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Sometimes the kids need something fun to do. Maybe they’re bored, or you just want something easy to do to kill some time. Well, here are some quick and easy STEM activities to give a try.

I can honestly say I am a collector of STEM activities. Check out my Pinterest board (HERE), and you’ll see what I mean. 

Now, I NEVER would have thought I’d love finding and coming up with STEM challenges. My younger self wouldn’t have believed it. I guess, I never had adults in my life that sparked my interest in any of these areas. 

As a homeschooling mom, though, I have found that the STEM fields are fascinating.

So, I decided to take some time to find some quick STEM activities the busy mom, home educator, or classroom teacher can grab and get the kids started right away. We all need some go-to fun things to do with kids. 

All the activities I am sharing use basic materials (or only a few materials), so they are easy to throw together and get started. 

Quick STEM Activities for Kids

Without further ado, here are 11 simple and speedy STEM challenges to give a try today. These ideas would be great for centers or to put in an “I’m Bored Jar,” too. 

Quick STEM Challenge #1- STEM Paper Airplane Challenge (Kids Activities)

Kids love paper airplanes! They will certainly have a blast with this challenge (I know my kids did). All they have to do is build a paper airplane and see how much weight it can hold. It is super simple but also quite a challenge. 

STEM Challenge #2- A STEM Tower Challenge (The Secret Life of Homeschoolers)

I used this challenge with my kids a couple of years ago. They LOVED it! It uses a few basic materials, but kids use their creativity and engineering skills to develop the perfect tower. I love seeing what ideas kids come up with. 

Quick STEM Challenge #3- Newspaper Engineering Challenges (The Educators’ Spin On It)

Grab some newspapers, tape, and something to measure with, and let the challenge begin. On this site, you can find a number of quick challenges with newspapers. They are simple but will get the problem-solving juices flowing.

Quick STEM Activity #4- How to Make a Paper Helicopter (Babble Dabble Do)

Paper helicopters are easy and fun to make. Psst…there is even a template provided. You can’t get any easier than that. With a few materials, kids can have helicopters that they can begin to adjust and experiment with. 

STEM Challenge #5- STEM Zip Line Challenge (The Secret Life of Homeschoolers)

With this quick STEM activity, kids make zip lines with plastic Easter Eggs. Kids will experiment with the “harness” design but also the angle of the zip line. It is easily a science, math, and engineering challenge. 

One good thing about this challenge is you can change things up for the holiday. For Christmas, they can help build a harness to get the presents in the house. On St. Patrick’s Day, kids could help the leprechaun transport his gold. 

Kids can use little boxes, paper cups, or whatever you have on hand to make a harness.  

Quick and Easy STEM Activity #6- How to Fit Through an Index Card (Mess for Less)

Of all the activities, this is by far the simplest. Kids will be amazed to see they can fit through an index card (well, small children). It is still interesting to see how wide an index card can get. 

STEM Activity #7- Air Pressure Experiment (Kids Activities)

For your science-loving kids, they will have fun with these air pressure experiments. Here are a couple activities that explore this concept in a fun hands-on way.

Quick STEM Activity #8 Minifigure Parachutes (Little Bins For Little Hands)

These minifigure parachutes are an easy and quick STEM activity. Not only will kids love trying out these parachutes, but artistic kids can decorate their parachutes before making them. 

STEM Activity #9 Center of Gravity Balancing Experiment (Deceptively Educational)

In this experiment, kids learn about and explore gravity. It is an easy and quick STEM activity to help kids learn about the center of gravity.

Quick STEM Activity #10 Hovercraft (Living Life and Living)

We made these hovercrafts in 4-H a year or so ago. The kids really had a blast with them. It does require a hot glue gun, so parents will need to help with this one. However, the kids will have fun playing with these.

STEM Activity #11 Marble Run with Toilet Paper Tubes (Powerful Mothering)

I have to say marble runs are so fun! With this activity, kids will need to plan them out carefully to make sure they’ll work. This STEM project doesn’t require many materials, so it is quick to set up. Though, it might take a little longer to do than some of the others. It will be worth it, though, so I had to put it in.

Exploring STEM with Kids

All these quick STEM activities are fun ways to explore STEM. If you ask a kid if they want to work on engineering, they may just stare at you like you’re crazy. However, if you ask a kid if they want to build newspaper towers, you may get a different reaction.

STEM activities and challenges are a perfect way to show kids how fun the STEM fields can be. Not to mention, it shows kids the real life application of science, technology, engineering, and math.

For me, I love how STEM activities get kids engaged in learning and using problem solving skills. 

So, pin these ideas and bring them out when you need a quick activity to do with the kids.

Also, fill out the form below and get your FREE STEM activity worksheets.

Happy Homeschooling!