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.
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.
The Ultimate List of Activities for STEM at Home
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 ideas for elementary-aged kids and kindergarten kids in the list below.
Don’t Miss: Creative STEM Challenges to Try Today!
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 activities 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 activities are 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 studies.
Essential STEM Supplies for Younger Kids
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 ExploreTinkerActive Workbooks: Kindergarten ScienceScientific Explorer My First Mind Blowing Science Kids Science Experiment KitLearn & 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 PartyLearn & 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 & GirlsDiscovery Extreme Chemistry Stem Science Kit by Horizon Group Usa, 40 Fun Experiments, Make Your Own Crystals, DIY Glowing Slime, Fizzy Eruptions, Gooey Worms & MoreCrayola Color Chemistry Set For Kids, Gift for Age 7+
Science Experiment Kits for Older Kids
Learn & Climb Kids Science Kit – Over 60 Experiments, Fun with Science!Scientific Explorer Scientific Explorer Magic Science for Wizards Only Kids Science KitCIRO solar robot kit 12 in 1 educational STEM learning science building toys for kids age 8-12Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit, Kids Building Projects Kits, Stem Engineering Toys for Kids 8+Soap & Bath Bomb Making Kit for Kids – 3-in-1 Spa Science Kits For Kids : Complete Soap Making Kit & Make Your Own Bath Bombs, Soap & Bath Scrubs : Kids Science Kit For Kids – Gift for Girls and BoysScientific Explorer Disgusting Science KitLearn & Climb Erupting Volcano Science Kit for Kids- 15 Experiments!Klutz Lego Chain Reactions Science & Building Kit, Age 84M 4605 Water Rocket Kit – DIY Science Space Stem Toys Gift for Kids & Teens, Boys & GirlsGiggleway Electric Motor Robotic Science Kits, DIY STEM Toys for kids, Building Science Experiment Kits for Boys and Girls-Doodling, Balance Car, Reptile Robot (3 kits)2Pepers Electric Motor Robotic Science Kits for Kids (4-in-1), DIY STEM Toys Kids Science Experiment Kits, Building Educational Robotics Kit for Boys and Girls,Circuit Engineering Science Project KitsLearn & Climb Science Kit for Kids – Set Includes Over 65 Science Experiments + Scientist Name tag!Dino Soap Making Kit for Kids – Dinosaur Science Kit for Kids : Great Gift for Girls and BoysLight-up Crystal Growing Science Experiments Kit for Kids – Grow Your Own Crystals and Make Them Glow : Best Gifts for Kids, Boys & Girls – STEM Toys – Crystal Making Science Kits – (Red White Blue)Thames & Kosmos Simple Machines Science Experiment & Model Building Kit, Introduction to Mechanical Physics, Build 26 Models to Investigate The 6 Classic Simple MachinesThe Mason Jar Scientist: 30 Jarring STEAM-Based Projects
What are the Benefits of STEM Activities for Kids?
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.
The Best STEM Activity Kits
Although you can download our STEM supply list, 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:
Discovering STEM Newton’s Laws Box
KLUTZ LEGO Chain Reactions Box
Science STEM Activities
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
Oil and Water Science Experiment
Naturalist Study with “I Am a Bunny”
Water Cycle Experiment: How Rain Falls
5 Easy Kitchen Science Experiments
Easy Ivory Soap Science Experiment
Water Science for Kids: Desalinization Experiment
Diving Fish Science Experiment
Flower Dissection for Kindergarten
Seed Sprouting Science Experiment
Make a Magnifying Glass Out of Ice
Energy Efficient Science Project
Walking Water Science Activity
Color Changing Flowers Experiment
Technology STEM Activities
These fun technology activities for kids help kids use technology in their studies.
Check out: Technology Activities for Kids
Resources for Learning to Code
Teaching Kids How to Read a Map
Map Skills for Kids: Planning a Route
Introduction to Squishy Circuits
Engineering STEM Activities for Kids
Engineering is an important part of STEM activities for kids. 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.
You’ll also love: The Ultimate List of Engineering Activities for Kids
Testing the Strength of Aluminum Foil
Airplane Engineering Challenge
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.
Check out: Fun Math Activities for Kids
6 Effective Ways to Teach Math to a Struggling Student
Watermelon Seed Spitting Measurement
Venn Diagram Dice Probability Challenge
Holiday STEM Activity Ideas
Winter STEM Activities
These STEM activities for kids are ideal to try in the winter!
St. Patrick’s Day STEM Activities
Valentine STEM Activities
Check out these STEM activities for Valentine’s Day:
Valentine STEM Activities for 4th Grade
Valentine STEM Activities for Kindergarten
Valentine’s Day STEM Activities
Valentine STEM Activities for Middle School
STEM Ideas for Spring
Try these STEM activities for spring!
STEM Ideas for Summer
These STEM activities are perfect for summer learning and fun.
Galaxy Sugar Crystal Science Experiment
The Ultimate List of Summer STEM Activities
Galaxy Oobleck Science Experiment
STEM Ideas for Fall
Try these STEM activities for kids in the fall!
STEM Activities By Age
STEM Activities for Preschoolers
STEM Activities for Kindergarten
STEM Activities for Elementary School
