STEAM Activities for Families this Summer

I held my first children’s STEAM program at the Hickory Corner Branch last July. It was a hot, summer afternoon and the library was having programs outside at the time. I set up tables in the shade under trees in the parking lot and children arrived for a “Habitat Exploration” program. We read Listen to Our World by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson, and then discussed different habitats and what animals live in each one. We talked about the forest, jungle, ocean, desert, arctic, and wetlands. I tasked the children with creating their own animal and explaining what it is, what habitat it lives in, and what unique features it has that allows it to live there. Children drew unicorns with gills that could live underwater and hybrid animals that had wheels for legs to travel quickly through the desert. My own animal was a furry sea turtle with blubber that could live in the cold temperatures of the arctic.

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) programs have continued to grow in popularity. These programs allow children to engage with various topics creatively, think critically, team build and problem solve. Plus, they’re a lot of fun!

Since my first program, we’ve learned the rock cycle through candy, created balloon rockets and raced them, made playdoh to build volcanoes and then made them erupt, and the list goes on. I also started holding preschool STEAM programs (similar topics to the programs I hold for the school-age children, but much simpler!). I’ve learned a lot in the past year; don’t put the supplies on the table for the preschoolers until you are ready to use them, not every experiment goes to plan, and - without fail - kids love slime.

Now, summer is in full swing, which means the days are hot, the beaches are open, and children are out of school. Are you looking for some fun and educational activities to do at home with your family? Running STEAM activities does not have to be challenging and many can be done with items you already have around the house.

You can make a gas with baking soda and vinegar! Fill an empty bottle a quarter way with vinegar, put some baking soda in a balloon, attach the balloon to the bottle, and then lift the balloon to drop the baking soda in the bottle and watch what happens.

You can draw a secret message or picture on a white piece of paper with a white crayon, and then paint over it with water-based markers or watercolors to uncover it.

Looking for more ideas? The Mercer County Library System has a great array of children’s books with simple STEAM activities:

Junior Maker by DK Publishing Inc.

Offers instructions for interactive activities, crafts, and experiments designed to supplement what young readers learn in school, including creating marshmallow constellations, a lion mosaic, and fizzing balloons.

Look I’m a Scientist by Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc.

Provides step-by-step instructions for over twelve science experiments, demonstrating why water turns to ice, what causes static electricity, and how to create bubbles.

Art Lab for Little Kids: 52 Playful Projects for Preschoolers by Susan Schwake

Developed for the younger set (4-6 year olds) and targeting one of the most critical developmental periods for children, Art Lab for Little Kids is the perfect book for both parents and teachers who are seeking enriching and unique experiences to offer this age group. As in Susan Schwake's first book, Art Lab for Kids (Quarry Books, 2012), the Labs can be used as singular projects, or used to build up to a year of hands-on fine art experiences. Each Lab also features the work of a prominent artist.

STEAM Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Hands-On Projects Using Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math by Liz Lee Heinecke

The creative projects in STEAM Lab for Kids are designed to demonstrate that there's math and science to be found in great art! From rubber bands to edible stained glass, young engineers and artists alike will find inspiration in these 52 art-forward labs.

Outdoor Science Lab for Kids: 52 Family-Friendly Experiments for the Yard, Garden, Playground, and Park by Liz Lee Heinecke

Outdoor Science Lab for Kids offers 52 fun science activities for families to do together.

Math Lab for Kids: Fun, Hands-on Activities for Learning with Shapes, Puzzles, and Games by Rebecca Rapoport and J. Yoder

Math Lab for Kids provides 52 fun labs to teach children basic math concepts through activities and games.

Kitchen Science Lab for Kids: 52 Family-Friendly Experiments from Around the House by Liz Lee Heinecke

At-home science provides an environment for freedom, creativity, and invention that is not always possible in a school setting. In your own kitchen, it's simple, inexpensive, and fun to whip up a number of science experiments using everyday ingredients. Kitchen Science Lab for Kids offers 52 science activities for families to do together. The experiments can be used as individual projects, for parties, or as educational activities groups.

The 101 Coolest Simple Science Experiments by Rachel Miller, Holly Homer, and Jamie Harrington 

Provides instructions for simple experiments, both indoors and outdoors, using readily available materials, that demonstrate scientific facts about the natural world, the human body, and the basic laws of physics.

Good Housekeeping Amazing Science: 83 Hands-On S.T.E.A.M. Experiments for Curious Kids by Aubre Andrus and Rachel Rothman

Awesome S.T.E.A.M.-based science experiments you can do right at home with easy-to-find materials designed for maximum enjoyment, learning, and discovery for kids ages 8 to 12.

STEAM Play & Learn: Fun Step-by-Step Preschool Projects About Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math! by Ana Dziengel

STEAM Play & Learn is an introduction to STEAM topics (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) for preschoolers with fun, interactive, easy-to-follow, step-by-step activities.

After you’ve tried out some new activities at home, check the MCLS event calendar for what programs are happening at your local library branch.

- by Miss Grace, Hickory Corner Branch