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Project challenge:

3d Labyrinth 

Suggested Ages: 3rd – 5th Grades

Wrap your head around this challenge where you’ll create a 3D labyrinth that twists and turns around a box. Pick a starting point on one face of a box and an end point on another face of the box. Add obstacles to up the challenge and theme it out with fun drawings and details. As you design your game you’ll need to BE REFLECTIVE by taking time to think about how your labyrinth is working and how you can make it even more fun to play.

Engaging Design-It-Yourself projects to inspire young innovators

This is no ordinary DIY project for kids: It’s a step toward becoming an innovator.

 

Every Galileo Design-It-Yourself Challenge teaches the same techniques and mindsets that professional designers an engineers, artists and chefs use in their work. With skills like these, we believe you can change the world.

Get Involved—For Grown Ups

Materials list:

Find these materials or a close substitute: 

 

  • Cardboard box (a size you can comfortably hold in your hands) 
  • 2 cardboard scraps, slightly larger than the sides of the box (for the labyrinth’s sides) 
  • Paper
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Marker
  • Marbles

 

Activity GUIDE:

Refer to these steps to keep young innovators on track as they create:

 

1. Assemble the box.

 

2. Cut cardboard for the labyrinth’s sides—Important! ADULT SUPERVISION is needed for cutting the cardboard. (1:03)

 

3. Cut and fold paper for paths.

 

4. Make paths—Support as necessary with taping and making paths that turn. (2:45)

 

5. Test paths early and often.

    • Support being reflective—If kids are struggling to troubleshoot, observe with them as they test and ask guiding questions to help them identify issues.
    • Ask: What do you notice is happening to the marble/path right there? What might you do to fix that?
    • Ask: What’s fun about playing your game? How can you make it even more fun?
    • Ask: Is there anything frustrating about your game? What could you change to make it less frustrating?

 

More Ideas:

Every project presents opportunities to add your own twists or extensions. Here are some ideas to get you started: 

 

  • Get additional feedback by having others test your game and suggest ways to make it more fun.
  • Add themed decorations including paper characters or other scenic elements. Will you have one theme for the entire labyrinth or will each side have a different theme? 
  • Time yourself to see how fast you can get through the labyrinth. You can also challenge others to beat your time.

 

Wrap Up Questions:

Lock in the learning by asking kids these questions about their project and how they practiced the featured Innovator’s Mindset element: 

 

  • What’s your favorite part of your labyrinth? What are you most proud of? Why?
  • How were you reflective while making your labyrinth? What ideas came to you when you paused to think about how you could make the labyrinth better?

Subscribe Now—It’s Free!

 

With so many changes to everyone’s regular routines, we know you’re likely looking for ways to keep your kids learning (and yourself sane) while schools are closed. Subscribe here and Galileo will deliver a week’s work of activities to your inbox every Sunday to add to your routine!

SHARE!

The last step in the Gallieo Innovator’s Process is SHARE. Great learning can come from sharing successes and failures—to solidify your own experience as an innovator and to inspire others.

 

SHARE WITH galileo

 

Take a photo or video of your labyrinth and share it with the Camp Galileo Anywhere Facebook Community.

 

Share with family and friends

 

Your innovation doesn’t stop with you. Inspire someone else by sharing your project challenge—maybe they’ll try it themselves or maybe your project will give them a new idea.

 

  • Who: someone in your house, a family member, a friend
  • How: in person, on the phone, online
  • When: anytime, starting now!