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. Find out what makes for a good STEM activity and how to set up STEM projects easily for kids of all ages.
WHAT ARE STEM ACTIVITIES?
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!
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!
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 (science). Special machines have been designed and built to pasteurize the milk (technology & engineering). Use a measuring cup to measure out 8 ounces of milk for a recipe (math). 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 and make sure to grab our free printable STEM supplies list.
WHAT ARE STEM ACTIVITIES?
Science:
Science doesn’t need to be complicated or difficult. Easy science experiments are awesome for kids! They are visually stimulating, hands-on, and sensory-rich, which makes them both fun to do and perfect for teaching simple science concepts at home or in the classroom.
Learn about what is a scientist, understand the scientific method for kids, explore common science vocabulary and enjoy science books.
Here are a few of our favorite science experiments to get you started…
- Growing crystals
- Egg in vinegar experiment
- Eupting volcano
- Magic milk experiment
- Elephant Toothpaste
- Lemon Battery
- Invisible Ink
- Balloon Rocket
Looking for science activities by age? Check out these helpful resources…
- Science Activities For Toddlers
- Kindergarten Science Experiments
- Preschool Science Experiments
- Science Projects For Elementary
- Middle School Science Projects
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.
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 engineering projects.
Learn about what is an engineer, engineering vocabulary and the engineering design process.
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.
Mathematics:
From counting, measuring, and patterns all the way up to calculus, mathematics is a key part of STEM!
Here are some great hands-on Math activities for preschoolers to elementary…
CHECK OUT>>> Math Activities For Preschoolers
START YOUR STEM JOURNEY TODAY
Click on the image below or on the link for over 100 STEM projects for kids.
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.
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
Thank you and feel free to be in touch if you have any questions.
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.
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/.
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!!
Hello…
I would like your permission to use some of the information from your article to present to parents at our school.
You may not copy the entire article but you may use a few sentences and direct them to the link.