fall stem activities for kids

25 Fall Stem Activities For Kids Who Appreciate The Science

August 24, 20246 min read

Fall is a wonderful season for both kids and parents. The crisp air, vibrant colors, and cozy sweaters make it a season worth celebrating.

divider

Fun Fall Stem Activities For Kids

divider

Apart from enjoying the charming scenery, fall is also a great time for kids to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activities. Engaging in these activities can help kids improve their creativity, logical thinking, and problem-solving skills. We have compiled a list of 25 fall STEM activities for kids that both kids and parents can enjoy together.

1.      Experiment with Fall Leaf Chromatography

popsicle

Have you ever wondered why leaves change color during fall? Engage your kids in a fun experiment to learn about the chemical makeup of leaves. All you need is some rubbing alcohol, coffee filters, and freshly picked fall leaves.

With this simple yet awe-inspiring experiment, your kids will learn a great deal about the science of chromatography.

2.      Build a Pumpkin Catapult

What better way to celebrate fall than to build a pumpkin catapult? This activity requires some PVC pipes, bungee cords, and one or two pumpkins. The kids will learn about potential energy, kinetic energy, and velocity as they launch the pumpkin into the air.

3.      Create a Fall-themed Lava Lamp

Kids love lava lamps, and what better way to make them even cooler than to make a fall-themed one? For this activity, you will need Alka-Seltzer, a glass jar, food coloring, and some oil. Your kids will learn about chemical reactions, the properties of oil and water, and density.

4.      Go on a Fall Nature Scavenger Hunt

One of the best fall activities for kids is going on a nature scavenger hunt. You can create a list of items like pine cones, acorns, maple leaves, and mushrooms. This activity will help kids improve their observational skills and teach them the importance of nature preservation.

5.      Build a Candy Corn Catapult

Candy corn is a staple Halloween candy, and what better way to engage kids in a STEM activity than by building a candy corn catapult? This activity requires some wooden skewers, rubber bands, and candy corn. With this fun activity, your kids will learn about mechanical engineering and trajectory.

6.      Construct a Spider Web Geometry Challenge

Spiders make impressive webs, and this activity will teach your kids about geometry while creating beautiful spider webs. With a few popsicle sticks and some yarn, your kids will learn about angles and shapes.

7.      Investigate Pumpkin Preservation Techniques

Have you ever wondered how pumpkins are preserved? Engage your kids in a pumpkin preservation experiment. For this activity, all you need is one or two pumpkins and a couple of preservation methods like Vaseline, bleach, and vinegar. The kids will learn about decomposition and the importance of preservation.

8.      Design a Fall-themed Paper Airplane Challenge

Paper planes are always fun, and your kids can create a fall-themed paper airplane challenge. With some construction paper, markers, and scissors, your kids will learn about aerodynamics, velocity, and stability.

9.      Grow a Pumpkin Seed STEM Garden

Growing a pumpkin seed garden is an excellent way to teach kids about the plant life cycle and the importance of patience. With some soil, pumpkin seeds, and little pots, your kids will learn about photosynthesis, germination, and plant anatomy.

10.   Build a Fall-themed LEGO Maze

LEGOs never disappoint, and what better way to engage kids than by building a fall-themed LEGO maze. With some fall-colored LEGOs, your kids will learn about problem-solving, spatial awareness and design.

11.   Explore the Science of Slime

Kids love slime, and this activity will teach them to make slime from scratch while learning about the science behind it. With some glue, borax, and food coloring, your kids will learn about chemical reactions and non-Newtonian fluids.

12.   Create a Pumpkin Boat Engineering Challenge

What better way to celebrate fall than creating pumpkin boats? For this activity, your kids will need one or two small pumpkins, toothpicks, and small sails. The kids will learn about buoyancy, surface tension, and fluid mechanics.

13.   Experiment with Apple Volcanoes

Volcanoes are always fun, and this activity will teach your kids about chemical reactions and pressure. All you need is baking soda, vinegar, and one or two apples, and your kids will learn about chemical reactions, pressure, and eruption.

14.   Build a Fall-themed LEGO Bridge Challenge

Building bridges is a great STEM activity, and this fall-themed LEGO bridge challenge will get kids thinking about structure, stability, and design. With some fall-colored LEGOs, your kids will learn about architectural engineering and spatial awareness.

15.   Investigate Leaf Symmetry

Symmetry is an essential concept in mathematics and science, and this activity will teach kids about leaf symmetry. With some fall-colored leaves, white paper, and a ruler, your kids will learn about symmetry, measurement and balance.

16.   Build a Candy Corn Catapult

Halloween is incomplete without candy corn, and this activity combines fun and learning. With some wooden skewers, rubber bands, and candy corn, your kids will learn about mechanical engineering and trajectory.

17.   Conduct a Sink or Float Fall Experiment

What better way to teach kids about density than a sink or float fall experiment? You can use apples, pumpkins, and leaves, and your kids will learn about buoyancy, density, and weight.

18.   Create a Fall-themed Rube Goldberg Machine

A Rube Goldberg machine is a cool and creative way to teach kids about physics. With some household items like dominoes, marbles, and toy cars, your kids will learn about transfer of energy, momentum, and gravitational force.

19.   Build a Fall Leaf Structures Challenge

Building structures is an excellent way to teach kids about architecture and design. With some fall leaves, toothpicks, and glue, your kids will learn about stability, structure, and balance.

20.   Create a Leaf Stained Glass Window

Stained glass windows are beautiful, and creating a leaf-stained glass window can be a fun activity for kids. With some fall leaves, wax paper, and glue, your kids will learn about light and colors.

21.   Explore DIY Fall Instruments

Creating DIY instruments is always fun, and what better way to teach kids about sound? With some fall items like acorns, sticks, and pine cones, your kids will learn about acoustics, vibration, and resonance.

22.   Investigate Animal Adaptations in Fall

Fall is a season of changes, and animals adapt and prepare for the winter. This activity is an excellent way to teach kids about animal adaptations and migration. With a nature scavenger hunt and some research, your kids will learn about animal biology and ecology.

23.   Create a Fall-themed Weather Station

Creating a weather station is an excellent way to teach kids about meteorology. With a thermometer, windsock, and rain gauge, your kids will learn about temperature, wind direction, and precipitation.

24.   Design a Pumpkin Catapult

Pumpkin catapults are always fun, and this activity will teach kids about potential energy, kinetic energy, and velocity. With some PVC pipes, bungee cords, and a pumpkin, your kids will have a blast launching pumpkins into the air.

25.   Experiment with Apple Oxidation

What happens when you cut an apple and leave it for some time? This experiment will teach your kids about apple oxidation. With some apples and utensils, your kids will learn about chemical reactions and the effects of oxygen on fruit.

In conclusion, fall is a season of fun, and engaging in STEM activities can be an excellent way for kids to learn, grow, and have fun. With the 25 fall STEM activities listed above, your kids will learn about different STEM concepts like chemical reactions, physics, biology, and engineering.

So, grab your kids, choose an activity, and start exploring the fascinating world of STEM this fall.

Back to Blog