Rainy days can feel long when kids are stuck indoors, but they can also be the perfect opportunity for learning, fun, and creativity. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities are not only educational but also exciting ways to keep children engaged. Best of all, many of these activities can be done with simple materials you already have at home.
Here are eight STEM activities to brighten any rainy day.
1. Build a Marshmallow Tower 🏗️
What you need: Marshmallows (or gummy candies) and toothpicks.
Challenge your child to build the tallest tower they can using just marshmallows and toothpicks. Try adding rules, like “it must stand on its own for 30 seconds.”
STEM lesson: Engineering and design. Kids experiment with shapes like triangles and squares, learning which are strongest for building.
2. Make a Homemade Lava Lamp 🌋
What you need: A clear bottle, vegetable oil, water, food coloring, and effervescent tablets (like Alka-Seltzer).
Fill a bottle two-thirds with oil, then add water, food coloring, and drop in a tablet. Watch as colorful bubbles float up and down like a lava lamp.
STEM lesson: Chemistry and density. Kids see how oil and water don’t mix and how gas bubbles change movement.
3. Create a Paper Bridge 🌉
What you need: Paper, tape, and small coins or toys.
Fold or roll paper to design different kinds of bridges. Test each design by placing coins on top and see which one holds the most weight.
STEM lesson: Engineering and problem-solving. Children learn how shape and support affect strength.
4. Kitchen Science: Baking Soda & Vinegar Reactions 🧪
What you need: Baking soda, vinegar, a tray, and food coloring.
Place small piles of baking soda on a tray. Add drops of vinegar with food coloring using a spoon or dropper. Watch the fizzing reactions.
STEM lesson: Chemistry. Kids learn about acids and bases, while the colorful fizz keeps them entertained.
5. Code a Pattern with Beads or LEGO 💻
What you need: Beads, string, or LEGO blocks.
Ask your child to create a repeating pattern (like red-blue-green-red-blue-green). Then challenge them to invent their own “code” and explain it.
STEM lesson: Math and coding basics. Patterns are the foundation of algorithms and problem-solving in computer science.
6. Rainy Day Robot Challenge 🤖
What you need: Cardboard, tape, scissors, and markers.
Have kids design their own “robots” using recycled materials. They can draw functions (like arms that lift or wheels that roll) and explain how their robot would work.
STEM lesson: Engineering and creativity. Children practice designing solutions to problems, just like real engineers.
7. Water Cycle in a Bag 💧
What you need: A resealable plastic bag, water, blue food coloring, and tape.
Fill the bag with a small amount of colored water. Tape it to a sunny window. Over time, condensation forms on the sides and drips down like rain.
STEM lesson: Earth science. Kids see evaporation, condensation, and precipitation in action.
8. Domino Chain Reaction 🎲
What you need: Dominoes (or blocks).
Line up dominoes in creative patterns and knock them down. Add obstacles like small toys or ramps.
STEM lesson: Physics. Kids explore cause and effect, energy transfer, and motion.
🌟 Tips for Parents
- Keep it simple: Use materials you already have at home. STEM doesn’t require expensive kits.
- Ask questions: Encourage kids to explain what they see, think, or predict.
- Let them lead: Allow mistakes. Problem-solving often comes from trial and error.
- Celebrate curiosity: Even small discoveries can spark a love for learning.
Final Thoughts 💡
Rainy days don’t have to be boring. With these STEM activities, you can transform indoor time into an adventure of discovery and creativity. Whether your child builds a marshmallow tower, codes with beads, or watches the water cycle in a bag, they are learning skills that will last a lifetime.
STEM activities inspire curiosity, encourage teamwork, and show kids that learning can be fun—even when the weather outside says otherwise.
👉 Want even more fun science adventures? Explore our Professor Bubbles e-books for colorful stories, simple experiments, and hands-on activities your child will love!