by TeachThought Staff
The activities below are designed to be simple, flexible, and fun, making them perfect for learners of all ages, whether you’re a parent, teacher, or an independent learner.
Because this is a single post/article post (and not a full lesson plan or curriculum), we’ve focused on quick, inspiring ideas rather than step-by-step instructions. Most can be done with household materials or free online tools, and many can be extended or simplified depending on your child’s interest and age.
See also 50 Project-Based Learning Ideas
50 Ideas For Simple STEM Activities For Kids
1. Balloon-Powered Car
Build a simple car from a straw, wheels (CDs or bottle caps), and a balloon. Blow it up and let it go. This STEM activity helps students learn more about propulsion, friction, and even design iteration.
2. Marshmallow Toothpick Towers
Challenge kids to build the tallest tower using only toothpicks and marshmallows. Great for simple engineering thinking and structural design.
3. Baking Soda Volcano
An old favorite: combine vinegar and baking soda in a homemade volcano made from clay or paper mache. Add food coloring for extra flair.
4. Paper Airplane Distance Trials
Make different paper airplane designs, measure distances flown, and graph results. Explore aerodynamics and variables like wing shape and paper weight.
5. DIY Lava Lamp
Fill a bottle with oil, water, and food coloring—then drop in an Alka-Seltzer tablet. Discuss density, polarity, and chemical reactions.
6. Shadow Tracking with Chalk
At different times of day, trace a standing object’s shadow on the sidewalk with chalk. Observe and discuss how the sun’s position affects shadow length and angle.
7. Bug Safari + Insect Journal
Grab a magnifying glass and go on a bug hunt. Kids can draw what they find, note behaviors, and classify insects by number of legs or wings.
8. Tynker (App/Website)
Teaches kids to code with interactive games and challenges. Suitable for ages 5–14.
tynker.com
9. NASA Kids’ Club
Explore space science through kid-friendly games and videos directly from NASA.
nasa.gov/kidsclub
10. Build a Recycled Robot
Use cardboard tubes, bottle caps, paper, and imagination to build a “robot.” Add circuits (with adult help) for older kids using simple LED kits or a Makey Makey.
11. Straw Roller Coasters
Use drinking straws and tape to build a marble roller coaster on a cardboard base. Explore gravity, momentum, and problem-solving.
12. Ice Excavation Dig
Freeze small toys in a container of water. Kids use salt, droppers, and warm water to excavate them. This is a fun way to explore states of matter and melting points.
13. Static Electricity Butterflies
Cut tissue paper butterflies and use a balloon to lift the wings using static electricity. This activity combines art and simple electrostatic concepts.
14. Build a Catapult
Use popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and a spoon to create a mini catapult. Experiment with different angles and launching objects.
15. Sink or Float Challenge
Test a variety of household items in water. Record and sort predictions and results to explore buoyancy and density.
16. Code.org Activities
A huge library of free coding challenges for all levels—many with popular characters.
code.org
17. LEGO Zip Line
Use string, pulleys, and LEGO figures to build and test a zip line. Explore gravity and engineering!
18. Water Filtration Experiment
Layer sand, gravel, and charcoal in a bottle to create a simple water filter. Pour dirty water through it and observe the results.
19. Stop Motion Animation
Use a free app to make a stop-motion movie with LEGO or toys. This activity teaches sequencing, storytelling, and basic digital media production.
20. Circuit Bugs
Create “bugs” out of pipe cleaners and add simple LED circuits with coin cell batteries to light them up. This STEM activity helps kids learn about electrical flow and polarity.
21. Make a Compass
Rub a needle with a magnet, float it on a leaf in water, and watch it align north-south. Explore magnetism and navigation!
22. Rubber Band Boat
Build a small boat powered by a wound-up rubber band and paddle. This STEM activity explores stored energy and release.
23. Weather Log + Forecasting
Start a daily weather journal—record temperature, clouds, and wind. Compare with official forecasts and make your own predictions.
24. Build a Water Wheel
Use spoons and a paper plate to make a simple water wheel. Pour water to see it spin and discuss how water can generate power.
25. Measure Trees With Math
Teach estimation and basic trigonometry by measuring a tree’s shadow and comparing it to a known height (like a yardstick).
26. Scratch Coding Projects
Design animations and games using Scratch. Projects like this can help kids learn logic, loops, and variables.
scratch.mit.edu
27. Walking Water Experiment
Use cups, food coloring, and paper towels to show water ‘walking’ between containers–a beautiful way to explore capillary action.
28. Make a Sundial
Place a stick upright in the ground and mark its shadow each hour. Label the times and watch your sundial track the day.
29. Design a Solar Oven
Use a pizza box, foil, and plastic wrap to trap heat and melt s’mores or cheese. Great for learning about energy transfer and insulation.
30. Magnetic Maze
Draw a maze on paper, place a paperclip on top, and guide it through using a magnet underneath. This activity teaches force and control.
31. Google Earth Scavenger Hunt
Create a challenge list of landmarks or biomes and explore Earth with Google Earth virtually. This supports children to practice map reading and spatial reasoning. See also earth.google.com
32. DIY Barometer
Use a balloon, jar, and straw to build a barometer and track air pressure changes. Introduces meteorology and data collection.
33. 3D Shape Building with Toothpicks and Clay
Make cubes, pyramids, and other 3D shapes using toothpicks and clay or marshmallows. This activity can reinforce geometry and structural thinking.
34. Online Physics Simulations (PhET)
Interactive, browser-based simulations of gravity, circuits, and more.
https://phet.colorado.edu
35. Egg Drop Challenge
Design a container to protect an egg from a high fall. Test and redesign. This activity encourages iteration and problem-solving.
36. Color-Changing Milk
Add food coloring to milk and drop in dish soap—watch the colors swirl. Discuss surface tension and chemical reactions.
37. Ziplock Bag Leak Test
Fill a plastic bag with water and poke sharp pencils through it—watch how it doesn’t leak (much). This can help students learn about polymers.
38. Star Chart App Exploration
Use a free astronomy app to locate planets and stars in the night sky. Blend science and wonder!
stellarium.org
39. Build a Wind-Powered Car
Attach a paper sail to a small car and move it with a fan or by blowing. Discuss how wind energy can power machines.
40. Make Rock Candy Crystals
Dissolve sugar in hot water, suspend a stick, and watch crystals grow over time. This helps kids learn about evaporation and crystallization.
41. Bubble Geometry
Use pipe cleaners to create 3D shapes and dip them in bubble solution. Observe how bubbles form inside different structures.
42. Backyard Ecosystem Survey
Record all the animals, plants, and fungi you can find in a small outdoor space. Track how they change over the summer.
43. Design a Board Game About Space
Kids create a themed game with rules, paths, and “challenges” based on the solar system. Combines science, logic, and creativity.
44. Conduct a Mini Energy Audit at Home
Count the lights, devices, and appliances used in a day. Talk about energy conservation and create ‘energy-saving goals.’
45. Build a Simple Pulley
Use string, a spool, and a weight to demonstrate how pulleys make lifting easier. Try single and double pulley setups.
46. Chromatography with Coffee Filters
Draw with markers on coffee filters, dip in water, and watch colors separate. This STEM activity can be a colorful way to explore chemical mixtures.
47. Online Math Games (Prodigy, Math Playground)
Fun, adaptive math games that feel like video games but reinforce key concepts.
prodigygame.com
48. Floating Paper Clip Trick
Use surface tension and a steady hand to float a paper clip on water. Add soap to see what happens!
49. Build a LEGO Bridge
Use only LEGO to build a bridge that spans a set distance and supports weight. Measure which design holds the most.
50. Use AI to Generate a Science Story
Use a kid-friendly AI tool (or even just ChatGTP) to write a story about a robot, animal, or experiment. Discuss how AI generates and organizes information.
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