Engaging Kids in STEM: Fun Experiments and Activities for National STEM Day

shaistakalidas
Nov 10
3 min read

National STEM Day on 8 November 2025 offers a perfect chance to spark curiosity and excitement about science, technology, engineering, and math in children. Encouraging kids to explore these fields early can build confidence and inspire lifelong learning. This post shares practical ideas for simple experiments and activities that parents can do with their children at home. It also offers tips on how to make math and engineering fun and accessible.

STEM subjects can sometimes seem intimidating or abstract to kids. The key is to connect learning with hands-on experiences and real-world problems. When children see how STEM relates to their everyday lives, they become more engaged and motivated to explore further.

Eye-level view of a colorful homemade volcano erupting with baking soda and vinegar — A homemade volcano experiment demonstrating a chemical reaction

Simple STEM Experiments to Try at Home

Doing experiments together is a great way to make STEM tangible and fun. Here are some easy projects that use common household items:

1. Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano

This classic experiment demonstrates a chemical reaction and introduces kids to basic chemistry concepts.

Build a small volcano shape using clay or playdough around a container.
Add baking soda inside the container.
Pour vinegar over the baking soda and watch the fizzy eruption.
Talk about how the acid (vinegar) reacts with the base (baking soda) to produce carbon dioxide gas.

2. Rainbow Milk Science

This colorful experiment explores surface tension and chemical reactions.

Pour whole milk into a shallow dish.
Add drops of different food coloring.
Dip a cotton swab in dish soap and touch it to the milk’s surface.
Watch the colors swirl and move.
Explain how soap breaks the surface tension, causing the colors to spread.

3. Build a Paper Bridge

This activity introduces engineering and problem-solving.

Challenge kids to build a bridge using only paper and tape.
Test how much weight the bridge can hold by placing small objects on it.
Discuss concepts like balance, support, and materials strength.

4. Static Electricity Butterfly

This simple project shows how static electricity works.

Cut a butterfly shape from tissue paper.
Rub a balloon on your hair or a wool sweater to create static.
Hold the balloon near the butterfly without touching it.
Watch the butterfly’s wings move as they are attracted to the balloon.

Ways to Get Kids Interested in Math

Math can be exciting when presented as a tool for solving puzzles and understanding the world. Here are ideas to make math appealing:

Use Everyday Situations

Cooking: Measuring ingredients teaches fractions and proportions.
Shopping: Comparing prices and calculating discounts introduces percentages.
Time: Reading clocks and planning schedules build time management skills.

Play Math Games

Board games like Monopoly or Yahtzee involve counting and probability.
Card games such as Uno or Math War practice number recognition and addition.
Online math puzzles and apps can provide interactive challenges.

Encourage Pattern Recognition

Look for patterns in nature, like leaf shapes or animal markings.
Create patterns with beads, blocks, or drawing.
Discuss sequences and predict what comes next.

Inspiring Interest in Engineering

Engineering is about designing and building solutions. Kids can explore this through creative play and projects:

Build with Blocks and Legos

Encourage free building to develop spatial awareness.
Challenge kids to build specific structures like towers or bridges.
Discuss why some designs are stronger or taller.

Create Simple Machines

Use household items to make levers, pulleys, or ramps.
Experiment with how these machines make work easier.
Relate these concepts to everyday tools and machines.

Explore Robotics and Coding

Introduce age-appropriate coding toys or apps.
Build simple robots or circuits with kits designed for kids.
Show how programming controls machines and devices.

Tips for Parents to Keep STEM Fun and Engaging

Let kids lead the exploration and ask questions.
Celebrate mistakes as learning opportunities.
Connect STEM activities to your child’s interests.
Keep sessions short and varied to maintain attention.
Use storytelling to explain concepts and spark imagination.

National STEM Day is a great reminder to nurture curiosity and creativity in children. By making STEM hands-on and relevant, parents can help kids develop skills that will benefit them throughout life. Try these experiments and activities to start exciting STEM adventures at home.