Skip to Content

Colorful Rainbow STEM Activities for Elementary

Rainbow STEM activities are the perfect way to bring a bit of color into the STEM classroom and a welcome addition to creative STEM activities. Try these rainbow STEM challenges with your classroom or kids at home this year!

Rainbow STEM activities are the perfect way to bring a bit of color into the STEM classroom and a welcome addition to creative STEM activities.  Try these rainbow STEM challenges with your classroom or kids at home this year!

If you like these rainbow STEM activities, you’ll also want to check out these spring STEM activities and spring science experiments.

We also have a lot of fun weather science experiments!

We’ll get to the list of rainbow STEAM activities in a bit, but first, read why I am so passionate about hands-on, colorful STEM activities for kids!

Why Do Rainbow STEM Projects?

rainbow stem activities

A rainbow is beautiful and a lot of fun for most kids. There is something a bit magical about the apperance of a rainbow, even though it is easily explained by science.

Because most kids are so fascinated by rainbows, they make an excellent place to start teaching scientific concepts about weather, light, the atmosphere, and a whole lot more!

Kids of all ages will enjoy science a lot more if there are fun hands-on elements and bright rainbow colors.

That’s why things like our summer STEM camp are filled with rainbow colors!

In elementary science class and STEM labs, the more color and fun the better for everyone.

Rainbow STEM Lessons

Rainbow STEM activities are the perfect way to bring a bit of color into the STEM classroom and a welcome addition to creative STEM activities. Try these rainbow STEM challenges with your classroom or kids at home this year!

A STEM lesson needs to include elements of science, technology, engineering, and math. Art is also sometimes included to make a rainbow STEAM activity.

You can teach a lot about science using rainbows. You can teach kids about light, reflections, color mixing, color theory, symmetry in math, the light spectrum, and just about any other scientific concept!

I like to add a bit of rainbow flair to science experiments that don’t necessarily need the color just to keep things fun for elementary kids.

Kids that work with color and fun in science class are more likely to like it as they get older!

rainbow lesson bundle

Supplies to Use in Rainbow STEAM Activities

rainbow stem challenges

You can turn almost any STEM activity into a rainbow STEM activity.

We like to keep these supplies on hand to use with our rainbow STEM projects:

The Mason Jar Scientist: 30 Jarring STEAM-Based ProjectsThe Mason Jar Scientist: 30 Jarring STEAM-Based ProjectsThe Mason Jar Scientist: 30 Jarring STEAM-Based ProjectsBall Regular Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands, 16-Ounces (4-Pack)Ball Regular Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands, 16-Ounces (4-Pack)Ball Regular Mouth Mason Jars with Lids and Bands, 16-Ounces (4-Pack)Crisco Pure Vegetable Oil, 32 OunceCrisco Pure Vegetable Oil, 32 OunceCrisco Pure Vegetable Oil, 32 OunceBarbasol Soothing Aloe Thick & Rich Shaving Cream 10 Oz (2 Pack)Barbasol Soothing Aloe Thick & Rich Shaving Cream 10 Oz (2 Pack)Barbasol Soothing Aloe Thick & Rich Shaving Cream 10 Oz (2 Pack)Alka-Seltzer PFY BXAS50 80659297 Antacid and Pain Relief Medicine, Two-Pack (Pack of 50)Alka-Seltzer PFY BXAS50 80659297 Antacid and Pain Relief Medicine, Two-Pack (Pack of 50)Alka-Seltzer PFY BXAS50 80659297 Antacid and Pain Relief Medicine, Two-Pack (Pack of 50)Kadaon 10X Handheld Magnifier Antique Mahogany Handle Magnifier Reading Magnifying Glass for Reading Book, Inspection, Coins, Insects, Rocks, Map, Crossword PuzzleKadaon 10X Handheld Magnifier Antique Mahogany Handle Magnifier Reading Magnifying Glass for Reading Book, Inspection, Coins, Insects, Rocks, Map, Crossword PuzzleKadaon 10X Handheld Magnifier Antique Mahogany Handle Magnifier Reading Magnifying Glass for Reading Book, Inspection, Coins, Insects, Rocks, Map, Crossword PuzzleBORAX 20 Mule Team Laundry Booster, Powder, 4 PoundsBORAX 20 Mule Team Laundry Booster, Powder, 4 PoundsBORAX 20 Mule Team Laundry Booster, Powder, 4 PoundsFine Ground Celtic Sea Salt - (1) 16 Ounce Resealable Bag of Nutritious, Classic Sea Salt, Great for Cooking, Baking, Pickling, Finishing and More, Pantry-Friendly, Gluten-FreeFine Ground Celtic Sea Salt – (1) 16 Ounce Resealable Bag of Nutritious, Classic Sea Salt, Great for Cooking, Baking, Pickling, Finishing and More, Pantry-Friendly, Gluten-FreeFine Ground Celtic Sea Salt - (1) 16 Ounce Resealable Bag of Nutritious, Classic Sea Salt, Great for Cooking, Baking, Pickling, Finishing and More, Pantry-Friendly, Gluten-FreeMcCormick Assorted Food Color, 1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)McCormick Assorted Food Color, 1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)McCormick Assorted Food Color, 1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)Food Coloring - 12 Color Vibrant Cake Food Coloring Set for Baking, Decorating, Fondant and Cooking - Upgraded Liquid Concentrated Icing Food Color Dye for Slime Making, DIY Crafts - .25 fl. oz. EachFood Coloring – 12 Color Vibrant Cake Food Coloring Set for Baking, Decorating, Fondant and Cooking – Upgraded Liquid Concentrated Icing Food Color Dye for Slime Making, DIY Crafts – .25 fl. oz. EachFood Coloring - 12 Color Vibrant Cake Food Coloring Set for Baking, Decorating, Fondant and Cooking - Upgraded Liquid Concentrated Icing Food Color Dye for Slime Making, DIY Crafts - .25 fl. oz. Each30% Pure Vinegar - Home&Garden (1 Gallon)30% Pure Vinegar – Home&Garden (1 Gallon)30% Pure Vinegar - Home&Garden (1 Gallon)Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda, 5 lbArm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda, 5 lbArm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda, 5 lbArgo Corn Starch 16 oz. Box (Pack of 4)Argo Corn Starch 16 oz. Box (Pack of 4)Argo Corn Starch 16 oz. Box (Pack of 4)

 

Rainbow STEM Project Tips

rainbow stem lessons

When you are completing rainbow STEM projects, the secret to pretty rainbows is to keep the colors bright and the colors separate.

We almost always use gel food coloring or liquid watercolors when we complete our rainbow STEM activities.

These materials produce bright colors that mix well and can turn into almost any color imaginable.

Rainbow STEM Activities Perfect for Elementary Classrooms

rainbow stem projects

If you want to try adding a bit of rainbow flair to your classroom or home this spring (or any time of year!), you won’t want to miss trying some of our favorite rainbow STEAM activities!

Kids in elementary will have a blast with these hands-on rainbow STEM activities with a colorful twist.

Pick a few rainbow STEM lessons to try and send some ideas home with your students so they can try these rainbow STEM projects at home, too!

Rainbow STEM Activities for Elementary

Elementary kids will have a blast with these rainbow STEM activities! Pick your favorites to try one day or pick several to spread out during the entire spring season!

elementary stem challenge cards

Rainbow Coke and Mentos Science Experiment

Share this project with a friend!