One of my goals as a parent is to teach my kids to build simple robots. As we develop our skills as robot designers, we will simultaneously be learning some basic electrical engineering. I’m educated as a mechanical engineering, but I can definitely see the appeal of this area of study. Projects involving batteries, switches, lights, buzzers, and motion seem to be universally appealing to children of all ages.
By the time my kids are 7 or 8 years old, they are able to hook up simple circuits on their own. This is a picture of my daughter accidentally making a self-launching propeller by hooking up a battery pack, motor, and switch and attaching a propeller that was just a little too lose. She could repeatedly gEt it to launch at least 6 feet in the air. I love that she has the confidence to try projects like this on her own.
Here are the electrical engineering activities on this site in reverse chronological order. Be sure to check out my related robotics projects as well.
If your child has a serious interest in the field of electrical engineering, you might also be interested in some of the recommended products below. Click each picture for my full, detailed review:
Snap Circuits by Elenco ($20-$125)
Click here for more Technology and Engineering activities for kids.
Related Links
Computer Science Activities for Kids
Robotics Activities for Kids
All Learning Activities
Michelle has a PhD in Engineering from Stanford University and a Bachelor's Degree from the California Institute of Technology. 
