by Little Sunshine's Playhouse & Preschool

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STEAM Activities for Preschoolers You Can Do at Home

Introducing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) activities to preschoolers at home is an exciting way to encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. At this age, children are natural explorers, making it the perfect time to engage them with hands-on preschool learning activities that lay the foundation for lifelong learning. Best of all, these activities are simple, fun, and require minimal materials you likely already have at home.

Why STEAM Activities Are Important for Preschoolers

STEAM activities promote skills that go beyond academics. They help children:

Develop problem-solving skills by encouraging experimentation and persistence.
Build confidence as they see the results of their efforts.
Foster creativity through open-ended exploration.
Improve fine motor skills by manipulating objects and tools.

By incorporating STEAM into everyday routines, parents can turn simple moments into meaningful preschool learning activities that nurture both curiosity and confidence.

Easy STEAM Activities for Preschoolers

1. Rainbow Walking Water Experiment

(Photo courtesy of The Inspiration Board)

What You’ll Need:

6 clear cups or jars
Water
Food coloring (red, yellow, blue)
Paper towels

Instructions:

1. Line up the cups in a row, filling the 1st, 3rd, and 5th cups with water. Leave the others empty.

2. Add a few drops of red food coloring to the 1st cup, yellow to the 3rd, and blue to the 5th.

3. Roll paper towels into strips and place one end in the colored water and the other in the empty cups.

4. Watch as the water “walks” through the paper towels and mixes in the empty cups to create secondary colors (orange, green, and purple).

What They’ll Learn:

Color mixing
Capillary action

2. Marshmallow and Toothpick Towers

(Photo courtesy of Learn with Play at Home)

What You’ll Need:

Mini marshmallows
Toothpicks

Instructions:

1. Challenge your child to build the tallest tower they can using only marshmallows and toothpicks.

2. Experiment with different shapes (triangles, squares, etc.) for stability.

What They’ll Learn:

Engineering basics
Structural stability
Creativity in design

3. Sink or Float Experiment

(Photo courtesy of Discount School Supply)

What You’ll Need:

A large bowl or basin of water
Various household items (spoon, toy, leaf, cork, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Gather a variety of objects and have your child guess if they will sink or float.

2. Drop each item in the water and observe what happens.

What They’ll Learn:

Buoyancy
Making predictions and testing hypotheses

4. Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano

(Photo courtesy of Treehugger)

What You’ll Need:

A small plastic bottle or container
Baking soda
Vinegar
Dish soap
Food coloring

Instructions:

1. Place the bottle in a tray or outside to contain the mess.

2. Add a spoonful of baking soda to the bottle.

3. Mix vinegar, a drop of dish soap, and food coloring in a separate cup.

4. Pour the vinegar mixture into the bottle and watch the eruption!

What They’ll Learn:

Chemical reactions
Cause and effect

5. Ice Excavation Adventure

(Photo courtesy of Brie Brie Blooms)

What You’ll Need:

A small plastic container
Small toys or objects
Water
Salt
Squeeze bottles or droppers

Instructions:

1. Freeze small toys or objects in a container of water.

2. Provide your child with salt and a squeeze bottle filled with warm water.

3. Encourage them to “excavate” the toys by melting the ice.

What They’ll Learn:

States of matter (solid, liquid)
The effect of salt on ice

6. Build a Balloon Rocket

(Photo Courtesy of One Little Project)

What You’ll Need:

String
A balloon
A straw
Tape

Instructions:

1. Thread the string through a straw and secure it tightly between two points (like chairs).

2. Blow up a balloon but don’t tie it. Tape the balloon to the straw.

3. Release the balloon and watch it zoom down the string!

What They’ll Learn:

Newton’s Third Law (action and reaction)
Simple mechanics

7. Sorting and Counting with Nature

(Photo courtesy of Little Pine Learners)

What You’ll Need:

Items from nature (leaves, rocks, sticks, etc.)
A few containers

Instructions:

1. Go on a nature walk with your child to collect items.

2. Back at home, sort them by size, color, or shape.

3. Count how many of each category they collected.

What They’ll Learn:

Categorization
Counting and basic math

Tips for a Successful STEAM Activity

Encourage Questions: Ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think will happen?” or “Why do you think that worked?”
Allow Mistakes: Help your child see mistakes as part of the learning process.
Make It Fun: Keep activities light and engaging to hold their attention.
Follow Their Lead: If they show interest in a specific topic, dive deeper into it.

The Benefits of STEAM Play at Home

Engaging in STEAM activities for preschoolers at home strengthens the connection between you and your child while giving them tools to succeed in the future. These activities encourage exploration, spark curiosity, and make learning fun, all while aligning with the developmental needs of preschool-aged children.

Incorporating preschool learning activities into your routine ensures a meaningful, educational experience that fosters growth and creates memories your child will always cherish.

Keep learning, keep reading!