40 STEM Activities for Kids

STEM activities (Science Technology Engineering and Math) are all the buzz in education. Kids love finding out how things work through fun, hands-on projects and teachers love knowing that they’re preparing students for their techy future.

These 40 kid-approved STEM activities are the perfect complement to the 150+ print-and-play STEM centers that are all available a VIP Plato Pack member!

Science Projects

We love science so it’s hard to pick a favorite in this first category of STEM activities.

Make exploding pop rockets.

Pull together an easy water drop race. // What We Do All Day

Create fireworks in a jar. // I Can Teach My Child

Blow up a batch of magic balloons.

Create a water cycle in a bag.

Make ordinary flowers glow in the dark. // Fun at Home with Kids

Whip up some magic dancing raisins. // Coffee Cups and Crayons

And speaking of dancing, make gummy worms boogy.

Test out a simple recipe for Oobleck. // STEM Mom

Turn your name into crystals.

Pour a rainbow in a jar.

Whip up a batch of Magic Aqua Sand. // Paging Fun Mums

Make pipe cleaners mysteriously float.

Use just a couple common household ingredients to pour hot ice.

Build a giant sand volcano. // Growing a Jeweled Rose

Grow plants from seeds.

Make clouds in the kitchen. // Modern Parents Messy Kids

Create some magnetic slime. // Frugal Fun 4 Boys

Technology

Using STEM activities to prepare kids for the future requires that they experience technology too.

Teach kids about computer coding.

Study the stars with the Star Walk app.

Build globby structures in World of Goo.

Practice strategy by playing Blokus.

Explore pictures and data from NASA missions.

Design treehouses to ferris wheels with Simple Physics.

Practice math facts with Operation Math – a fast paced drill game.

Engineering

Engineering projects are also an important piece of STEM activities for kids!

Solve LEGO challenge cards. // The STEM Laboratory

Build famous landmarks.

Make junk boats.

Design straw bridges.

Race K’nex cars.

Create straw roller coasters. // Frugal Fun for Boys

Cut out this free balancing robot. // Buggy and Buddy

Build simple {and FAST!} spinning tops. // I Can Teach My Child

Print free activity cards and throw together a portable LEGO kit. // Fun at Home with Kids

Make a bottle water fountain. // Learn with Play at Home

Math

To help kids build a solid foundation of math skills, STEM activities also incorporate math.

Go on a shape hunt.

Play math fact dominoes.

Play a fun subtraction game. // Buggy and Buddy

Print and play Place Value Concentration.

Practice math facts with a flower game. // Nurturestore

Build shapes out of marshmallows and pretzels.

Play a fun round of Loose Tooth Subtraction. // Heidi Songs

Make a batch of Number Trail Mix.

Find different ways to make the numbers 3-10.

Teach kids doubles {3+3, 4+4, 5+5…} with a helpful flip chart. // Mrs. T’s First Grade Class

Cut apart some hundred chart puzzles.

Practice addition with some free write and wipe cards. // The STEM Laboratory

Play a round of Catapult Addition. // Relentlessly Fun Deceptively Educational

Grab a ball for Add It Up! // Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas

And finally, work on addition AND shapes at the same time with these playful roll and cover pattern block mats. 

Endless STEM Challenges

Excited to get your hands on these 150+ print-and-play STEM centers!?  Hop over to become a Plato Pack member and join THE most valuable membership for pre-K, kindergarten and first grade teachers!