Propose a science project for other DIYers
Build a simple solar oven from a pizza box, foil, and plastic wrap; test melting s'mores and learn how sunlight heats objects with adult supervision.
About this activity
Build a simple solar oven from a pizza box, foil, and plastic wrap; test melting s'mores and learn how sunlight heats objects with adult supervision.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials on a table so everything is ready.
- 2
Step 2
Use the ruler and pencil to draw a rectangle on the lid leaving about a 1-inch border on three sides and leaving one side uncut as a hinge.
- 3
Step 3
Carefully cut along the three drawn sides with scissors to make a flap while leaving the fourth side attached as the hinge.
- 4
Step 4
Fold the cut flap upward so it stands up from the lid.
- 5
Step 5
Attach a sheet of aluminum foil to the inner side of the flap so it is smooth and shiny to reflect sunlight.
- 6
Step 6
Attach black construction paper to the bottom inside of the box so the floor is covered in black to absorb heat.
- 7
Step 7
Stretch clear plastic wrap tightly over the rectangular opening and tape all the edges to make a sealed clear window.
- 8
Step 8
Move the pizza box to a flat spot in direct sunlight outside.
- 9
Step 9
Prop the foil-covered flap with the stick so it angles sunlight down through the clear window into the box.
- 10
Step 10
Place a small square of foil or a small plate on the black paper inside the box as a base for the s'more.
- 11
Step 11
Assemble your s'more and put it on the foil or plate inside the box.
- 12
Step 12
Close the box lid gently so the plastic window stays sealed.
- 13
Step 13
Start a timer for 15 to 30 minutes and leave the box in the sun to let it heat up.
- 14
Step 14
Ask an adult to carefully open the box and remove the s'more when it looks soft or melted.
- 15
Step 15
Share a photo and a short note about your solar oven and melted s'more on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you build a simple solar oven from a pizza box to melt s'mores?
To build a simple solar oven from a pizza box, cut a flap in the lid leaving a 1–2 inch border, line the flap and inside of the box with aluminum foil to reflect sunlight, and place black construction paper on the bottom to absorb heat. Tape clear plastic wrap over the opening to make an insulating window, prop the flap so it faces the sun, put s'mores on a small foil tray inside, and monitor progress. Always have an adult do cutting and supervise the activity.
What materials do I need to make a pizza-box solar oven?
You’ll need a clean pizza box, aluminum foil, clear plastic wrap (or a large zip-top bag), black construction paper, tape, scissors or a craft knife (adult use only), a ruler and pencil to mark cuts, and a stick or straw to prop the flap. Add a small foil tray or plate for the s'mores, oven mitts, and an outdoor thermometer (optional). Have an adult handle cutting and hot items.
What ages is this pizza-box solar oven project suitable for?
This project suits a wide range: children about 5–8 can help decorate and assemble with close adult assistance for cutting and handling hot items; ages 9–12 can build most of the oven with supervision and learn measurements; teens can run experiments, record temperatures, and tweak designs independently. Always match tasks to the child’s skills and keep adult supervision for tools, heat, and sun safety.
What are the benefits and safety tips for testing s'mores in a solar oven?
Benefits include hands-on lessons about solar energy, reflection, absorption, and energy transfer plus measuring and observation practice. Safety tips: always supervise, let adults cut and handle hot trays, use oven mitts, avoid staring at reflected sunlight, place the oven on a stable surface, and check food temperature before eating. Try variations like different interior colors or extra insulation to compare which design heats fastest.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have a pizza box, aluminum foil, or clear plastic wrap?
Use a sturdy cardboard shoebox or shipping box instead of the pizza box, replace aluminum foil with a smooth emergency blanket or extra-dull side of a pie pan taped flat to the flap, and substitute clear plastic wrap with a clear plastic shower curtain, a large zip-top bag stretched tight, or a transparency sheet taped over the rectangular opening.
Why isn't my s'more melting, and how can I fix it?
Check that the plastic window is fully taped and sealed around the rectangular opening, smooth and secure the foil on the flap so it reflects sunlight into the box, re-angle the flap with the stick for maximal sun reflection, and make sure the black construction paper is flat to absorb heat while leaving the box in direct sun for 15–30 minutes.
How do I adapt this project for different ages?
For preschoolers have an adult do the ruler/pencil drawing and cutting while the child decorates and helps tape the plastic window, for ages 6–10 let kids draw the rectangle, cut the three sides with supervision, and assemble the foil and black paper, and for 11+ encourage measuring flap angles, using a thermometer inside the box, timing heats, and recording results.
How can we improve or personalize the solar oven to heat faster or make the project more creative?
Boost performance by adding insulation like crumpled newspaper under the black construction paper, lining more interior surfaces with aluminum foil, placing a small oven thermometer on the black floor to track peak temperatures, experimenting with flap angles using the stick, and decorating the lid before stretching the plastic window to personalize the oven for your DIY.org post.