What Are Fun and Easy STEM Activities to Do with Preschoolers? - post

How Can Early Childhood Educators Nurture Young Learners’ Curiosity and Critical Thinking Through Play?

STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—might sound complex for preschoolers, but young children are natural scientists, engineers, and problem solvers. Their curiosity drives them to explore, ask questions, and experiment every day. As a child care provider, you can harness that curiosity with engaging, play-based STEM activities that encourage hands-on learning and critical thinking.

This article will walk you through why STEM is important in #early-childhood-education, share fun and easy STEM activities to try, and provide tips for creating a #classroom that sparks scientific exploration and discovery.

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Why Is STEM Important for Preschoolers?

STEM learning builds foundational skills that prepare children for future academic success. Even at the preschool level, STEM encourages critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity—skills that are essential in every aspect of learning and life.

Here’s why STEM is so powerful for preschoolers:

• Promotes curiosity and exploration – Children learn through hands-on discovery. STEM activities encourage them to ask “What happens if…?” and “Why?”
• Builds problem-solving skills – Through trial and error, preschoolers #develop resilience and persistence as they explore different outcomes.
• Encourages language and literacy – Talking about observations and describing results supports vocabulary and communication #development.
• Develops fine motor and cognitive skills – Using tools, measuring, and building enhances coordination and logical reasoning.

By integrating STEM into everyday activities, child care providers can create joyful, meaningful learning experiences that align with #early-learning standards.

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How Can Providers Introduce STEM Concepts in Simple Ways?

You don’t need expensive materials or complex lesson plans to bring STEM into your classroom. Everyday moments can become opportunities for inquiry and discovery.

Here are some simple ways to integrate STEM naturally:

• Ask open-ended questions: “What do you think will happen if we add more water?” or “Why do you think the block tower fell?”

• Encourage predictions: Before doing an activity, have children guess the outcome.

• Allow exploration: Give children time and space to experiment freely.

• Document and discuss: Take photos, draw pictures, and talk about what they observed.

By following children’s curiosity and building on their natural interests, you can turn any play experience into a meaningful STEM lesson.

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10 Fun and Easy STEM Activities for Preschoolers

Here are ten engaging, #developmentally-appropriate STEM activities you can do in your classroom using everyday materials.

1. Sink or Float

• Fill a tub with water and gather objects (plastic toys, blocks, spoons, etc.).

• Ask children to predict which items will sink or float.

• Discuss the results and talk about density and weight.

2. Building Towers

• Use blocks, cups, or recycled materials.

• Challenge children to build the tallest or strongest structure.

• Talk about balance, stability, and design.

3. Color Mixing Science

• Provide droppers, clear cups, and colored water (red, blue, yellow).

• Let children mix colors to discover new ones.

• Introduce basic chemistry and color theory concepts.

4. Plant a Seed

• Give each child a small pot and a seed to plant.

• Observe changes daily and discuss what plants need to grow.

• Explore biology, measurement, and environmental science.

5. Magnet Exploration

• Offer magnets and various items (paper clips, fabric, plastic, wood).

• Ask children to sort what’s magnetic and what’s not.

• Introduce the concept of magnetism and forces.

6. Ice Excavation

• Freeze small toys in containers of water overnight.

• Provide tools like droppers and warm water to melt the ice.

• Explore temperature, states of matter, and change.

7. Shadow Play

• Shine a flashlight or use sunlight to create shadows with toys.

• Encourage children to make predictions about shadow size and shape.

• Learn about light, angles, and observation.

8. Ramp Races

• Use cardboard tubes or planks to make ramps.

• Roll different objects down and compare speeds.

• Discuss motion, gravity, and friction.

9. Weather Watchers

• Track the weather each day using pictures or a chart.

• Talk about patterns, temperature, and seasons.

• Encourage children to make forecasts and compare them to the real results.

10. Counting and Measuring

• Incorporate #math into play by measuring ingredients in pretend cooking or comparing sizes of toys.

• Use rulers, measuring cups, or non-standard units like blocks.

• Teach measurement, numbers, and estimation.

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Creating a STEM-Friendly Environment

A STEM-rich classroom doesn’t require fancy equipment. What matters most is the atmosphere of exploration, questioning, and collaboration.

Here are some ways to make your environment STEM-friendly:

• Set up exploration centers – Have a “Discovery Table” with magnifying glasses, scales, and natural objects.

• Use real tools ( #safely) – Let children handle droppers, rulers, funnels, and tweezers to build fine motor skills.

• Incorporate nature – Outdoor play naturally invites scientific inquiry.

• Provide open-ended materials – Items like blocks, cardboard, and loose parts encourage design thinking and creativity.

• Celebrate mistakes – Emphasize that it’s okay when things don’t work as expected; that’s part of learning!

When children feel safe to experiment and take risks, they build confidence and curiosity that extend beyond the classroom.

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Professional Development: Continue Growing with ChildCareEd

If you’re excited to bring more STEM learning into your preschool classroom, ChildCareEd offers a variety of online training courses designed for #early-childhood professionals.

👉 Enroll in the course “Enhancing STEM Education for Infants and Toddlers” to learn how to integrate STEM concepts into your curriculum with hands-on examples and practical strategies.

This self-paced training helps you understand how young children develop scientific thinking and how to create activities that support exploration and problem-solving in age-appropriate ways.

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Free Resource for Your Classroom

Download the Water Drop STEM Activity from ChildCareEd.com.
This free resource provides a week’s worth of ready-to-use ideas, observation tips, and extension activities for preschoolers.

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Related Reading on ChildCareEd.com

Check out our article “Rainy Day STEM Activities” for more insights into how to foster curiosity and problem-solving in young children.

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Connect with Us for More Ideas

Follow us on Pinterest for creative STEM and play-based learning ideas, activity inspiration, and printable classroom resources.

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Final Thoughts

Introducing STEM to preschoolers doesn’t require complex lessons or special tools—just curiosity, patience, and a willingness to explore alongside your students. When you encourage children to ask questions, make predictions, and test their ideas, you’re helping them build the foundation for lifelong learning.

With the right mindset and a few simple materials, your classroom can become a vibrant space where little scientists, mathematicians, and inventors thrive.