'Transformers One' STEAM Projects: Fun DIY Crafts for Kids

Calling all Transformers fans — big and small! Mark your calendars for September 20 because the Transformers One movie release is rolling into theaters, and you won’t want to miss it! Some of our team and their families got a sneak peek and told us it's a must-see for anyone who loves legendary origin stories, stunning animation, and heart-pounding action. 

Paramount Pictures sponsored this article.

Transformers One takes viewers back to the beginning of the Transformers universe, showcasing the untold origin of Optimus Prime and Megatron. With an all-star voice cast and breathtaking visuals, this family-friendly movie is perfect for a night out or a fun way to introduce the next generation to the Transformers family. Plus, it’s packed with action and humor, making it an excellent choice for parents too!

To celebrate the movie's Sept. 20 release, we asked three of our Macaroni KID publishers to work with their kids to come up with DIY Transformers movie crafts that tie perfectly into the excitement of the movie. Their creativity blew us away! 

These kid-friendly Transformers crafts offer fun, hands-on activities that bring the world of Transformers One right into your home. From how to create Transformers-themed STEAM activities at home to fun STEAM activities for kids based on the Transformers One movie, these projects — featuring recycled materials, making marionettes, or mixing up energon slime — will inspire creativity while keeping kids entertained. 

Check out these three easy DIY Transformers projects and get ready for your own at-home Transformers STEAM fun:

Transform Your World: Upcycled Transformers Craft

With the Transformers One movie release coming on Sept. 20, Kelly Fitzpatrick, a New York mom of two young Transformers fanatics, decided to celebrate in a creative way. Inspired by the Autobots’ mission to save the planet, Kelly’s kids set out to turn everyday household items into their very own transforming robots. This kid-friendly Transformers craft is a great way to encourage creativity and sustainability at home.

Materials needed:

• Clean boxes and containers (various sizes)
• Colored paper
• Scissors
• Glue or tape

Instructions:

1. Let the kids take the lead as you study a Transformer, focusing on its shapes and features. Consider how it transforms into its altmode and how you can incorporate that into your project.

Need a character case study to make one of the projects here? See the Transformers One trailer here:

Transformers One: Only in theatres Sept. 20

2. Decide: Do your kids want to replicate an existing character or create a brand-new bot? The choice is theirs!

3. Using recycled materials, create your bot or scene by building a craft collage or 3D sculpture. Use tape or glue as needed.

4. Add any final details like wings, wheels, or paint — because every bot needs flair!

This DIY Transformers project blends eco-conscious upcycling with Transformer fun, making it a hit for all ages.

Autobot Energon Slime: Transform Your Creativity!

In Kate Rushford's Massachusetts household, Transformers One is a big deal — especially for Kate’s son Matthew, who has grown up loving the Autobots. To celebrate, they created blue “energon” slime, a STEM-based DIY project inspired by the Transformers One movie. This fun activity brings science to life while tying into the Transformers universe.

Materials needed:

• 5-6 ounces white school glue (such as Elmer's)
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1½ tablespoons contact lens solution (with boric acid)
• 2 tablespoons water
• Blue food coloring
• Optional: glitter

Instructions:

1. Transform your glue by mixing it with baking soda and water, just like the Autobots transform in the movie!
2. Add blue food coloring to create the iconic “energon” color, perfect for kid-friendly educational activities for Transformers One fans.
3. Add some glitter for extra sparkle, mimicking the high-tech look of Autobots.
4. Mix in the contact lens solution to start the chemical reaction, turning your mixture into slime.
5. Knead and explore the texture, watching how your slime adapts — just like the Autobots!

This easy at-home STEAM slime project is a fun way for kids to explore science while celebrating their favorite Transformers One characters.

Transformers Marionette Puppets

Courtney Tomeo and her son took on a fun challenge — creating marionette-style Transformers puppets! With Transformers One only in theaters Sept. 20, they decided to make Optimus Prime, Elita-1, and Bumblebee come to life. Courtney, who lives in Nevada, was excited to come up with a hands-on STEAM activity for her kids based on the Transformers One movie. They even recreated a scene from the movie using their own homemade Transformers puppets:

Materials needed:

• Cardstock (silver, red, blue, pink, yellow, black)
• Tape or glue
• Brad paper fasteners
• Scissors or craft knife
• Hole punch
• String
• Craft sticks or skewers

Instructions:

1. Cut 8 rectangles for two segmented arms and legs, then fold each into rectangular cubes. Secure with tape. 
2. Punch holes in the limbs, connecting them with brads to allow movement. This helps the puppet move like a real action figure, a key part of Transformers magic for kids.
3. For the body, cut rectangles and curve them to form the chest and waist, securing with tape.
4. Attach the limbs and helmet to create your character.
5. Tie strings to the arms and secure them to a stick to complete the marionette.

Note from Courtney: Little hands may need some help with the paper folding and manipulation! Having a picture of the character they're building and pieces pre-cut and ready to go will help the kids put them together. 

This DIY Transformers project is a great way for kids to experiment with building their own moving robots!

Transformers One: Only in theatres Sept. 20