25 Clever Winter Stem Activities To Stay Warm And Bright

Winter is a wonderful time for kids to explore and learn, even when the weather is chilly outside. If you’re looking for fun and educational activities to keep your little ones engaged during the winter months, you’ve come to the right place! We've compiled a list of 25 exciting Winter STEM activities that will spark their curiosity and creativity. Let's dive in and discover the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and math through these hands-on projects!

Fun Winter STEM Activities

With these 25 Winter STEM activities, your kids will have a blast while developing important skills in science, technology, engineering, and math. So, bundle up, gather your materials, and let the winter learning adventures begin! Happy exploring, parents!

1. Design a Marshmallow Igloo

Grab a bag of marshmallows and some toothpicks, and challenge your kids to construct their own mini igloo. This activity not only teaches principles of engineering and architecture, but it also offers a sweet treat at the end!

2. Create a Popsicle Stick Snowflake

Get crafty with some popsicle sticks and glue as your kids design their own unique snowflakes. This activity introduces the concept of symmetry and pattern recognition in a fun and artistic way.

3. Make Ice Ornaments

Fill various molds with water and add natural elements like berries, leaves, and twigs to create beautiful ice ornaments. This activity teaches kids about the properties of water and the science of freezing.

4. Build a Snowman Thermometer

Position three different water-filled containers outside, each with a different amount of coloring. As they freeze, your kids can observe and learn about temperature changes and freezing points as they create a colorful snowman thermometer.

5. Ice Excavation

Freeze small toys or objects in a large container of water, and let your kids use tools like spoons and syringes to excavate them. This hands-on activity introduces the concept of ice melting while promoting fine motor skills.

6. Construct a Cardboard Sled

Challenge your kids to design and build their own sleigh using cardboard and other materials. This activity encourages creative problem-solving and introduces the basics of engineering and physics.

7. Make a Rainbow Snow

Spray bottles filled with colored water can transform a snowy landscape into a vibrant canvas. Not only will this activity teach about the science of color mixing, but it will also add a pop of fun and color to your backyard.

8. Grow Borax Crystal Snowflakes

Explore the science of crystal formation by creating beautiful snowflake-shaped crystals using Borax and pipe cleaners. This activity offers a hands-on introduction to chemistry and crystallography.

9. Create a Winter-themed Rube Goldberg Machine

Gather household items and challenge your kids to design a Rube Goldberg machine with a winter theme. This activity promotes creativity, problem-solving, and an understanding of cause and effect.

10. Conduct a Hot Chocolate Science Experiment

Explore the principles of solubility and density by conducting a series of experiments with hot chocolate. Your kids can mix different liquids and solids to see how they interact, all while enjoying a delicious treat.

11. Build a Bird Feeder

Encourage wildlife observation and learning about animal behavior by building a simple bird feeder using materials like pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed. This activity promotes outdoor exploration and an understanding of animal habitats.

12. Make a DIY Snow Globe

Gather mason jars, tiny figurines, glitter, and water to create personalized snow globes. This activity combines art and science as kids learn about the properties of water and the concept of buoyancy.

13. Design a Popsicle Stick Catapult

Challenge your kids to construct a simple catapult using popsicle sticks and rubber bands. This activity teaches basic physics principles and encourages experimentation and problem-solving.

14. Create a Winter-themed Egg Drop Challenge

Gather materials like cotton balls, feathers, and tape to protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped from a height. This activity encourages critical thinking, experimentation, and an understanding of physics and engineering.

15. Construct a Marshmallow and Toothpick Tower

See how tall and stable of a tower your kids can build using only marshmallows and toothpicks. This activity teaches concepts of stability, engineering, and balance.

16. Grow a Crystal Snowflake

Using a simple solution of water and borax, your kids can grow their own crystal snowflakes. This activity introduces concepts of chemistry and crystal formation in a visually stunning way.

17. Make an Ice Lantern

Fill balloons with water and let them freeze, then remove the balloon to reveal a beautiful ice lantern. This activity teaches kids about the science of freezing and can add a magical touch to your winter evenings.

18. Conduct a Snowball Experiment

Explore the properties of different types of snow by conducting experiments to see which types make the best snowballs. This activity promotes observation and critical thinking while engaging in some chilly outdoor fun.

19. Create a Winter-themed Coding Game

Introduce your kids to the basics of coding and logic by creating a simple winter-themed coding game using markers, paper, and instructions. This activity promotes problem-solving and computational thinking.

20. Make a Solar-Powered S'mores Oven

Using simple materials like a shoebox, aluminum foil, and plastic wrap, your kids can create their own solar-powered oven to melt some s'mores. This activity introduces the concept of solar energy and principles of heat transfer.

21. Build a Paper Cup Telephone

Explore the science of sound and vibration by constructing a simple telephone using paper cups and string. This activity introduces basic principles of physics and communication.

22. Grow a Bean Sprout in Snow

Encourage kids to observe the growth of a bean sprout in snow to explore the effects of cold temperatures on plant growth. This activity promotes scientific observation and an understanding of plant biology.

23. Create a Winter-themed Pulley System

Challenge your kids to create a simple pulley system using household items like string, cups, and a toy basket. This activity teaches the basics of mechanical advantage and simple machines while encouraging creativity and experimentation.

24. Make Ice Cream in a Bag

Explore the science of phase changes by making ice cream in a bag using simple ingredients like milk, sugar, and vanilla. This activity introduces concepts of freezing point depression and energy transfer.

25. Design a Winter Ecosystem Terrarium

Create a small terrarium using natural elements like moss, rocks, and small plants to observe a mini winter ecosystem. This activity teaches kids about ecosystems, biology, and environmental science.

We hope these 25 winter STEM activities spark some amazing adventures and learning experiences for you and your kids. Have fun and stay curious, parents!