themed engineering design activity, students design, build, and race their own bobsleds using simple materials.
Curling Winter Games STEM Challenge
In this curling STEM activity, students design and build their own curling rock, then test it in a tabletop “ice rink” to see whose rock lands closest to the target.
Ice Hockey Winter Games STEM Challenge
In this high-engagement ice hockey STEM activity, students design and build their own hockey goal and stick, then test their creations in a mini “tournament” using a foil-wrapped puck.
Ski Jumping STEM Challenge
In this ski jumping STEM activity, students design and build a ski jumper and skis, then test how far their jumper can fly while staying upright.
Snowboarding STEM Challenge
In this hands-on snowboarding STEM activity, students design and build a snowboard and rider, then race their creations down a ramp while exploring force, motion, friction, and weight.
Biathlon STEM Challenge
In this winter Olympics–inspired STEM activity, students engineer a shooter that can launch a ping pong ball at a biathlon target while exploring force, motion, accuracy, and fair testing.
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.
Spend Less Time Planning and More Time Teaching!
Hands-on STEM learning starts here.
Find ready-to-use STEM Activities and Science Curriculum, Practical Professional Development, and a Community of Educators to help you teach STEM with confidence.
You can get all 1000+ STEM Challenges by Carly and Adam as part of the STEM Teachers Club. Save 30% on your first month/year using coupon Code: CarlyAndAdamBlog.