No matter how little general knowledge one might have, if there is one silhouette in the world that is instantly recognizable, it is the iconic French monument. It is a travel dream for many and a symbol of romance and engineering brilliance—the Eiffel Tower.
If you are planning on getting kids acquainted with world structures, geography, or simply the magic of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is the perfect place to start. Whether you are homeschooling, looking for a rainy day activity, or celebrating Eiffel Tower Day on March 31st, these projects are designed to inspire creativity.
But rather than just reading random facts from a textbook, the best way for kids to understand the complexity and beauty of this structure is to build it themselves! From engineering challenges using straws to artistic renditions using watercolors, we have curated a list of 10 enchanting Eiffel Tower crafts for kids.
Grab your glue sticks, put on some French café music, and let’s transport ourselves to Paris!
Why Teach Kids About the Eiffel Tower?
Before we dive into the glue and glitter, it is helpful to understand the educational value behind these crafts.
- Engineering Basics: The Eiffel Tower is a masterpiece of triangulation. Building models teaches kids why triangles are the strongest shape in construction.
- Cultural Geography: It introduces children to France, the French language, and European culture.
- History: Built for the 1889 World’s Fair, it was originally meant to be temporary! This fact always fascinates children.
1. The Engineering Challenge: Straws and Playdough
This craft is perfect for older kids (ages 7+) who are interested in how things stand up. It focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) concepts.
Materials:
- Plastic or paper straws
- Playdough or modeling clay (for the joints)
- Scissors
How to Make It: Start by cutting the straws into various lengths. Teach your children that the Eiffel Tower is wider at the bottom and gets narrower at the top. Use balls of playdough to connect the straws. The challenge here is to create a wide square base and then build upward using triangles. If the tower leans, ask your child to problem-solve: Does it need a cross-brace? Is the base too narrow?
2. The “City of Lights” Glitter Cut-Out
Paris is often called the “City of Lights,” and this craft captures that sparkle. It is messy, fun, and perfect for preschoolers.
Materials:
- Cardboard (from an old cereal box)
- Silver or gold glitter paint
- Loose glitter (optional, if you are brave!)
- Black cardstock
How to Make It: Draw a simple outline of the Eiffel Tower on the cardboard and cut it out. Let the kids go wild painting the cardboard with the glitter paint. While that dries, use the black cardstock to create a background. You can even use white chalk to draw stars or fireworks on the black background. Once the tower is dry, glue it onto the night sky background for a dazzling 3D effect.
3. LEGO® Brick Tower Construction
For the kids who prefer clicking bricks together over messy glue, this is the ultimate challenge.
Materials:
- LEGO® bricks or wooden blocks
- A picture of the Eiffel Tower for reference
How to Make It: This is an open-ended play prompt. Provide the children with a photo of the real tower and ask them to replicate it.
- Level 1 (Toddlers): Stack wooden blocks as high as possible before they topple.
- Level 2 (Older Kids): Use Legos to try and recreate the lattice structure. Challenge them to make the distinct three levels of the tower. This helps with spatial awareness and planning.
4. The Recycled Newspaper Tower
This project is eco-friendly and creates a rustic, artistic look. It’s a great way to teach sustainability alongside architecture.
Materials:
- Old newspapers
- Tape (Masking tape works best)
- Stapler
How to Make It: Roll sheets of newspaper tightly from one corner to the other to create long, sturdy tubes (simulating iron beams). Tape the tubes so they don’t unroll. Use these tubes to construct the tower. The newspaper tubes are surprisingly strong! You can build a structure that is taller than your child! Once built, you can spray paint it silver or bronze for a metallic finish.
5. Q-Tip “Pointillism” Painting
Inspired by the French Impressionist art style, this craft uses Q-tips to create texture. It is excellent for fine motor skills.
Materials:
- White paper
- A printed silhouette of the Eiffel Tower
- Paint (Blue, Red, White, Yellow)
- Q-Tips (Cotton swabs)
How to Make It: Place the Eiffel Tower silhouette in the center of the white paper. You can lightly tape it down. Have the child dip the Q-tip in paint and dot all around the silhouette. They can make a sunset, a blue sky, or fireworks. Once the paint dries, peel off the silhouette. The result is a crisp white Eiffel Tower surrounded by a sea of beautiful colors.
6. Popsicle Stick Architecture
Popsicle sticks are a classic craft staple. This project requires patience and is better for school-aged children.
Materials:
- Jumbo and regular popsicle sticks
- Strong craft glue (or a hot glue gun with adult supervision)
- Paint
How to Make It: Lay out the sticks flat on a table to form the shape of the tower (an ‘A’ frame). Glue cross-beams horizontally and diagonally to mimic the wrought-iron look. Make two of these ‘A’ frames and connect them to create a standing 3D structure, or simply keep it flat as a piece of wall art. Paint it black or metallic grey once the glue is completely dry.
7. Aluminum Foil Sculpture
This is a sensory-rich craft that allows for molding and shaping without the need for adhesive.
Materials:
- A roll of aluminum foil
How to Make It: This is surprisingly fun! Give your child a long sheet of foil. The goal is to scrunch, twist, and mold the foil into the shape of the Eiffel Tower. The foil holds its shape well, allowing for thin spires and a wide base. It naturally looks like metal, which adds to the realism. It’s a great quick activity that requires zero cleanup.
8. 3D Paper Origami
For children who love precision and paper folding, making a paper model is very satisfying.
Materials:
- Construction paper or cardstock
- Scissors
- Tape
How to Make It: Cut four identical tall triangles (with the tops cut off to make them trapezoids) for the base, and four thinner triangles for the top. Fold them length-wise to create a crease. Tape the sides together to form a pyramid-like structure. You can draw the “X” patterns of the ironwork onto the paper before taping it together.
9. Wafer Cookie Edible Tower
What is better than building a tower? Eating it afterward! This is a hit at parties.
Materials:
- Sugar wafer cookies (the long rectangular ones)
- Icing or melted chocolate (to act as glue)
- A steady hand!
How to Make It: Use the icing as mortar. Lay down a square base of wafers. Build upwards, cutting the wafers with a serrated knife to get smaller pieces as you go up. This is a delicate process, so it teaches a soft touch. If it collapses, you just have a delicious snack break!
10. Pipe Cleaner Twist
Pipe cleaners (chenille stems) are colorful, flexible, and forgiving.
Materials:
- Silver, gold, or black pipe cleaners
- Beads (optional)
How to Make It: Twist the pipe cleaners together to form the legs of the tower. The wire inside allows kids to bend the legs to get that perfect curve that the Eiffel Tower is famous for. You can thread pony beads onto the legs for decoration before connecting the pieces.
5 Fun Facts to Share While Crafting
Keep the conversation going while their hands are busy!
- It grows in the summer: Due to thermal expansion (the iron getting hot), the Eiffel Tower can grow up to 6 inches taller in the summer sun!
- It moves: In strong winds, the top of the tower can sway by a few inches.
- It takes a lot of paint: The tower is repainted every 7 years. It takes 60 tons of paint to cover it!
- Not everyone liked it: When it was first built, many artists in Paris hated it and called it a “useless monstrosity.” Now, it is the most beloved landmark in the country.
- Hidden Apartment: Gustave Eiffel, the designer, built a small secret apartment for himself at the very top of the tower.
Conclusion
Bringing the magic of Paris into your home doesn’t require a plane ticket. These 10 enchanting Eiffel Tower crafts provide a wonderful opportunity to bond with your children while exploring history, engineering, and art.
Whether you choose the sturdy engineering of the straw tower or the sparkling beauty of the glitter art, you are building memories. So, on March 31st, or any day you feel a little wanderlust, clear the kitchen table and start building your own masterpiece.
Au revoir and happy crafting!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the best age for these crafts? A: This list covers a wide range. The Glitter Cut-Out and Foil Sculpture are great for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-5). The Straw Challenge and Popsicle Stick crafts are better for elementary-aged kids (6-10).
Q: Where can I find materials for these projects? A: Most materials listed (straws, foil, cardboard, paper) are likely already in your recycling bin or kitchen pantry. Specialty items like pipe cleaners or modeling clay can be found at any local dollar store.
Q: How can I make these crafts educational? A: Focus on the shapes (triangles vs. squares) and the geography (show them France on
