Summer holidays are starting, and you are wondering how to keep your children busy. Here are 7 summer activities for kids you can do at home, plus learn about STEM. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math.

1. Straw rocket

Kids can design and construct rockets using straws, paper, and tape. They can experiment with different designs and launch their rockets to learn about aerodynamics and forces.

STEPS:

1. Get materials such as straws, paper, tape, and scissors.
2. Design and cut out a rocket shape from the paper.
3. Attach the rocket to the straw using tape.
4. Blow into the straw to launch the rocket and observe its flight.
5. Experiment with different designs and modifications to see how they affect the rocket’s flight.

What you learn: Aerodynamics, forces, and the principles of flight.

2. DIY Slime

Children can create their own slime using common household ingredients like glue, borax or liquid starch, and food coloring. They can explore the properties of polymers and learn about chemical reactions.

STEPS:

1. Get materials such as glue, borax or liquid starch, water, and food coloring (optional).
2. Mix the glue with water and food coloring in a bowl.
3. Slowly add borax or liquid starch while stirring until the mixture forms slime.
4. Mix the slime with your hands until it reaches the desired consistency.
5. Explore different textures, stretchiness, and properties of the slime.

What you learn: Properties of polymers, chemical reactions, and material science.

3. Build a Paper Bridge

Using only paper and tape, kids can build a bridge that can support the weight of small objects like coins or toy cars. They will learn about structural engineering and the principles of stability.

STEPS:

1. Get materials such as paper, tape, scissors, and small weights (coins, toy cars, etc.).
2. Cut out long strips of paper for the bridge supports and a flat surface for the road.
3. Use tape to connect the paper strips vertically to form the supports.
4. Attach the flat surface on top of the supports using tape to complete the bridge.
5. Test the bridge’s strength by placing weights on top and observe how much it can support.

What you learn: Structural engineering, stability, and design principles.

4. Balloon-Powered Car

Children can build a car using recycled materials like water bottles, straws, and bottle caps. By attaching a balloon to the car, they can learn about propulsion and Newton’s Third Law of Motion.

STEPS:

1. Get materials such as a water bottle, straws, bottle caps, tape, and balloons.
2. Attach two straws horizontally to the sides of the water bottle using tape.
3. Attach a bottle cap to one end of the straws to serve as wheels.
4. Inflate a balloon and attach it to the other end of the bottle.
5. Release the air from the balloon, and the escaping air will propel the car forward.

What you learn: Newton’s Third Law of Motion, propulsion, and basic mechanics.

5. Nature Scavenger Hunt

Summer time give us good weather, so we can have activities also outside. Kids can go on a scavenger hunt in their backyard or local park, searching for various natural objects like leaves, rocks, or insects. They can document their findings and learn about different species and ecosystems.

STEPS:

1. Create a list of natural objects to find (leaves, rocks, flowers, insects, etc.).
2. Provide each participant with a bag or basket to collect their findings.
3. Explore your backyard, local park, or nature trails to search for the listed items.
4. Observe and document each object found, noting any unique characteristics or details.
5. Discuss and learn about the identified objects and their role in the ecosystem.

What you learn: Biodiversity, species identification, and ecosystems.

6. Circuit Exploration

Children can explore the basics of circuits by creating simple circuits with batteries, wires, and LED lights. They can experiment with different arrangements to understand the flow of electricity.

STEPS:

1. Get materials such as batteries, wires, LED lights, and a battery holder.
2. Connect the wires to the battery holder, ensuring the positive and negative terminals match.
3. Attach an LED light to the wires, making sure the longer leg (positive) connects to the positive terminal.
4. Complete the circuit by connecting the shorter leg (negative) of the LED light to the negative terminal.
5. Observe the LED light up as electricity flows through the circuit.

What you learn: Basics of electricity, circuitry, and understanding current flow.

7. DIY Volcano

Kids can create a volcano using clay or playdough and make it erupt using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. This activity demonstrates the chemical reaction between an acid and a base, and it’s a fun way to learn about geology.

STEPS:

1. Get materials such as clay or playdough, a plastic bottle, baking soda, vinegar, dish soap (optional), and food coloring (optional).
2. Mold the clay or playdough around the plastic bottle to create a volcano shape.
3. Add a few drops of food coloring and dish soap (for added effect) to the bottle.
4. Fill the bottle about halfway with vinegar.
5. In a separate container, mix baking soda with a small amount of water to create a paste.
6. Pour the baking soda paste into the bottle and step back to watch the eruption.
7. Observe the chemical reaction as the vinegar (acid) reacts with the baking soda (base), producing carbon dioxide gas and creating the eruption.

What you learn: Chemical reactions, acid-base interactions, and basic geology.

These activities provide engaging opportunities for kids to explore STEM concepts and develop their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills right at home.

Looking for more summer activities for kids, check out our blog!