When it comes to inspiring a child to love learning, you just can’t go wrong with science experiments and STEM challenges. These activities tend to be very hands-on and allow kids to be creative and have fun, all while learning.
You probably already know that STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math. In recent years the acronym has become a focus word in the education world.
STEM Activities challenge children to think beyond what they can learn through textbooks. They encourage children to explore ideas, work together, and to problem solve. These are skills that are needed as children become adults.
Parents and teachers love that these activities don’t have to be expensive. Just check out these paper plate STEM ideas.
What makes something STEM and not just math or science?
Math and science are integrated in the activity, but it’s not just a typical science experiment. Usually the project revolves around the process of engineering (the E in STEM). It should also engage kids in creating and testing their designs, allowing them to try again if their idea doesn’t work at first.
To make STEM projects at home easy, keep these most often used STEM supplies on hand.
STEM isn’t just for older kids. There are plenty of fun STEM activities for preschoolers that are perfect for younger kids.
STEM Activities
Build a Mechanical Hand with Straws — Elementary aged kids will have fun exploring this mechanical engineering project, which uses items you probably already have at home.
Egg Drop Challenge — Can your child design a container that can hold a raw egg and keep it from breaking when dropped from a high place?
Hexbug Lego Maze — The mix of STEM and feel of a game is a fun combination kids will enjoy over and over.
Awesome Marble Roller Coaster — Kids of all ages will have fun exploring physics while engineering their very own roller coaster.
How to Make a Lemon Battery — Making a fruit battery is a fun way for kids to explore ciruits and electricity.
Coffee Filter Parachute — Find out how to make a toy parachute from a coffee filter in this quick and simple challenge.
How to Make Crystal Egg Geodes — Create your own sparkly homemade geodes with a bit of science.
Engineer a Paper Plate Water Wheel — Learn about the power of water with this paper plate STEM.
Balloon-Powered Boat — This super simple STEM idea is perfect when you are stuck indoors — and it makes bath time more fun!
Rocket Bottle Boat — Your child will love using baking soda and vinegar in this simple boat STEM.
Ball Blower — Recycle a plastic bottle to engineer this simple ping-pong ball blower and learn about the power of air.
Balancing Craft Stick Toy — Can you get a craft stick to balance on its end? Kids will have fun making their own crazy craft stick person and learning about the center of gravity with this challenge.
Building an Electromagnet — This STEM project is perfect for older elementary students and middle schoolers.
Make a Paper Cup Phone — Your child will love this classic kids activity.
Flying Cardboard Tube Dragon — Mix crafting and engineering to make a fun dragon that really flies.
Preschool STEM: Build a Chair for a Stuffed Animal — Does your child have a favorite stuffed friend? This challenge will have them designing the perfect seat for their friend, using their imagination and recyclables.
Build a Rubber Band Boat — Engineer your very own paddle boat, powered by a rubber band. This one is perfect to take outside to try, or try it in the bathtub.
CD Hovercraft — This quick STEM takes just 10 minutes to do. It’s perfect for rainy days or as an after school activity.
How to Build a Simple Craft Stick Catapult — Kids of all ages will have fun designing a catapult and testing how far it can fling candy or paper wads.
Making Musical Instruments (STEAM) — This one is perfect for doing with a small group of kids. Afterwards they can use their homemade music instruments to form a marching band.
Cardboard Tube Marble Run — Making a marble run with cardboard tubes is an inexpensive hands-on learning activity your child will love.
Homemade Rubber Band Shooter — This is my son’s favorite STEM project so far! Build your own rubber band gun and learn about potential and kinetic energy in the process.
St. Patrick’s Day STEM Challenge: Build a Leprechaun Trap — This open-ending project is perfect for inspiring creativity. What type of trap will your child build?
Recycled STEM Activity: Taking Apart Old Electronics — Do you have old electronics at home that no longer work? Your child will enjoy having the chance to take them apart and discover how they work.
Preschool STEM: Plastic Egg Submarines — Preschoolers love water play. Your child will have fun experimenting to figure out how to make their submarine sink.
Building a Cup Pyramid: Teamwork Building STEM — This challenge is simple to set up and will keep kids busy working together, making it perfect for a scout meeting or as a rainy day activity at home.
Apple Wrecking Ball — Kids of all ages will have lots of fun designing and engineering their very own wrecking ball with an apple.
Valentine’s Day STEM Activities — From fizzing science experiments, to building structures with hearts and catapulting candy hearts, you’ll find lots of fun STEM ideas with a Valentines twist.
Activities that encourage tinkering and exploring are perfect for keeping kids busy and learning.
You’ll find over 50 fun and engagine engineering challenges in my book, Awesome Engineering Activities for Kids.
You’ll also want to check out the activities below.
Summer STEM
Pendulum Painting — This easy STEAM activity is the perfect mix of engineering and art.
Create Your Own Water Wall with Recyclables — Fun for kids of all ages to make, this one is especially popular with preschoolers.
Design a Boat That Floats Challenge — Can your child design a boat that actually floats? With so many possibilities, this one can be done over and over.
Build a Solar Oven — Make your own solar oven and then use it to cook up some tasty treats.
Engineer a Solar Still — Find out how you can use the power of the sun to purify water for drinking.
Build a Shelter Challenge — Your child will have fun learning survival skills and building their very own shelter.
How to Make Sun Prints — Discover the power of the sun. This one mixes in art, making a fun STEAM activity for summer.
Halloween STEM Activities
Disappearing Ghosts Activity — This one is so simple, yet the results are guaranteed to keep your child entertained for a long time.
Pumpkin STEM Activities — From building a pumpkin pulley and building a candy pumpkin tower, to making a working clock out of a pumpkin, discover lots of fun ideas for October.
Halloween STEM — Engineer a pumpkin catapult, make ghost poppers, build a battery with a pumpkin, and so many more fun STEM and STEAM activities perfect for Halloween.
Christmas STEM Activities
Elf Zipline STEM Project — Is your elf on a shelf stuck somewhere way up high? Help him find a safe way down by engineering a zipline for toys.
Elf on a Shelf STEM: Build an Elf House — Every elf needs a safe place they can go to relax and enjoy the tree lights.
Elf on the Shelf STEM Activities — Lots of fun engineering activities for kids that all center around their favorite elf.
Melting Snowman Activity — Keep your child entertained with this simple STEM project.
New Year’s STEM Activities — These simple challenges would be a fun addition to any New Year Celebration.
Why STEM Challenges Are Important
- Science and technology are ever changing and growing. Just look at how how far technology has come in the past 20 years! As a result, STEM occupations are growing at a fast pace.
- STEM education helps bridge the gender and ethnic gaps that can be found in math and science fields.
- Participating in STEM challenges outside of school allows kids to that what they are learning has real-life application.
- Working on STEM projects helps foster collaboration and teamwork skills as well as critical thinking.
Fun Gift Ideas To Encourage Your Child’s Love of STEM
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