These winter science experiments and STEM activities help preschool, kindergarten, and elementary kids investigate ice, snow, temperature, animals, and seasonal changes through hands-on learning. All of the activities below are easy to set up, use simple materials, and work whether you have snow outside or not.
Explore Winter Science and STEM
Seasonal themes make science more engaging, and winter is packed with fascinating phenomena to explore. From freezing and melting to insulation and animal survival, winter science encourages kids to observe, test ideas, and connect with the world around them.
These hands-on winter activities invite kids to:
- Ask questions
- Make predictions
- Test ideas
- Observe changes
- Try again when results surprise them
Winter science naturally sparks curiosity and encourages critical thinking at every age.
What Science Concepts Do Kids Explore in Winter?
This collection of winter science experiments includes physics, chemistry, earth science, and life science concepts that kids can explore in playful, hands-on ways. Perfect for the classroom, homeschool, and clubs!
Kids will investigate:
- States of matter (ice, water, snow)
- Temperature and heat transfer
- Chemical reactions
- Density and buoyancy
- Weather and seasonal changes
- Animal adaptations and insulation
Many of these winter science activities are perfect for mixed-age groups and easy to adapt for different skill levels.
Winter Science Experiments and STEM Activities
Many of the winter science activities below do not require real snow, making them perfect for classrooms and homes anywhere. From ice experiments to chemical reactions, these activities focus on exploration and discovery. Start with the free Winter Observations Guide!
Snow and Ice Science
Explore how snow and ice form, melt, and change with temperature. These hands-on activities help kids observe freezing, melting, and heat transfer in simple, visual ways.
- Snow Candy – Explore freezing and temperature using maple syrup snow candy.
- Snow Ice Cream – A simple edible science activity using snow.
- Snow Volcano – A classic chemical reaction experiment adapted for winter.
- Melting Snow Science – Investigate how and why snow melts.
- Ice Fishing – Explore melting ice and heat transfer.
- Frozen Bubble Experiment – Observe what happens when bubbles freeze.
- Ice Melting Experiment – Test what makes ice melt faster.
- Melting Ice Cube Race – Compare surfaces and heat absorption.
- Slippery or Sticky Ice – Explore friction and surface texture.
- Observable Properties of Snow – Investigate snow as a material.
Winter Chemistry Experiments
Winter is a great time to explore chemical reactions using safe, hands-on materials. These activities focus on fizzing reactions, color changes, and winter-themed slime.
- Frosty’s Magic Milk – A winter twist on a classic chemistry experiment.
- Fizzing Snowflakes – Baking soda and vinegar chemistry with a winter theme.
- Snow Slime Recipes – Explore polymers with winter-themed slime.
- Snowflake Oobleck – Investigate non-Newtonian fluids.
- Hot Chocolate States of Matter– Explore liquids, solids, and gases
Crystal and Snowflake Science
Snowflakes and crystals offer a fun way to explore patterns, symmetry, and crystal growth. These experiments let kids observe slow changes over time.
- Crystal Snowflakes – Grow crystals using borax.
- Salt Crystal Snowflakes – Grow crystals using salt.
- Snowflake Salt Painting – Combine science and art with absorption and solubility.
- Coffee Filter Snowflakes – Explore symmetry and process art.
- 3D Paper Snowflakes – Explore 3D design for winter STEAM
👉 More snowflake activities here.
Temperature, Insulation, and Heat Transfer
Learn how heat moves and how materials help trap warmth. These experiments help kids test insulation and observe temperature changes during winter.
- Frost on a Can – Learn about condensation and temperature differences.
- DIY Thermometer – Build and test a simple thermometer.
- Experiment with Insulation – Test materials to see which trap heat best.
- Winter Clothing Insulation Experiment – Compare how clothing materials retain heat.
Animals and Winter Survival Science
Discover how animals survive cold weather through insulation, behavior, and adaptations. These activities connect winter science to real-world biology.
- Blubber Science Experiment – Explore how animals stay warm in cold climates.
- Animal Adaptations Experiment – Investigate insulation and survival strategies.
- Winter Food Chain Activities – Learn how animals survive winter ecosystems.
- Hibernation Activities – Learn all about animal hibernation.
Weather and Earth Science
Explore winter weather patterns and Earth science concepts like the water cycle, density, and seasonal changes through hands-on investigation.
- Winter Weather Activities – Explore winter weather patterns and temperature.
- Snow Water Cycle – Discover how the water cycle continues during winter.
- Iceberg Density Experiment – Explore density using ice and saltwater.
Can These Winter Science Activities Be Used as Science Projects?
Many of these winter science experiments can easily be turned into science projects by changing one variable, recording results, and comparing outcomes. Activities like insulation testing, ice melting, and density experiments work exceptionally well for classroom or home science projects.
💡 Learn more about applying the scientific method, including writing a hypothesis and picking variables.
FREE Printable Winter Science and STEM Activities Guide
Grab the free Winter Science and STEM Guide, cards, and more here!
Winter Solstice Science and Seasonal Observations
The winter solstice is a great opportunity to explore how Earth’s tilt and orbit affect daylight hours. Kids can observe changes in daylight, shadows, and seasonal patterns while connecting science to real-world experiences.
👉 Winter solstice activities here.
Winter Nature Science Activities
Winter is also a great time to explore nature science. Even in colder months, animals remain active, and ecosystems continue to change.
Ideas include:
- Making birdseed ornaments
- Setting up a winter bird-watching station
- Observing animal tracks
- Exploring evergreen plants
Winter STEM Engineering Challenges
These winter science activities pair well with hands-on winter STEM challenges, where kids apply what they’ve learned by building, testing, and improving their designs.
Winter is also a great time to explore engineering and problem-solving. These STEM challenges focus on designing solutions to real winter problems using simple materials.
- Snow Shovel STEM Challenge – Engineer a tool to move snow efficiently.
- Snowball Launcher STEM Challenge – Design and test a launcher using simple materials.
👉 Free Winter STEM Challenge Cards here.
Winter Science Experiments FAQ
What age are these winter science experiments best for?
These winter science experiments work best for preschool through elementary students. Many activities can be simplified for younger kids or extended for older learners.
Do these winter science activities require real snow?
No. Most of these winter science experiments can be done indoors using ice, water, or household materials, making them perfect for any climate.
Are these winter science experiments safe for kids?
Yes. All activities use common, kid-friendly materials. Adult supervision is recommended, especially for younger children.
What science topics do kids learn through winter experiments?
Kids explore states of matter, temperature, insulation, chemical reactions, density, weather, and animal adaptations through hands-on investigation.
Can these winter science activities be used in the classroom?
Absolutely. These activities work well for classrooms, homeschool, STEM centers, early finishers, and family learning.
Winter Science Works Everywhere
Even if you don’t live in a snowy climate, winter science is still meaningful. Temperature changes, animal behavior, weather patterns, and seasonal cycles happen everywhere.
These winter science experiments and STEM activities help kids explore physics, chemistry, earth science, biology, and engineering through hands-on discovery—no matter where winter finds you.
Printable Winter STEM Pack
Even if you don’t live in a snowy winter climate, there are many ways to explore the season!
WHAT’S INSIDE? You’ll find 250+ Pages of Winter theme projects for science, STEM, and art!
I love this roundup! So many fun things to do with ice and snow this winter 🙂 Thank you for including our Fishing for Ice experiment!