Welcome to the wonderful world of STEM, where your little brainiacs will be immersed in a wonderland of hands-on learning! This branch of education goes beyond just teaching your kids about science and math, it also teaches them to embrace their curiosity, gain autonomy, and accept any failures in the process. There are so many amazing STEM experiments and projects to choose from, but we’ve put together a collection of some of the best activities for your young minds that are guaranteed to expand their horizons and prepare them for future innovation.
1. Let’s travel to South America with Passport STEM activities
This super cool activity will give your kids the sensation of traveling without having to leave their classroom. Invite them to embark on an educational adventure to South America where you’ll have them engage with fun facts and complete interesting projects. Each time they complete an activity you’ll add a stamp to their passport.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
2. Generation Genius STEM activities K-8
Thousands of teachers from around the globe love using this interactive website to immerse their students in a bunch of STEM activities. Using basic household goods, you’ll task them with completing simple projects and mesmerizing science experiments that are sure to make for a memorable day of learning.
Learn More: Generation Genius
3. Water is Gold
Nowadays, with global warming posing an ever-increasing issue to our natural resources, it’s important to educate your children about the value of water. With these amazing water cycle projects, you’ll teach them how the water cycle works and allow them to observe how precious water is to each living thing on Earth.
Learn More: Pinterest
4. STEM and Hockey play hand in hand
Sponsored by the NHL, this awesome website is geared toward helping your class reach their future goals through STEM learning on ice! Invite them to complete various hockey-themed math games and other interactive STEM activities through this engaging website.
Learn More: Future Goals
5. Science Mill STEM Science Videos
Here’s another amazing website where your kids will be able to engage in a plethora of STEM activities! You can rely on Science Mill to motivate and spark your future scientists’ curiosity with their informative videos and fun-filled activities that will turn any science lesson into a memorable experience.
Learn More: Science Mill
6. Everyone loves a good fairy tale.
Explore some of your little ones’ favorite tales by incorporating them into a few ingenious STEM exercises. Beauty and the Beast, Robin Hood, and Sleeping Beauty are just some of the classic stories that you’ll incorporate into absorbing STEM projects and challenges to teach your students all about the basics of engineering, math, and more!
Learn More: Momgineer
7. 10 ways to use pipe cleaners in STEM projects
There are so many wonderful ways that you can use pipe cleaners to introduce your kids to the foundations of STEM learning. From having them build cars to challenging them to design robotic hands, they’re sure to have a ball of a time as you encourage them to create these creative models.
Learn More: Teachers Are Terrific
8. The Mad Scientist Laboratory
As the years pass by, it’s important to keep up with changing attitudes toward learning! With these hands-on STEM experiments, you’ll invite your kiddos to embrace the mess as you kick their learning up a notch. Using simple ingredients, you’ll challenge them to recreate a bunch of thrilling chemical reactions that are sure to ignite their passion for all things science-related.
Learn More: Science Buddies
9. Building blocks are Brilliant
Your tots will probably never forget the day when they receive their first set of building blocks. Make their experience even more special by encouraging them to use their building blocks to complete a variety of STEM activities where you’ll have them build bridges, construct towers, and even develop building block blueprints.
Learn More: Kids Academy
10. Scholastic brings us STEM smart Storybooks.
STEM concepts might be tricky at first for your little ones, but with this series of delightful storybooks from Scholastic, you’ll transform them into STEM brainiacs in no time! Have them design a wolf-proof fence to protect Little Red Riding Hood or challenge them to build sturdy homes for the Three Little Pigs.
Learn More: Amazon
11. STEM activities with paper
Let your kids’ imaginations run wild as you have them explore some of these paper science activities. Encourage them to use colorful paper to craft everything from paper pinwheels to paper roller coasters. You’ll be amazed to see what your young minds will create by following a few simple STEM guidelines.
Learn More: Science Buddies
12. The Red Cup Challenge
You’ve probably come across these silly challenges on social media, but here’s an educational activity that you can incorporate into your STEM units! Task your kiddos with using red cups to build towers without touching them. They’ll need to rely on their problem-solving skills to calculate the correct distance and height upon which to stack each cup.
Learn More: Kids Activities Blog
13. IXL 4 U
IXL is packed full of all things STEM and is guaranteed to make your job as a teacher that much easier. Explore their diverse vault of resources before inviting your children to complete activity worksheets that are focused on math, engineering, and more.
Learn More: IXL
14. Make Crystals from Salt!
Whether you’re homeschooling or in the classroom, your elementary students will love making their very own crystals! Engage them in this easy chemistry project by having them mix together various ingredients like Epsom salt and water. Over the course of a day or two, you’ll invite them to witness scientific magic in action as they start to notice their crystals form.
Learn More: Study
15. Learn about your DNA with an edible DNA model
This hands-on activity may look a bit complicated for your little ones, but with just a bit of guidance, they’re sure to have the science behind our DNA waxed in no time! Using edible items like mini marshmallows and licorice sticks, you’ll assist them in building these DNA models as you explain the significance behind each component.
Learn More: Genetic Science Learning Center
16. Being Frugal is Being Smart
Here are some of the most amazing science experiments that are perfect for your kiddos if you’re on a budget. Invite them to try out this Pumpkin Pendulum experiment where they’ll have to work out the perfect balance between length and mass to perform a smooth pendulum swing. It’s just one of the fantastic activities that you can try out on a dime!
Learn More: Frugal Fun 4 Boys and Girls
17. The Great Turkey Race – STEM Style
This combination activity brings together the whimsy of storytelling with STEM concepts. Simply start by reading The Great Turkey Race to your littles before allowing them to use items such as cardstock, toilet paper rolls, and more to build an actual turkey obstacle race!
Learn More: Pinterest
18. Get your ticket – STEM is going to Hollywood!
Popcorn at the ready, it’s time to take STEM to Hollywood! Your tots will play the director as you assist them in carrying out various science experiments that are based on some of their favorite movies. Teleport them to Hogwarts as you have them whip up a few bubbling concoctions or bring The Lego Movie to life by challenging them to build a Lego catapult.
Learn More: KC Edventures
19. STEM and my Stomach
Simulate the process of digestion with this super simple STEM project. Invite your class to fill a Ziploc bag with biscuits and water before sealing the bag and having them mush the food with their fingers. It’s the perfect opportunity to prompt a discussion on what happens in our bodies when we eat food, as they’ll be able to visualize each step.
Learn More: Simple Living Creative Learning
20. Electric Playdough!
Here’s an electrifying STEM experiment that your kids can make using an unlikely conductor. Task them with molding salt dough into two lumps before helping them insert two wires from a battery pack into each clump of dough. Then, allow them to place two LED lights into each one before switching on the battery pack and encouraging them to observe the magic that’ll happen right before their eyes.
Learn More: Babble Dabble Do
21. STEM with Mr. N
Mr N brings us some of the coolest science tutorials you’ll see! Like this one, where your kids can observe as he demonstrates the effects of air pressure. Encourage them to follow along as he explains the science behind air or have them carry out the experiment themselves, using only a few simple items you should already have on hand.
Learn More: YouTube
22. Who needs dirt?
Pique the interest of those green fingers in your classroom with this hands-on experiment where you’ll challenge your young minds to grow a sweet potato plant without using soil! Simply start by having them place toothpicks in a fully-grown sweet potato and then allow them to place it in a glass of water. Afterward, prompt them to place it in a sunny spot where they can nurture it over time and enjoy the changes that take place.
Learn More: How Stuff Works
23. First Lego League
Dive into a world of critical thinking, coding, and design by inviting your kiddos to take part in First Lego League. In this exciting initiative, they’ll get to try their hand at various challenges where they’ll have to work together to solve an annual robotics-themed challenge.
Learn More: First Inspires
24. Paper Circuits
Add a touch of creativity to your STEM lessons with these adorable paper circuit cards. Guide your little brainiacs through threading conductive copper tape and LED lights onto their designs. Then, have them adorn their cards with a design of their choice that’ll illuminate once their circuit is closed.
Learn More: Makerspaces
25. Science STEM Snacks
Making muffins or scones doesn’t really sound like a science experiment, but it is! Introduce your children to the yummy world of food science by inviting them to whip up a bunch of these tasty treats. While they’re mixing their ingredients together, it’s the perfect moment to lead them in a discussion of how the transfer of energy can transform liquids like their batter into solids.
Learn More: Let Grow
26. Dancing Grapes
If you’re looking for an easy science experiment to dazzle your learners with, this dancing grapes project is the perfect choice. Simply start by filling a glass with fizzy water before allowing them to drop in a bunch of grapes. After a few moments, they’ll notice how the grapes react to the fizz and start dancing around the glass.
Learn More: Raising Dragons
27. STEM meets Physics
An educational background in physics is a sure way to skyrocket your little ones’ progress and Fizzics has just the resources you’ll need to do this. Check out their diverse range of heat-based experiments that mix math and science together. They’re guaranteed to be glued to your every word as you have them create carbon sugar snakes and even honeycomb!
Learn More: Fizzics Education
28. Igloo Building
Here’s a fantastic STEM project that’s perfect for introducing your tots to the basics of engineering. Task them with using a variety of materials, that represent snow, to build mini igloos. You can have them use items such as marshmallows, packing pellets, or even sugar cubes to put together their icy homes.
Learn More: Teachers Are Terrific
29. Nanogirl and Ice Cream
Nanogirl on YouTube has put together this awesome tutorial that’ll show your kiddos how to make a STEM version of ice cream. Provide them with the ingredients they’ll need before you encourage them to follow her step-by-step instructions to see how a few ingredients and a bit of patience can turn their mixtures into a delicious dessert.
Learn More: YouTube
30. STEM with Lewis Howard Latimer
Have your little learners ever heard of Lewis Howard Latimer? Take a break from all their exciting STEM activities to teach them more about this groundbreaking African-American inventor who paved the way for the STEM activities that they love to enjoy today.
Learn More: Biography
31. STEM+ART= STEAM
While you’re treating your class to our amazing STEM activities, there’s no reason why you can’t also incorporate art into your lessons. STEAM will bring you a fusion between art and science where you’ll engage your students in projects like creating their own art materials or building toys from scratch.
Learn More: Pink Stripey Socks
32. Bobby Dropper, Wind Tunnel Testing and Paper Airplanes!
Got a few aspiring pilots in your class? Why not dazzle them with a lesson on aviation? Introduce them to the science behind aerodynamics by tasking them with building a paper airplane or challenge them to apply their engineering skills by having them make their very own homemade wind tunnel.
Learn More: Inventors of Tomorrow
33. Strike!
Here’s another STEM-based activity that sneakily incorporates art into it. Start by having your little ones decorate a bunch of toilet paper rolls. Then, engage their STEM skills by having them select a ball that they think would knock over the most pins. Encourage them to explain why they think the equipment that they choose will work the best.
Learn More: Engineering Emily
34. Jack and the Fantasy Car
Cars are fascinating feats of engineering. Some of them are pretty fancy and have the latest technology while others are designed to simply reach top speeds. With this captivating tale, you’ll treat your learners to a car-themed story time where they’ll learn all about Jack and his quest to create the perfect car.
Learn More: Teaching Expertise
35. Time to head for the Big Top
Step right up, the STEM circus is in town! With this creative lesson pack, you’ll invite your kids to take part in building their own circus tent. Challenge them to use various materials to bring their structure to life as you allow them to choose which items they think would make for the most sturdy tent.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
36. Get your groove on and get Jammin!
Get your littles grooving with these musical STEM exercises. With so many activities to choose from, you’ll engage them in designing everything from bottle flutes to mini boom boxes. It’s a great way to get them keen for a day of STEM learning by using music to entice their love for science.
Learn More: Instructables
37. WWF has merged with STEM
The World Wildlife Foundation has merged its content with a bunch of STEM resources in these delightful lesson plans. Invite your students to head for the jungle where they’ll learn how animals communicate or encourage them to engage with more pressing issues like the effect of climate change on animal habitats.
Learn More: WWF
38. The Science of Shoes
Are your children ready to take on a top-secret STEM mission? Challenge them to design a shoe for Captain America himself by encouraging them to take into account various features such as the shoe’s weight and the material it’ll be made out of.
Learn More: STEM Camp
39. First Home Curriculum
This wonderful website is here to guide your little brainiacs through a variety of STEM projects. Whether you want to engage your class in a collaborative project or want to fine-tune their individual skills, this website is your go-to resource for all things STEM!
Learn More: First Education
40. There’s no excuse not to teach coding.
You don’t need fancy tablets or computers to introduce your kiddos to tricky fields like coding. Even your elementary students can get involved by having them use a basic tool like Scratch. Guide them through each step in the process as you follow these basic instructions where they’ll learn to code moving figures and more!
Learn More: STEM Activities For Kids
41. Wanna play at the STEM playground today?
These entertaining 30-minute activities are specially tailored to your elementary learners. Challenge them to complete these thrilling projects where you’ll have them test the flight time of DIY helicopters or see who can create the largest balloon using Alka Seltzer.
Learn More: STEM Playground
42. Marshmallows, Cups, Clay, and Sticks!
Creating these edible 3D designs is a sure way to solidify your children’s STEM skills. Simply provide them with marshmallows and uncooked spaghetti before encouraging them to recreate 3D shapes like cubes, pyramids, or even a few abstract shapes.
Learn More: STEM Education Guide
43. Designing, Building, and Testing a Gingerbread House
This sweet project looks simple enough, but it’s actually quite challenging and you and your littles will probably end up indulging in quite a few cookies and icing. Task them with using all they’ve learned to see who can create the most sturdy gingerbread house! You’re guaranteed to be amazed to see your kiddos apply all the knowledge that they’ve soaked up in your lessons.
Learn More: YouTube
44. Catapult STEM Style
Your pupils will absolutely adore being able to shoot things around their classroom with these DIY catapults. Using a few simple materials like rubber bands, craft sticks, and bottle caps you’ll have them put their engineering skills to the test to create simple catapults. Once complete, invite them to shoot small items like pom-poms and marshmallows at various targets.
Learn More: Mallard Creek STEM Academy
45. Make Milk Plastic
Did your little ones know that they can make plastic out of milk? Start by having them mix together milk and vinegar before assisting them to strain the mixture. Once strained, invite them to mold it into various shapes that’ll turn into plastic figures once dried.
Learn More: How Wee Learn
46. Popcorn Time!
Popcorn is one of the most versatile food items that you can use to demonstrate various STEM concepts to your class. For instance, you could explore the science behind volume by first having them count out two sets of 100 popcorn kernels. Allow them to pop one batch of kernels before prompting a discussion on why the popped batch takes up more volume than the other.
Learn More: KC Edventures
47. Flying Car STEM video
Professionals like stunt drivers also use phenomena such as momentum and gravity to make sure they’re not hurt on the job. Challenge your little brainiacs to spend the day as a mini-stunt driver where you’ll have them build a working ramp out of paper. Guide them in creating just the right angles with their ramps to make sure their toy cars will fly through the air without any major crashes.
Learn More: YouTube
48. Carbon Sugar Snake!
Here’s a truly magical STEM activity that’s guaranteed to wow your young minds! Start by filling a pie tin with sand before covering the sand with lighter fluid. Then, invite your kids to fill a hole in the sand with a mixture of powdered sugar and baking soda. For the next part of the experiment, have them stand a few steps back before you carefully light the sand and encourage them to watch carefully as a growing fiery creature begins to emerge from their mixture.
Learn More: KiwiCo
49. Power a boat with baking soda
In this classic STEM activity, your children will learn how to create power from things that they can find in the pantry. Have them create a hole at the bottom of a plastic bottle before inserting a straw and sealing off any gaps. Then, allow them to pour vinegar into the bottle and baking soda on a paper towel. You’ll then prompt them to insert the towel into the bottle, close it, and observe how the bottle zooms off on the water’s surface.
Learn More: Science Sparks
50. Can you really grow your own Polar Bears?
Show your tots how cool science is by having them grow their own polar bears! Invite them to use various liquids like salt water, vinegar, and baking soda to test whether Gummy Bears will shrink or grow when soaked in the liquid.
Learn More: The Sprinkle Topped Teacher
51. Wiggle Bot
Invite your kiddos to design this adorable little artist that moves! Assist them in piecing together this robotic puzzle by having them attach intricate pieces like a battery, electrical tape, and a small motor to a plastic cup. Once complete, they’ll be able to attach markers to their DIY robot, switch it on, and watch as it creates colorful swirls and patterns on blank paper.
Learn More: Research Parent
52. Rudolph the Flying Reindeer
Here’s a STEM activity that’ll make the perfect addition to a holiday-themed lesson. Invite your toddlers to create Rudolph using some recycled materials, then attach a straw and a balloon. Once Rudolph is on the flight path (some string) simply blow up the balloon and let it go to see Rudolph take off!
Learn More: Team Cartwright
53. Shadow Tracing
This delightful activity is a great way to get your children outdoors for some fun in the sun! Teach them all about the intricacies of light and shadows by first prompting them to pair up with a classmate. Then, invite them to trace out their partner’s shadow while observing how the shape can change depending on where they stand.
Learn More: CuriOdyssey
54. Magnet Exploration
Have your elementary students explore the magic behind magnetism in this absorbing activity. Task them with using magnets to test whether everyday objects like wooden spoons or metal forks will stick to their magnets and why.
Learn More: Mom Life Made Easy
55. Paper Airplane Challenge
Bring the fun of competition to your class with this thrilling activity! Start by encouraging them to create a basic paper airplane design to see whose plane will fly the furthest. Then, increase the difficulty by adding “cargo” to their planes to see if their flight paths remain the same.
Learn More: Kids Activities Blog
56. Sink or Float
In this interactive activity, your kiddos will explore the concept of buoyancy to discover what types of objects float in water. Allow them to use various objects that can be found in your home or in the classroom as you have them test their critical thinking skills and guess which ones will sink and which ones will float.
Learn More: The Global Montessori Network
57. Flower Color Mixing
Here’s a vibrant and tactile experiment that’ll make an awesome STEAM activity for your creative kids. Invite them to mix colored transparencies in the middle of a cardboard flower to try and match the colors of the petals on the edge. It’s a great way to introduce them to the basics of color theory in a visually appealing way.
Learn More: STEAMsational
58. Playdough building party
Keep it simple or elaborate as much as you want in this low-tech playdough STEM activity. Challenge your little ones to follow a set of prompts that’ll guide them in creating their playdough figures. Once they’ve mastered the art of following directions, you can even allow their imaginations to run wild as you have them freestyle their own masterpieces!
Learn More: Primary Planet
59. Seed Germination
Looking to teach your pupils about plant biology, but running low on outside space? With this easy germination experiment, you can do just that with only a few basic materials. Simply invite your class to fill a Ziploc bag with damp tissue and seeds before allowing them to leave their seed bags by a sunny window. They’ll get to keep a close eye on their seeds and hopefully witness a few of them sprout!
Learn More: Cloudinary
60. Ice Exploration
Your young minds will love this icy activity where you’ll send them on a mission to save a few frozen animals! Start by freezing a bunch of toys in a container before arming your little excavators with small instruments that they can then use to free the animals from the chunk of ice.
Learn More: Childsplay ABC
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