Creative Family Fun

Your one-stop shop for kids activities and family fun

Terri Thompson

Marshmallow STEM Activities

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If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a stale bag of marshmallows in your cupboard.

It’s wasteful to just throw them away, but nobody wants to eat them. So, what can you do?

Try some STEM projects, of course! Here are 12 fun marshmallow STEM activities that will use up all of those stale marshmallows.

Build, learn, and explore with these fun marshmallow STEM activities for kids.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

STEM Activities with Marshmallows

Grab that bag of stale marshmallows and a few addition supplies. Pick out one of these fun marshmallow STEM activities, and get started learning with your kids. These activities are all fun and easy to do. And, you probably already have all the supplies you need.

Marshmallow STEM Activities

Build, create, and learn with these fun STEM activities with marshmallows.

Marshmallow Engineering STEAM Building Challenge

Use toothpicks and marshmallows to create some fun STEM building challenges.

Giant Marshmallows and Glow Stick Structures

Photo Credit: www.3princessesand1dude.co.uk

Take your marshmallow building up a notch by using glow sticks and giant marshmallows!

Easter Bunny Launcher: A Peeps STEM Experiment

Photo Credit: team-cartwright.com

Build a fun launcher for you Peeps! And, don't worry, you don't have to wait until Easter to build this. You can find Peeps for any holiday, or just use large marshmallows in your launcher.

Easy Marshmallow Catapult Activity

Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

Build a catapult with your marshmallows to launch even more marshmallows. So much fun!

How To Make Edible Marshmallow Slime Recipe (Strawberry)

Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

Use your marshmallows as the main ingredient in this edible slime recipe.

Building Shapes with Marshmallows and Toothpicks

Photo Credit: homeschoolpreschool.net

Combine math and engineering to build 2-D and 3-D shapes with toothpicks and marshmallows.

Marshmallow Shooter Kids Activity

Photo Credit: www.123homeschool4me.com

Build a shooter for your mini marshmallows.

Marshmallow Science Experiment-Color Change

Photo Credit: www.fantasticfunandlearning.com

What happens when marshmallows dissolve? Find out with this fun marshmallow science experiment.

Marshmallow Science Experiment

Photo Credit: www.fantasticfunandlearning.com

Use different liquids to see if it makes a difference in how marshmallows dissolve.

Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Science

Photo Credit: www.adabofgluewilldo.com

Does the temperature of hot chocolate affect that rate at which a marshmallow dissolves. Find out with this fun experiment.

PEEPS Parachute STEM Challenge

Photo Credit: thepreschooltoolboxblog.com

Create parachutes for your Peeps (or jumbo marshmallows) and experiment with gravity.

Marshmallow Star Constellations for Kids

Photo Credit: www.kcedventures.com

Use your marshmallows and toothpicks to build and learn about star constellations.

Fun Marshmallow STEM Activities for Kids

More STEM Activities for Kids

Hot Chocolate Science Experiment

Balloon STEM Activities for Kids

Spinning Tops Color Mixing STEM Activity

Winter STEM Projects for Kids

Get STEM Projects Through the Mail

Every month, we get a fun STEM box through the mail. Our Green Kid Crafts boxes that we get every month have been so much fun. We’ve explored bubbles, the human body, slime, and more fun stuff.

Each box comes with 3-4 fun STEM activities based around a certain theme. You can do like we do and subscribe to a monthly box. You can also buy single boxes based on specific themes.

Check out all the Green Kid Crafts boxes here.

Subscribe to get Family STEM Challenges delivered to your inbox

Wouldn’t it be so much fun to get STEAM family activities delivered to your inbox? I think so! That’s why I’ve created this fun series, STEAM Family Fun, to be delivered to your inbox. After going through all the letters in STEAM each week with a fun activity devoted to each, you’ll start receiving a fun STEAM activity once a month. (And I’ll also pop up in your inbox occasionally if I’ve got other fun things to share.)

Fill out the form below to start receiving STEAM Family Fun in your inbox.



Paper Plate Valentine Bear Craft

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Paper plates make a great canvas for all sorts of crafts. We’ve used them for almost every holiday!

This time, we turned our paper plate into a cute Valentine bear craft.

This craft is easy to make and is a perfect Valentine craft for preschoolers. So, let’s grab some supplies and get started.

This fun paper plate Valentine bear craft is so easy to make with a few simple supplies. It's perfect for preschoolers to make for Valentine's Day.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Before you begin, set up your craft station.

I like to use an old sheet to cover my table and my girls wear an old t-shirt to protect their clothes. You can also use newspapers or even a plastic tray to protect your table.

This isn’t that messy of a craft, but anytime we use paint, I like to protect our clothes and table.

This fun paper plate Valentine bear craft is so easy to make with a few simple supplies. It's perfect for preschoolers to make for Valentine's Day.

Supplies Needed

Paper plate
Brown craft paint
Heart doily (6 inch works perfectly)
Googly eyes
Button
Pink or red construction paper
White glue

This fun paper plate Valentine bear craft is so easy to make with a few simple supplies. It's perfect for preschoolers to make for Valentine's Day.

How To Make Your Valentine Bear Craft

Start by using your brown craft paint to paint your paper plate for your bear’s head.

Let the paint dry for awhile.

While your paint is drying, cut out two circles from the pink or red construction paper for your bear’s ears. You can also trace around a drinking glass, jar lid, or other round object to help make your circles.

This fun paper plate Valentine bear craft is so easy to make with a few simple supplies. It's perfect for preschoolers to make for Valentine's Day.

After the paint is dry, glue your heart doily to the center of your plate.

Glue the googly eyes to the upper section of the doily. Then, glue your button to the bottom section.

This fun paper plate Valentine bear craft is so easy to make with a few simple supplies. It's perfect for preschoolers to make for Valentine's Day.

Finally glue your circle ears to the back of your bear so at least half of the circle sticks up to look like a pair of ears.

Let all the glue dry.

If you’d like, you can use glitter glue or marker to make your bear’s mouth. We preferred our bear without a mouth.

This fun Valentine bear craft was so simple to make. It’s perfect for preschoolers and even toddlers could handle it with a little bit of help.

This fun paper plate Valentine bear craft is so easy to make with a few simple supplies. It's perfect for preschoolers to make for Valentine's Day.

You May Also Like One of These Valentine Crafts:

Heart Stamped Valentine Cards

Coffee Filter Valentine Suncatcher

Heart Collage Valentines Cards

Paper Plate Valentine’s Day Unicorn at Red Ted Art

Our Favorite Valentine Craft Resources

This easy craft uses supplies that you probably already have at home. But, if you need to restock, here are some of our recommended resources:

Spelling Word BINGO

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BINGO has always been fun to play and it’s incredibly versatile.

You can use it to learn all sorts of things: numbers, letters, math facts, and sight words, and even spelling words!

And, that’s how we’re going to practice spelling words today. We’re going to turn our spelling word list into a fun game of BINGO. Get ready to have some fun while we play Spelling Word BINGO.

Turn your spelling homework into a fun game when you use this printable template to make your own Spelling Word BINGO game.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Set Up Your Spelling Word BINGO Game

Before you begin, you’ll need to gather a few simple supplies.

You will need a printable BINGO template, spelling list, and small items to use as markers. I used flat glass marbles, but you could also use mini erasers, milk jug caps, rocks, pennies, or whatever else you can find.

Using your child’s spelling word list, you will need write one word in each of the squares of your BINGO board.

Tip: You can reusue your BINGO board if you laminate it! Just write your words on the laminated board with a dry-erase or washable marker. We love this laminator for home use.

Now it’s time to play. You can play this game with one or more kids. Print out a BINGO board for each kid and make sure the words you list are in a different order on each board.

Turn your spelling homework into a fun game when you use this printable template to make your own Spelling Word BINGO game.

Special note: To make things easier for you, I created a simple 4×4 printable BINGO board. You can click on the link below to download and print.

DOWNLOAD your Spelling BINGO template here.

How to play Spelling Word BINGO

One person will need to be the caller. (This is a great job for a parent!). The caller need to use the spelling list to call out words one at a time.

The player(s) put a marker over the word when you hear it. The first person to get a line across, down, or diagonal wins the game.

If you’re playing with only one child, you can challenge them to cover every word on the board.

Have fun learning while playing Spelling Word BINGO.

Make your own spelling word BINGO game for fun at-home spelling practice.

You may also like one of these spelling ideas:

LEGO Spelling Words

Writing Spelling Words with Paint in a Bag

Rainbow Writing Spelling Words

Little Spelling Boxes at Teach Me Mommy

Turn your spelling homework into a fun game when you use this printable template to make your own Spelling Word BINGO game. #spelling #education #CreativeFamilyFun

My Must-Have Resource for Spelling Word Practice Ideas

I’ve gathered all of my spelling practice ideas into a simple, printable ebook.

You can purchase a printable form of this book for $7.50 The book is designed to print and turn into a half-page size booklet. It’s perfect to keep at your homework station. Your kids can flip through and find a fun way to practice their spelling words.

The ideas will be convenient and ready to use. No need to turn on the computer every day for ideas.

Most activities require little to no prep time. And, if you make sure you have all the supplies on the Master Supply List (included in the book) on hand, you’ll be able to do any of these fun spelling word ideas any time.

Click here for my sales page where you can purchase a copy of the ebook.

Spelling practice printable ebook

Write Spelling Words with Paint in a Bag

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I don’t remember where I first saw the concept of paint in a bag. It’s brilliant, isn’t it?

I’ve seen it offered to kids from toddler age through preschool. It’s often a fun sensory experience and a no-mess way for kids to play with paint.

Having older kids, I’ve discovered that the fun shouldn’t end in preschool. We used our Paint in a Bag to practice our spelling words.

A child is using their finger to write words on a baggy filled with orange paint. The words "writing with paint in a bag" is on the image.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

How To Make Your Paint In a Bag

You’ll need a plastic food storage bag, paint, and some packing tape (or duct tape). I chose a freezer bag because the plastic is thicker and sturdier.

Pour paint in the bag while it’s laying flat. Squish it around a bit until you’ve filled the bag with a good layer of paint.

Carefully close the bag, trying to remove as much air as you can. Use the tape to seal the zipper top so that the bag won’t easily open.

A child is using their finger to write the word cat using a baggie filled with orange paint

Write Your Spelling Words With Paint In a Bag

Once your bag is ready, let your child use it to write their spelling words with their finger.

You can “erase” the word by flattening the bag with the palm of your hand. It’s fun to use this to write the words over and over.

Tip: My daughter loves to hold the bag up to the window on a sunny day. The light shining through gives it a fun glow.

I haven’t tested it out fully, but your paint in a bag will last for quite awhile, especially if you were able to get all the air out. Store your paint in a bag flat in a safe place and you can use it over and over again. If the paint starts drying out, just toss it and make a new one.

Your kids will jump at the chance to practice their spelling words if they get to write with paint in a bag.

Square image of a bag filled with orange paint held up to a window while a child uses their finger to write words

You May Also Like One of These Fun Ways To Practice Spelling Words

Make Scrabble Tile Spelling Words

Fun Spelling Practice with Dry Beans

Create Play Dough Spelling Words

My Must-Have Resource For Practicing Spelling Words

I’ve gathered all of my spelling practice ideas into a simple, printable ebook.

You can purchase a printable form of this book for $7.50 The book is designed to print and turn into a half-page size booklet. It’s perfect to keep at your homework station. Your kids can flip through and find a fun way to practice their spelling words.

The ideas will be convenient and ready to use. No need to turn on the computer every day for ideas.

Most activities require little to no prep time. And, if you make sure you have all the supplies on the Master Supply List (included in the book) on hand, you’ll be able to do any of these fun spelling word ideas any time.

Click here for my sales page where you can purchase a copy of the ebook.

Spelling practice printable ebook fanned out on a green background.

Valentine’s Day Word Scramble Printable

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I always loved a fun word scramble when I was a kid. They’re fun and usually a quick activity. Plus, my brain loves the puzzle.

I still love them now and luckily, so do my kids. I don’t think I’ll ever grow out of my love for word puzzles and I don’t think my kids will either. Do you and your kids like to solve word scrambles?

That’s why I’ve got a fun Valentine’s Day Word Scramble printable for you. Print it out, share with your kids, and have some fun.

Can you unscramble all the words on this Valentine's Day word scramble printable for kids? Grab this free printable and have some fun.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Valentine’s Day Word Scramble

I created this simple word scramble with ten Valentine’s Day words, like cupid, love, and heart.

Unscramble and solve all the words. If you need help, you can also download and print the word scramble answer sheet.

This activity is fun for quiet time. It’s also a great time filler in the classroom. And, it’s perfect to take along to a waiting room or a restaurant.

Or, why don’t you try this idea? You can print one for all your classmates, roll them up, tie with a pretty ribbon, and hand them out as classroom Valentines instead of candy. Include a cute Valentine’s pencil as well. Wouldn’t that be so much fun?

How would you use this Valentine’s Day word scramble?

Can you unscramble all the words on this Valentine's Day word scramble printable for kids? Grab this free printable and have some fun.

Are you ready to have some fun? Use the links below to download and print your Valentine’s Day Word Scramble printable. Feel free to make as many copies as you need for your family, friends, or classroom.

And, for your convenience, you can also download and print an answer sheet.

Download the Valentine Word Scramble here

Download your answer sheet here

Can you unscramble all the words on this Valentine's Day word scramble printable for kids? Grab this free printable and have some fun.

You may also like one of these Valentine’s Day Activities:

No-Sew Valentine Pencil Topper

Valentine Watercolor Resist Painting

STEM at Home: Design a Valentine Card Holder

Valentine Word Family Game

Valentine Find and Color Printable at Picklebums

Resources to turn this into a classroom Valentine

This would be a perfect candy-free Valentine for the classroom. Just print, roll, tie with a ribbon. And, if you want, you can add a cool pencil or pen. Here’s some great resources to get you started.