These STEM activities for kindergarten are the perfect way to introduce STEM to the youngest learners!
Children in kindergarten have a natural and innate curiosity about the world they live in, which makes it the perfect time to try kindergarten STEM activities!
If you’ve checked out any of our STEM activities for kids before, you’ll know that STEM projects integrate learning across the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
STEAM activities for kindergarten allow young children to investigate and explore, learning in an active, hands-on way that makes the child an active participant in their own learning.
And for those who know a kindergarten-aged child, there is no doubt that they learn best when they are active and engaged!
Today, I’ve collected over 50 great STEM activities for kindergarten children aged around 5-6 years (though many of them are fun for older kids too).
For convenience, the list is divided into the four main STEM categories however these activities all integrate learning across two or more of the four subject areas – plus they’re simply lots of fun!
50 of the Best Kindergarten STEM Challenges
Kids will have a blast learning with these science experiments and stem activities!
What is STEAM for Kindergarten?
STEM is not so much a topical study as it is an approach to teaching and learning the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
Kindergarten STEM projects use all of these subjects together to solve real-world problems.
A STEM activity uses elements of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to solve problems. All STEM activities are inquiry-based, which means they are designed to answer a question (often a question the child creates herself).
STEM activities encourage children to see subjects like math and science in a new light, and how to use those subjects to solve their day to day problems and the problems that they might face as adults.
All STEM activities should contain elements of at least two disciplines in STEM, and all of them when possible!
As critical thinking and creative thinking become more and more important, STEM activities provide a safe and fun way for children to explore the concepts of science, math, engineering, and technology in a kid-friendly and fun way.
Even if a child never goes into a STEM field as an adult, engaging in STEM activities will encourage problem-solving, logical thinking, and creativity in any industry.
At the pre-elementary and elementary level, STEM is about exploring STEM subjects in a fun and hands-on way.
We’re passionate about STEM activities and have tried hundreds of projects over the years. Use this resource as a simple way to get started with your own STEM challenges for kindergarten.
What is the benefit of a STEM curriculum for kindergarten?
Many schools require some form of STEM education in the classroom. But you don’t have to be a teacher to do STEM activities with kids. You can also try some at home, during school holidays or over the summer.
Not only do STEM activities help children learn how to solve problems on their own, but it also allows hands-on kiddos to learn in a way that makes sense to them.
Children who need to touch and feel to learn effectively will thrive in a STEM-focused classroom or home.
Start when kids are young, and they will have a love of science and exploration that will last throughout life!
What Should I Include in a Kindergarten STEM Project?
There is a whole article on how to set up a science center in your home, and how to set up a STEM lab in the classroom.
But, if you’re not ready to set up a completely dedicated space, you will find this list of science abd STEM resources helpful.
My Favorite STEM Products for the Preschool Classroom
These STEM products are perfect for the preschool STEM classroom!
Homer Technology App for Kids 4-6
Mel Science Classroom STEM Kits
Primary Sorting Classroom Bundle
Specimen Viewers Classroom Set
The Complete List of STEM Ideas for Kindergaten
Try these fun STEM activities with kids in kindergarten. They will love these fun hands-on ways to learn through science! Kindergarten STEM activities have never been so fun before.
Seasonal Kindergarten STEM Activities
All of these kindergarten STEM projects have a seasonal twist!
Try these Valentine’s Day STEM Activities for Kindergarten and learn science about the heart, hot chocolate, and candy!
Kids will have fun with these Kindergarten Easter Activities with a STEM Twist!
These Halloween STEM Activities for Kindergarten are fun, not spooky!
In November, don’t miss these Thanksgiving STEM activities for kindergarten!
Find our favorite Christmas STEM activities for kindergarten here!
These winter STEM activities for kindergarten are so much fun to try in the winter months! You can also try these winter science experiments for kindergarten.
Kindergarten kids will like these winter sensory activities, too!
Low-Prep Kindergarten STEM Activities
Your STEM activities will take very little prep if you pull from this list! You can find more no-prep science experiments here.
Learn about the parts of a flower with Flower Dissection.
Make your own Walking Rainbow and learn about color mixing!
Create some instant ice and learn about how ice forms!
Learn how to turn a penny green in this classic science experiment!
Make a tornado in a jar to learn about the weather.
Kindergarten kids will love doing this butterfly life cycle science activity!
Kindergarten Science Experiments
Here are the NGSS lesson plans for kindergarten that we use when designing our projects.
During the winter, try these winter science experiments for kindergarten!
Kindergarten kids will get a kick out of the hand washing science experiment.
Try these rainbow science experiments with your kindergarten students.
And here are some super fun science experiments with food coloring!
Here are simple science experiments in a jar that are all perfect for kids 5-6.
Kindergarten Technology Activities
Technology can be used even by the youngest learners!
Create a Painting Brush Bot and explore how technology and art can work together.
Building with Blocks & Technology is a fun way to bring technology into classic play!
Go on a Rainbow Photo Hunt !
Make Your Own Scanner Drawing Prompts
Coding a Lego Maze is a fun way to explore coding with hands-on activities.
It’s not too early to learn about light refraction in kindergarten! This light refraction experiment shows you how.
Kindergarten Engineering Activities
Learn the basics of engineering in kindergarten with these engineering activity ideas.
Build a Lego Rainbow and learn about colors!
Build a Winch and explore how tools can help make things easier.
Kindergarten kids will love this Button Stack Challenge
Try your hand at this DIY Magnetic Marble Run
Gumdrop Bridge Building is super fun for kindergarten kids.
Kindergarten Math Challenges
Try your hand at learning with these fun math activities for kindergarten.
These Counting Bears Math Challenge Cards are perfect for kindergarten kids!
Kindergarten kids will love to learn How Long Are Your Small Intestines?
Try creating shapes with this Flexible Straw Shape Building challenge!
Patterning with Flowers is a fun way to learn about patterns!
Try these cookie play dough counting mats!
Explore patterns by making pattern hearts!
More Kindergarten STEM Activities
NGSS Lesson Plans for Kindergarten
20+ Carnival Lesson Plans for Kids
