Create your own Christmas mobile

Mobiles add a fun and visually attractive aspect to the festive period. Can you design and make a Christmas mobile that not only looks good but balances well too?

In this fun and festive activity, students will be encouraged to collect a variety of natural materials that they can use to craft a Christmas mobile. This homemade mobile will make a great sustainable Christmas decoration that can be given as a gift!

This is one of a series of free STEM resources designed to allow students to use the theme of the Christmas period to develop their knowledge and skills in Design and Technology, and Engineering. This resource focuses on the making and balancing of a winter mobile with hanging decorations.

Activity: Create your own Christmas mobile

In this activity, learners will use the theme of the festive season to make a Christmas mobile. They will learn about the principles of balancing and how to create a strong structure, and they will then apply this knowledge to create their own product.

This activity serves as a versatile lesson for teaching about constructing robust structures and the principles of balance. It can be incorporated into a broader curriculum on design and technology, emphasising making and assembly skills. The IET Faraday Resource: Christmas Tree Ornament can be combined with this activity to create one of the hanging ornaments.

The time and resources required for this activity will vary depending on the types and quantities of decorations. We recommend using one of the following suggestions to make your mobile:

• Fir/pine cones - Cones that have been collected previously and allowed to dry out are the best. They take paint well if dry and can look effective with decoration. Keep the hanging loops long.
• Small fir trees - These are simple to construct.
• Clay star - This will be a heavy element for the mobile. The impact of different weights on the mobile should be considered. Bolts do not have to be used if not available.
• Pipe cleaner star - Learners may need additional assistance with measuring the length of the pipe cleaner to split it into five.

Using natural materials will give a unique, designer effect, but shop-bought decorations can be mixed in if time is short.

Suggested learning outcomes

By the end of this activity, students will be able to understand what makes a structure strong, they will be able to understand the concept of balancing, and they will be able to make a strong, well-balanced and visually attractive Christmas mobile.

Download the free Create your own Christmas mobile activity sheet below!

All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.

The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Oh ho ho, and please do share your inspiring creative crafts with us @IETeducation! #SantaLovesSTEM.