STEM Activities for Kids (482 results)

Foaming Fake Snow

STEM Activity

138 reviews

If you live where there is snow, it can be fun to play in it for a while—but it can get quite chilly! Or maybe you live in a place that does not get snow. In this fun activity, you can experience something similar to snow anytime, in the comfort of your own home. You will mix together common kitchen supplies to make a sculpted object, and then, whenever you decide, you can let your snow creation "melt" away into a white surface. Curious about how kitchen chemistry can look like snow? Try… Read more

Homemade Slushies

STEM Activity

109 reviews

Do you enjoy ice-cold drinks? A slushy is about as close as you can get to liquid ice: colder than water, but more drinkable than ice! Using some common household items, a little bit of patience, and the help of science, you can make this delicious, sweet drink at home. Try the activity, and you will be rewarded with a delightful treat! Read more

Measure Surface Tension with a Penny

STEM Activity

21 reviews

Have you ever noticed how, on a rainy day, water forms droplets on a window? Why does it do that instead of just spreading out evenly over the whole surface? And what could that possibly have to do with washing the dishes or doing laundry? It all has to do with something called surface tension. Try this activity to learn more! Read more

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Make String from Algae

STEM Activity

224 reviews

Did you know that the seaweed you've seen in the ocean or even eaten as a snack is inspiring innovators to imagine new materials? Large brown algae, like kelp, contains polymers—long chains of molecules—that are more environmentally friendly than the ones in most plastics. These natural polymers (alginates) could eventually be used to create sustainable everyday objects. Try your hand at using a bit of chemistry to turn biodegradable polymers from algae into your own custom… Read more

Make Your Drawings Float!

STEM Activity

72 reviews

Have you ever wished your drawings would come alive and the stick figures or objects on your paper could move around? What sounds impossible actually is not! In this activity, you will make your drawing move around by letting it float on water. What makes this possible is the interesting chemistry of dry erase markers. These markers are usually used to write on white boards or glass surfaces and can easily be erased to make space for more writing or drawing. It turns out that they are also… Read more

Model the Rock Cycle with Crayons

STEM Activity

148 reviews

Use crayons to model the rock cycle in this fun activity! You will make colorful sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous "rocks" from crayon shavings. Read more

3D Print with Sand: No 3D Printer Required!

STEM Activity

49 reviews

Don't have your own 3D printer? No problem! In this fun activity you will make your own colorful 3D prints using craft sand and glue. No 3D printer required! Read more

Build a Brushbot

STEM Activity

129 reviews

Brushbots are a simple, fun type of robot that you can build out of arts and crafts materials. They are easy to build and you do not need any previous experience with robotics. You can build them yourself, build two robots with a friend and race them against each other, or even make them sumo wrestle! Go to the Materials section to see what parts you need to build a brushbot, and see the instructions for a step-by-step guide on how to build one. Read more

Candy Camouflage

STEM Activity

142 reviews

Have you ever wondered how predators, like wolves, lions, and hawks, are able to find their prey? And what can an animal do to stay off of a hunter's menu? To survive, some animals have developed specific camouflage tactics to fool their predators. One strategy some animals use is to look very similar to other animals that are poisonous or that the predator doesn't like to eat. This camouflage tactic is called mimicry. In this science activity, you will be the hungry predator and you will hunt… Read more

Find the Best Pinwheel Design

STEM Activity

165 reviews

Wind energy is becoming more and more popular across the United States, maybe you have even seen a wind farm close to where you live! In 2015, approximately 7% of the electricity used in the U.S. was generated by wind, so who knows, when you switch on a light bulb in your house, that light might be coming from wind energy! Wind energy is generated by wind turbines. These machines can look like giant pinwheels, and their job is to turn energy from the wind into mechanical or electrical energy.… Read more

Fruits Gone Bad? Discover Enzymatic Browning

STEM Activity

54 reviews

Have you ever wondered why apple slices turn brown once you cut them or why a yellow banana gets dark spots over time? Both of these phenomena have the same cause: enzymatic browning triggered by an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase (PPO). In this activity you will find out how this enzyme works by turning a banana from yellow to brown in just a matter of seconds. Then you will explore how you can keep your apple slices looking fresh! Read more

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