In today’s post, I am sharing this handy collection of STEM activities designed specifically for kids and young learners. I have also create a poster that goes with this post which you can use in your classroom for free.
As we all know, STEM is not only about teaching technical skills, it is, most importantly, about engaging students in hands-on problem-solving activities fostering their curiosity, encouraging their sense of exploration, and teaching them to think creatively and critically. It’s about showing them that the world is a fascinating place, full of mysteries to solve, puzzles to piece together, and wonders to marvel at.
Benefits of STEM Education
STEM education plays a crucial role in preparing children for a future that is becoming increasingly dependent on these fields. Here are some reasons why STEM activities are essential for children:
- Develops Problem-Solving Skills: STEM activities often involve real-world problems that require creative and analytical thinking to solve. These activities encourage children to use their critical thinking skills, fostering their ability to problem-solve and make informed decisions.
- Encourages Creativity and Innovation: STEM learning is not just about consuming knowledge; it’s about creating and innovating. Through hands-on activities, children can design solutions, build structures, and experiment with different strategies, which nurtures their creativity and innovation.
- Prepares for Future Careers: Many of the fastest-growing occupations in the next decade are expected to be in STEM fields. By introducing children to STEM concepts early, we are setting them up for success in a world where these skills will be highly sought after.
- Promotes Lifelong Learning: STEM activities encourage a love for learning by making the learning process engaging and fun. These activities often involve exploration and discovery, which fosters curiosity and the desire to continue learning.
- Teaches Teamwork: Many STEM activities require collaboration, which helps children develop communication and teamwork skills. By working together, children learn to listen to others’ ideas, express their own thoughts, and contribute to a shared goal.
- Integrates Knowledge Across Disciplines: STEM learning is interdisciplinary by nature. It bridges the gap between different subjects and helps children understand how they can apply knowledge from one area (like mathematics) to solve problems in another area (like engineering).
- Enhances Resilience: STEM activities often involve trial and error. By facing and overcoming challenges, children learn to be resilient and understand that it’s okay to make mistakes – what’s important is learning from them.
- Promotes Digital Literacy: Technology plays a significant role in STEM. By engaging with technology from a young age, children develop digital literacy, which is vital in today’s digitally-driven world.
STEM Activities for Toddlers
Here are some practical suggestions for helpful STEM activities for toddlers (you can also check these best science websites for kids):
- Build a Ramp City
Use cardboard, books, or blocks to create ramps. Test how cars, balls, and random toys move down. Talk about speed, height, and friction (without using the word friction, obviously). - DIY Balance Scale
Make a simple balance scale using a hanger, string, and cups. Let toddlers guess which items are heavier or lighter. - Sink or Float Sorting Bin
Fill a tub with water. Gather random objects. Let them guess and sort: “Will it sink or float?” - Ice Excavation
Freeze small toys in ice. Hand toddlers squeeze bottles of warm water or droppers to free the toys. A great intro to states of matter. - Magnetic vs. Non-Magnetic Hunt
Give them a magnet and send them on a mini treasure hunt around the house. - Color Changing Flowers
Put white flowers in colored water and watch them change over time. Talk about absorption and patience. - Pattern Building with Snacks
Create and extend simple patterns using cereal, fruit, or crackers. - Shadow Tracing
Go outside, trace shadows of toys or themselves with chalk. Watch how they move as the sun moves. - Fizzy Science
Add baking soda to a tray, give toddlers droppers with vinegar + food coloring. Instant bubbly fun. - Lego Towers by Measurement
Challenge them to build towers as tall as different objects — their shoe, a book, a cup. - Sound Guessing Game
Fill containers with different materials (rice, coins, cotton balls). Shake and guess what’s inside based on sound. - Texture Walk
Make a path with materials like bubble wrap, foil, towels, and sponges. Let them walk barefoot and describe textures. - Build a Bridge
Give them blocks, cardboard, popsicle sticks. Challenge: Can you build a bridge that holds a toy car? - Nature Color Hunt
Give them color cards and go outside. Find things in nature that match each color. - Bubble Geometry
Blow bubbles and pop them on paper. Count sides, look at sizes, or just talk about shapes.
Related: 30 Fun STEM Activities for Preschoolers
Final thoughts
Engaging toddlers in playful learning activities is a wonderful way to introduce them to the foundational concepts of science, math, and the arts, while also fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Activities like shape sorting, color mixing, and exploring nature not only enrich their understanding but also enhance their sensory and motor skills. Each activity, from bubble play to music making and puzzles, is tailored to capture their curiosity and encourage a hands-on approach to learning.
