Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
Newspaper Fort ActivityNewspaper Fort Activity
Publisher
Museum of Science
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
K - 6th
Subjects
STEM
1 more...
Resource Type
Activities & Projects
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
30 mins
Instructional Strategy
Hands-on Activity
Usage Permissions
Fine Print
Activity

Newspaper Fort

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Newspaper Fort activity also includes:
  • Step Right In! Experiment: Newspaper Tent
  • Activity
  • Vocabulary
  • Join to access all included materials

Newspapers aren't really the first material that comes to mind when building a fort. Pupils use newspaper rolls to design and build a sturdy structure. They consider how different shapes, like trusses, affect the strength of their creations.

3 Views 3 Downloads

Concepts

engineering design, buildings, newspapers

Additional Tags

science

Instructional Ideas

  • Invite an architect or civil engineer to give a presentation

Classroom Considerations

  • Activity requires newspaper, masking tape, staplers, and pipe cleaners
  • Scholars should be familiar with basic two- and three-dimensional shapes

Pros

  • Provides a list of recommended reading
  • Includes a document with detailed steps for building the fort

Cons

  • None

See similar resources:

Unit Plan

STEM Challenges and Activity Sheets 3–5

Scholastic
How can engineers help their communities? Three challenges in the first unit explore why STEM is important to communities and how neighborhoods are engineered to experience those benefits. The second unit prompts groups to plan an...
3rd - 5th Science
Activity

Build a Watershed

DiscoverE
What's the best way to learn how watersheds work? Build one! Combining engineering, the water cycle, and ecology concerns, the activity is the perfect fit for an interdisciplinary unit. Teams construct a model watershed with simple...
3rd - 8th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Activity

Bridges, Buildings and Beyond Activity Packet: Grades 6-8

DiscoverE
Pour a solid foundation of engineering into the minds of future engineers. Scholars take part in three activities to learn about civil engineering. They build a model of a cable-stayed bridge, conduct an experiment to see the effects of...
6th - 8th STEM
Activity

Build a High Dive

DiscoverE
Can't build a cantilever? You'll be able to after a hands-on, constructive activity. Young engineers build cantilevers out of straws and tape. The finished products must be able to hang off a table as far as possible.
3rd - 8th Science
Instructional Video

3-D printing

Engenius Films
Tired of printing in 2-D?. An informative video explains the basics of printing in three dimensions. It goes on to point out some of the fun and practical applications the new technology offers. 
4 mins 5th - 12th STEM
Lesson Plan

Strength of Materials

Teach Engineering
Pupils examine a stress-strain diagram that compares the advantages and disadvantages of the two common bridge building materials, concrete and steel. The also consider the factors that influence the materials builders choose for their...
6th - 8th STEM
CCSS: Designed
Lesson Plan

Engineering For The 3 Little Pigs

Curated OER
Students engage in a instructional activity which demonstrates the importance of rocks, soils and minerals in engineering and how using the right material for the right job is important. The students build three different sand castles...
3rd - 5th Science
Instructional Video

Fairfax Futures: Stem in Early Learning: Engineering With the Three Little Pigs

Other
This Teaching Channel video looks at how early childhood educators and families can introduce STEM concepts to young children. After hearing The Three Little Pigs read out loud, they work in teams to build a house and then see if they...
Pre-K - 1st STEM
Unit Plan

Teach Engineering: Building Towards the Future

TeachEngineering
This curricular unit introduces students to basic Civil Engineering concepts in an exciting and interactive manner. Bridges and skyscrapers, the two most visible products of Civil Engineers, will be discussed in depth. Students will have...
6th - 8th STEM
Instructional Video

Why Do Buildings Fall in Earthquakes?

TED-Ed
There are few natural phenomena as startling as an earthquake, and depending on the building you're in, these experiences can be downright terrifying. Follow along as this video explores the factors that determine how a building...
5 mins 4th - 12th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use