10 At-home STEM Activities
Part of our core curriculum at Woodcrest Preschool is STEAM learning. We are providing a focus on skill-building activities in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. While we often share our favorite art-focused crafts, there are more than a few STEM projects that you and your child can do. In this week’s blog, we’re bringing our classroom fun home with our top 10 at-home STEM activities.
Glitter Germ Hands
This activity is great to do as a way to teach your preschooler the importance of washing their hands. For this activity, you will need hand sanitizer, glitter (there are eco-friendly options), and a sheet of paper. ‘The Soccer Mom’ Blog will walk you through this activity step by step.
Mini Greenhouse
You can create a mini greenhouse with your little one using just a few items. Making a tiny greenhouse is an excellent scientific way to teach your child about the elements of nature. This particular activity will require some help from you and an empty plastic container, an egg carton, soil, and seeds, of course, as well as a green thumb for what is sure to be lots of STEM fun.
Lemon Volcano
When it comes to STEM activities, this one is sure to have your little one erupting in wonder and possibly giggles. For your preschooler’s very own Lemon Volcano, you’ll need a halved lemon (of course), baking soda, food coloring, and dish soap. Once your lemon is split and on a plate, use craft sticks to help some juice flow out. We’ll let ‘STEAM Powered Family’ explain the rest!
Ten Apples Up on Top
Count us in for this bushel of fun. You will need ten apples and brown playdough. This counting activity works best with artificial apples if your little one wants to aim high. For added sensory exposure, add an apple scent to your brown playdough for a sweet-smelling treat. ‘Fantastic, Fun and Learning’ shares the rest of their steps for turning math-time into playtime.
Rain Cloud in a Jar
One of our other favorite easy-to-do STEM activities is the ‘Rain Cloud in a Jar’ from ‘The STEM Laboratory.’ You will need a clear jar, water, shaving cream, blue food coloring, and plastic pipettes for this activity. Just follow the simple steps in the link above for this STEM fun that is sure to put a smile on your preschooler’s face. Rain or shine!
The Floating Egg
If your child is curious about how things float in water, this STEM activity is a great simple introduction. While preschool is a little early to dive into physics laws, they can undoubtedly get a visual understanding of what makes things float. Using two eggs, two glasses, water, and ten teaspoons of salt, you’ll have quick science-based fun with this one.
Walking Water Rainbow
Another one of the many fun STEM activities from ‘The STEM Laboratory is the Walking Rainbow. This activity can get a tad messy, but it’s perfect for teaching your little one about capillary action and color mixing. You will need six small jars or glasses, six different food coloring colors, water, and paper towels. The rest is a quick trip over the rainbow and right to the link above for the quick and easy steps.
DIY Your Own Tinker Kit
This STEM activity is a bit more prep than play, but it’s good to have ready for a fun learning day. Create a fun and simple STEM basket that you can use with your little one to bring the classroom fun of STEM home.
Learn About the Stars
We always tell our preschoolers to shoot for the moon and the stars because there is no limit to what they can achieve when they aim high. This STEM activity is a great way to teach them exactly what some of those stars are. Well, constellations, to be exact. ‘Artsy Momma’ shares an easy way to help your little one learn about the night sky using toothpicks and marshmallows.
This Way to the Gumdrop Bridge!
We can’t think of a sweeter way to end our list than with this gumdrop bridge STEM activity from ‘Little Bins for Little Hands.’ The only supplies you will need for this activity are gumdrops, toothpicks, and perhaps a little bridge-building instruction from you.
