5/18/2025  FortMyersKids.com

5 Easy Summer STEM Projects Kids Can Do at Home

 

Looking for fun, hands-on ways to keep your kids learning this summer? These five easy STEM projects are perfect for curious minds and active hands! Each one uses simple household materials and encourages kids to explore science, technology, engineering, and math—right from home.

🧪 1. Rainbow in a Glass

What You Need:

  • A clear glass

  • Honey

  • Dish soap

  • Water

  • Vegetable oil

  • Food coloring

  • Spoon

What to Do:

  1. Pour honey into the glass.

  2. Mix a color into the dish soap, then slowly pour it over the back of a spoon onto the honey.

  3. Repeat with colored water and then vegetable oil, layering each one carefully.

  4. Watch as the liquids stack in rainbow layers!

What Kids Learn: This activity teaches about liquid density and how different substances can stack without mixing.

 

🏗️ 2. Build a Bridge Challenge

What You Need:

  • Toothpicks or popsicle sticks

  • Glue

  • Coins or small weights

  • Two sturdy supports (like books)

What to Do:

  1. Use toothpicks or popsicle sticks to build a bridge between two books.

  2. Once dry, test your bridge by adding coins or weights on top.

  3. See how much it can hold—and try to build an even stronger one!

What Kids Learn: This is a great way to explore engineering and structural strength.

 

🌞 3. DIY Solar Oven

What You Need:

  • A pizza box

  • Aluminum foil

  • Clear plastic wrap

  • Black construction paper

  • Tape

  • Scissors

  • Stick or straw

  • A treat like a s’more

What to Do:

  1. Cut a flap in the lid of the box. Line the flap with foil.

  2. Tape plastic wrap over the cut-out window.

  3. Place black paper on the bottom of the box.

  4. Add your treat, close the lid, and prop the foil flap open with a stick.

  5. Set the box in the sun and watch it work like a mini oven!

What Kids Learn: This project introduces solar energy and how the sun’s heat can be harnessed.

 

🎯 4. DIY Catapult

What You Need:

  • Popsicle sticks

  • Rubber bands

  • Plastic spoon

  • Small items to launch (like marshmallows)

What to Do:

  1. Stack and rubber-band several sticks together.

  2. Attach a spoon to a separate stick and then rubber-band that to the stack, perpendicular.

  3. Place a small object in the spoon, press down, and release!

What Kids Learn: Learn about force, energy, and motion in a super fun way.


🌱 5. Grow Your Own Crystals

What You Need:

  • Borax

  • Hot water

  • Pipe cleaners

  • String

  • Pencil

  • Jar

What to Do:

  1. Twist a pipe cleaner into a fun shape and tie it to a string.

  2. Fill a jar with hot water and stir in borax until it no longer dissolves.

  3. Hang your pipe cleaner in the solution with the pencil resting across the jar top.

  4. Let it sit overnight—crystals will form!

What Kids Learn: A great visual of chemical reactions and crystal formation.


💡 Why These Projects Matter

These activities aren't just fun—they build critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Plus, they’re perfect for summer days when you want to unplug and dive into something exciting!