STEM activity and lesson ideas for kids
Learning begins in wonder. Here are some ways children grades K – 12 can explore activities and enrich learning. We are no longer accepting unsolicited submissions for this page. Questions? contact michelle.green@wsu.edu
STEM – SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH

- NASA STEM – (STEM – youth grades K-4)
- NASA STEM – (STEM – youth grades 5-9)
- NASA STEM – (STEM- youth grades 9-12)
- NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) STEM – parents and educators pages
- Bring Science Home –some activities listed on this webpage – but even more at Scientific American Education (STEM K-8)
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum – learning activities center – all ages
- FIRST Robotics – Getting started with robotics and resources for youth to learn
- Pacific Science Center Curiosity at Home – hands on activities and videos (STEM – all ages)
- Crash Course Kids – a huge variety of Science topics – (STEM – grades 5 -8)
- Paper Mechatronics – hands-on STEM projects (STEM grades 2-8)
- 100 STEAM Projects for Educators – hands on STEM (STEM, all ages)
- PBS Learning Media – (All subjects – grades K-12)
- Ask Dr. Universe – Washington State University – (STEM and more)
- Khan Academy – online and fun lessons on subjects for kids grades K-12 – All subjects)
- 36 Project based STEM Learning Activities – (STEM K-8)
- Khan Academy Kids – app for Android or Apple phones/tablets (ALL SUBJECTS)
- Brain Pop Jr – (All subjects – grades K-3)
- Brain Pop – (All subjects – grades 4-8) also educators can get a free account during school closures
- Engineer Girl – design and build a mini catapult, eyeglass case, Paper Airplane, Sorting machine and more! (STEM – All ages)
- Generation Genius – (STEM – grades K -2, 3 – 5, 6 – 8)
- Crash Course Kids – a huge variety of Science topics – (STEM – grades 5 -8)
- Spy Kids – games from the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) for kids such as Break the Code, Aerial Analysis and Photo Analysis (For kids grades 4 and up)
- Animal Science Anywhere – Michigan State University (ANIMAL SCIENCE – Grades 6-12)
- Inquiring minds want to know: science activities for young minds – Michigan State University (STEM)
- Teaching science when you don’t know diddly squat science lessons -Michigan State University (STEM)
- Wonderopolis – what are you wondering about and what to know today? (All subjects – Grades 3 and up)
- Vanderbilt STEM lessons – (STEM – grades 6-8)
- Project Feederwatch – Cornell Bird lab -Interested in bird watching? Participate in Cornell Bird lab and be a citizen scientist!
- Macaulay Library – Learn about birds from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology – be a citizen scientist, explore species and their regions, including sounds and videos, and learn how to identify birds from around the world. (STEM – all ages)
- NEED – National Energy Education Development – distance learning resources focused on Energy – lessons/activities for kids K-12 (STEM – K-12)
- Vernier – (Math and Physics resources – high school)
- Steve Spangler Science – science experiments for kids (STEM – grades 3-8)
- 100 STEAM Projects for Educators – hands on STEM (STEM, all ages)
- The Mint – Financial education lessons for young people (grades 4 – 12)
- FDIC Moneysmart for Kids – financial literacy lessons for youth (Financial Literacy – all ages)
- Got Money Personal Finance – a course in managing money with modules on Smart Shopping, Budgeting 101, Savings, Credit and Debit cards, Basic banking, retirement and investing and student loans.
- 23 Great lessons on Internet Safety for kids – designed for kids and parents – all ages
- For Educators] – Teach from Home with Google – Information that can help you get started teaching virtually to your students (TEACHERS/EDUCATORS]
HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES – 4-H AND MORE
- 4-H Inspire Kids to Do Guide – (STEM, Art and Healthy Living activities to download)
- 4-H at Home – activities and curriculum from National 4-H and Extension offices from across the US
- Animal Science Anywhere – Michigan State University (ANIMAL SCIENCE – Grades 6-12)
- Inquiring minds want to know: science activities for young minds – Michigan State University (STEM)
- 4-H Knitting (ages 8+)
- 4-H Sewing (ages 8+)
- 4-H STEM Camp Guides – University of Utah Extension – Fun activities that can be done by anyone – will need to register for download STEM all ages
- Discover 4-H – University of Utah – from Archeology to Robotics and a whole lot more – these guides can be downloaded for use by anyone – not required to be in 4H
- Teaching science when you don’t know diddly squat science lessons -Michigan State University (STEM)
- Easy Science, Math and Language Arts lessons to do at home – Michigan State University (all ages)
- 4-H Code Your World (CODING – need a computer)
- Cloverbud Activity Plans – University of Wisconsin – (4-H activities – ages 5-8)
- Indiana 4-H at Home Activities – Purdue Extension – Indiana State University 4-H (4-H activities for all ages)
- Iowa 4-H at Home Learning Resources – Iowa 4-H (4-H activities for all ages)
- Georgia 4-H Activity Resources – (4-H Activities for all ages)
- Alaska 4-H Learn by Doing at Home – (4-H activities and more for all ages)
- Educational Resources for School Closures – Michigan State University – resources for parents and educators
- 4-H Volunteers can support youth when not in person – resources for 4-H club leaders and volunteers (4-H)
VIRTUAL TOURS & MUSEUMS
- Monterey Bay Aquarium – live cams of sea life! (all ages)
- Nat Geo for Kids – Explore and learn – (All subjects – ages Pre-K to 8th)
- San Diego Zoo live cams of animals! (all ages)
- Smithsonian National Zoo – live cams of animals! (all ages)
- Seattle Aquarium – live cams of Otters and Harbor Seals! (all ages)
- [NEW] Virtual Farm tours – all ages
- Arapahoe County 4-H Virtual Embryology – Colorado State University – Live online sessions will be held April 1, April 8, and April 15 at 2 PM Mountain Daylight time
- Google Arts and Culture – Virtually view art and treasures from 2000 Museums and Archives from around the world – resources for middle and high school students
FOOD & FITNESS – STAY HEALTHY
- Life Lab – cultivates children’s love of learning, healthy food and nature through garden-based education lessons and videos for grades K-5 (Gardening/Healthy Living – grades K-5)
- People’s Garden – educational toolkit from Washington State University with lessons on garden-based education lessons (Gardening/Healthy Living/Nutrition – grades 2-5)
- GrowNextGen – STEM lessons for youth grade 5 and up
- GrowNextGen – resources for STEM educators and virtual classrooms
- GrowNextGen – educational Reading, Science and Social Studies games to learn about agriculture for grades 3-5
- Dichotamous Tree Identifer – trees of the Pacific Northwest – can you identify the trees in your neighborhood? (STEM – all ages)
- YMCA Virtual videos – fitness videos for people of all ages
- Yoga with Oklahoma 4-H – YouTube Channel with each of the poses from 4-H Yoga for Kids
- Spring Break Sprint Challenge – Healthy Living and wellness challenges – Iowa State University (grades K-8)
- Healthy Habits at Home Resource – Ideas to help you stay healthy – Iowa State University (all ages)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES & EDUCATORS
Free Resources during the COVID-19 Pandemic – from Dealhack – a huge list of resources for parents and educators to use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How to Identify effective STEM activities for Children – from Baylor Online Graduate – a great article about essential elements to create better STEM learning for kids of all ages.
Cyberbullying educational resources – Resources to help youth learn to stay safe from cyberbullying online
Online teaching tools for educators and parents – This informative article covers a variety of online/virtual learning platforms and other tools that could be useful for educators and parents
MAKERSPACES – BE A MAKER!

- 4-H Inspire Kids to Do Guide – (STEM, Art and Healthy Living activities to download)
- Build a paper airplane launcher – (STEM – grades 4-8)
- Make a marble roller coaster – (STEM- grades 2-8)
- Science with Your Smartphone- Make an Accelerometer- (STEM – grades 4-8)
- Make your own rainbow – (STEM – grades 2-5)
- Build a recycling sorting machine (- STEM – grades 4-8)
- Duplicate your drawings with a homemade machine – (Art & STEM – grades 4-8)
- Find your blind spot – (STEM grades 3-8)
- Build your own speaker – STEMS – grades 2-5)
- Test the strength of hair (STEM – grades 5 and up)
- Holes that do not leak STEM – grades 4-8)
- Gear up your candy – (STEM – grades 4-8)
- Sweet Earthquake structure shake (STEM)
- Robot, make me a sandwich – (CODING- grades K-5) – unplugged – no computer needed, 2 people+
- Flying stick chain reaction – (STEM – grades 3-8)
- Weathering rocks – (STEM – grades 5-8)
- What are the chances? (STEM – grades 4-8)
- Make fun with a perimeter magic triangle (STEM)
- Shaky science – build a seismograph (STEM – grades 4-8)
- Lift water – build an Archimedes screw (STEM – grades 4-8)
- Science with a smartphone – measure light with Lux – (STEM – grades 5 and up)
- Build a wind powered car (STEM – grades 2 and up – may need adult help)
- Make elephant toothpaste – (STEM – grades 2-5)
- How do you stop superbugs? – (STEM – grades 4-8)
- Surviving the stormy seas – build a watercraft (STEM – grades 4 – 8)
- Building the strongest bridge (STEM – grades 4-8)
- Science with a smartphone – Decibel meter (STEM – grades 4-8)
- Colorful double helix – (STEM – 4th grade and up)
- Design your own phone stand – (STEM – grades 4 and up)
- Make a cotton ball launcher – (STEM – grades 4 and up)
- Make your drawing float (STEM – grades 3 and up)
- Slime art – what to do with slime that has dried out (STEM & ART – all ages)
- Slippery slopes – (STEM – grades 4 and up)
- Bring Science Home – (some activities listed on this page, but even more at this site – Scientific American Education (STEM – grades K-8)
- Chill out by making homemade slushies
- Change the size of your shadow – (STEM)
- Hula hooping with a rubber band (STEM)
- Make a toy sailboat – (STEM – all ages)
- 36 Project based STEM Learning Activities – (STEM K-8)
- Slime art – what to do with slime that has dried out (STEM & ART – all ages)
- Steve Spangler Science – science experiments for kids (STEM – grades 3-8)
- Pacific Science Center Curiosity at Home – hands on actvities and videos (STEM – all ages)
- Quarantine with Kids – 100 things to do during COVID-19 – (Actvities – pre-K – grade 4)
- Vanderbilt STEM lessons – (grades 6-8)
- NEED – National Energy Education Development – distance learning resources focused on Energy – lessons/activities for kids K-12 (STEM – K-12)
- Paper Mechatronics – hands-on STEM projects (STEM grades 2-8)
- The Tinkering Studio – Tinkering projects (STEM, grades 2-8)
- McKinley County 4-H STEAM project club that (Alabama) Live stream STEM activities videos every day
- School Closure LEGO Masters Jr Research and Development Club – Article with link (STEM – kids 5-15 to register and join this Virtual LEGO club – you can participate no matter you location!)
- 4-H Arts Showcase Grab and Go Lessons – Lessons like Express Yourself Journaling, Science in Watercolor, Bubble Science, What do you see Photography, and more! Designed for educators and 4-H club and project leaders – register to gain access for free downloads (Arts projects – various grades K-12)
- 100 STEAM Projects for Educators – hands on STEM – (STEM, all ages)
- Science Toy Maker – hands-on STEM projects (STEM, all ages)
CODING & ROBOTICS
- Learn to Code! (CODING – all ages)
- Learning to Code with Make Code – (STEM – all ages)
- 37 free online resources for schools shifting online during Coronavirus – (All subjects – all ages) – resources for teachers, students, and parents –
- CS First Coding – learn to code with CS (CODING – need a computer)
- Scratch – learn to code with Scratch – Imagine, Program, Share – (STEM, Coding – all ages)
- (NEW!) https://praxent.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-coding-programming
- Codemoji Playground
- RoboZZle: A Social Puzzle Game
- Code Monster
- Lightbot: Light Up the Squares
- Rapid Router
- Robocode: Build the Best, Destroy the Rest!
- Code Master Logic Game
- Blockly Puzzle Game
- Kodable Level-Maker
- Code Your Hero
- Coding With Wonder Woman
- https://glitch.com/create
- Snohomish STEM – learning platforms, quizzes, gaming, financial education, TED-Ed, Funology and more. (All subjects – grades K-12)
- Girls Who Code – Code at Home – Stay Positive Binary bracelets, Digital Storyteller with Scratch and Skillshare/Share Your Skillz – activities to do (STEM – grades 3 and up)
JUST FOR FUN – GAMES
- Smithsonian Learning Games (STEM – grades K-6)
- Boom Learning – educational games – free accounts for those impacted by school closure – for students, parents and teachers
- Dreamscape – Reading game (Reading grades 2-8)
- Starfall – educational games (All subjects – pre-K through grade 3)
- Quarantine with Kids – 100 things to do during COVID-19 – (Actvities – pre-K – grade 4)
- Learn to Type (all ages)
- All Pony – games for learning about horsemanship
- Spy Kids – games from the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) for kids such as Break the Code, Aerial Analysis and Photo Analysis (For kids grades 4 and up)
- Snohomish STEM – learning platforms, quizzes, gaming, financial education, TED-Ed, Funology and more. (All subjects – grades K-12)
- School Closure LEGO Masters Jr Research and Development Club – Article with link (STEM – kids 5-15 to register and join this Virtual LEGO club – you can participate no matter you location!)
- Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems – Making art doodles with Mo Willems, author & artist (Art – all ages)
MICROSOFT RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS AND PARENTS

- Making remote learning effective and engaging with Microsoft education resources
- Microsoft extends access to Minecraft education and resources to support remote learning
- Microsoft Education – engage students in distance learning with app and content from Microsoft partners such as Discovery Education, Thinglink, Prezi video, Kahoot quizzes and more
- How schools can ramp up remote learning programs quickly
- Microsoft Education resources – Getting started with remote learning in Office 365 with learning for teachers, get started with Office 365 for free. Student well-being, inclusive learning for all students, resources for families and more.
- Make Code – learn to code – (STEM – all ages)
We are no longer adding any unsolicited submissions. Thank you! email: michelle.green@wsu.edu