What happens when your home all of a sudden becomes school but you’re not actually homeschooling? You need things to do with kids at home! Fast! When life situations, such as a pandemic, other illness, or natural disaster require you to stay at home with the kiddos, you are going to need to fit some learning time in too.
Well, you’ve found the right place for hands-on science experiments and activities as well as STEM challenges and projects that use the supplies you probably already have in the closet. Additionally, you’ll find many free resources to get started with while you school at home.
THINGS TO DO AT HOME WITH HANDS-ON STEM ACTIVITIES
DO YOU NEED TO FIND ROUTINE?
We school at home already, so my son and I are well versed at working together at the dining room table. We already have our routine and flow during the normal school day hours. Routine is important for kiddos especially if they are used to having one for six hours a day or more! However, that took us some time to find it, and you need to find it now!
Even if you aren’t expecting school closures, you may also find that events and activities you planned to attend are being canceled. Now your kiddos have extra time at home! These activities are still a great fit because they are so much fun that they don’t feel like schoolwork.
SCHOOL AT HOME FOR SCIENCE & STEM
Have you heard the term kitchen science? Well, it’s a pretty accurate description because our science takes you into the kitchen cabinets for supplies and often uses your counter for experimenting!
However, if you find yourself in a new situation due to unexpected school closures, you might be feeling apprehensive! Not only will you need to figure out a new routine and handle the worries your kiddos might be feeling regarding the situation, but you also need to be able to provide some structure.
I can help you get settled with STEM at home with minimal prep and on a small budget or no budget at all!
Hands-on STEM activities and simple science experiments can create a fantastic atmosphere in the home setting and work well with kids of multiple ages and abilities. That means if you need siblings working together on similar activities, our STEM projects are perfect for you. Older siblings can help younger siblings and you can encourage teamwork at the same time.
STEM SKILLS FOR KIDS
STEM hits so many skills not just limited to science, technology, engineering, and math! Often times, there’s a literacy component such as reading and following set up processes or recording data on journal pages. Drawing observations and writing about conclusions can easily be incorporated into any activity for both younger and older students.
See how STEM aligns with NGSS.
Additionally, kids benefit from STEM in other ways including perseverance, growth mindset, critical thinking, curiosity, and so much more. Just take a step back from the activity, watch, and listen and you’ll see all the amazing ideas taking place.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to add school work today, let me help you add it in a fun and engaging way. The hours will fly by!
Take a look at these FREE science and STEM resources to get you started. Find FREE printable activities the kids will love.
Also, make sure to check out my SHOP for even more comprehensive packs of activities.
FREE SCIENCE ACTIVITIES AND STEM PROJECTS
The science or STEM activities below use basics supplies you have on hand or can have the grocery delivery service drop off!
These projects also can be modified to work with preschool through elementary age students: add more journal pages! If you need help finding some great activities to fit a theme, you the search bar or menu at the top of the website!
Look for the FREE STEM printable in each link. There’s 10+ FREE projects to collect!
QUICK STEM ACTIVITIES
PLAYING WITH THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
30+ SIMPLE KITCHEN SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
FASCINATING GEOLOGY ACTIVITIES
EXPLORE SPACE
HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH RECIPES
LEGO FOR ENGAGING STEM PROJECTS
EXPLORE SCREEN-FREE CODING WITH BINARY CODE AND ALGORITHMS
More activities you can do at home with the kids!
From sensory play to crafts to homemade playdough, our activities usually require very little to get started! Make a bouquet of coffee filters to brighten the dining room table or desk!
Check out a new texture with foam dough or grab a bag of mini marshmallows and toothpicks and see who can build the tallest tower. Can you use 100 marshmallows?
Dig into the recycling bin or junk drawers and build junk model robots!
Make a hallway art exhibit! Create works of art based on a theme or artist or whatever is inspiring. Use old frames or temporarily remove existing pictures. Kids can hang their artwork like a gallery and even make labels.
Finish these comics, story prompts, drawing prompts and more!
Need to get the kids moving? Our indoor balloon tennis is always a favorite and works well with kids of all ages!
Check out these ideas below for more fun things to do at home with kids.
- Make a bouquet of coffee filter flowers!
- Make a glitter jar to ease the worries!
- Try a new sensory play recipe like our new Foam Dough!
- Colorful dyed sensory bin fillers
- Build structures!
- Have fun with water science
- Balloon Tennis (kid favorite)
- Minute to Win It Games
Get a jump start on your STEM planning and grab the complete bundle in our SHOP now!
Bella
This is cool and helpful!