Are you looking for (or wondering about) STEM or STEAM activities for kids? If so, you are in the right place my friends! This is the ULTIMATE resource list for the best of the best Science, Technology, Engineering, (Art), and Math (STE(A)M) activities.

My boys have always loved STEM challenges. And I completely understand why! The challenge, the determination, the problem solving, and ultimately – the success! It’s awesome.

These types of activities are more than just a fun challenge. They are fabulous brain builders too.

Even very little children can enjoy and gain incredible benefits from these activities. This resource provides loads of ideas for toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids too.

The BEST STEM activities for Kids:

STEM Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

STEM Snowman Craft, This is a fun winter STEM activity for preschoolers. Little ones can use toilet paper rolls and popsicle sticks to learn all about balance and stability.

Turn Milk into Plastic, little ones (and big ones!) will be amazed with this simple science demonstration! Such a neat and easy activity using milk and vinegar.

Ground Hog Day Science, While this activity is specifically for Groundhogs Day, you could really do it any old day of the week. I mean, science is ALWAYS in season!

Why do Leaves Change Colour? If you have an inquisitive one at home, this simple science experiment is sure to impress. Use only rubbing alcohol and some leaves to watch colours change right in front of your eyes!

Why do Birds Fly in a “V”? Another question that can be easily answered with a simple science demonstration is this one! When birds fly south, some fly in a perfect V shape. Why is that? Find out now!

Plastic Egg Submarines, By There’s Just One Mommy – This activity invites your child to explore the concepts of sinking and floating with every day items.

STEM Activities to do in the Classroom (Or Homeschool Room!):

Earthworm Screen-Free Coding for Preschoolers, By Sixth Bloom – Did you know that practicing patterns and sequences with your little one is an early step to coding? These adorable earthworms are a great way for preschoolers to practice patterning and fine motor skills!

Your children will be mesmerized as they explore how to make the rice dance. This is a twist on the classic vinegar and baking soda experiment. STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Dancing Rice, By Green Kids Crafts – This STEM activity is a fascinating twist on the classic vinegar and baking soda experiment. Instant rice works best, but if you don’t have any on hand you can use popcorn kernels, or raisins.

Explore the fascinating properties of magnets with these simple quiet bin. STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Magnetic Tubes, By Happy Toddler Playtime – Magnets have such interesting properties that are wonderful for little ones to discover. Here they will explore how magnets can move items up and down the tubes.

Build-a-Bridge Challenge, By Pre-K Pages – Oh no! The animals are stuck on the wrong side of the river! Give preschoolers various materials to help them build a bridge to save their animal friends. Talk about motivation!

Here is everything you need to know to set up a water glass concert at home. Music included! STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Musical Water Glasses (or Mason Jars), By Connections Academy – The nerd in me could not resist sharing this infographic with you. I mean, it comes with two songs that you can play right away with your kids! Amazing!

STEM Activities that are SO COOL:

The best way for your child to explore levers is to make one themselves or observe you making one! STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Investigating Levers, By Play Teach Repeat – If your child is going to throw things, you might as well make it educational, right? Explore how levers work and have some great discussions about distance with this STEM activity.

Communicating directions is an important skill in coding, and this activity is a perfect introduction! STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Giving Directions Coding Game, By Research Parent – STEM activities for kids can really be THIS simple! This no-prep activity is a great intro to coding and guaranteed to bring on hilarity.

This experiment is a wonderful opportunity for preschoolers to explore weight and what qualities and materials make a structure strong. STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Four Bridges STEM Investigation, By Stay at Home Educator – Build these four bridges and explore which design is the most stable and holds the most weight.

This simple experiment helps demonstrate how and why water falls from clouds. STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Sensory Rain Clouds, By Team Cartwright – Using a few simple household items, your preschooler can explore why and how rain falls from the sky. Team Cartwright shares four additional preschooler weather STEM investigations.

Bring this story alive by plotting the bear hunt journey from this story into an algorithm. STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Going on a Bear Hunt Algorithm Activity, By JDaniel4’s Mom – Kiddos get early algorithm practice and the chance to bring a story to life with this adorable STEM activity.

STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Zoo-themed STEM Challenges, By Sara J Creations – Print these free zoo-themed STEM cards and challenge your child to build various structures for their animals.

STEM Activities for Kids

Eye Dropper Dot Counting, By Teach Beside Me – In this STEM challenge, children get to explore the stickiness factor of water (hydrogen bonding – thank you highschool chemistry…) while consequently incorporating numeracy and concepts of color!

Marshmallow and toothpick structures are classic ways to explore geometric shapes and engineering concepts. And of course, they are delicious. STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Marshmallow Sculptures, By B-inspired Mama – Who can resist STEM activities for kids that includes treats? Not this kid… I mean, mama! Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, hang out with your kiddos and watch them build!

This activity helps develop fine motor skills and explores various important mathematical concepts. STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Geoboard Design Challenges, By The STEM Laboratory – Younger children might need some free-time exploring geoboards and making their own designs before trying to follow a model. An incredible plethora of skills are used in this activity: measuring, counting, angle awareness, scaling and fine motor skills!

What child does get a hoot from launching objects? Why not make it educational? STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Snowball Launcher, By Little Bins for Little Hands – Explore Newton’s laws of motion (ya, that’s right!) with this hilariously fun STEM activity.

STEM Challenges:

The possibilities for this pool noodle engineering wall are endless! The process is half the fun! STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Pool Noodle Engineering Wall, By Left Brain, Craft Brain – The process is usually the best part of quality STEM activities for kids. This process-rich challenge is loaded with engaging learning opportunities!

Building a LEGO maze is a stand alone amazing feat, but creating coding directions to get someone out? That's something else! STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Coding a LEGO Maze, By Research Parent – Show your kindergartner to your highschooler how to use coding language to get a LEGO figurine out of a maze they have created. Don’t believe me? Check it out yourself!

Using playdough and common materials found at home, your children can easily create fascinating and complex structures like these. STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Marbles and Playdough STEM Challenge, By Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls – Just look at those pictures: need I say more? So cool! These activities are best suited for children over the age of 6, with some adult assistance.

DIY Bouncy Balls, By The STEM Laboratory – When Borax is added to glue it helps to make it bouncy. Add some food coloring and your child will have just engineered their very own bouncy ball!

Explore the coding If-Then statement through a modified version of Simon Says. Don't be fooled: this game can get very complex! STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

If-Then Backyard Coding Game, By Left Brain Craft Brain – This game is a more complex version of Simon Says that applies the language and ideas behind the If-Then Statement. This game can easily be modifed for various ages, including preschoolers.

Tower building challenges with every day materials are the perfect way to explore concepts of engineering. STEM and STEAM activities like this one are perfect for engaging children's natural curiosity. Here is a list of rich activities for toddlers, preschoolers and kids of all ages. #howweelearn #stem #steam #scienceforkids #learningactivities

Four Engineering Challenges (With Cups, Craft Sticks and Blocks), By Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls – Can YOU build a structure with only a cube as its base?! STEM activities for kids like these really help children stretch their creative problem solving muscles!

STEAM Activities for All Ages

Coffee Filter and Marker Art – By B-Inspired Mama – Decorate coffee filters with markers, then roll them up and place them in water. Observe the colors rise and separate as the water rises up the filter!

Evaporation Art, By Kids STEAM Lab – This STEAM activity requires some patience as kids add a little bit to the art each time they return to observe their morphing puddle. This activity will definitely start some rich discussions and result in mesmerizing art.

Bubble Art, By Early Learning Ideas – Have your children use different tools to manipulate the bubbles and see what effects they will create. Use this art for greeting cards or as a textured part of another art project.

Shadow Drawing, By Rookie Parenting – STEAM activities for kids don’t have to involve too much mess or prep. Shadow drawing allows your child to explore concepts such as scale and the properties of light and shadows.

Colourful STEM Activities:

Rainbow Rainy Day Art, By Rhythms of Play – This is literally a project for a rainy day! Using washable markers and heavy paper, explore how and why their beautiful art transforms in the rain.

Color-mixing Tops, By Creative Family Fun – Use motion to explore color blending with your children. This is a memorable STEAM activity that results in a toy and a teaching tool.

Salt and Watercolor Art, By Sixth Bloom – Kids of all ages can explore the effects of salt on watercolors. For different effects, explore lumping salt versus sprinkling salt and adding salt before or after the watercolors.

DIY Kaleidoscope, By Buggy and Buddy – This STEAM activity is the perfect collision (hehehe) of art, math and science! Mylar or mirrored sheets are required, but it will definitely be worth it!

I hope to keep adding more and more STEM and STEAM challenges and activities for kids to this list, so please be sure to come back again to get some new inspiration. I just love these activities.

Learning is so much deeper when children are truly engaged in what they are learning. These activities help to make sure that the learning is as deep as can be.

Thank you so much for reading friends!

STEM and STEAM Activities for Kids