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Challenge cards

Are you ready for a challenge?

Can you skewer a balloon without popping it? Coat a nail in copper? What happens when you plug a clock into a potato?

A young girl cutting sticky tape for her cardboard boat model.

Dyson engineers have designed these challenges specifically for children. Ideal for home or in the classroom, they encourage inquisitive young minds to get excited about engineering.

Drawing of a balloon car.

Challenge 01

Balloon Car Race

Make and race a balloon-powered car using just a balloon, a plastic cup, straws, thread and rubber bands.

Watch the video to see Dyson engineers supersizing their balloon cars to see if they can win the race.


Drawing of a suspension bridge.

Challenge 02

Spaghetti Bridges

Can you build a spaghetti bridge that's strong enough to hold a bag of sugar?

Watch the video to see Dyson engineers attempt the challenge with their spaghetti replica of the Golden Gate Bridge.


Drawing of a marble with an arrow denoting its rolling movement.

Challenge 03

Marble Run

Cardboard. Sticky tape. Marbles. Can you build a run that keeps the marble going for at least a minute?

Watch the video to see how Dyson engineers have tackled the problem, including an impressive run made from Dyson parts.


Drawing of a man sitting on a chair.

Challenge 04

Cardboard Chair

This challenge focuses on the principles of design and structure. Can you design and build a chair from cardboard, that’s strong enough to support your weight?

Watch the video to find out more and see how Dyson engineers took on the challenge.


Drawing of an eye with an arrow demonstrating the eye is able to see around a corner.

Challenge 05

Make a Periscope

Can you turn a shoebox into an ingenious device for seeing around corners?

Watch the video to find out more about how periscopes work and how such simple principles can be used to inspire even bigger and better inventions.


Drawing of a boat.

Challenge 06

Cardboard Boat

This challenge will test your design and invention skills. Can you design and build a boat from cardboard that’s strong enough to float, even with a weight on board?

Watch the video to find out more and see Dyson engineers take on the challenge.

Mini-series

Air Pollution Challenge Cards

Download our mini-series of air pollution themed challenge cards.

Mini-series

Chinese New Year Challenge Cards

Download our mini-series of Chinese New Year themed challenge cards.

Mini-series

Ramadan Challenge Cards

Download our mini-series of Ramadan themed challenge cards.

Mini-series

Deepavali Challenge Cards

Download our mini-series of Deepavali themed challenge cards.

Mini-series

Christmas Challenge Cards

Download our mini-series of Christmas themed challenge cards.

Mini-series

Circuit Christmas Card Template

Download the template for the Circuit Christmas Card challenge.

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