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What Is STEM For Kids

STEM is a pretty hot word these days but what is STEM and how important is it? STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. STEM for kids develops creators, thinkers, problem solvers, doers, innovators, and inventors. Exposing kids to simple STEM activities at an early age today sets a foundation for higher learning tomorrow.

What are STEM activities? 

What Is STEM Activities for Kids A-Z Kid's STEM series

WHAT IS STEM FOR KIDS

Over the years, my son and I have greatly enjoyed building our science knowledge with more than 30 awesome preschool science activities. We have explored many areas including physical science, chemistry, and geology with our Saturday Science blog hop.  Our STEM activities have become some of our favorite projects of all time!

But what is STEM? STEM is hands-on learning that applies to the world around us. STEM activities build and teach creativity, problem-solving, life skills, ingenuity, resourcefulness, patience, and curiosity. STEM is what will shape the future as our world grows and changes.

STEM learning is everywhere and in everything we do and how we live. From the natural world around us to the tablets in our hands. STEM builds inventors!

A-Z Kids STEM Activities

WHY CHOOSE STEM ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR KIDS?

Kids thrive with STEM activities. Whether it be in the successes or learning through failures, STEM projects push kids to expand their horizons, experiment, problem-solve, and accept failure as a means to success.

Great STEM activities have a science, technology, engineering, and math focus. Sometimes a STEM activity will involve one area of learning, other times it will include aspects of all four domains. The best STEM activities are open-ended and have a challenge or question for kids to investigate or solve.

Choose STEM activities early on and present them in a playful way. You will not only teach your kids amazing concepts, but you will build in them a love for exploring, discovering, learning, and creating!

Science activities for kids STEM STEAM lesson plans

IS STEM FOR YOUNG KIDS TOO?

Yes! STEM is awesome for toddlers to preschoolers! Digging in the dirt and examining bugs to exploring favorite iPad apps, all involve some form of STEM. Of course, we prefer as many hands-on and screen-free options as possible.

CHECK OUT: STEM Activities For Toddlers

As you drive around your community, point out how STEM has influenced and shaped the city. Around the house, point out common tools and items that all have a foundation in STEM.

For Example, Milk pours from a container because of gravity. Special machines have been designed and built to pasteurize the milk. Use a measuring cup to measure out 8 ounces of milk for a recipe. A simple carton of milk is brought to you by STEM.

WHERE DO I START WITH STEM?

Why not start with one or more of the suggested STEM ideas below! See which ones best fit your needs and see how you can adapt those STEM activities that may seem too difficult or too easy depending on your kids.

STEM doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. So many of our STEM activities use simple supplies you can find in your own kitchen or recyclables. Check out our DIY STEM Kit For Kids.

WHAT ARE STEM ACTIVITIES?

Science: 

Activities can include growing crystals, rubber egg experiment, an erupting volcano, magic milk experiment, and more.

CHECK OUT>>> 50+ Fun Kids Science Experiments

Technology:

Why not one of our screen-free coding activities for kids, or check out these nature apps? Learning about algorithms and binary coding is easy peasy when you add hands-on activities. Get the basics down with do-able coding activities the kids will have a blast with too.

Coding Activities For Kids Without A Computer Cover

Engineering:

Kids love to design and build things from bridges and towers to simple machines and robots!

For more engineering STEM projects check out these building activities for kids, self-propelled cars, and kids engineering projects.

We are constantly adding to our Jr. Engineers projects. If you are looking for a variety of projects complete with instructions, check out our Library Club.

Engineering Activities

Mathematics:

From counting, measuring, and patterns all the way up to calculus, mathematics is a key part of STEM!

CHECK OUT>>> Math Activities For Preschoolers

 START YOUR STEM JOURNEY TODAY

Click on the image below or on the link for more easy STEM activities for kids.

 

Stave off the dreaded "I'm bored" syndrome that hits part way into any vacation or down time with a few of the BEST simple STEM activities that cost almost next to nothing. We have a bunch of simple STEM challenges to get the juices flowing, keep the kids thinking, and best of all still learning. As always we have plenty of science and STEM to get through a whole year. Shhh don't tell them!

Previous Post: « Simple Machines Worksheets for Kids
Next Post: 10 Ways Real World STEM Lessons Are Valuable For Kids »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Theresa

    January 1, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    Happy New Year! I love all of the great resources you shared. I can’t wait to see all the posts in this great series.

  2. Diane Crowe

    September 12, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    This is exactly what I need as a kindergarten teacher. Our school is moving to STEM learning and I’m supposed to come up with ideas without much help. This looks great for me. Please email me any ideas and keep me posted if you would. I also have a 41/2 grandson that would love to do some of these things with me. What I need to do is get my parents involved in donating some of the items or having them freeze the water in milk cartons with cars or other items. So I’m thinking of doing the frozen water activity some afternoon. That looks very do able. I’m so glad I found this website and I appreciate what you’ve posted. Thanks
    Dee Crowe

  3. littlebins

    December 2, 2015 at 5:12 pm

    Thank you and feel free to be in touch if you have any questions.

  4. Karen (KatieAllyMD)

    June 12, 2016 at 5:43 pm

    Anyone know the exact lego kit or kits needed to make the really cool Lego zip line? I searched Amazon and Walmart and was OVER WHELMED by the plethora
    of Lego options. so if anyone is a Lego expert and knows which one would allow us to make this little man encased in a Lego frame with an arched top for the zip line to go through I would very much appreciate your kind help and time.

  5. littlebins

    June 13, 2016 at 11:09 am

    Hi! Really all you need are your own LEGO pieces and think of it as a challenge to build it however you like? The LEGO Creative Boxes have lots of great pieces so one of those in a medium or large would probably be great. There is also a creative supplement box you could add too. You might find this post I wrote handy, https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/starting-lego-collections-buying-lego/.

  6. Rubin Null

    July 27, 2017 at 6:03 am

    Good site you’ve got here.. It’s hard to find high-quality writing like yours these days. I honestly appreciate people like you! Take care!!

  7. Jennifer

    April 10, 2018 at 1:37 pm

    Hello…

    I would like your permission to use some of the information from your article to present to parents at our school.

  8. littlebins

    April 30, 2018 at 7:12 am

    You may not copy the entire article but you may use a few sentences and direct them to the link.

Trackbacks

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