If you’re interested in science, technology, engineering, and math, then you’ll love this list of STEM activities 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 STEM ACTIVITIES FOR THE CLASSROOM AND 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.
Download the FREE STEM Supply List!
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 studies.
WHY SHOULD I DO STEM ACTIVITIES WITH 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.
STEM Activities List: Science Experiments for Kids
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
Scientific Nature Walk (and free printable)
Naturalist Study with “I Am a Bunny”
Water Cycle Experiment: How Rain Falls
18 Winter Science Experiments for Preschool
5 Easy Kitchen Science Experiments
Hands on Science and Reading Activities for Kids
Easy Ivory Soap Science Experiments
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
STEM Activities List: Technology Activities for Kids
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
STEM Activities List: Engineering 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! Enginering can be as simple as fitting the pieces of a puzzle together or as complicated as building a backyard swing set. Enginering skills will stay with a chlid for life and benefit her/him in creative thinkging, 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
Peeps Boat Engineering Challenge
STEM Activities List: Math Activities for Kids
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
Easy Living Math Activities for Kids of All Ages
Watermelon Seed Spitting Measurement
Venn Diagram Dice Probability Challenge
Lighthouse Math Sequencing Puzzle
Fun Math Activities: Magic Math Trick
How Many Kids Can Santa Visit?
Related: 31 Creative STEM Ideas for Kids
Holiday STEM Activity Ideas
STEM Ideas for Winter
Valentine’s Day STEM Activities
St. Patrick’s Day STEM Activities
STEM Ideas for Spring
STEM Ideas for Summer
Galaxy Sugar Crystal Science Experiment
The Ultimate List of Summer STEM Activities
Galaxy Oobleck Science Experiment
STEM Ideas for Fall
STEM Activities By Age
STEM Activities for Elementary School
STEM Activities for Kindergarten
Even More STEM Activities to Try
Our Favorite STEM Activity Books
These books will provide a solid foundation and direction for you as an educator. If you’re feeling a little lost about STEM, I highly recommend these books!
Hands-On STEM Kits We Love
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