Building Minds: Hands-On Play for Problem Solving and Creativity!
Help me give my students hands-on STEM learning through building blocks, marble runs, fidget stacking games, and creative construction sets to develop problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and fine motor skills.
$966 goal
This project expired on July 14, 2025.
This project expired on July 14, 2025.
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Project
In today’s fast-paced digital world, students are missing out on tactile learning experiences that build essential skills like problem-solving, spatial reasoning, creativity, and collaboration.
This project will provide STEM-based building sets, marble runs, magnetic tiles, and hands-on construction challenges to help students think critically, experiment, and learn through play.
LEGO sets, magnetic tiles, and marble runs teach students how to visualize and manipulate objects in space, strengthening geometry and engineering concepts. Gravity Maze and STEM fidget stacking games encourage students to test, refine, and adapt their designs to achieve a goal through trial and error. Lite Brite Touch, LEGO Creative Bricks, and sorting stackers allow students to express themselves through unique creations, fostering imagination and artistic expression.
Many of these activities require students to work together, building social skills as they plan, design, and construct solutions. Stacking stones, balancing games, and assembling intricate designs help students refine dexterity and patience while staying engaged. By incorporating marble runs, magnetic tiles, and logic-based building challenges, this project will turn learning into an interactive, hands-on experience that excites and challenges students while reinforcing STEM concepts in a fun and engaging way. With these materials, students will learn by doing - engineering, designing, and building solutions with their own hands.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
200 students impacted
Boost your odds
Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.
You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.
10 Bulk Game VALUE Bundle: Balance Stacking - Pop Toy Building Blocks Games (puzzle board game, calming corner, mental health, gaming, fidgets)
• DonorsChoose Featured Favorites
$99.00
1
$99.00
LEGO Classic Large Brick Box - 10698
• Kaplan Early Learning Company
$67.46
1
$67.46
LEGO Classic Creative Vehicles - 11036
• Kaplan Early Learning Company
$63.86
1
$63.86
IRIS USA Fits 12" x 12" Paper, 6-Tier Scrapbook Rolling Storage Cart with Organizer Top for Papers Vinyl Tools Office Art and Craft Supplies, Yarn, Black Frame with 6 Clear Cases w/ Built in Handle
• Amazon Business
$59.99
1
$59.99
Qqbine 6 Quart Black Plastic Storage Latching Box Bin with Handles, 6 Packs
• Amazon Business
$29.99
2
$59.98
Meland Marble Run - 208Pcs Marble Maze Game Building Toy for Kids, Marble Track Race Set & STEM Learning Toy Gift for Boy Girl Age 4 5 6 7 8 9+(142 Pcs + 60 Glass + 5 Led Lighted Marbles)
• Amazon Business
$49.79
1
$49.79
247Pcs Marble Run with Motorized Elevator, Construction Building Blocks Toys with 30 Glass Marbles and 30 Glow in The Dark Marbles, STEM Gifts for Boys and Girls
• Amazon Business
$49.79
1
$49.79
LEGO Classic Creative Party Box Bricks Set 11029, Family Games to Play Together, Includes 12 Mini-Build Toys: Teddy Bear, Clown, Unicorn, Fun for All Ages 5 Plus
• Amazon Business
$49.48
1
$49.48
AFUNX Magnetic Tiles,102PCS Magnetic Building Blocks 3D Clear Construction Playboards, Inspiration, Creativity Beyond Imagination, Educational Magnet Toy Set for Kids with 2 Cars
• Amazon Business
$39.99
1
$39.99
Katech Hanging Yarn Storage Organizer, Large Capacity Knitting Organizer Storage with 5 Zipper Closure Compartments for Yarn Enthusiasts, Hanging Yarn Storage Bag for Crochet Hooks, Yarn Balls
• Amazon Business
$35.99
1
$35.99
LEGO - Classic Creative Dinosaurs Building Toy 11041
• Best Buy Education
$34.99
1
$34.99
BESTAMTOY 36 PCS Wooden Sorting Stacking Rocks Stones,Sensory Toddler Toys Learning Montessori Toys, Building Blocks Game for Kids 3 4 5 6 Years Boy and Girl Birthday Gifts for Kids
• Amazon Business
$28.99
1
$28.99
Lite Brite Touch - Create, Play and Animate - Light Up Portable Stem Sensory Learning Toy, Creative Art Stem Toy for Girls, Boys, Unisex, Toddler, Holiday, Birthday, Gift, Ages 6+
• Amazon Business
$28.04
1
$28.04
LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box 10696 Building Toy Set - Featuring Storage, Includes Train, Car, and a Tiger Figure, and Playset for Kids, Boys, and Girls Ages 4-99
• Amazon Business
$24.88
1
$24.88
ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game and STEM Toy for Boys and Girls Age 8 and Up: Toy of the Year Award Winner
• Amazon Business
$24.72
1
$24.72
Esme L&H Small Rope Basket with Lid,10x6 Small Round Woven Storage Basket with lid for Organizing, Small Decorative Toy Basket,Colorful Rainbow Pompom, Cute Storage Basket Bin Box for Toys, Gifts…
• Amazon Business
$19.98
1
$19.98
Learning Resources STEM Explorers Pixel Art Challenge, 402 Pieces, Ages 5+, STEM Toys for Kids, Coding Basics for Kids, STEM Activities for Classroom
• Amazon Business
$9.99
1
$9.99
POPLAY 200PCS Marbles Bulk, for Marbles Run Games
• Amazon Business
$9.98
1
$9.98
POPLAY 115PCS Marbles Games for Kids, Glass Marbles with Gift Box for Board Games
• Amazon Business
$9.79
1
$9.79
POPLAY 61PCS Marbles Games for Kids, with Gift Box for Marbles Run Games, Classroom Crafts Supplies Kit
• Amazon Business
$6.85
1
$6.85
POPLAY Colorful Glass Marbles, 0.6inch Marbles Bulk for Kids Marble Games,DIY and Home Decoration
• Amazon Business
$5.87
1
$5.87
Materials cost
$779.41
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$11.69
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$821.10
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$144.90
Total project goal
$966.00
Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. S and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
