The school holidays are the perfect time to inspire curiosity and hands-on learning at home. STEM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) offer a wonderful opportunity to engage children in problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking. The best part? These activities don’t have to break the bank! Here are some fun and budget-friendly STEM ideas to keep children entertained during the holidays.
1. Recycled Robot Building
Encourage children to design and build robots using recycled materials like cardboard boxes, bottle caps, and old containers. They can create their own version of a robot and even give it a function, such as moving its arms or “talking” with a paper cup speaker.
What you’ll need:
Cardboard, plastic bottles, and other recyclables
Scissors and glue
Markers and paint for decoration
STEM Focus: Engineering, Design, Creativity
2. Shadow Art and Sun Science
Explore how shadows are formed and how the sun moves across the sky by creating shadow art! Children can place toys or objects in front of a light source (like the sun or a torch) and trace the shadow throughout the day as the light changes. This teaches children about light, shadows, and time.
What you’ll need:
Paper and drawing materials or chalk and open space
Toys or small objects
A sunny day or a bright torch
STEM Focus: Physics, Light, Observation
3. Balloon Rockets
Explore the laws of physics with balloon rockets! All you need is string, a balloon, and a straw. Children can race their rockets across a room and experiment by adding weight or adjusting the size of the balloon to see how it affects speed.
What you’ll need:
A balloon
String
Drinking straws
Tape
STEM Focus: Physics, Motion, Engineering
Graphic prompt: An infographic of the balloon rocket setup, showing how to attach the straw to the string and let the balloon fly.
4. Ice Excavation
Freeze small toys or objects in ice and challenge children to ‘excavate’ them. This activity teaches about states of matter and the properties of water, while also incorporating a bit of problem-solving as children figure out how to release the objects.
What you’ll need:
A plastic container
Water
Small toys (like plastic dinosaurs or Lego figures)
Salt and tools like spoons or pipettes
STEM Focus: Chemistry, Problem-Solving
5. Paper Plane Challenges
Create a paper aeroplane contest to explore the principles of flight and aerodynamics. Children can experiment with different designs, seeing which planes fly the farthest, the fastest, or perform the best tricks.
What you’ll need:
Paper (old newspapers or scrap paper work great)
A measuring tape for distance
STEM Focus: Engineering, Physics, Aerodynamics
6. Nature-Based Scavenger Hunts
Take learning outdoors with a STEM-focused scavenger hunt. Children can collect leaves, rocks, and photos/ drawings of insects, then learn about their properties or use them to create nature-based art. This not only teaches about biology and ecosystems but also encourages observation and curiosity.
What you’ll need:
A printed list of items to find
A magnifying glass (optional)
STEM Focus: Biology, Environmental Science, Observation
7. Baking Science Experiments
Turn the kitchen into a science lab by baking and exploring how different ingredients interact. From making bread to experimenting with rising agents like baking soda and vinegar, children will learn basic chemistry concepts while creating something edible!
What you’ll need:
Basic baking ingredients (flour, sugar, baking soda, etc.)
Measuring cups and spoons
STEM Focus: Chemistry, Measurements, Problem-Solving
8. Rainbow Water Walking
A simple and visually exciting activity using coloured water and paper towels. Place cups of water with different food colourings and connect them with paper towels. Over time, the colours will “walk” across the towels and mix, teaching children about absorption and capillary action.
What you’ll need:
6 clear cups
Water
Food colouring
Paper towels
STEM Focus: Chemistry, Absorption, Colour Theory
9. DIY Slime
No STEM list is complete without slime! Creating slime teaches children about non-Newtonian fluids and the properties of materials. Using simple household ingredients, they can experiment with different slime textures and colours.
What you’ll need:
White glue
Baking soda
Contact lens solution
Food colouring (optional)
STEM Focus: Chemistry, Materials Science
10. Water Filtration Experiment
Teach children about the importance of clean water with a simple water filtration system. Using sand, gravel, and coffee filters, they can build a small filtration system to see how it removes impurities from water.
What you’ll need:
Sand and gravel
A plastic bottle (cut in half)
Coffee filters
Dirty water (made by adding soil or other materials)
STEM Focus: Environmental Science, Engineering
Final Thoughts
These budget-friendly STEM activities are a fantastic way to keep children engaged during the school holidays while nurturing their natural curiosity. With just a few simple materials, kids can explore everything from engineering and physics to chemistry and biology. Best of all, these activities encourage a love of learning that lasts well beyond the holidays.
Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, with over 15 years of invaluable education experience, is the co-founder of Beyond the Beanstalk. Her rich background in education, coupled with a passion for innovative learning environments propels Beyond the Beanstalk's mission of inspiring educators and students alike. With a wealth of expertise, Elizabeth is dedicated to revolutionising education and making STEM accessible for all.
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