Christmas break is here and many of you may already be asking, “What am I going to do with the kids for almost two weeks?!” Breaks from school are a great time to allow your kids to explore some STEM activities.
STEM is an acronym which stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. It is really the integration of these subjects used to create a solution to a problem. In short, STEM is hands-on problem-solving.
Everyone one of us is a problem solver. In our daily lives, we all use
- science—information about how the world works
- technology—any man-made application of science
- engineering—a logical method for solving problems
- math—counting, measuring and more
STEM activities don’t need to be expensive and can use everyday items. They don’t need to be overly complicated. There are many great websites and online activities for kids. I’ve listed a few of my favorites below for you to check out for yourself.
Pre-Elementary age
Here are some fun things for the wee little ones, including a penguin writing activity, ice islands, and snowflake patterns.
Cork stamping Christmas lights
Early Elementary
Kids can make Christmas slime, Peppermint candy crystals, a zip line for Santa, float M & M’s and more!
Build and create things from leftover Christmas supplies on this site.
Christmas Supplies STEM Projects
Make an inexpensive tinker tray for kids to explore, create, and invent.
Late Elementary/Middle School
On this site, kids can build a LEGO Advent calendar, make Christmas ornaments and more!
This site has excellent STEM activities to challenge kids to make Christmas trees using nuts, bolts and washers, gumdrops and toothpicks and more. They also offer 25 days of STEAM challenges.
Christmas Tree STEM Activities
This site challenges students to build small items to compete in a “Winter Olympics”. The STEM activities include a sleigh for Santa that will transport goods the greatest distance, design a way to mail 2 candy canes without breakage, or design a fortress to withstand an attack from catapulted marshmallows.
And finally, challenge your student to engineering games!
While you are taking a break from traditional learning in the classroom, teach your children to love learning by giving them hands-on, fun learning activities. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend some quality time with your kids and to share in the enjoyment of learning and creating together. So break out the household items and have some learning fun!
If you would like to learn more about Dayspring Christian Academy, please register for a personal tour now or call Karol Hasting at 717-285-2000.