How to Engineer a Perfectly Balanced Snowman

SciShow Kids

Join Jessi and Squeaks in this engaging winter-themed science lesson that explores the engineering principles behind building a snowman. The video uses the fun challenge of stacking snowballs to introduce young learners to fundamental concepts of physics and structural engineering, specifically focusing on balance, support, and stability. Through a series of animated experiments, viewers see why certain structures fail and others succeed based on how weight is distributed. The content specifically focuses on the role of 'Building Engineers' and how they design structures to stay upright. By testing three different stacking combinations—putting the smallest ball on the bottom, mixing sizes randomly, and finally placing the largest at the base—the video demonstrates the importance of a wide foundation. Visual diagrams highlight surface area and contact points to explain why top-heavy structures topple over while bottom-heavy ones remain stable. This resource is an excellent classroom tool for early elementary students to bridge the gap between play and scientific thinking. It transforms a common winter activity into a hands-on lesson about center of gravity and structural integrity. Teachers can use this video to launch STEM challenges involving stacking, building towers, or understanding why skyscrapers and pyramids are shaped the way they are.