STEAM Activities

Paper Plate STEM Projects

March 18, 2021 By Terri Thompson

Paper plates aren’t just for food!

In fact, we hardly ever eat on them. More than likely, we’re using them for a fun activity or craft.

Like all of these great Paper Plate STEM Projects. They all start with some plain paper plates.

Grab a pack of paper plates to try all of these fun Paper Plate STEM projects for kid. You'll find math, science, engineering, and more.

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What Are the Best Paper Plates to Use for Activities?

Luckily, the best paper plates for activities are the least expensive. So, put down the fancy birthday party plates. You’ll want to avoid anything decorative or coated.

The best plates you can get are the plain, white, uncoated paper plates. The uncoated is the important part. The slick coating on coated plates makes it impossible to paint.

Once you’ve got your uncoated paper plates in hand, you’ll want to do some fun activities!

Fun Paper Plate STEM Projects

Here’s a great line-up of STEM (which stands for science, technology, engineering, and math) projects you can do with paper plates.

Some of these great ideas even include an element of art!

Paper Plate STEM Projects

Fun STEM projects for kids that use paper plates. Fun math, science, engineering projects and more!

Paper Plate Layers of the Earth Project

Learn about the layers of the earth and create a paper plate model with this fun activity.

Phases of the Moon Mobile

Use paper plates to create a fun phases of the moon mobile.

Pumpkin Pie Fractions Activity

Learn about fractions with this fun paper plate pie fractions activity

Magnetic Squirrel and Acorn Fall Craft

Photo Credit: www.thejoysharing.com

Create a fun magnetic craft when you make this fall squirrel picture (templates included!)

Life Cycle of a Pumpkin Paper Plate Craft

Photo Credit: carrotsareorange.com

Explore the life cycle of a pumpkin with this fun paper plate craft.

Simple Paper Plate Learning Activities for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Photo Credit: team-cartwright.com

Use paper plates to make a fun set of learning & STEM activities for your little ones.

Pi Day Inspired String Art Activity

Photo Credit: www.pinkstripeysocks.com

Learn all about the number Pi when you create this colorful sting art using a paper plate.

How to Make a Pumpkin Puzzle with a Paper Plate

Photo Credit: preschooltoolkit.com

Use your math skills to create a fun paper plate puzzle.

Autumn Tree Paper Plate Whirligig

Photo Credit: www.redtedart.com

Create a fun whirligig STEM craft for autumn.

Rocking Paper Plate Boat - Red Ted Art

Photo Credit: www.redtedart.com

Use your paper plates to make a boat that actually rocks.

Octopus Science Experiments for Preschoolers

Photo Credit: preschoolpowolpackets.blogspot.com

Use a paper plate to help learn about octopus and how they move.

STEAM / STEM Challenge to go with Giraffes Can't Dance

Photo Credit: preschoolpowolpackets.blogspot.com

Use paper plates to help create your own musical instrument with this STEM challenge inspired by Giraffes Can't Dance.

Which of these fun projects do you want to do with your kids?

Fun Paper Plate STEM activities for kids

Where to Find Paper Plates for Activities

You can typically find plain, white, uncoated paper plates in any grocery or big box stores. They typically come in big (but inexpensive) packages, so you’ll definitely be on the lookout for plenty of fun paper plate activities.

If you like to shop on Amazon, here are a few sets of paper plates that will work.

More STEM Activities to Try

Edible STEM Projects for Kids

Fun STEM Building Toys for Kids

Marshmallow STEM Activities for Kids

Balloon STEM Activities for Kids

Melting Snow Science Experiment

February 17, 2021 By Terri Thompson

We’ve had plenty of snow this year, but the sub-zero temps have been keeping us inside most days.

Luckily, with the exception of a quick trip outside to gather snow, this simple melting snow science experiment is done indoors.

We used the snow to practice both prediction and observation.

Practice making predictions and observations with this simple melting snow science experiment. It's perfect to do on a cold, snowy day!

Supplies needed for your snow science experiment:

Snow (if you don’t have snow, you can use crushed ice)
4 clear jars or drinking glasses
Ruler
Notebook

Let’s start our snow science project!

Step 1:

Measure an equal amount of snow into 4 jars. We added about 2 inches of snow to each. Use the ruler to measure.

Place each jar in 4 different locations. We chose a window (on a grey, cloudy day), a dark room, the refrigerator, and outside (temp was -4 F).

Set a timer for 5 minutes.

Step 2:

Record your predictions.

We asked the question, which jar of snow will melt first?

We then ranked them from the fastest melting to the slowest.

Each girl had a chance to make individual guesses.

Step 3:

Make your first observations.

When the timer went off, the girls ran around and checked all of the jars. I was their recorder and the person elected to check the frigid outside jar.

After five minutes, we discovered that the jar in the window and the one in the dark room had already started melting. The refrigerator jar had no melting, nor did the one outside (obviously).

After making your first observations, set the timer for an additional 5 or 10 minutes. We chose five.

Step 4:

Make your second observation.

After an additional five minutes had passed, we discovered that our window jar was melting the fastest, and the dark room was second. The refrigerator jar and outside jar still showed no melting.

Step 5:

Make your final observations.

After our second observation we left to run a few errands. When we came back, we discovered that despite our initial observations, the jar in the dark room melted faster than the one in the window.

The refrigerator jar had started melting and the one outside was still as frozen as it started out.

What did we learn with our snow science experiment?

This led to a quick examination. Why did the jar in the window stop melting so quickly? The girls discovered a very cold window and a cloudy day.

My 1st grader also observed that the heater had come on and suspected that it helped speed up the melting in the dark room. I love it when their scientific minds start working!

This snow science experiment is perfect for both preschoolers and elementary students. It’s a simple way to introduce making predictions. Your older kids can practice their writing by recording all the observations in the notebook. Plus, it’s simple and safe so that your older kids can do the entire experiment on their own.

Note: This post was originally published on January 6, 2014. Updated and republished on December 29, 2018.

My Must-Have Resources for Science Fun

I don’t know about you, but I don’t always have time to prep a fun science project. That’s why I love Green Kid Crafts Discovery boxes. The boxes are packed full of projects that are fun and inviting. You can choose to get a subscription or a one-off box based off of a specific theme. Any one you choose would be a lot of fun!

Here are some of our favorites (you can purchase and find out more at each link):

Get a monthly subscription.

Kitchen Science Box

Physics Box

Find all their fun STEM and science boxes here.

STEAM Family Activities

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.

Winter STEM Projects for Kids

December 28, 2020 By Terri Thompson

Snow, icicles, frost, and more! There are so many fun things to explore in the winter.

These fun Winter STEM Projects for Kids will help you and your children explore all these fun aspects (and more).

So, let’s gather some supplies and get ready to learn.

Learn and have fun with all of these winter STEM projects for kids. Explore snow, ice, cold temperatures and more winter fun.

You’ll find projects to help you explore snow and ice. Or, explore a favorite winter drink. You’ll create, you’ll explore, and you’ll learn a lot.

Let’s go have some fun!

Science Winter STEM Projects

Learn about friction with our fun Hockey Science Experiment.

Practice prediction and observation while you experiment with our Melting Snow Science Experiment.

Explore a favorite winter drink with our fun Hot Chocolate Science Experiment.

Make frost and explore winter weather with this Frost Snowman Experiment from Science Sparks.

Art Winter STEM Projects

Explore melting snow to make art with this snow process art project from Mom Explores the Smokies.

Grow salt crystals to decorate your paper snowflakes with this fun Growing Salt Crystals project from Little Bins for Little Hands.

Use science to make beautiful frosty windows with this Epsom Salt Painting idea from Babies to Bookworms.

Create beautiful colorful icicles with this Colorful Icicle Science Project from Housing a Forest.

Winter Engineering STEM Activities

Build a snowman with this fun STEM Snowman Craft from How Wee Learn.

Explore symmetry while you build beautiful snowflakes with this fun Pipe Cleaner Snowflake craft from The Joy of Sharing.

Put together a Winter Tinkering Kit from Little Bins for Little Hands and let your kids build and explore.

Engineer an ice lantern with this fun project from STEAM Powered Family.

My Must-Have STEM Resources

I don’t know about you, but I don’t always have time to prep fun STEM projects. That’s why I love Green Kid Crafts Discovery boxes. The boxes are packed full of projects that are fun and inviting. You can choose to get a subscription or a one-off box based off of a specific theme. Any one you choose would be a lot of fun!

Here are some of our favorites (you can purchase and find out more at each link):

Get a monthly subscription.

Intro to Electricity Box

Physics Box

Find all their fun STEM and science boxes here.

STEAM Family Activities

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

5 Fun Ways to Learn With a Daily Weather Report

December 20, 2020 By Terri Thompson

I don’t know about you, but I check the weather app on my phone every single day. Sometimes, I’ll check multiple times.

But, do you ever share this habit with your kids? You should. It’s a great way to learn.

There’s more you can do than just simply checking in the weather. Check out these fun ways to learn with a daily weather report.

This simple STEM activity is fun and requires absolutely no prep time!

Get out your phone for this simple weather report activity. You can learn so much with a daily weather report. Here are a few ideas to try.

Five Ways to Learn with a Daily Weather Report

Compare temperatures

Use your math skills to discover the difference in temperatures. Find the difference between a day’s high temperature and its low temperature.

For example: Today’s high is 88 degrees and the low is 59 degrees. I use subtraction to find the difference. There will be a 29 degree difference today!

You could compare temperatures over the week. Record the temperature at the same time everyday. For example: What was the temperature at 3:00 pm every day? Find the temperature difference over the week. Find the difference between the week’s highest temperature and the lowest temperature. Or, simply find the difference between Monday’s 3:00 pm temperature and Tuesday’s 3:00 pm difference.

Learn to read a radar

Nowadays, we carry a weather report around in our pocket and can access it anytime. Because of that, I consider it a life skill to be able to click on the radar and know what it is telling you.

Do you know what all the colors mean? Do you know how to make the radar move and understand what it tells you?

Share this information with your kids and teach them how to understand what you’re seeing on the radar.

Note: You will want to pick a rainy or snowy day for this. There’s not much to see on the radar on a clear day!

Learn about predictions

Weather forecasting is all about making predictions. But, these predictions are pulled out of thin air, they’re based on a lot of information like weather patterns, radars, climate, and more.

You can learn more with one of these informative books:

Weather Forecasting by Gail Gibbons

Weather Words and What They Mean by Gail Gibbons

What Will the Weather Be? by Lynda DeWitt

Or, you can try this activity to learn more about weather prediction. Record the weather first thing in the morning. At the end of the day, go back to this prediction. Was the weather forecast correct? What changed?

Next look at the extended forecast and find the prediction for three days from now and five days from now. Was the forecast correct? What changed? Can you come up with some reasons why?

Use the weather report to plan the week

How does the weather report help you plan for the day or for the week? It can tell you whether you need to wear a winter coat or a light jacket. Or whether or not you need to grab an umbrella.

Are you planning a trip to the pool? Sit down with your kids and the extended forecast and have them help you pick the best day to go.

Look at the weather report before picking out your clothes for the next day. How did the weather report help you plan?

Other weather report activities

What else can you learn with a daily weather report?

You can find all sorts of information: rain totals, wind speed, air pressure, pollen count, etc.

You can look up cities around the world and see how it is different from what where you live.

Can you come up with some more ways to learn with a daily weather report?

Get ready to learn with these fun daily weather for kids activities. Learn to read a radar, use the weather forecast, and more.

Learn More With a Book About the Weather

Combine this weather activity with a fun book to learn even more. Here are some great weather books that I’d recommend:

Do want more STEM activities?

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Fun STEM Building Toys for Kids

November 26, 2019 By Terri Thompson

One of the foundations of STEM education is engineering. I love this part because it is so creative.

If you want to encourage your kids to experiment with engineering, here are some fun STEM building toys you can have at home.

They’re great open-ended toys that will encourage creativity and STEM learning.

Encourage STEM learning at home with these fun open-ended STEM building toys for kids that will encourage creativity and engineering projects.

What Does STEM Toys Mean?

What exactly is a STEM toy?

It’s one that encourages kids to learn a combination of science, technology, engineering, and math in a hands-on way.

There are a ton of STEM toys to choose from, but this list focuses only on engineering toys, specifically STEM building toys.

These toys are so much fun and are great investments. Your kids will have hours of fun!

Is LEGO a STEM Toy?

Absolutely!

LEGO Bricks encourage building and engineering skills both by designing and building your own structures or by learning to read instruction when you put together a fun set.

Or, use your Bricks to do one of these fun LEGO STEM Challenges!

I’ve included some great basic sets in this list as well as a fun add-on to use your LEGO Bricks to build basic machines.