In this article
Parents and educators all know that STEAM education is a valuable approach to learning that helps kids develop critical thinking skills and master creative problem solving. Although, trying to come up with projects that incorporate STEAM — an acronym for science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics — can require some creative thinking in itself.
But, guess what? If you’ve ever baked a batch of cookies with your child, watched the rain cascade down the window together, or even had them wash dishes alongside you, you’re already engaging them in STEAM learning. So, no need to buy any fancy supplies or even leave your house — we’ve got some other STEAM project ideas that you can do with your child simply with household items.
Why is STEAM learning important?
Keeping kids engaged and involved in the world around them is essential in developing real-world knowledge and problem solving skills. STEAM is a valuable way to show them how science, math, engineering and the arts applies to their everyday lives.
“STEAM empowers teachers to employ project-based learning that crosses each of the five disciplines and fosters an inclusive learning environment in which all students are able to engage and contribute,” Dr. Joseph Lathan, Academic Director at the University of San Diego, wrote in “Why STEAM is so Important to 21st Century Education.”
STEAM project ideas with household items
Incorporating STEAM into your child’s homeschool curriculum, or to supplement their traditional school studies, can be done with ordinary household items — no need to make yet another trip to the craft store.
And working STEAM lessons into everyday activities around the home can get even the most homework-averse kids excited about projects. “Sometimes, telling them they have math or science homework just leads to lots of complaining,” Los Angeles mom Carolyn Carson told Mom.com. “So if I include the learning into a fun activity — like explaining temperature while they’re doing water play — they’re always surprised at the end when they realize they’ve just had a lesson!”
Here are a few simple projects to start off with, but let your imagination — and your child’s curiosity — be your guide to inventing your own projects, too.
Learn about chemical reactions
Kids can learn about acids, bases and the chemical reactions they produce with this easy experiment from CuriOdyssey that uses various household substances like lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda and a head of cabbage. (CuriOdyssey has lots of other experiments your budding scientists will love, too.)
Make rock candy
Kids will love this experiment, and will love eating the results even more. This fun project from Steamtropolis uses sugar, water and food coloring to make rock candy, and kids will learn how crystals are formed. (Younger kids will need adult supervision with the cooking portion!)
Bring out their inner Picasso
Don’t forget the “A” in STEAM stands for art! PBS Kids has lots of templates on their Scribbles and Ink site that encourages kids to use their imagination to draw an underwater world, imagine space creatures or even creative ways to turn an ordinary box into a work of art.
Cook up a fun STEAM project
As we mentioned, just baking cookies can be the source of many valuable STEAM lessons. The National Education Association has listed many of the ways just spending a day in the kitchen can teach your child about science, math, technology, and engineering, from calculating costs to taking measurements to observing chemical reactions. So put a batch of those snickerdoodles into the oven for a project your kids will literally eat up.
STEAM learning activities in your own backyard
For fun, educational activities that incorporate STEAM fundamentals, look no further than your own backyard.
Create art from nature
Your kids can create their own fleeting masterpieces using rocks, sticks and leaves they find in your backyard. This fun and informational activity from CuriOdyssey not only teaches them about nature, but how to respect and care for the world around them.
Color Changing Flowers
To see how plants “drink” water and to learn about capillary action, head to your garden for this fascinating experiment from Rookie Parenting. Gather a few light-colored flowers from your garden and place in water with food coloring to see the beautiful transformation.
DIY Bird Feeder
This project from Birdy Official is perfect for your little bird enthusiast and will provide hours of observational fun for the whole family. Not only will it expose them to some engineering principles, but this bird feeder — made from an empty plastic soda bottle — will teach about the importance of recycling, too. (Will require adult participation for the cutting portion of the project.)
