You will be thrilled to know that there are tons of recycled STEM activities and challenges you CAN do! Whether you call it eco-friendly, frugal, inexpensive, or cheap, it is possible that all kids can have an awesome STEM or STEAM experience with very little out of pocket costs. Gather your resources, I mean your recycling bins, and let’s get started.

RECYCLED STEM ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

RECYCLED STEM ACTIVITIES THAT ARE TOTALLY FUN!

What kinds of recyclables are perfect for these STEM challenges and so many more? Almost anything! Plastic bottles, tin cans, cardboard tubes and boxes, newspapers, old technology like computers and old CDs, and any odds or ends that look cool. There are also many items like styrofoam and packaging materials that can be saved from the trash bin and up cycled into cool STEM activities.

EXTRA SUPPLIES

I like to keep a bin of supplies on hand such as tape, glue, paper clips, string, scissors, markers, paper, rubber bands, and anything else you think your kids can use to build or engineer their recycled STEM activities.

COOL RECYCLED STEM ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

Check out the 20 recycled STEM activities below by clicking on the links. The list to go on and on. I would also like to add that you can use your trash and recycling items to build boats to float, cars to go, and planes to fly. You can also look around and see what you already have to build structures for a quick STEM idea.

CARDBOARD TUBE MARBLE RUN

RECYCLED SIMPLE MACHINE

BUILDING ROBOTS

COMPUTER TAKE APART ACTIVITY

RECYCLED PLASTIC FLOWERS ART AND SCIENCE Left Brian Craft Brain

SHRINKING PLASTIC CUP EXPERIMENT Left Brian Craft Brain

MAKE A KALEIDOSCOPE

PAPER BAG MINI STEM CHALLENGE IDEAS

BUILDING WITH NEWSPAPERS STEM CHALLENGE Modern Parents Messy Kids

RECYCLED PLASTIC BOTTLE WATER WALL Adventures of Adam

RECYCLED BUILDING STEM ACTIVITY Busy Toddler

DIY CARDBOARD MAZE GAME Kara Carrero {ALLterNATIVElearning}

DIY RUBBERBAND RACE CAR Your Modern Dad

MAKE A BUBBLE SNAKE WITH A PLASTIC BOTTLE The Mum In The Mad House

HOMEMADE CARDBOARD CONSTRUCTION SET Parenting Chaos

RECYCLED SPINNERS Artsy Momma

RECYCLED BALLOON POWERED CAR Hello Wonderful

BUILD A BRIDGE Inspiration Laboratories

MAKE A SUNDIAL Learn Play Imagine

TIN CAN PHONE We Made That

I hope these recycles STEM activities are just what you need to fuel your kids passions for all things STEM or STEAM. I bet you will stumble onto more great ideas along the way.

I even bet you will create some awesome challenges of your own. All of these recycled STEM activities are a great springboard for your own creativity and needs!