Science Technology Engineering & Math Play
What do children learn from STEM play?
STEM education allows children to develop their communication and problem-solving skills, especially when they are actively encouraged to talk and write about their ideas and observations. This kind of rich educational environment also enables young children to develop concepts through investigative and explorative means.
Digital Citizenship for Family Engagement
Working together, schools and families can prepare kids to think critically and use technology in positive, creative, and powerful ways. The K–12 Digital Citizenship Curriculum's Family Tips and Family Activities cover all six curriculum topics and are available in English and Spanish. Additional languages are available for the Family Tips and Digital Citizenship Curriculum Family Letters as bundled PDFs. Print...
Color Hunt
Going on nature walks is one of our favorite activities to do as a family. I created this Color Hunt to make our nature walks and outdoor play more exciting and engaging! Materials Needed (affiliate links) Piece of cardboard (we used a flap from a box) 3 rubber bands 9 mini-clothespins (binder clips or regular clothespins would work too) Kwikstix...
Monster Slime
Monster Slime, ages 2+, Here’s a spooky twist on our favorite slime recipe that’s perfect for Halloween or a monster themed party! It’s amazing how adding some googly eyes and vampire fangs can make slime so new and fun again! The kids literally played with this slime for hours creating all kinds of monsters! MATERIALS NEEDED TO MAKE MONSTER SLIME...
Paper Towel Roll and Pom Pom Challenge
Paper Towel Roll & Pom Pom Challenge ages 3+ This awesome game is so simple to make and tons of fun! A perfect STEAM activity that incorporates engineering (building the game) and math (moving the pom pom through the game in the correct order). It’s also great for fine motor skills, balance and coordination. MATERIALS NEEDED Empty paper towel rolls...
Underwater Fireworks Experiment
Underwater Fireworks Experiment ages 2+ This oil and water experiment is super easy to set up and the effects are so amazing! MATERIALS NEEDED Water Vegetable Oil Food Coloring Shallow plate Fork WHAT TO DO: 1. Start by putting a few tablespoons of oil into a shallow plate and and several drops of food coloring in various colors. 2. Then...
Sorting Leaves
Sorting Leaves ages 3-5 Fall is that wonderful time of year when the leaves start to change colors and fall from the trees. We absolutely love everything about fall, from the cooler weather, to the beautiful leaves, to raking big piles and jumping in them! One of the many activities I love to do is taking leaves of various sizes...
Juego de búsqueda / Scavenger Hunt!
Practice literacy skills in English and Spanish with this nature scavenger hunt! Find a range of different scavenger hunt lists with words and pictures that you can print off and use over and over again.
Walking Water
Walking Water Science Experiments for Kids with Ryan Toys Review!! Children will learn about how water travel up the paper towels through a process called capillary action. This is an example of How plants and trees are able to get water from the roots in the ground!!! Fun and Easy homemade Science Experiments to do at home using everyday household...
Make a Parachute
Join Ms. Maris for this fun STEM experiment at home! Parachute: The Science Our lightweight paper catches the air and helps our parachute float down to the ground safely. Adaptations Decorate your parachute as you see fit! Challenge your children to see how long their parachute will stay in the air. See what happens when you drop it from different...
Jayla and Richlove from YouthGROW at the REC
Jayla and Richlove, from the YouthGROW program, at our own Regional Environmental Council, made a special video for the Day of Play Family Festival. They give us a tour of the Main South Farm and show us the vegetables they grew. YouthGROW employs 32-40 high school teens (age 14-18) year-round who gain leadership and jobs skills as they maintain two...
Fizzy Painting
Here's how to make fizzy paint from simple kitchen ingredients. Make some art while learning about chemical reactions.
Cloud in a Jar
This activity combines condensation, water cycles, and the state of matter to teach children about the formation of clouds. Using household materials like a jar, hairspray, and water, get the conversation going with your little ones about how water cycles through an environment and how clouds are formed in the sky. One method to this activity includes hairspray, ice, a...
Counting Numbers with Matching Paper Cups
Practice number matching with paper cups! It’s a fun, hands-on way to learn numbers and counting. So grab the free printable mats (attached below) and try this math activity with your kids! While doing this activity children will practice counting while learning number recognition and one to one correspondence. These skills are important to laying the foundation for higher math...
Fossil Dig Dinosaur Sensory Bag
If you have a dinosaur-loving kid, then this Fossil Dig Dinosaur Sensory Bag is perfect for you! Sensory play is play that engages the senses and has numerous benefits including building nerve connections in the brain, encouraging the development of fine motor skills and supporting language development. This sensory bag is also super simple to set up and only takes...
Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt
Kids will have tons of fun finding items listed on these Nature Scavenger Hunt Game. As they discover things outdoors, they will enjoy looking for things while staying entertained. Perfect for kindergartners and little ones, these scavenger hunt games are whole lot of fun while keeping them busy for hours. Print a copy of this printable Nature Scavenger Hunt game,...
Tyrannosaurus Rex vs Velociraptor for Grades 2-4
Listen and read along as Ms. Allison reads T-Rex vs. Velociraptor. Who do you think would win in a fight Tyrannosaurus Rex or Velociraptor? This video was provided by the Worcester Public Library.
Read "Little Red" and Learn to Make a ZipLine
In this video listen to Ms. Stacey read Little Red , a new take on Little Red Riding Hood . After reading Little Red , learn to make a zipline that could help get Little Red's basket to Grandma's without any trouble from the wolf. This video was provided by the Worcester Public Library.
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Looking for an activity to get your kids outside and active? Be sure to save the Back Yard Scavenger Hunt (with a printable list) to get your kids exploring!
Make Your Own Sun Prints
In this video, learn how to make your own sun prints using objects around the house, a piece of construction paper, and the power of the sun. Have fun and get creative while making your sun print!
Make a Paper Airplane
Watch the video to learn how to make your own paper airplane. When thrown, they will travel on a different path each time, as they are affected by wind speed and direction. This is especially apparent on a Windy Day. Can you make a prediction of which way your plane will go? You can make it a challenge to see...
Read "Rapunzel" & Make Your Own Pulley
Listen to Ms. Stacey read Rapunzel and later create a pulley system at home that could save Rapunzel from the tower! This video was provided by the Worcester Public Library.
Cloud in a Jar
Kids love creating reactions with easy science experiments. Why not make your own cloud using these easy instructions. This how-to video shows you how to make a cloud. It's a great kids activity.
Dig for Dinosaurs
Become a paleontologist! This is a fun activity for a hot day! Your child will be able to dig up dinosaurs, or anything else you want to freeze, through the ice. Just click on the website below!
Index Card Tower
The challenge here is simple: see how tall a freestanding tower you can build using just index cards (folding, tearing, crumpling, etc. were all allowed, but we didn’t use any scissors, tape, glue, etc.).
