One of my boys’ favorite things in the world is a STEM challenge. And guess what? They are becoming one of my favorite learning tools, too! Could it be? A simple learning setup that I LOVE that my boys LOVE just as much?!
Adding STE(A)M (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) activities to your kindergarten—or any grade!—lesson plans is a great way to include hands-on learning fun into your week!
Before we get into all of the fun STEM activities for kindergarten, I want to share this “Why Do Leaves Change Color?” experiment with you! It is a fascinating STEM activity where you get to see what beautiful reds, oranges, or yellows are hiding within green leaves, just waiting for fall so they can appear. Grab your step-by-step instructions right here:
Okay, let’s get into it! Below, you will find some of the best STEM activities for kindergarten from across the web, including: literature-inspired STEM activities, artistic STEM activities or STEAM activities, nature-inspired STEM activities, math-focused STEM activities, science-focused STEM activities, and engineering-focused STEM activities.
STEM Activities for Kindergarten at Home
STEM activities are a great way to round out your kindergarten homeschooling curriculum. Get inspired with these 30 STEM projects to include some hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math learning.
Literature-Inspired STEM Activities
3 Little Pigs STEM Challenge by Sweet Sounds of Kindergarten – This Kindergarten STEM challenge goes along with the story The 3 Little Pigs. The kids are challenged to build a little house that will withstand the huff and puff from the big bad wolf!
3 Billy Goats Gruff Storybook STEM by Teach Beside Me – This literature-inspired STEM project will challenge your kindergartener to build a bridge strong enough to hold three billy goats. The best part is it only uses basic craft supplies!
Storytime STEAM – Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Preschool STEAM – This fantastic storytime STEAM activity goes along with the classic alphabet book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and is perfect for kindergarten! You’ll need some colorful letters, green popsicle sticks, and wooden blocks.
Stack the Cat’s Hat by Little Bins for Little Hands – For this Dr. Seuss inspired STEM activity, you’ll need some red plastic cups and squares of card stock. Then, challenge your kindergartener to stack the cat’s hat as high as possible!
Apple Boats STEM Activity by A Dab of Glue Will Do – This simple STEM activity pairs perfectly with any apple-themed book. It’s a great way to teach your kindergartener about buoyancy and density.
Artistic STEM Activities
LEGO Duplo Pendulum Painting by Stir the Wonder – Building a LEGO Duplo pendulum is a fun way for kindergarteners to practice engineering skills. Then, they can have lots of fun learning physics while getting creative with paint!
Chromatography Art Project by Buggy and Buddy – Turn science into art with this beautiful chromatography STEAM project. All you will need are some strips of chromatography paper, markers, and cups of paper.
Make Sun Prints by There’s Just One Mommy – This is a wonderful STEAM activity for kindergarteners to do on a sunny day! Gather up some items around your home and place them in the sun on some black construction paper to make creative print art.
Homemade Wigglebot by Research Parent – This cool STEAM project is a neat introduction to robotics that is perfect for kindergarteners! All you need are some basic household supplies, AAA battery holder, AAA batteries, and a 1.5-3 V DC motor.
LEGO Duplo Paint Machine by Stir the Wonder – This amazing LEGO Duplo paint machine is a creative way for kindergarteners to learn engineering skills. All that is needed are some Duplo bricks, paint, a brush, and paper.
Nature-Inspired STEM Activities
STEM Challenge: Nature Boats – Take your kindergartener outside for this nature STEM challenge! You’ll need a variety of natural materials and a puddle or bucket of water. Then see what your kids come up with and put them to a float test!
Seed Germination for Kids – This classic STEM activity is perfect for kindergarteners. Test a variety of seeds to see which ones germinate the best or the fastest. Keep a daily journal of your results.
Why Do Leaves Change Color? Science Experiment – This nature-focused STEM activity explores the question, “Why do leaves change color?” With some colorful leaves and basic household supplies, you and your kindergartener can learn all about the nature of chlorophyll.
Nature Sculpture STEAM Challenge by Share It Science – Get your kindergartener outside, gather up some natural materials, and challenge them to design some creative sculptures. This STEM challenge uses engineering skills and is also artistically creative.
Invitation to Build a Dam by Kitchen Floor Crafts – Head outside with plenty of building materials and a roll of tin foil. Then invite your kindergartener to use the materials to build a dam to stop the water from flowing down the river.
Math Focused STEM Activities
Playing with Volume in the Rice Table – This simple sensory STEM activity is a fun, hands-on way to teach kindergarteners about volume. All you need is some different-shaped containers, measuring cups, and a bin of rice.
Geoboard STEAM Activity by Little Bins for Little Hands – Use this DIY geoboard and rubber bands to create different shapes and designs. This is a fun STEM activity for kindergarteners to learn all about shapes and how they work together to create different designs.
Measuring Growing Dinosaurs by Early Learning Ideas – For this STEM idea, you’ll need some creatures that grow in water and a ruler of some sort. It’s a great way to teach kindergarteners about length measurement.
Weight STEM Challenge by Mrs. Richardson’s Class – This fun weight STEM challenge will add some mystery to your kindergarten lessons. All you need is a balance scale, paper bags, and some mystery items.
Measuring Distance with Catapult by Stir the Wonder – This hands-on STEM challenge will have your kindergarten kids launching balls or candy and measuring the distance that they fly.
Science Focused STEM Activities
Toilet Paper Roll Experiment – Kindergarteners will love this simple STEM experiment that you can take outside! For this STEM activity, you’ll need a toilet paper roll, a balloon, and tape.
Turn Milk into Plastic! – This fun science-focused STEM activity will teach your kindergartener some chemistry and about chemical reactions. You can create neat crafts with it, too!
Water Suspension Science Experiment by A Mothership Down – This easy science demonstration is a great way to begin to teach kindergarteners about making predictions and the scientific method. All you need is a clear glass and a bowl of water.
Tornado in a Bottle Science Activity by Stir the Wonder – This science activity is a great addition to a kindergarten weather unit. All you need is two clear bottles, duct tape, and water.
Color Changing Flowers Science Experiment by Fun Learning for Kids – This classic science experiment is a great way to teach kindergarteners how plants take in water and nutrients. All you need are some white flowers, cups of water, and food coloring.
Engineering Focused STEM Activities
Amazing Outdoor Fort Ideas Using Sticks – Fort building is a quintessential childhood activity. It is also an excellent engineering-focused STEM activity! This post includes many great ideas for building forts outside using sticks!
Make a Snack Pulley by Left Brain Craft Brain – Challenge your kindergartener to build a pulley for their snacks. All you need are some household recyclable items and basic craft supplies.
Hexbug Mazes and Structures by Buggy and Buddy – Use fun building toys you already have to build mazes and structures for hexbugs. This is a great engineering STEM activity for kindergarten.
Cardboard Tube Marble Run by Learn with Play at Home – This simple STEM project is perfect for kindergarteners. You will need some cardboard tubes, tape, and marbles.
Rubber Band Powered Car by Little Bins for Little Hands – Making a rubber band-powered car is a cool STEM project that kindergarteners will love! It’s a great STEM project that incorporates engineering, technology, and math.
So there you have it! 30 STEM projects that are perfect for kindergarteners! I hope you have been inspired to incorporate some STEM activities into your kindergarten homeschooling curriculum by these fun, hands-on STEM projects.
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Thank you so much for reading, sweet friend,
Sarah
Dinosaur Activity for Kindergarten: Chocolate Chip Dino Dig!
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