20 STEM Activities for Kids Round-Up
At MakerMade, we know the importance of kids being involved in STEM activities (science, technology, engineering, and math). It promotes creativity, resiliency, and a love of learning in children as well as prepares them for the future workforce. Best of all, they’re fun – so learning feels more like play than a chore. This is exactly why contributing to and encouraging STEAM education in schools and homes is one of our core values as a company.
We know that you, like us, have likely found yourself unexpectedly at home with your kids for an extended period of time.
Some of us have great schedules in place already and are executing Pinterest worthy lessons and activities with our kids. Some of our kids are surviving on TV and Cheeto puffs dipped in ranch, while most of us are somewhere in between.
No matter where you fall on the spectrum, we hope that you’ll find this round-up of fun STEAM activities for kids useful and we hope it encourages some fun, learning, and connection in your family during the quarantine and beyond! Let us know what you try in the comments below!
1. CLOUD IN A JAR
Teach kids about cloud formation and the water cycle with these “cloud in a jar” lessons by Gift of Curiosity
2. CRYSTAL SUN CATCHERS
Combine science with a little sun with these crystal suncatchers. Grow your own crystals then hang them in your window when you’re done with this activity by Babble Dabble Do
3. FOAMY “TOOTHPASTE”
Chemical reactions, excitement and a little bit of mess make for a lot of entertainment with this Foamy Toothpaste tutorial by Playdough to Plato
4. RAINBOW IN A JAR
Add a bit of color, and science, to your lives with these rainbows in a jar. A simple but fun activity for kids of all ages and another fun activity by Playdough to Plato
5. POM POM DROP
This is one of those games that’s so fun your kids won’t even know they’re learning. Plus, easy setup and clean up make the Pom Pom Drop by Coffee Cups & Crayons a win all around.
6. CATAPULTS
The tutorial was originally made as a Valentine activity using conversation hearts as ammo, but these catapults can be used with any fun ammo you have laying around the house from marshmallows to wadded up paper scraps. Check out the full tutorial from The STEM Laboratory
7. EGG DROP CHALLENGE
This grade-school science class classic is the perfect way to bring out some competitive fun in your family. Buggy and Buddy even include a planning printable to guide your design.
8. LEGO MARBLE RUN
Sneak some engineering, math, and problem solving into your day with these LEGO marble run mazes by Little Bins for Little Hands
9. ALKA-SELTZER ROCKET
More chemical-reaction fun for kids using Alka-seltzer, water, and a small container (like an old film canister). Step-by-step instructions and some fun photos by Little Bins for Little Hands
10. WEATHER EXPERIMENTS
A great list of simple weather-based science experiments (including this rain in a jar activity) by Team Cartwright
11. SOLAR OVEN S’MORES
All of the sun themed experiments on this list by Lessons 4 Little Ones are fun and educational, but these S’Mores baked in a DIY solar oven really caught our eye!
12. ROBOTIC HANDS
Need I say more? These robotic hands made from simple and easy to find materials will make for hours of fun building and playing for your little Tony Stark. Find the full tutorial from Teachers Are Terrific
13. EGG GARDENS
Whether or not you have a green thumb, these little egg gardens by Steamsational are simple and fun for little scientists of all ages.
14. DIY NEWTONS CRADLE
This one seems especially appropriate since, while on quarantine for the Spanish Influenza, Newton began his theories on early calculus, optics and gravity. Channel your inner Newton (and learn a thing or two) by making your very own Newton’s cradle with these instructions from Babble Dabble Do
15. CHROMATOGRAPHY BUTTERFLIES
Mix art, nature, and science for some creative fun with these chromatography butterflies made from coffee filters by Buggy and Buddy
16. DIY BOUNCY BALLS
If you’re sick of the slime craze these do-it-yourself bouncy balls from The STEM Laboratory are a great alternative using a lot of the same ingredients with less of the ongoing mess.
17. SPROUT HOUSE
These magical looking little projects are great for kids of all ages and perfect for spring! Sixth Bloom even included a free printable “Sprouting Log” to record the progress over time.
18. GALAXY JARS
Not only are these jars great to add to your study of space or chemistry, they’re also really pretty and perfect for taking a calm breather while you watch the colors and glitter swirl around. Visit My Home Based Life for details.
19. GEODESIC STRUCTURE
Math and engineering come together to create a hands-on learning experience with awesome results. It requires a little math and some ingenuity but adds up to a lot of fun. You can find instructions at Babble Dabble Do.
20. TORNADO IN A BOTTLE
More weather science fun and another kid classic science experiment sure to please. Easy instructions for making these at home can be found at KCEdVentures.
