Keeping kids busy and engaged with learning, even during school holidays, can be challenging. But it doesn’t have to be. STEM activities can help your child expand their skill set while having fun. Moreover, you’ll feel good about setting them up for a bright future.

Statistics show that those in STEM careers out-earn those in non-STEM jobs. According to the Pew Research Center, the number of STEM students at U.S. universities has also increased.

STEM refers to science, technology, engineering, and math, but even children who are not drawn to these subjects can benefit from STEM activities.

Related: What is STEM? A Beginner’s Guide to STEM

What Do STEM Activities Teach?

STEM activities help your child master more than science, technology, engineering, or math. They empower children to build problem-solving skills, teamwork capabilities, and perseverance. These are skills that children can use to succeed in any field.

Through STEM activities, kids can gain a great deal of confidence and expand their creativity. Engineers, for example, can use their practical knowledge to build innovative, beautiful designs with unique functions.

The best experiences are where your child can overcome challenges presented in the STEM activity. Activities can be designed for different age groups so students can be engaged at their level. For those in the younger grades, an easy STEM activity can be enough to engage their minds. STEM activities for middle school are best if they are open-ended and allow children to answer a question or conduct an investigation.

At Engineering For Kids, we know that children go through growth stages. That’s why we offer curriculum that covers pre-K learning experiences up to Grade 8.

When you involve your kids in STEM activities, your child’s love of learning and discovery will grow.

What Are Some Fun STEM Activities?

STEM pursuits can be done in the classroom, at home, or even after school with organizations like Engineering For Kids. You can focus on just one subject or select an activity that touches on all four STEM topics. Here are some fun STEM activities that can entertain and engage your child.

Science

Scientists are well-known for their experiments, and your children will enjoy doing their own. Here are a couple of science experiments kids can do in a classroom or as DIY STEM projects.

Cloud in a Jar

Using simple household items like water, ice, and hairspray, kids can gain an understanding of the water cycle.

Materials Needed:

• Glass jar with a lid
• Hot water
• Ice cubes
• Hairspray

Steps:

1. Pour about 1 inch of hot water into the bottom of the glass jar.
2. Place the lid upside down on top of the jar.
3. Add several ice cubes to the lid to create a cold surface.
4. Wait about 30 seconds to allow the jar to fill with warm, moist air.
5. Quickly remove the lid, spray a small amount of hairspray into the jar, and immediately replace the lid with the ice still on top.
6. Watch as a cloud forms inside the jar! The hairspray particles provide a surface for water vapor to condense, simulating cloud formation.

What’s Happening: The hot water creates water vapor, which rises and cools when it meets the cold air under the ice. The hairspray helps the water vapor condense into tiny droplets, forming a visible “cloud.”

Balloon Blow-up

Kids love to participate in hands-on science experiments, and the balloon blow-up is sure to engage children of any age.

Materials Needed:

• Empty plastic bottle (e.g., water or soda bottle)
• Vinegar (about ½ cup)
• Baking soda (2-3 teaspoons)
• Balloon
• Funnel (optional)

Steps:

1. Pour ½ cup of vinegar into the plastic bottle using a funnel for precision if needed.
2. Stretch the balloon’s opening and carefully pour 2-3 teaspoons of baking soda into it using the funnel.
3. Without spilling the baking soda into the bottle, stretch the balloon over the bottle’s neck, ensuring it is securely sealed.
4. Once the balloon is attached, lift the balloon upright so the baking soda falls into the vinegar in the bottle.
5. Observe as the chemical reaction creates carbon dioxide gas, inflating the balloon!

What’s Happening: The vinegar (acid) reacts with baking soda (base) to produce carbon dioxide gas, which takes up space and causes the balloon to expand.

Technology

Today’s generation is immersed in technology. From phones and tablets to classroom technology, it’s all around them. Our programs encourage kids to embrace tech and use it to achieve their goals. Here are some STEM activities that enhance children’s tech skills.

Coding

Understanding computer languages is an essential skill in many careers, and helping your child improve their coding skills is one of the best ways you can use STEM activities.

Materials Needed:

• Computer, tablet, or smartphone
• Access to a coding platform or program (e.g., Scratch, Code.org, or Python basics)

Steps:

1. Choose a Project: Decide on a beginner-friendly project, such as designing a simple game or animation. Platforms like Scratch provide pre-built tutorials for kids.
2. Set Up the Environment: Open the coding platform on your device. Create a free account if needed to save your child’s progress.
3. Follow Guided Tutorials: Start with the platform’s beginner instructions to introduce basic coding concepts like loops, variables, or logic.
4. Experiment with Creativity: Once your child gets comfortable, encourage them to modify the project—change colors, add characters, or create new levels in a game.
5. Test and Debug: Teach your child how to test their project and fix any errors or bugs. This helps develop problem-solving skills.
6. Showcase the Project: Let your child present their creation to family or friends, boosting their confidence and excitement for coding.

What’s Happening:
Your child learns programming fundamentals by creating something they love and building logic and computational thinking skills that can grow into lifelong talents.

At Engineering For Kids, we offer coding programs and activities that captivate your child’s attention and engage them in learning.

Stop-Motion Animation

Stop-motion animation projects can be one of the easiest and most entertaining STEM activities.

Materials Needed:

• Toys, action figures, or any small objects
• Smartphone or tablet
• Stop-motion animation app (e.g., Stop Motion Studio)
• A stable surface or tripod for filming

Steps:

1. Plan the Movie: Sit with your child to brainstorm a short storyline or scene. Encourage them to draw a storyboard to map out key events.
2. Set Up the Scene: Arrange the toys or objects on a flat surface. Create a simple background using paper, boxes, or craft supplies.
3. Download the App: Install a stop-motion animation app and explore its features together to understand how to capture and edit frames.
4. Start Filming: Position the device on a stable surface or tripod to avoid movement. Take a photo after each small adjustment of the toys or objects.
5. Review and Edit: After capturing the frames, use the app’s tools to adjust the timing, add sound effects, or include captions.
6. Share the Film: Watch the finished animation together, and let your child share it with friends or family to celebrate their creativity.

What’s Happening:
This activity introduces children to filmmaking and technology, allowing them to develop planning, patience, and digital editing skills while bringing their imagination to life.

Engineering

There is plenty of room for innovation and creativity with these STEM activities.

Lego Buildings

Designing a Lego creation is an easy STEM activity for children, especially those with a massive Lego collection!

Materials Needed:

• Assorted Lego blocks (basic and specialty pieces)
• Paper and pencil for planning
• Ruler (optional, for precise measurements)

Steps:

1. Plan the Design:
   Have the child sketch or write out their idea for the Lego creation. This could be anything from a simple house to a maze or a detailed cityscape. Encourage them to include measurements or notes about how different sections connect.
2. Sort Materials:
   Organize the Lego blocks by size, color, or function to make the building process smoother.
3. Build the Structure:
   Start constructing based on the plan. Adjust and problem-solve as needed to overcome structural challenges.
4. Enhance the Design:
   Add creative features such as doors, windows, or moving parts. Encourage kids to experiment with stability and aesthetics.
5. Present the Final Build:
   Share the completed creation with family or friends, explaining the inspiration and any challenges faced during the building process.

What’s Happening:
This activity develops spatial awareness, problem-solving skills, and creativity. It also introduces engineering principles, such as designing for stability and functionality, and encourages perseverance when troubleshooting design flaws.

Marshmallow Creations

A fun and tasty project uses toothpicks and marshmallows – or even jellybeans – to help kids appreciate engineering design.

Materials Needed:

• Toothpicks
• Marshmallows (or jellybeans, if preferred)
• Paper and pencil for planning (optional)
• A flat surface for construction

Steps:

1. Plan the Structure:
   Encourage kids to sketch or think about their design before starting. They might aim to build a bridge, a tower, or another creative structure.
2. Construct the Base:
   Use marshmallows as connectors and toothpicks as beams to create a sturdy base. Discuss why a solid foundation is crucial for stability.
3. Build Upward:
   Add levels to the structure, considering balance and symmetry. Test stability frequently to avoid collapsing.
4. Test and Challenge:
   For older kids, set a challenge like making the structure earthquake-proof. Simulate an earthquake by gently shaking the surface and observe how the design holds up.
5. Evaluate and Improve:
   After testing, discuss what worked and what didn’t. Encourage kids to redesign and strengthen weak points.

What’s Happening:
This hands-on activity teaches engineering design principles, such as structural integrity and weight distribution. It also fosters creativity and critical thinking as kids test and modify their designs to overcome challenges.

Math

Learning to work with math concepts can give your child an edge in classroom success. Here are some STEM activities that can help.

Post-it Notes Math

Engaging with math involves more than memorization – children should gain an understanding of what these numbers mean. A post-it notes math game is a STEM activity that can help younger children gain this knowledge.

Materials Needed:

• Tape
• Large white paper
• Sticky notes
• Marker

Steps:

1. Prepare the White Paper:
   Draw various groups of dots on the white paper. For example, one group could have 2 dots, another 5, and so on. Stick the paper on a wall where it’s easily visible to children.
2. Create Numbered Sticky Notes:
   Write numbers corresponding to the dot groups on sticky notes. For example, write “2” on a sticky note for a group with 2 dots.
3. Hide the Sticky Notes:
   Place the sticky notes around the room, ensuring they are visible but require some movement to find.
4. Match Numbers to Dots:
   Ask the children to find the sticky notes and match the correct number to each dot group on the white paper.
5. Review and Celebrate:
   After all numbers are matched, review the matches with the children to ensure accuracy. Celebrate their success to build enthusiasm for math.

What’s Happening:
This activity blends math practice with physical movement, helping children connect numerical symbols to quantities. It enhances number recognition, counting skills, and cognitive engagement through active learning.

Math Bingo

Bingo is a versatile game that can also be adapted to math lessons.

Materials Needed:

• Paper or printable bingo cards
• Pen or marker
• Coins, rocks, or bingo chips for markers
• List of 25 math problems (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division)

Steps:

1. Prepare the Math Problems:
   Write down 25 math problems that are age-appropriate. These could range from simple addition for younger kids to multiplication or division for older ones.
2. Create Bingo Cards:
   Design bingo cards with a 5×5 grid. Fill each square with answers to the math problems, ensuring the numbers are randomly distributed across the cards.
3. Distribute Cards and Markers:
   Hand out one bingo card and a set of markers (coins, rocks, etc.) to each child.
4. Call Out Math Problems:
   Read the math problems aloud, one at a time. Children must solve the problem and find the corresponding answer on their card to mark it.
5. Declare a Winner:
   The first child to mark off a full row, column, or diagonal, shouts “Bingo!” Verify their answers to ensure they are correct. Award a fun prize to the winner to encourage participation.

What’s Happening:
This game turns math practice into a fun, competitive activity. It reinforces mental math skills, number recognition, and problem-solving while keeping kids engaged and entertained.

STEM Mixed-Subject

If you’re looking for an experience combining two or more STEM subjects, here are some STEM activities encompassing mixed subject material.

Engineering For Kids Minecraft Camps

At Engineering For Kids, we run Minecraft camps with different themes, including “Urban Innovations” and “Mission to Mars”. These STEM sessions combine kids’ love of the Minecraft platform (technology) and encourage them to plan out Minecraft builds (engineering) that meet specific criteria, such as buildings that use green technology. With these camps, students can apply their Minecraft skills to real-life STEM applications.

Robotics Activities

Another Engineering For Kids program that offers a mix of STEM topics is our robotics program, available for kids in Pre-K and up. Students can learn about design, engineering, and computing through robotics challenges such as getting a robot to complete a simple task or planning and building their own robot. Kids will also become familiar with programming languages and test mathematical concepts.

Online Math Games

Use tech to teach your kids math concepts by searching for online games they can play. There are a variety of different websites that have easy games and engaging visuals that can make learning math fun.

The Value of STEM Activity

Many careers rely on STEM knowledge, so by helping your child master these subjects, you’ll be setting them up for future success. Many STEM activities also allow kids to develop other valuable skills, including leadership, teamwork, perseverance, problem-solving, and logic. These are characteristics that your child can use in different areas of their life.

Find out how Engineering For Kids can help you set your child up for success. Click here for a list of our locations. With our programs, your child can learn about STEM while having fun!