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.
Before we get into ALL of the ideas, I would like to share my most favorite with you first—Turning Milk into Plastic! Little ones (and big ones) will be amazed with this simple science demonstration. It’s such a neat and easy activity using milk and vinegar. You can read all about it right here, and grab your free printable with step-by-step instructions right here:
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.
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!)
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.
STEM Activities that are SO COOL
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
STEM Challenges
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.
STEAM Activities for All Ages
Cardboard Dragon STEM Craft – This craft has so many layers of learning; it’s incredible! And when your kids are done figuring out how to make it all work, they get to have a dragon! An amazingly, awesome, dragon for hours of imaginative play! All you need is paint, cardboard, and brass fasteners.
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.
Colorful 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!
xo
Sarah
Leave a Reply