The winter months are a great time of year to excite kids about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) projects! Add these winter STEM activities to your winter learning curriculum for a lot of hands on inspiration in the cold, winter months.
Understanding STEM
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It is an interdisciplinary approach to learning that combines these four subjects to solve real-world problems. STEM education is becoming increasingly important in today’s world as it helps students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
In STEM activities, kids learn by doing. They engage in hands-on projects that allow them to explore and experiment with different concepts. For example, building a bridge out of toothpicks and marshmallows can teach kids about engineering and physics. Similarly, creating a simple circuit using a battery, wires, and a light bulb can teach them about electricity and circuits.
STEM activities are not only fun, but they also help kids develop important skills that will benefit them in the future. These skills include creativity, teamwork, communication, and perseverance. By engaging in STEM activities, kids can also develop a love for science and technology, which can lead to future careers in these fields.
Importance of Winter STEM Activities
One of the key benefits of winter STEM activities is that they encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By engaging in hands-on activities, kids learn how to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions to problems.
In addition, winter STEM activities can help to build teamwork and collaboration skills. Many STEM activities require kids to work together to achieve a common goal, which can help to foster a sense of community and cooperation.
Winter STEM activities also help to prepare kids for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. By exposing them to these fields at an early age, kids can gain a better understanding of what these careers involve and what skills are required to succeed.
Overall, winter STEM activities are a great way to keep your kids engaged and learning during the colder months. Whether you’re looking for a fun project to do at home or a group activity for your child’s classroom, there are plenty of options available to suit your needs.
Indoor Winter STEM Activities
Snowflake Crystal Growing
Create your own winter wonderland by growing your own snowflake crystals at home. With just a few simple ingredients like pipe cleaners, borax, and hot water, you can watch as beautiful snowflakes form right before your eyes. This activity is not only fun, but it also teaches kids about chemistry and the science of crystal formation. Learn more from Adventures of a DIY Mom
DIY Snowstorm in a Jar
Bring the magic of a snowstorm indoors with this fun and easy DIY snowstorm in a jar activity. With just a few simple ingredients like baby oil, white paint, and glitter, you can create your own mini snowstorm that your kids will love to watch. This activity teaches kids about weather patterns and the science of precipitation. Learn more from Taming Little Monsters
Ice Fishing Experiment
Teach your kids about the science of buoyancy and density with this fun ice fishing experiment. Using just a few household items like ice cubes, string, and paper clips, you can create your own fishing game that teaches kids about the properties of water and how they affect objects that float or sink. Learn more from Annie’s Classroom.
Try out these indoor winter STEM activities with your kids and watch as they learn and have fun at the same time!
Outdoor Winter STEM Activities
Winter is a great time to get outside and explore the world around you. It’s also a great time to engage in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities with your kids. Here are some fun and educational outdoor winter STEM activities that you can do with your kids.
Snow Measurement
Measuring snow is a great way to teach kids about math and science. You can use a ruler or a measuring tape to measure the depth of the snow. You can also use a snow gauge to measure the amount of snow that falls over a certain period of time. This activity can help kids understand the concept of measurement and how to use different tools to measure things. More ideas from Crazy Outdoor Mama
Animal Tracking
Winter is a great time to look for animal tracks in the snow. You can take your kids on a nature walk and look for tracks left by animals such as deer, rabbits, and squirrels. You can also teach your kids how to identify different animal tracks and what they can tell us about the animals that made them. This activity can help kids learn about animal behavior and how to identify different types of animals.
Winter Scavenger Hunt
A winter scavenger hunt is a fun way to get kids outside and exploring their surroundings. You can create a list of items for your kids to find, such as pine cones, icicles, and animal tracks. You can also include STEM-related items such as a thermometer or a magnifying glass. This activity can help kids develop their observation skills and learn about the natural world around them.
Overall, outdoor winter STEM activities are a great way to get kids excited about science and math while also enjoying the great outdoors. These activities can help kids develop important skills such as observation, measurement, and identification. So bundle up and head outside for some winter STEM fun with your kids!
More Winter STEM Activities
Colder weather can inspire your STEM kids to learn more with ice, snowflakes, winter counting, and much more. Add these learning activities from some of our favorite sites to your winter curriculum. Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite winter activities!
Marshmallow Snowflakes | Frugal Fun for Boys
Popsicle Stick Snowflake Art and Math | Fantastic Fun and Learning – We always have LOTS of craft sticks in our craft stash. Bring them out this winter for beautiful, symmetric learning. This is a wonderful open ended project for your winter shelves!
Snowball Math Game | Life Over C’s – This snowball math game is completly customizable to any math level. It’s a great game to print and laminate to be sure this game lasts through the long winter months.
Color Ice Transfer Activity | Busy Toddler – Along with a great transfer activity, your children will learn more about mixing colors and phases of matter as ice melts into water. This is a great activity for your youngest learners!
Crystalized Snowflakes | Gift of Curiosity – Study how snowflakes form with this simple science experiment! Children will love watching their crystals grow before their eyes as well as hanging their creations from their Christmas tree.
Fake Snow Lab | Left Brian Craft Brain – Create your own snow making lab this winter! Children will learn the scientific method and make predictions as they create this fun, sensory material.
Nature Art with Ice | KC Edventure – This is a beautiful science experiment for your outdoor, winter decoration. Students will learn about winter plants and the different states of matter as water turns to ice.
Hot Chocolate Surprise Winter Science Activity for Kids | Fantastic Fun and Learning – Kids LOVE hot chocolate! This winter plan to use this classic winter drink in your next science experiment. You’ll need a couple extra materials for this one, but it will be a crowd pleaser!
Engineering an Ice Lantern | STEAM Powered Family – Have you tried making your own winter lantern? You have all the materials you need to create this as one of your MUST try winter STEM activities. You can customize this activity as much as you like and make your lantern as big or as small as you life. LOVE this idea!
Blubber Science Experiment | Gift of Curiosity – Grab a couple kitchen materials to test out a question your preschooler has probably asked before, “how do animals stay warm in winter?”. This is a great hands-on activity for your kids that will be sure to excite their growing minds.
Pine Cone Science Experiment for Kids | Lemon Lime Adventures – Allow children to make their best predictions on why pinecones open. This is a quick experiment with a lot of modifications which can be used with students of all ages.
Winter STEM activities are a great way to keep your kids engaged and learning during the colder months. By incorporating science, technology, engineering, and math into fun and exciting activities, you can help your children develop important skills and a love for learning.
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