Math Activities

10 STEM Activities to Try This Spring

When the snow melts and temperatures begin to rise, it’s time to bring in all things Spring-related, including STEM activities! Spring is one of the homeschooler’s favorite times of the year, especially for doing hands-on activities and taking field trips. In this post, we’ll look at several amazing STEM activities to include in your springtime homeschool lesson plans.

The Benefits of STEM Activities

 

The concept behind STEM has been around for quite some time, however, as years progress, there are more ideas evolving as to how to use it in homeschooling. Beyond the traditional classroom setting, parents who are home educating their children are seeing the benefits of using STEM activities to help teach or reiterate important concepts. 

 

There are several benefits to consider when it comes to using STEM activities as a teaching method:

 

  • Fosters innovative ideas and creativity.
  • Build resilience through trial and error.
  • Encourages experimentation and trying new things.
  • Encourages teamwork, especially if working with siblings.
  • A variety of knowledge applications can be applied.
  • Teaches important problem-solving skills.

 

These are just a few benefits but are major building blocks in education. Many of the skills taught and fostered through STEM will be used for years to come. Keep reading for several activities to try this spring with your homeschoolers!

 

10 STEM Activities to Try this Spring

 

When springtime comes, it’s the perfect time to watch the weather transition, flowers bloom, and study the insects and animals that went into hiding. Here are some STEM activities that your kids are sure to love.

 

Dissect a Flower (Learning Hypothesis)

 

Invite your kids to take a close look at what makes up a flower by looking at it from the inside out. They’ll learn the parts of the flower and make amazing observations.

 

Seed Jar Science Experiment (Little Bins for Little Hands)

 

When seeds are planted in the dirt it’s hard to see what’s going on in the earliest growing stages. By doing this seed jar experiment, your kids will be able to see what the seed is doing when it’s in the soil. 

 

Egg Geodes (TinkerLab)

 

This is a unique experiment using egg shells that will walk your kids through the scientific method and making predictions.

 

Static Electricity Butterfly Experiment (I Heart Crafty Things)

 

Combine tissue paper and balloons for this crafty and electrifying butterfly experiment your kids will enjoy making (and watching).

 

Making Paper (STEAMsational)

 

With Earth Day falling in Spring, making paper is a great experiment to teach kids about reusing and recycling. This would pair perfectly with any Earth Day or recycling unit study.

 

Jelly Bean Graphing (Simply Centers)

 

This edible math experiment will help teach your kids about graphing. 

 

Weather Vane Project (123Homeschool4Me)

 

Help your kids build their own weather vane with this project. They’ll learn about different elements of weather and how to track it.

 

Making a Kite (Buggy & Buddy)

 

Of course you could always go out and buy a kit, but how much more fun (and educational) would it be to help your kids make their own? His project will show them how to do just that.

 

Felt Shape Flowers Activity (Fun-A-Day)

 

Teach your kids about geometric shapes while building flowers with felt shape pieces. You can also use construction paper!

 

Walking Rainbow (Steam Powered Family)

 

This classic STEM experiment shows how water can travel, only this time your kids will watch it through a variety of colors.

 

How to Plan for STEM Activities

 

When looking to include STEM activities in your homeschooling schedule, there are a few things to keep in mind to make it a stress-free experience. For starters, plan ahead for the activity you plan to do. It helps to write it down on a piece of paper (or use an activity planner). If your experiment will be going with other lessons that you’re currently doing, plan for a day dedicated just for the activity. (Your schedule will thank you for it.)

 

Next, write down the supplies you’ll need. I personally like to stick with low-maintenance, easy-prep activities that don’t call for extra spending. A lot of experiments I have found actually use supplies that can be found around the home. You can gather these supplies well ahead of time and keep them in a supply box or wait until the day you need them. 

 

Lastly, you’ll want to plan your lesson to go with the activity, if applicable. Most experiments, projects, and activities will come with some kind of printable, or you can find some free ones on websites like Pinterest, Teachers Pay Teachers, or through a quick Google search. The idea is to make the most of your activity. Some homeschooling parents use activities like these to teach multiple concepts and subjects, and rightfully so!

 

Use the STEM activities mentioned above to have spring time fun and learning in your homeschool!