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50+ STEM Activities for Kids using Household Items

Activities

Many of our children are suddenly spending all their time at home. Keeping them happy and occupied can be a challenge. But, it can be even more challenging to ensure that our children are also actively learning during this extended time away from school.

These fun STEM activities use only common household items that you probably already have laying around the house. These fun, educational activities will not only keep your kids happy and busy, but they will also help them continue to actively learning while they create, solve problems, and play.

You can also check out this list of 50+ activities for kids that use only common household items- you’ll find all kinds of creative activities and crafts to keep your kids occupied.

When its time to burn some extra energy these 27 active indoor activities are a great place to start.

STEM Activities for Kids using Household Items

These fun and educational STEM activities will keep your kids busy while they play and learn. All the STEM activities in this list use only household items that you probably already have laying around your house. No need for a trip to the store in order to keep your kids active and learning while at home.

DIY Paper Spinner Toys

Photo Credit: www.redtedart.com

Fun to make.. but they also provide a great STEAM activity for anyone learning about color theory. 

Straws Circle Paper Planes

Photo Credit: www.redtedart.com

These are not your traditional Paper Plane in that you DO need scissors, tape and most importantly a straw, but they are a fun simple science activity. As you can easily turn this circle paper plane how to into an exploration…. the best thing about these planes however, is that they fly really well and in nice straight lines.. making them great for a game of catch (a bit like frisbees).

Paper Helicopter DIY 

Photo Credit: www.redtedart.com

STEM activity and high flying fun using only paper and a paper clip!

Leak Proof Bag Science Experiment for Kids

This leak proof bag science experiment is sure to WOW your kids! All you need is two household supplies and you can do this water experiment with your kids too.

Orange Volcanoes – A Fun Science Experiment for Kids Using Simple Ingredients

Photo Credit: www.theartkitblog.com

Make your own volcano with a twist - using an orange! The kids will have a blast and so will you!

Forces and Motion - Easy Paper Spinners

Photo Credit: www.science-sparks.com

These easy paper spinners are great fun for kids of all ages and all you need is paper and a paper clip.

Fireworks in Oil & Water | Density science project for kids

Photo Credit: gosciencekids.com

How to make ‘fireworks’ in a jar! Cool science project kids can do at home.

Easy Rock Candy Tutorial

Photo Credit: www.happinessishomemade.net

Learn how to make rock candy at home with our easy rock candy recipe and tutorial! A delicious STEM activity for kids that combines science and sweets! Kids love this yummy experiment!

Popsicle Stick Catapult: STEM Activity

Photo Credit: www.mombrite.com

Do you have popsicle sticks around the house that you don’t know what to do with? Check out this fun popsicle stick catapult STEM project that you can do with your kids!

Crystal Science Experiment at Home

Photo Credit: www.fromengineertosahm.com

Mystery Bag STEM Design Challenge with Free Printable Challenge Cards

Photo Credit: buggyandbuddy.com

Take part in a super fun STEM activity using recyclables and other basic materials in this mystery bag STEM building challenge with free printable STEM challenge cards! Kids will receive a bag of mystery items and then use those materials to complete a design challenge.

Can you dissolve the eggshell of a raw egg? – Go Science Kids

Photo Credit: gosciencekids.com

Easy kitchen science experiment for kids: can you dissolve the eggshell of a raw egg?

Fruit DNA Extraction Lab Science Experiment

Photo Credit: www.funwithmama.com

Check out this apple DNA extraction lab experiment! It’s a great activity that older kids can use to learn all about the DNA process.

Sink or Float Experiment: Physics for Kids

Photo Credit: www.kcedventures.com

Kids will love this classic science experiment as they learn what types of food will sink or float! Includes a FREE science printable too!

How to Make a Barometer: DIY Science Project

Photo Credit: www.kcedventures.com

Build your own Barometer with items from around the house and track weather changes!

Make a simple paper kite

Photo Credit: www.pinkstripeysocks.com

Learn about wind power by making this simple DIY Kite.

Capillary Action Color Explosions!

Photo Credit: www.fromengineertosahm.com

Quick science experiment for us to do for our own colorful explosions using capillary action and water!

DIY Straw Rockets with Free Printable

Photo Credit: www.artsyfartsymama.com

DIY Straw Rockets is a fun STEM activity that is fun for kids of all ages. Not only is it educational, but it's an easy project that is very approachable for the beginner crafter, and even younger kids who aren't in school yet!

Swirling Milk Experiment – Go Science Kids

Photo Credit: gosciencekids.com

Classic ‘Swirling Milk’ or ‘Magic Milk’ demonstration – fun science kids love!

Simple Way to Teach Kids About Handwashing

Photo Credit: boxofideas.uk

Try this fun idea for teaching young children the importance of washing hands with soap.. For this simple science at home activity, all you need is a plate or dish, water, some grounded dry herbs/ spice.

Walking Water Experiments For Kids

Photo Credit: www.funwithmama.com

This walking water experiment is the best way to work on color mixing and secondary colors.

Coat hanger catapult

Photo Credit: www.thecrafttrain.com

Make a coat hanger catapult in less than 5 minutes! This is a cool DIY toy for kids and doubles as a STEM/STEAM activity.

Exploring Ocean Layers Science Activity for Kids

Photo Credit: www.funwithmama.com

Need a science experiment for kids that is perfect for indoor learning? Then check out this exploring ocean layers science activity for kids!

Rain Cloud In A Jar Science Experiment

Photo Credit: www.funwithmama.com

Create a rain cloud in a jar using shaving cream, food coloring and water!

Easy Heart Pump Model: Cardiovascular STEM for Kids

Photo Credit: team-cartwright.com

Make a real working heart model! Learn how blood pumps with at home items.

Colored Sugar Cubes Science Project

Photo Credit: www.messylittlemonster.com

This activity is great for STEM practice, practicing fine motor skills and more. Young children will love using droppers and watching as the sugar cubes change color. They can then use the colored sugar cubes to build towers and make letters and shapes as they do this cool science project.

How to make Curds and Whey – Go Science Kids

Photo Credit: gosciencekids.com

Have you ever sung along to Little Miss Muffet, and wondered what ‘curds and whey’ are? Well, good news! Here’s an easy curds and whey recipe you can make at home with the kids, and it doubles as a fun edible science experiment – yay!

At Home Chemistry: Cleaning Pennies with Ketchup

Photo Credit: team-cartwright.com

STEM challenge: Can you clean a penny with ketchup? Find out and get the science behind how it works!

Turn Milk into Plastic!

Photo Credit: www.howweelearn.com

You can turn milk into plastic in literally minutes with only milk and vinegar – and it is awesome.

Squeezy Bottle Rocket STEAM Experiment

Photo Credit: rainydaymum.co.uk

This simple space activity is great to do with kids of all ages. Why not get them to make their own rocket and then experiment with how far they can get it to go!

Teach your kids to code with a deck of cards!

Photo Credit: teachyourkidscode.com

This SUPER SIMPLE coding game for kids is east to set up and requires no prep. Use it to introduce kids to coding and to teach basic coding skills.

Magnet Fishing: Cool Science for Kids!

Photo Credit: rhythmsofplay.com

Fishing with a magnet is a fun magnetic fishing game and science activity for children.

Building STEM Challenge for Young Kids

Photo Credit: teachingideas.ca

Build a structure tall and strong- strong enough to hold a character on top without breaking!

Build the Moon

Photo Credit: teachingideas.ca

Have kids build to the moon using only a few simple materials!

Car STEM experiments for kids

Photo Credit: taminglittlemonsters.com

These car STEM experiments are an excellent way to introduce your kids to the wonders of physics.

Bridge Building Challenge

Photo Credit: www.mamasmiles.com

Bridge building STEM challenge for kids: design a bridge that can hold a can of food. This simple activity leaves lots of room for creative design and experimentation.

Fizzy Painting – STEM activity for kids

Photo Credit: taminglittlemonsters.com

Now how does this chemical reaction create art? We experimented to see if we could use it to do some fizzy painting.

Astronaut Pretend Play with Fine Motor Practice

Photo Credit: besttoys4toddlers.com

An astronaut themed activity with fine motor skill exploration.

Traveling Waters Science Experiment for Kids

Photo Credit: activelittles.com

A fun, colorful science experiment your child will love!

Newspaper Engineering Challenges for Kids | STEM at Home & in the Classroom

Photo Credit: theeducatorsspinonit.com

Give your kids this fun opened challenge that will stretch their creative thinking and problem solving skills.

Building Marshmallow Shapes

Photo Credit: www.sixthbloom.com

Teach kids the basics of engineering through Building Marshmallow Towers and shapes with toothpicks, marshmallows and a free printable.

Easy Science Experiments for Kids Using Basic Household Ingredients

Photo Credit: gluesticksblog.com

Sidewalk paint rockets, colored carnations, fizzy water, bobbing raisins, balloon rockets and more! This collection of easy science experiments for kids is a great way to spark curiosity and creativity.

'Magic' Drawing with Refraction of Light: an art meets science activity for kids

Photo Credit: gosciencekids.com

How to ‘magically flip’ drawings using refraction of light. Fun art meets science activity for kids.

Magic Carrot Salt Water Density STEAM Experiment

Photo Credit: ourfamilycode.com

Learn how to change the density of water with this interesting experiment.

Get Poppin’ Heat Transfer & Physical Change STEAM Activity

Photo Credit: ourfamilycode.com

This heat transfer STEAM activity explores conduction, convection, and radiation as well as physical change and ends with tasty popcorn!!

Kids Can Code! Simple and Fun Lego Coding Activities

Photo Credit: team-cartwright.com

Learn coding basics with Legos! Simple activities to introduce coding to your kids.

Water Transfer Activity with Sponges: Easy Toddler STEM Water Play

Photo Credit: www.livewellplaytogether.com

Water sensory play, motor skills, and science with a fun activity that is super easy to put together with things you probably already have at home.

Ice & Rope Experiment

Photo Credit: www.teach-me-mommy.com

Here is another simple science experiment you can do at home with little supplies: pick up ice with rope! So cool!

Floating Eggsperiment

Photo Credit: www.teach-me-mommy.com

Do this simple floating “eggsperiment” with your young kids to explain water density and add a little science “magic” to your day! 

Melting Ice Experiment

Photo Credit: www.thechaosandtheclutter.com

What will make ice melt faster. This is a simple science experiment to do with items you likely already have in your kitchen.

Shaving Cream Rain Cloud in a Jar STEM Experiment

Photo Credit: easyactivitiesforkids.com

This shaving cream rain clouds activity is a fun and easy way to teach children how it rains. Kids will love the magical wow factor and YOU’LL love the easy prep!

Borax Crafts: Making Borax Crystal Flowers

Photo Credit: in-our-spare-time.com

Looking for a fun STEM activity for the kids? Why not show them how to make these easy Borax crystal flowers.

How to Regrow Vegetable Scraps

Photo Credit: simplebites.net

Tips for turning kitchen compost scraps into pretty spring greens.

3+ Quick & Easy Ice Activities for Little Kids

Photo Credit: www.thekeeperofthememories.com

Explore color and sound with these quick & easy ice activities for kids! 

Foraging with Kids: Botanical Prints

Photo Credit: homesteadlady.com

Combine botany and art with these homemade eco prints for paper!

Easy Upcycled Catapult {STEM goes green} – Go Science Kids

Photo Credit: gosciencekids.com

How to make an easy, upcycled catapult! Fun physics for kids. Choose your own projectile….

DIY Balance Scales for Toddlers and Preschoolers – Go Science Kids

Photo Credit: gosciencekids.com

Easy DIY balance scales for younger kids to explore weight and gravity concepts through play.

March 24, 2020 · 1 Comment

About Amanda

Amanda is an adventurous mom of six based in southern Virginia. She’s teaching her crew to live life to the fullest whether they are home on the farm or trekking through a new concrete jungle. She's passionate about intentional mothering through life’s joys and challenges, and learning to embrace the gift of each new day together.

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  1. TechyKids Canada says

    April 1, 2021 at 7:58 am

    This is such an great list of STEM activities for kids and would help many to get their kids interested in STEM learning. Activities like these are not only fun but also can help kids to cement their knowledge. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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