Have fun with your child while creating awesome STEM crafts. STEM stands for the related areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and STEM-based activities are a terrific way to inspire curiosity and encourage learning. Indeed, STEM crafts often become STEAM activities, with the addition of art alongside the other topics. Combining learning with crafts is a terrific way to help your preschooler develop various skills and knowledge while also appealing to their creative side. Our recommended STEM crafts are easy for you to enjoy at home and most require materials that are easy to source.
Crystal Suncatchers
These crystal suncatchers from Babble Dabble Do are the perfect blend of basic science and hands-on STEM crafts while creating something stunning that you can keep for a couple of weeks. There are even bonus recycling points because the activity uses old plastic lids! All you need, as well as some plastic lids, are Epsom salts, water, string, a tray, a fork, and a jar. You could even add a few drops of food coloring to the salts to create multi-colored suncatchers.
Kaleidoscope
This captivating kaleidoscope, courtesy of Little Bins Little Hands, combines every element of STEM, plus art. It’s fun to create and even more, fun to play with afterward! Your child can get creative as they decorate an old tub, such as a Pringles can, and you can use a variety of materials and objects for the lid end of the tube. Think sequins, glitter, small buttons, and tissue paper. Your kid could even glue on a leaf or two.
Color Mixing Flower
Have fun with colors and encourage your little one to discover what happens when different colors are mixed together. Making the flower is easy; you just need cardboard to cut into a flower shape, marker pens for your child to color the flower’s petals, scissors, Velcro dots, and a transparent plastic sheet in red, blue, yellow, and clear. Idea courtesy of STEAMsational.
Stuffed Animal Chair
This activity from There’s Just One Mommy encourages your kid to get craft with engineering, as they construct a chair for their favorite stuffed animal. You can provide various materials for your child to choose from and they can enjoy decorating the chair for their toy. Many suggested items, such as cardboard tubes, cereal boxes, plastic cups, and old drinking straws, are recycled too. If you use hot glue rather than regular glue, make sure the adult does the gluing. If you have more time to fill, your kid can build several chairs for a whimsical toy tea party!
Balancing Robot
This balancing robot idea from Buggy and Buddy is often hugely popular with younger members of the family. Your kid must think about balance while trying to make their robot remain upright. There’s a handy free printable template that your child can color before finding where to attach two coins to enable the robot to stand. Use poster putty so your child can experiment with positions for the pennies.
