The egg drop challenge is more than just a quirky science experiment; it’s a masterclass in problem-solving, creative engineering, and learning how to embrace failure as a crucial step to success.
In the egg drop challenge, your aim is to design a device that will protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped from a significant height.
Students learn that the most brilliant solutions often emerge from unexpected combinations of unconventional materials and that failure is simply an opportunity to learn and improve.
We’ve curated egg drop challenge ideas that go far beyond the traditional “drop from a ladder” approach. Each challenge is carefully crafted to teach fundamental principles of physics, structural design, and creative problem-solving while keeping the experience fun, collaborative, and memorable.
Egg-Cellent Ideas!
1. Humpty Dumpty Science
Humpty Dumpty Science is a fun and educational activity that helps kids explore the wonders of gravity and physics! This hands-on experiment uses a simple egg in a ziplock bag, with a drawn face, to mimic the classic Humpty Dumpty tale.
Accompanied by a printable worksheet, kids can predict, test, and observe what happens when Humpty “falls” just like in the nursery rhyme.
Learn more: I Heart Crafty Things
2. Pool Noodle Egg Drop
The Pool Noodle Egg Drop experiment is an exciting and creative way to challenge kids to think about the principles of engineering and physics!
Using a simple pool noodle as the main structure, the goal is to design a contraption that can safely protect an egg from cracking during a drop.
Learn more: Steam Powered Family
3. Sponge Egg Drop
The Sponge Egg Drop experiment is a fantastic way to introduce kids to the concepts of force, cushioning, and gravity in a fun, hands-on activity!
Using sponges as the primary material, the challenge is to create a protective case around an egg that will absorb the shock of a drop and prevent it from cracking.
Learn more: Green Kids Craft
4. Paper-Straws Egg Drop
The Paper-Straws and Paper Cone Egg Drop is an exciting and innovative challenge that encourages kids to think like engineers! Using only paper straws and a paper cone, the task is to design a structure that can protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a height.
Learn more: I-Game Mom
5. Ship Egg Drop
In this activity, kids must design packaging using everyday materials to protect an egg during a drop, much like how companies protect delicate items during shipping. This hands-on project encourages children to think critically about impact, cushioning, and safety while experimenting with different packaging techniques.
Learn more: Cool Science Dad
6. Oobleck Egg Drop
The Oobleck Egg Drop is an exciting experiment that combines science with sensory play! Using the non-Newtonian fluid known as Oobleck (a mixture of cornstarch and water), kids must explore whether this gooey substance can protect an egg from breaking during a drop.
Learn more: Steam Powered Family
7. Dodecahedron Egg Drop
The Dodecahedron Egg Drop is a creative and geometric twist on the classic egg drop challenge! In this activity, kids will design and construct a protective case for an egg using the shape of a dodecahedron a 12-sided polygon.
Learn more: Sciencing
8. Tissue Paper Egg Drop
The Tissue Paper Egg Drop is a light and delicate twist on the classic egg drop experiment! Using only tissue paper as the primary material, kids must find creative ways to protect an egg from cracking when dropped from a height.
9. Reinforcement Egg Drop
The Reinforcement Egg Drop adds an exciting engineering twist to the traditional egg drop challenge by incorporating support structures inside a box! Using bottles and elastics or garters as reinforcements, the task is to design a protective system that shields the egg from impact during a drop.
Learn more: Living Digitally
10. Bottle-Pantyhose Egg Shield
The Plastic Bottle-Pantyhose Egg Shield is a unique and creative spin on the classic egg drop challenge! In this experiment, kids must craft a protective shield for an egg using a plastic bottle and pantyhose.
Learn more: Kiwi Co
11. Paper Egg Drop
The Paper Egg Drop is a fun and educational experiment that challenges kids to protect an egg using only paper as the cushioning material.
In this activity, children must design and construct a protective enclosure out of paper to shield the egg from breaking when dropped from a height.
Learn more: I Game Mom
12. Crash Car Egg Drop
The Crash Car Egg Drop is an exhilarating experiment that combines the thrill of building and testing with the science of impact and protection! In this challenge, kids design and construct a mini crash car with the mission of keeping an egg safe during a collision or drop.
13. The Egg Slip
In this activity, an egg is placed on top of a toilet paper roll that is balanced on a flat surface, like a table. The challenge is to quickly slide the cardboard out from under the egg, allowing it to fall straight into a glass with water below due to inertia.
This experiment demonstrates how objects at rest tend to stay at rest unless acted upon by an external force.
Learn more: The Dad Lab
14. Egg Drop Inertia
In this activity, the goal is to balance a plastic egg on top of an object, such as a toilet paper roll or a cup, and then quickly remove the base, allowing the egg to drop straight down into a container below.
Learn more: Rookie Parenting
15. Popsicle Stick Fortress
The Popsicle Stick Fortress is an engaging and creative experiment where kids build a protective fortress for an egg using popsicle sticks and elastics. The challenge is to construct a sturdy structure that can safely cushion the egg during a drop.
Learn more: Feel Good Teaching
16. Balloon Egg Drop
The Balloon Egg Drop is a delightful and inventive experiment that combines the fun of balloons with the challenge of protecting an egg! In this activity, kids use balloons as the primary cushioning material to create a protective barrier around an egg.
Learn more: The Caffeinated Homeschool Ista
17. Egg Bungee
The Egg Bungee is an exciting and inventive experiment that explores the concepts of elasticity and gravity in a hands-on way!
In this activity, kids create a bungee cord for an egg using elastic bands or string, and then design a setup where the egg is suspended and safely lowered from a height.
Learn more: MSI Chicago
18. Space Helmet Egg Drop
The Space Helmet Egg Drop is an imaginative and educational experiment where kids create a “space helmet” to protect an egg as it undergoes a simulated space landing! Using materials like cardboard, foam, and tape, children design a helmet that shields the egg from impact during a drop.
Learn more: Raising Arizona Kids
19. Cardboard Lander
The Cardboard Lander is an innovative and hands-on experiment where kids design a protective landing system for an egg using cardboard and elastics.
In this activity, the egg is placed inside a cardboard container that is secured with elastics, creating a shock-absorbing mechanism to cushion the egg during a drop.
Learn more: Learn Ada Fruit
20. 2-Layered Toilet Paper Tube Egg Drop
The 2-Layered Toilet Paper Tube Egg Drop is a simple yet effective experiment where kids design a protective casing for an egg using two layers of toilet paper tubes. The challenge is to place the egg inside the glass with water.
Learn more: Just A Mums
21. Oobleck Egg Drop
In this activity, the egg is placed inside a Ziplock bag filled with Oobleck. When the bag is dropped, the Oobleck acts as both a solid and a liquid, depending on the force of impact, helping to cushion and protect the egg.
Learn more: Mad About Science
22. Marshmallow Cup Egg Drop
The Marshmallow Cup Egg Drop is a fun and squishy twist on the classic egg drop challenge! In this experiment, kids use marshmallows as the cushioning material inside a cup to protect an egg from breaking during a drop.
Learn more: 123 Homeschool 4me
Parachute Drop
23. Mission: Safe Landing!
Mission: Safe Landing! is an exciting challenge that combines engineering and creativity to protect an egg during a drop using only a balloon and a cup. In this experiment, kids attach a balloon to a cup containing the egg, creating a mini landing craft designed to slow the fall and absorb impact.
Learn more: Science Sparks
24. Eggs in Flight
This egg drop takes the classic egg drop challenge to new heights by incorporating a parachute along with a toilet paper roll to protect the egg. In this experiment, the egg is covered with a toilet paper roll and attached to a parachute, which is designed to slow its descent.
Learn more: Buggy And Buddy
25. Coffee Filter Parachutes
The coffee filters act as parachutes, increasing air resistance and slowing the egg’s descent. The challenge is to attach the coffee filters to the egg in such a way that it floats softly to the ground without breaking.
Learn more: J Daniel’s 4s Mom
26. Operation Egg Drop
Operation Egg Drop is an exciting challenge where kids combine creativity and engineering to safely land an egg using a plastic parachute, a cup, and a few clever design choices. In this experiment, the egg is placed inside a cup that is securely attached to a plastic parachute.
Learn more: There’s Just One Mommy
27. Common Craft Egg Drop
In this project, the egg is carefully wrapped in plastic and surrounded by inflated balloons, which act as a cushion to absorb impact and prevent the egg from cracking. The balloons help disperse the force of the drop, while the plastic offers additional protection.
Learn more: Feels Like Home Blog