100+ STEM Activities for Kids that Will Foster a Lifelong Love of STEM

If you’re interested in science, technology, engineering, and math, then you’ll love this list of STEM activities for kids that you can do in the classroom or at home.

A STEM activity is similar to science experiments for kids, but instead of just involving science, the activity includes other elements that round-out the study and foster a love of exploration and discovery that children can take with them beyond school into their future careers and lives.

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A child interested in STEM topics is a child who will succeed throughout life and have a thirst for knowledge that can’t be quenched.

STEM Challenges for Kids for Every Season, Grade, and Holiday!

Use these STEM activity ideas in your classroom or at home to expand on your STEM themes and make STEM learning a lot more fun!

Find STEM activity ideas for elementary kids below!

What are STEM Activities?

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. STEM uses 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 projects are inquiry-based, which means they are designed to answer a question (often a question the child creates herself).

STEM based 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 experiments 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 will encourage problem-solving, logical thinking, and creativity in any industry.

At the pre-elementary and elementary level, STEM experiments are about exploring STEM subjects in a fun and hands-on way.

We’re passionate about STEAM activities and have tried hundreds of projects over the years. Use this resource as a simple way to get started with your own STEM studies.

Don’t Miss: Creative STEM Challenges to Try Today!

What are the Benefits of STEM Activities for Kids?

These STEM activities are the perfect STEM enrichment activities for kids and include hundreds of STEM activities for kids! STEM challenges FTW!

Many schools require some form of STEM education in the classroom. But you don’t have to be a teacher to do STEM lessons with kids. You can also try some at home, during school holidays or over the summer.

Not only do STEM projects 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.

STEM Topics List

Find everything you need for STEM activities for kids on this STEM ideas list!

Science STEM Ideas

Kids science projects provide a foundation to STEM studies and are usually the kids’ favorite projects!

These science projects for kids are all made using basic household supplies and will provide the “wow” factor that your STEM studies need!

Don’t Miss: The Ultimate List of Science Experiments for Kids

Technology STEM Projects

These fun technology activities for kids help kids use technology in their studies. We believe all kids should learn to code! Our list of Technology Activities for Kids includes resources for coding, electrical engineering, measuring weather and climate, and more!

If you want even more coding help, check out this article on our favorite coding apps for kids.

Engineering STEM Activities for Kids

Engineering is an important part of STEM. Engineering teaches out-of-the-box thinking, critical thinking, and creative learning!

Engineering can be as simple as fitting the pieces of a puzzle together or as complicated as building a backyard swing set.

Engineering skills will stay with a child for life and benefit her/him in creative thinking, logic, critical thinking, and common sense. Don’t miss The Ultimate List of Engineering Activities for Kids.

Math STEM Challenges

Although not all adults use all forms of math in their lives, math provides an essential foundation for learning how to think logically and solve problems in a calm, clear way.

Even if your child never even calculates the tip at a restaurant when they get older, learning math skills will create logical thinking patterns that will benefit your child in every way.

But that isn’t to say math can’t be fun! We love doing these hands-on math activities.

If you need hands-on math, these are some Fun Math Activities for Kids.

If your kiddos are struggling with math, we used these 6 Effective Ways to Teach Math to a Struggling Student.

Teaching about math concepts can be super fun. Try these Pi Math Activities for Kids!

STEM Through the Year

100+ STEM activities for kids using materials you already have on hand. Super easy and spectacular STEM learning for kids!

Sometimes, you want a STEM challenge that is specific to a time of year! You’ll find that here:

Hands-On January STEM Activities for the Classroom
February STEM Activities for Kids
8 Creative and Fun March STEM Activities for Elementary
Easy April STEM Challenges for Elementary
May STEM Activities for Elementary
June STEAM Activities Perfect for At-Home Summer Fun
Kids STEM Activities for July
August STEAM Activities for Elementary Students
8 Low-Prep September STEM Activities
8 Exciting November STEM Activities for Elementary
8 STEM Activities for December with Festive Flair

STEM Ideas for Spring

Try these STEM lessons for spring!

STEM Ideas for Summer

These STEM challenges are perfect for summer learning and fun.

STEM Ideas for Fall

Try these STEM ideas for kids in the fall!

Holiday STEM Activity Ideas

During the holiday season, things can get crazy, but STEM is still important! We have fun STEM projects for every season. Check them all out below!

Christmas STEM Projects

Kids will love trying these Christmas STEM Activities during the holiday season!

Winter STEM Experiments

These Winter STEM Activities for kids are ideal to try in the winter!

St. Patrick’s Day STEM

If it’s St. Patrick’s Day, the STEM learning doesn’t stop! Don’t miss these fun St. Patrick’s Day learning activities:

Valentine STEM Challenges

Check out these STEAM activities for Valentine’s Day:

STEAM Activities By Grade Level

Find appropriate STEM lessons for ages toddler through middle school! A year's worth of ideas!

STEM challenges and projects are important for every grade level. Research suggests that the more hands-on STEM learning a child has as they grow and develop, the better they will do in life as they become adults.

Multiple types of research have identified how important it is for kids to engage in hands-on STEM learning to maximize knowledge and skills.

Mathematics and Science are practical and activity-oriented and can best be learnt through
inquiry and through intelligent manipulation of objects and symbols.
(Okebukola in Mandor, 2002)

Informal learning environments increase students’ interest in STEM.
(e.g., Mohr‐Schroeder et al. School Sci Math 114: 291–301, 2014)

But over and over what these studies show is that during the early years, it’s not the complicated, in-depth exposure to STEM topics that help children succeed in the future, it really is just the chance to learn, experiment, and play hands-on.

So whether you are a teacher trying to find activities to meet NGSS standards, a daycare worker or after-school program looking to find education-focused activities, or just a parent hoping to encourage a love of STEM in your child, you don’t have to worry about getting things “right” or “perfect.”

What matters is that a child is exposed to STEM themes and excited in the activities. That is the piece that a child will remember for life and will benefit them in more than just math and science as they grow up.

So, find age-appropriate STEM lessons below for ages toddler through middle school!

STEM Activities for Toddlers

Even toddlers can explore STEM! Check out our main idea list of STEM Projects for Toddlers first, then check out our seasonal toddler STEM challenges.

STEM Activities for Preschoolers

For preschoolers, STEM is all about learning how things work and the whys behind everyday occurrences. Check out the complete list of STEM Activities for Preschoolers and then check out these seasonal STEM activities for preschool!

STEM Activities for Kindergarten

If you’re following the Next Generation Science Standards for Kindergarten, you’ll love this list of STEM Activities for Kindergarten. Once you’re done with that list, check out the seasonal kindergarten activities below!

STEM Activities for 1st Grade

The Next Generation Science Standards for first grade have clear topics to cover in first grade! We have a whole list of STEM Activities for 1st Grade that meet these standards. Plus, check out these:

STEM Activities for 2nd Grade

2nd grade STEM activities are all about hands-on learning for basic science concepts and themes! We have a bunch of seasonal STEM for 2nd grade, including:

STEM Activities for 3rd Grade

In third grade, things start to get a bit more involved! Kids complete science fairs, start putting the pieces of ecosystems and climate together, and learn about properties of matter! Check out our third grade STEM activities below.

STEM Activities for 4th Grade

In 4th grade, kids learn a lot! These fourth grade STEM activities cover all the core 4th grade science concepts, plus add in a fun seasonal twist!

STEM Activities for 5th Grade

STEM starts to get serious in 5th grade! Check our our full list of STEM Activities for 5th Grade, but also check out these seasonal activities, because 5th graders love to have fun, too!

STEM Activities for Middle School

Calling all middle school teachers! Middle school STEM activities are still hands-on and can be lots of fun. Check out the list of seasonal activities below.

STEM Kit Ideas

Sometimes it is easier to just buy a STEM kit pre-made with everything you need in one box. These are our favorite STEM and science kit providers:

STEM Learning Toys for Young Kids

If you love science and STEM but don’t like hunting for supplies, we love the Mel Science kits. They have options for elementary and middle school, and each kit comes with all the supplies needed for each experiment!

The Mason Jar Scientist: 30 Jarring STEAM-Based Projects Creative Kids Flakes – 600 Piece Interlocking Plastic Disc Set for Fun, Creative Building – Educational STEM Construction Toy for Boys & Girls – Non Toxic, Ages 3+Straw Constructor STEM Building Toys 300 pcs-Colorful Interlocking Plastic Enginnering Toys- Fun- Educational- Safe for Kids- Develops Motor Skills-Construction Blocks- Best Gift for Boys and Girls …CoolToys Monkey Balance Cool Math Game for Girls & Boys | Fun, Educational Children’s Gift & Kids Toy STEM Learning Ages 3+ (65-Piece Set)Learning Resources Code & Go Robot Mouse, Coding STEM Toy, 31 Piece Coding Set, Ages 4+DK Workbooks: Science, Kindergarten: Learn and Explore TinkerActive Workbooks: Kindergarten Science Scientific Explorer My First Mind Blowing Science Kids Science Experiment Kit Learn & Climb Science Kit for Kids – 21 Experiments Science Set, Hours of Fun.UNGLINGA Kids Science Experiment Kit with Lab Coat Scientist Costume Dress Up and Role Play Toys Gift for Boys Girls Kids Age 5 – 11 Christmas Birthday Party Learn & Climb Kids Science Kit – Over 60 Experiments, Fun with Science!4M 5557 Crystal Growing Science Experimental Kit – Easy DIY STEM Toys Lab Experiment Specimens, A Great Educational Gift for Kids & Teens, Boys & Girls Discovery Extreme Chemistry Stem Science Kit by Horizon Group Usa, 40 Fun Experiments, Make Your Own Crystals, DIY Glowing Slime, Fizzy Eruptions, Gooey Worms & More Crayola Color Chemistry Set For Kids, Gift for Age 7+