When your child is lounging around the house, you may wish you had some fun projects or ideas to keep them engaged. Bricks 4 Kidz has a challenge for you. Try out our list of three interactive STEM challenges at home. We’ve included easy-to-follow instructions, so you can help your child accomplish a fun STEM activity with household items.
1. Create a Solar System
Can you name a better way to learn about the planets than recreating them? You’ll need:
- Twine or string
- Two paint stirring sticks
- Foam spheres
- Kid-friendly paint
- Fish-eye hook
- Chain
- 3/32-inch drill bit
Follow these steps to create complete this fun STEM activity at home:
- You can find foam spheres at any craft store and even some grocery stores. Using kid-friendly paint, have your child paint the spheres based on the planets’ images online or in a book. While they work on the planets, you can create the planets’ support system.
- Paint the stirring sticks and let them dry.
- Mark holes equally distanced on each stick for the planets and drill holes where the markings are.
- Cross the sticks over each other, and drill a hole down the center of where they overlap.
- Twist the fish eye hook in the center hole and attach the chain.
- After the planets have dried, gently drill holes in the worlds.
- Attach the planets to the sticks with twine.
2. Homemade Ice Cream
Ice cream is a sweet treat for your kids, and they’ll love learning to make it! Gather these ingredients:
- Six cups of ice
- Seven tablespoons of rock salt
- One quart-sized storage bag
- One gallon-sized storage bag
- 1/2 cup of half-and-half
- One tablespoon of sugar
- One tablespoon of vanilla extract
To make the ice cream:
- Place the ice and salt in the gallon-sized bag and shake to cover the ice in salt.
- Combine the half-and-half, sugar and vanilla in the quart-sized bag.
- Seal the quart-sized bag securely, and place it in the gallon-sized bag.
- Close the gallon-sized bag, and let your child shake the bag for six minutes.
- Enjoy your homemade ice cream with your kid.
3. Cloud in a Jar
Let your child watch clouds form with this easy STEM activity at home with these items:
- Mason jar with a lid
- Ice
- Hairspray
- 1/3 cup of hot water
Follow these steps to create your clouds:
- Have your child carefully pour hot water into the jar.
- Spin the jar to warm the sides.
- Flip the lid upside down, and have your child place it on top of the container.
- Fill the lid with ice cubes and let them sit in the cover for 25 seconds.
- Quickly remove the cover to spray in some hairspray.
- Place the lid back on top with the ice.
- After enough condensation has built up, remove the lid and watch clouds float out of the jar.
Sign Your Child Up for Classes With Bricks 4 Kidz
These are just a few easy STEM activities for kids. You can visit our blog for more ideas and check out Bricks 4 Kidz programs for children ages three to 13. Find a Bricks 4 Kidz location near you, learn more about our virtual programs, and contact us with questions!