Soft Starts in the Classroom: STEM Bin Ideas for Upper Elementary

If you're looking for a simple way to add a little more creativity, problem solving, and fun to your classroom routine, soft starts are one of my favorite things to do with my students.

A soft start gives students a few minutes at the beginning of class to ease into the day with something hands-on instead of jumping right into their regular bell work.

In my classroom, our soft start bins are filled with everything from magnetic tiles and speed cubes to logic puzzles and origami. There's something for the builders, the problem solvers, the creators, and the students who are determined to finally solve that speed cube!

And there's one important part of how we do soft starts in my classroom: students earn them.

How Soft Starts Work in My Classroom

I don't start soft starts on the first day of school.

During the first few weeks, we're learning our classroom routines and expectations. Students are practicing how to come into class, get settled, follow directions, use materials appropriately, work with others, and clean up when it's time.

Once they've shown me they're ready, they earn their first soft start day!

After that, we typically have a soft start once a week.

On our soft start day, students skip their normal bell work and have about 15–20 minutes at the beginning of class to choose an activity from our STEM bins.

It's something they look forward to, but they also know that it comes with expectations. For me, that balance is important. Soft starts are supposed to be fun, but they're still part of our classroom routine.

Why I Love Soft Starts

Of course my students love soft starts because they get to build, create, play games, and solve puzzles.

But there is SO much happening during those 15–20 minutes.

Students are problem solving, thinking critically, creating, communicating, sharing materials, and working together. They're practicing perseverance when a puzzle doesn't work the first time and learning from classmates who might approach a challenge completely differently.

Soft starts can also be a great way for students to connect with each other. I've watched students teach each other how to solve a speed cube, work together on a huge magnetic tile creation, or help a friend figure out a tricky logic puzzle.

And because we only do soft starts once a week, they still feel special.

What Do You Put in Soft Start STEM Bins?

You definitely don't need to go out and buy a classroom full of STEM materials.

I like having a variety of options because every student gravitates toward something different. Some immediately start building. Others want the hardest puzzle they can find. And some would happily spend the entire time creating something out of a single piece of paper.

Here are some of our favorites.

Building & Creating

The building bins are always popular.

Magnetic tiles are one of our favorites because there are so many ways students can use them. They can build completely on their own, work with a friend to create something bigger, or challenge themselves to make a specific structure.

We also keep building bricks available. You definitely don't need the name brand ones for your classroom either. There are plenty of less expensive building brick sets that are perfect for filling a classroom STEM bin without spending quite as much.

Another favorite is Plus-Plus blocks. Students can use them to make flat designs or build 3D creations, and they're small enough that you can fit plenty in a bin.

I love that none of these activities need a specific end goal. Sometimes students just need the opportunity to experiment, create something, decide it isn't working, take it apart, and try again.

Puzzles & Problem Solving

Some of my students head straight for the puzzles every single time.

Kanoodle games are one of my favorite options for soft starts because students can grab one and get started independently. There are different challenges to work through, so students can keep coming back and trying something harder.

We also love hands-on logic puzzles where students use different pieces to recreate the shape shown on a challenge card. We have both a cat version and a dog version, and my students love both! Each challenge gets students thinking about how the pieces fit together to create the finished shape.

If you have students who LOVE a challenge, these will probably be one of their favorite bins.

Speed Cubes

Speed cubes are another huge favorite in my classroom. They’re similar to Rubik’s Cubes and give students a challenge they can keep coming back to week after week.

Some students already know how to solve them and immediately start trying to improve their time. Others pick one up with no idea where to start and slowly begin figuring out different strategies.

One of my favorite things is watching students teach each other. A student who knows how to solve one will often start showing a classmate what to do, and before long, you have several students working on them together.

They’re also perfect for soft starts because students can easily pick up where they left off the next week, whether they're working toward solving the entire cube or trying to beat their fastest time.

Creative Thinking

Not everything in our soft start bins has to look like a traditional STEM activity.

Origami paper is a great option for students who would rather spend their soft start time creating something. I also keep an origami instruction book nearby so students can choose a design and follow the steps independently.

Origami gets students thinking, problem solving, following a sequence of directions, and using spatial reasoning, but it feels completely different from solving a logic puzzle or building with blocks.

I like having a creative option available because the goal isn't for every student to enjoy the same type of activity. Soft starts give students a chance to choose something that interests them.

How I Organize Our STEM Bins

One of my biggest requirements for a soft start activity is that students can get it out, use it, and put it away themselves.

I keep our materials separated into individual classroom bins so students know where to find everything and, just as importantly, where to put it when they're done.

You don't need a complicated organization system. Simple bins or containers work perfectly.

I also wouldn't worry about having enough for every student to use the exact same activity. Part of our routine is choosing from what's available and trying something different if your first choice is already being used.

Start Small!

You absolutely don't need every activity on this list to start using soft starts. Start with a few STEM bins and build your collection over time.

A bin of building bricks, a couple of puzzles, some origami paper, and a few other activities are plenty to get started. You'll quickly learn which activities your students gravitate toward and can add more from there.

One of my favorite things about soft starts is that they're not just beneficial for students. Once your bins are set up and expectations are established, they're low prep for you, too. Students know what to grab, what to do, and how to clean up, giving you a calm and productive way to start class without another activity to prep.

If you want to see what we use, I've put together my complete Soft Start & STEM Bin list here with our favorite building materials, puzzles, games, creative activities, and the bins I use to organize everything.

Start with a few favorites, teach the expectations, and make the routine work for your classroom. Your students get 15–20 minutes to build, create, and problem solve, while you get an easy-to-manage start to class.

Soft start day might just become a favorite for you and your students!

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