5 STEM Activities Kids Can Do At Home

Kids are very curious; they want to explore everything happening around them. They question about how and why things happen. Kids wonder about how cars move, what makes it rain, why things melt and whatnot. You can answer all these questions by doing STEM activities together.

In the current era, knowledge about advanced STEM is important to compete in life. A good educational base increases the chances of a stable career.

STEM Education in Pakistan - The Need of An Hour

In Pakistan, STEM learning system is not implemented adequately in educational institutes. However, private schools and education centers have introduced STEM learning to much extent. Comparatively, public sector institutes do not offer STEM educational activities due to lack of resources such as funds, labs, equipments, etc. [1].

Globally, everything is changing due to the progression in technology and science. To cope with future challenges, Pakistan Science Foundation has introduced STEM Grooming Program that not only encourages STEM learning but also provide STEM trainings to teachers and pedagogues.

Despite that, parents can help kids learn STEM with some easy activities at home.

Also Read: A Beginner’s Guide to STEM Toys

Easy & Simple STEM Activities For Kids

STEM activities sharpen kids’ minds by boosting their thinking process and provide a better career in the future. With just some regular materials at home, you can perform entertaining and educating STEM activities with your children.

Here are the details.

Fun With Numbers

Category (Maths) Recommended Age 3+

Category (Maths) Recommended Age 3+

We always feel like maths could be a more exciting subject. Most children hate maths in their school life. In reality, maths is not a boring subject. The way of learning needs to be corrected. This activity makes learning maths simple and fun for children.

What things do you need for maths fun with numbers activity?

  • Sticky notes
  • White chart paper
  • Masking tape
  • Dark marker (any colour)

How to perform this activity?

  1. First, make random dots on the white chart paper.
  2. Then place chart paper on the wall with the help of tape.
  3. Now write numbers on sticky notes.
  4. Ask your kid to count dots and match the numeral note.

What do kids learn from the Fun with Numbers activity?

This maths-based activity increases the counting and memorizing numbers skills. You can also make it somewhat tricky by adding counting pictures. For example, activity like count the bananas and match the numeral sticky note. Or, if you don't have time, you can use a Smart Learning Books to educate them about numbers and the alphabet.

Also Read: 10 Helpful Pre Montessori Tips for Parents

Build A Skyscraper

Category (Engineering) Recommended Age 4+

Category (Engineering) Recommended Age 4+

You can educate children about engineering by creating buildings and skyscrapers. This activity can enhance kids' thinking processes and boost their critical thinking process. You can use your daily life materials for this activity.

What things do you need for a skyscraper activity?

  • Old newspapers
  • Solution tape
  • Books

How to perform this activity?

  1. Provide newspaper to your kids.
  2. Help them build a base that holds the weight of the tower.
  3. Let the kid make a tower with the newspapers, books, and solution tape.

What do kids learn from Skyscraper activity?

Kids use only provided materials to make sturdy structures and unique designs. You can also make it exciting by adding a time limit so kids try to build towers fast. Unique design thinking makes kids good at engineering. Children can play this activity as a challenge with their friends. Teamwork and leadership skills are also developed when kids work together with their friends.

Water Cycle in Bag

Category (Science) Recommended Age 5+

Category (Science) Recommended Age 5+

You want a simple and easy activity that helps your kids learn something new or provides a different narrative? The water cycle in the bag is best to educate the science behind the earth. You can perform this little activity in a minute with easy props in your home.

What things do you need for the water cycle in bag activity?

  • One slider storage plastic bag
  • Black marker (You can use any color marker except blue)
  • ½ cup of water
  • Blue food color
  • Double-sided tape

How to perform this activity?

  1. First, draw a sun in the left corner of the bag and a cloud in the right corner.
  2. Now open the bag and fill it with ½ cup of water.
  3. Add two drops of blue food color to the water.
  4. Close the slider bag.
  5. Be sure that the bag is not leaking water.
  6. Now place the bag near the window with the help of tape.

What do kids learn from the water cycle bag activity?

When you place the water cycle bag on the window, kids notice water evaporating. After some time, when the temperature is down, it again becomes a liquid. This observation helps them to learn how the earth's water cycle works. Sun reflects the same as the heat, causing vaporization, and when drops fall back, it looks like rain from the cloud. This simple activity enhances kids' love for science and sharpens their mind.

Also Read: DIY Toys: Easy and Inexpensive Ideas for Parents

Stop-Animation Video

Category (Technology) Recommended Age 6+

Category (Technology) Recommended Age 6+

Stop animation videos are very popular on TV or many social platforms. Kids love to watch visual representations of different things. You can make simple activity videos and attract kids toward learning. With this activity, you can increase their interest in new technology and boost the creativity among them.

What things do you need for Stop Animation Video activity?

  • A Smartphone
  • Stop motion application
  • An object to use for animation

How to perform this activity?

  1. Place an object in front of the mobile camera.
  2. First, take a snap of the object, then move the object further and take snaps.
  3. Repeat this again and again until you capture the complete process.
  4. Then play all the snaps in the sequence or use an app to make it a smooth animation.
  5. Your kids will get amused after watching the stop-animation video created by them.

What do kids learn from stop-animation activities?

Kids make characters and try to explain the story through stop animation. It enhances their storytelling and creativity skills. Creating animations increases kids' interest in motion graphics and technology. Moreover, making animation is so easy that your kids can learn it from the one-time demo. It also helps kids think outside the box and learn how their favorite movie comes on the screen.

Bits & Bricks

Category (Technology/ Math) Recommended Age 8+

Category (Technology/ Math) Recommended Age 8+

Playing games is every kid's favorite activity. But, designing algorithms for games can be more fun if your child takes an interest in the technology. Coding games language boosts cognitive system to solve problems in a unique style.

What things do you need to Bits & Bricks activity?

  • Coding tool (Computer or Smartphone)
  • Easy-to-access platforms
  • And one curious kid.

How to perform this activity?

  1. Just open Bits & Bricks LEGO official game.
  2. Create your ID by easy sign-in.
  3. Start a game, solve simple puzzles, and learn.

What do kids learn from Bits & Bricks activity?

LEGO games are a part of Hour Of Code. These games increase interest in programming languages and AI. In the current era, coding knowledge is the most valuable skill.

Also Read: 5 Gadgets to Improve Hand-Eye Coordination Among Kids

Wind-Up

After reading that article, you now know what activities are best for kids to develop their interest in science, technology, math, and engineering. You can design simple and budget-friendly STEM activities at home. Such activities encourage creativity and enhance kids' problem-solving skills so that they can discover new concepts independently. Innovative mindsets are the base of the 21st century. The finest ideas arise from creativity, and one great idea has the power to transform the world. Allow your child to discover the world in his or her own way.

References

Hali, A. U., Aslam, S., Zhang, B.H., Saleem, A. (2021). An Overview on STEM Education in Pakistan: Situation and Challenges. International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies, 12(1), 12A1T, 1-9. http://doi.org/10.14456/ITJEMAST.2021.20