Cold Weather Ideas: 33 Winter STEM Activities for Kids of All Ages (2024)

Science, technology, engineering, and math, oh my! If you’re looking for ways to keep kids engaged and learning during the cold weather months, we’ve curated tons of winter STEM activities and challenges for kids in preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and high school! These indoor and outdoor winter STEM activities are simple and easy to setup, and you can enjoy them in the classroom and at home. Who knew STEM learning could be so fun?!

What Is STEM Learning?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. It’s a multifaceted approach to learning that develops a child’s problem solving and critical thinking skills while also encouraging creativity, communication, and teamwork. This collection of winter STEM activities is designed to combine lessons from all 4 subjects and apply them to real life problems and situations.

8 Benefits of STEM Learning?

Science, technology, engineering, and math are the foundation of so many important jobs in the workforce, and by exposing children to the foundations of STEM education early on – and continuing to build upon these principals and interests throughout their schooling years – educators hope to see an increase in new graduates who are qualified and passionate about STEM-related jobs.

There are many benefits of engaging kids in STEM challenges and activities. STEM learning has been shown to:

1. Encourage higher level thinking
2. Prepare children for advancements in technology
3. Enable children to apply learning and knowledge to real-world situations
4. Teach children how to work collaboratively
5. Encourage innovative and creative thinking
6. Provide opportunities for failure in a safe environment
7. Instill creativity
8. Expose children to career paths they may otherwise not consider

11 Winter STEM Activities for Preschool & Kindergarten

Exploding Snowman Science Experiment | Mombrite
Snow Storm in a Jar | Lemon Lime Adventures
Snowflake Bentley STEM Activity | Carly and Adam
Instant Ice Winter Science Experiment | Living Well Mom
Ice Castle Building Challenge | Lemon Lime Adventures
Salt Crystal Snowflakes | Living Well Mom
Winter & Hot Chocolate STEM Activity | Teachers Pay Teachers
Animal Dens Winter Engineering Project | Fun-A-Day
Plan Bear STEM Science Experiment | Preschool Powol Packets
Frozen Bubbles Experiment | STEAM Powered Family
Snow Volcano | Little Bins for Little Hands

11 Winter STEM Activities for Elementary School

Candy Cane Calamity | Feel-Good Teaching
Snowball Launcher | Little Bins for Little Hands
Build a Sled Winter STEM Activity | Teachers Pay Teachers
Sled and Slope Winter STEM Challenge | Feel-Good Teaching
Snowball Fight STEM Activity | Carly and Adam
Melting Snow Science Experiment | KC Edventures
Igloo Design Winter STEM Challenge | Teachers Pay Teachers
Reindeer Relay | Feel-Good Teaching
Blubber Experiment for Kids | Little Bins for Little Hands
Ice Fishing Science Experiment | A Dab of Glue Will Do
Snow Scoop Winter STEM Challenge | Feel-Good Teaching

11 Winter STEM Activities for Middle & High School

Winter Ski STEM Challenge | Teachers Pay Teachers
Engineering An Ice Lantern | STEAM Powered Family
Design a Gingerbread House | Appletastic Learning
Middle School Physics Winter STEM Challenge | Teachers Pay Teachers
Growing Borax vs Epsom Salt Crystal Pipe Cleaner Snowflakes | Teachers Pay Teachers
Design a Hot Cocoa Stand | Teachers Pay Teachers
Fake Snow Lab | Left Brain Craft Brain
3D STEM Christmas Tree Challenge | Steamsational
Science of Curling STEM Activity | Teachers Pay Teachers
Winter Escape Room | Teachers Pay Teachers
Snowman Stretch STEM Challenge | Teachers Pay Teachers

If you’re looking for indoor and outdoor activities you can enjoy with your kids and/or students during the cold weather months to keep them engaged and learning, I hope this collection of winter STEM activities for kids inspires you!

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