Take learning into the Block center with themed props and STEM I Can Build Cards! Adding new props and engineering challenges will take your Preschool, Pre-k, or Kindergarten student’s block and STEM structures to a whole new level.
Below you will see my Block center set up for tons of different themes we do throughout the year, and there is a prop list too! And don’t forget if you don’t have a Block center, you can always put out these themed props and STEM I Can Build Cards with your STEM materials or STEM center.
Most of the props I found at the dollar store or had in my classroom. I linked the items I purchased on Amazon for your convenience. If you are wanting plastic animals , most of mine are from Lakeshore, the Dollar store, and the Target dollar spot. This post contains affiliate links.
GRAB the STEM I Can Build Bundle HERE!
School Theme
- School I Can Build Cards
- Empty play dough containers
- Marker caps
- Empty crayon boxes
- Apples (mini erasers, counters, or fake)
- “Me blocks” (blocks with the student’s photos taped to them) or Me Counters
- Cars and community trucks
- People (Lakeshore)
- Counting bears
- Pattern blocks
- Letter blocks
- School books
Fall Theme
- Fall I Can Build Cards
- Fake leaves
- Fake apples (pom poms, decorative, or real)
- Fake pumpkins (pom poms, decorative, or real)
- Tractors
- Forest animals
- Tree rings
- Green and brown foam boards (pretend to be grass or dirt)
- Fake vines
- Fake sunflowers
- Fall books
In the discovery center, we have STEM drawers which are a great option for teachers who have small classrooms. Simply place the themed props and STEM cards on top or inside each drawer!
Community Helper Theme
- STEM I Can Build Cards
- Wooden cars and community trucks
- Road tape (taped to the floor or taped to black paper)
- People (dollhouse people or Me Counters)
- “Me blocks” (blocks with photos of the students taped to them)
- Community places signs
- Community places books
Health, Nutrition, or Food Theme
- STEM I Can Build Cards
- Empty food containers – cereal boxes, applesauce cups, food tubs, straws
- Cups
- Toothbrushes
- Tongue depressors
- Veggies (veggie math counters, plastic, decorative)
- Fruit (fruit counters, plastic, pom poms, decorative)
- People (Lakeshore)
- Heath and Nutrition books
Farm Theme
- Farm STEM I Can Build Cards
- Farm animals (Lakeshore)
- Tractors
- Popsicle sticks (building fences)
- Veggies (veggie math counters, plastic, decorative)
- Fruit (fruit counters, plastic, pom poms, decorative)
- Farm books
Halloween Theme
- Halloween STEM I Can Build Cards
- Bones (Q Tips)
- Bats
- Spiders
- Popsicle sticks (building fences)
- Small jack-o-lanterns
- Small ghosts (I made them by putting a cotton ball in a tissue, then I tied the top with ribbon and drew a face on each.)
- Halloween mini erasers
- Halloween books
Thanksgiving Theme
- Thanksgiving STEM I Can Build Cards
- People
- “Me blocks”
- Popsicle sticks (building tables)
- Veggies (veggie math counters, plastic, decorative)
- Fruit (fruit counters, plastic, pom poms, decorative)
- Fall animals or turkeys
- Fall leaves
- Feathers
- Thanksgiving books
Winter Theme or Arctic Theme
- Winter STEM I Can Build Cards
- Cotton balls (snow)
- Fake icicles (I like to get the icicle ornaments during Christmas time and remove the ribbon)
- Clear gems
- Forest or arctic animals
- White or silver felt (snow or ice)
- Cover blocks with foil (ice or icebergs)
- Winter books
- White and silver felt or foam boards
Valentines’ Day Theme
- Valentines’ Day STEM I Can Build Cards
- Fake flowers
- Pom poms
- Candy hearts
- Shape buttons
- Heart gems
- Valentine’s mini erasers
- Plastic hearts
- Empty candy boxes
- People
- “Me Blocks” or me counters
- Valentine’s Day books
Christmas Theme
- Christmas STEM I Can Build Cards
- Bows
- Candy canes
- Candy, gum drops or pom poms
- Fake poinsettias
- Santa, elves, snowman figures (those are really ornaments too)
- Cotton balls (snow)
- Forest or arctic animals
- White or silver felt (snow or ice)
- Holiday books
Gingerbread Theme
- Gingerbread STEM I Can Build Cards (in winter STEM pack)
- Gingerbread figures (stuffed animal, plastic, or ornaments with the string cut off)
- Gum drops or pom poms
- Peppermints
- Candy canes/straws
- Candy mini erasers
- Cardboard cut up (pretend to be gingerbread house pieces)
- Ribbon or pipe cleaners
- Gingerbread books
Transportation Theme
- Transportation STEM I Can Build Cards
- Vehicles
- Planes
- Trains and train tracks
- Road tape (taped to the floor or taped to black paper)
- Cotton balls (clouds)
- Blue, green, and brown foam boards (water/air, land, dirt)
- Colored popsicle sticks
- Transportation books
Construction Theme
- Construction STEM I Can Build Cards
- Construction vehicles
- Brown foam board (pretend to be dirt)
- Real rocks
- Measuring tape
- Yardsticks
- Pieces of cardboard
- Scrap wood
- Pretend tools
- Construction hats and vests
- Construction books
Space Theme
- Space STEM I Can Build Cards
- Mini astronauts, space vehicles, and rockets
- Asteroids (foil balled up)
- Stars (glow in the dark for the ceiling or foam)
- Cream or white felt (moon surface)
- Metal cans
- Sparkly foam (planets)
- Space books
Trains Theme
- Train STEM I can Build Cards
- Trains
- Train tracks
- Train track tape (taped to the floor or to paper and cut up)
- Metal cans or ribbon spools (wheels)
- Boxes
- Popsicle sticks (building tracks)
- Cardboard tubes (tunnels)
- Cardboard pieces
- Arch blocks
- Train books
St. Patrick’s Day Theme
- St. Patrick’s Day STEM I Can Build Cards
- Green mini hats
- Gold coins
- Foam shamrocks
- Green gems
- Pennies
- Pots
- Rainbow pipe cleaners or pom poms
- St. Patrick’s Day or leprechaun books
Easter Theme
- Easter STEM I Can Build Cards
- Bunnies
- Plastic eggs
- Plastic chicks
- Plastic carrot eggs
- Fake leaves
- Jelly beans (pom poms)
- Popsicle sticks (use for baskets)
- Green foam (pretend to be grass)
- Easter books
Spring Theme or Bug Theme
- Spring STEM I Can Build Cards
- Fake flowers
- Fake leaves
- Rocks
- Tree rings
- Sticks
- Cardboard tubes
- Bugs
- Creepy crawly animals (dollar store)
- Bug or spring books
Earth Day Theme
- Earth Day STEM I Can Build Cards
- Recycle and trash truck vehicles
- Recyclable materials to build with: cans, cardboard pieces cardboard tubes, empty, cereal boxes, plastic cups, marker lids, lids from various containers, or balled up newspaper (any safe recyclable material will work) Make sure you clean items if needed!
- Earth and Earth Day books
Camping Theme or Nature Theme
- Camping STEM I Can Build Cards
- Bugs
- Forest animals
- Fake leaves
- Rocks
- Fake flowers
- Pine cones
- Tree rings
- Sticks
- Camping or nature books
Summer Theme
- Summer STEM I Can Build Cards
- Bugs
- Ice cream cups
- Fake ice cream cones
- Pool noodles (cut into rings)
- Pool noodles cut lengthwise to create ramps/slides
- Small balls
- Summer, roller coaster, or ramp books
Beach Theme or Ocean Theme
- Ocean/Beach STEM I Can Build Cards
- Boats
- Ocean animals
- Shells
- Yellow/tan felt (pretend to be sand)
- Blue foam or plastic wrap (ocean or waves)
- Rocks
- Real coral or pipe cleaners
- Pipe blocks
- Ocean or beach books
America Theme or 4th of July Theme
- America STEM I Can Build Cards
- Small flags
- Red, silver, & blue star paper plates and straws
- Cut up red, white, & blue beads
- Red, white, & blue plastic cups
- Real or pretend coins
- Red, white, & blue flowers
- Cans or cardboard tubes (can spray paint white to use for columns)
- People
- USA, 4th of July, president, and/or US symbols books
Zoo Theme
- Habitats STEM I Can Build Cards
- Zoo animals
- Sand dunes: yellow card stock cut up
- Ocean waves: blue plastic or blue felt
- Icebergs: triangle blocks covered in foil
- Rainforest: fake leaves
- Forest: tree rings
- Rocks
- Sticks
- Shells
- Zoo or habitat books
Dinosaur Theme
- Habitats STEM I Can Build Cards
- Dinosaurs (various sizes from the dollar store)
- Plastic eggs (dinosaur eggs) with mini dinosaurs
- Bones (Q Tips)
- Tan or brown felt or foam for sand, dirt
- Red and orange crepe paper or pipe cleaners (lava)
- Rocks
- Fake leaves
- Dinosaur books
Now I hoped you are inspired to spice up the blocks and/or STEM center for your little engineers! GRAB the STEM I Can Build Bundle HERE for the STEM I Can Build cards (with real photographs) for all your learning themes!
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