🧪 STEM Experiments for Kids: 5 Fun Science Activities to Try at Home
Looking for ways to make learning exciting for your children? These STEM experiments for kids are simple, safe, and packed with educational value. You can do all of them at home using everyday items. Whether it’s understanding chemical reactions or observing capillary action, your kids will learn while having fun!
1. Rainbow Walking Water Experiment (STEM for Kids)
What you’ll need:
- 6 clear cups
- Water
- Paper towels
- Food coloring (red, yellow, blue)
Instructions:
- Fill 3 of the cups with water and add different food coloring to each.
- Arrange the cups in a circle, alternating between full and empty ones.
- Fold paper towels and connect each pair of cups with them.
- Watch the water “walk” over a few hours and mix to form secondary colors.
What kids learn: Capillary action, color mixing, and water movement.
Try more capillary action experiments with help from Science Buddies!
2. STEM for Kids: Balloon-Powered Car
What you’ll need:
- A plastic bottle
- Straws
- Bottle caps
- Balloon
- Tape and scissors
Instructions:
- Create a car frame using the plastic bottle and attach wheels made from bottle caps.
- Tape a balloon to a straw and feed the straw through the car.
- Inflate the balloon, pinch it, place the car on the floor, and let go!
What kids learn: Newton’s Third Law of Motion, force, and motion.
3. Baking Soda Volcano STEM Experiment
What you’ll need:
- A small plastic container
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Red food coloring (optional)
- Dish soap
Instructions:
- Place baking soda and food coloring in the container.
- Add a bit of dish soap.
- Pour in vinegar and watch it erupt!
What kids learn: Chemical reactions and the basics of acids and bases.
You can also check out NASA’s STEM at Home for more space-themed science fun!
4. Static Electricity Butterfly Activity
What you’ll need:
- Tissue paper
- Cardstock
- Balloon
Instructions:
- Cut a butterfly shape from tissue paper and a slightly larger one from cardstock.
- Tape the tissue paper butterfly on top.
- Inflate a balloon and rub it on your hair.
- Hover the balloon above the butterfly and watch it rise!
What kids learn: Static electricity and attraction between charges.
5. DIY Lava Lamp – STEM Experiment for Kids
What you’ll need:
- A clear bottle
- Water
- Oil
- Food coloring
- Alka-Seltzer tablets
Instructions:
- Fill the bottle with water (1/4) and oil (3/4).
- Add food coloring.
- Drop in an Alka-Seltzer tablet and watch the colorful bubbles rise and fall!
What kids learn: Density, polarity, and chemical reactions.
🧠 STEM Learning Tip for Kids at Home
Encourage your kids to ask questions, predict outcomes, and write or draw what they see. This turns a fun activity into an opportunity for critical thinking and scientific inquiry.
🏁 Conclusion: Why STEM Experiments for Kids Matter
These STEM experiments for kids are more than just fun—they build a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering, and math. They’re an amazing way to bond with your child and nurture curiosity early.
Explore more STEM-focused ideas on our STEMandFitness blog and keep the learning going beyond the classroom!
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