When it comes to making learning more fun and engaging, you just can’t beat hands-on actvities.
Ask any elementary student and I bet they’ll say some of their favorite assignments have been STEM activities.
These Paper Plate STEM Challenges are perfect for doing in the classroom or at home.
This year there is so much uncertainty when it comes to school.
Maybe you’re a teacher trying to plan engaging lessons for your kids to do in the classroom, that they could also do at home if needed. Maybe you’re a parent and trying to gather ideas to keep your child busy and learning.
Whatever situation you find yourself in, STEM is a great place to start.
It keeps kids engaged, and STEM (or STEAM) doesn’t have to be expensive. Many times you can find the materials you need right in your recycling, like in this simple cardboard tube marble run and this simple mechanical hand project.
All of the materials in these STEM activities with paper plates can be found at your local dollar store.
Paper Plate STEM Activities
Paper Plate Water Wheel — Explore how water wheels work and the power of water with this fun hands-on activity.
Paper Plate Fractions — Is your child learning about equivalent fractions? Create your own set of manipulatives to help them better visualize and understand what all those fractions mean.
Window Greenhouse — Make your own mini greenhouse to hang in the window. This simple project is perfect for showing kids how seeds sprout and grow. It would be fun to do with preschoolers or as part of a botany unit with elementary students.
Paper Plate Roller Coaster — Use the edge of thick paper plates to engineer your very own swirly marble roller coaster.
Interactive Paper Plate Calendar — Kids will have fun building their very own interactive calendar to keep track of the days of the week and the date.
Paper Plate Marble Maze — Colorful paper tunnels make this simple maze activity a fun preschooler STEM activity.
Paper Plate & Straw Maze — Kids of all ages will have fun designing mazes for their friends to try.
Paper Plate Spinners — Make colorful spinning tops using coins and paper plates. Then test to see which coins work best.
Magnet Maze — This is a simple hands-on activity to demonstrate the power of magnets. Can your child keep their bell on the squigly maze by using their magnet?
Sundial Activity — Whether your child is learning about ancient civilizations or how the planets move, this paper plate STEM project is fun to make.
No matter what age your child is, they will have fun with these paper plate STEM challenges.
They’ll also enjoy:
