With about a month left before school starts, you might need a few fresh activities to add to your summer bucket list. Enter STEM activities. 

What is STEM? 

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. STEM activities combine these fields for projects that encourage hands-on learning, design processing and problem solving skills. The best part? It feels a lot more like play than work. 

About Our List

To make our list, we made sure that each activity called for common or dollar store supplies and made minimal mess. You’re welcome. To take each activity to the next level, check out CALS for a book that reinforces the lesson. 

5 Easy STEM Activities

Building with Jelly Beans

This sweet engineering activity knows no bounds but your kids’ imagination! Set up the construction materials and zone and let them get to work. 

Via LemonLimeAdventures.com

Materials:

  • Toothpicks

  • Jellybeans

For full instructions, click here. 

Paper Chain Challenge

Set up for this one is simple, but the challenge is harder than it looks. Who can make the longest paper chain with just one piece of paper? 

Via LittleBinsforLittleHands.com

Materials: 

  • One piece of paper

  • Scissors

  • Tape 

For full instructions, click here. 

Egg Float Experiment

This fun egg-periment (sorry, not sorry) is a gateway for learning more about the ocean. Dive in with just a few materials. 

Via LookWereLearning.com

Materials: 

  • Clear glass

  • Egg

  • Salt

  • Spoon

For full instructions, click here. 

Easy Anemometer

Your meteorologists in the making can measure and observe wind with their very own DIY anemometer. 

Via CapriPlus3.com 

Materials: 

  • 4 cupcake liners (or small paper cups)

  • 2 plastic straws

  • pencil with eraser

  • thumbtack

  • Tape

For full instructions, click here. 

3D Phases of the Moon 

As editor, I polled my in-house test subjects (my two kids) and they both thought that this activity sounded “really fun.” If that’s not a scientifically sound reason to try this one out, I don’t know what is. 

Via KCEAdventures.com 

Materials: 

  • black or dark blue paper (to resemble the night sky)

  • white and gray colored Play-Doh or Model Magic clay

  • plastic caps from a jar or bottle

  • chalk or chalk markers

  • a pencil

For full instructions, click here.