The secret to succeeding with your home interior is to choose a theme and build from that. A simple first step is to choose one base color as a foundation, and then add two to three contrasting colors and materials. It’ll narrow down your options, making it easier to know what to look for. Use mood boards to gather inspiration and see how your chosen theme and color scheme work together.
16 fun STEAM and STEM activities for kids
Engage young minds and help build important skills for the future with these easy STEAM and STEM activities for kids.
The Care.com UK Team Published on: November 2, 2023
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STEAM and STEM are some of the biggest buzzwords in education lately. STEM is an acronym for “science, technology, engineering and maths”. Add in “art”, and then you have STEAM (“science, technology, engineering, art and maths”). As educational approaches to how we teach and learn these subjects, STEAM and STEM are increasingly popular among academics, partly due to the growing demands of a fast-changing professional world.
If this subject matter sounds too fancy or complex for kids, don’t worry — anyone can make STEAM and STEM learning activities fun and approachable for kids. Activities that focus on STEAM and STEM ideas don’t have to include advanced concepts to be educational. In fact, it’s the blend of creativity and problem-solving that helps create well-rounded children.
STEM vs STEAM: What’s the difference?
In short, the difference between STEM and STEAM is the addition of the “A”, which stands for “art”. STEAM integrates art into this learning, whilst STEM does not.
Why the addition of art? Well, the subjects of science and maths are often misunderstood as prioritising memorisation over creativity, but as technology continues to advance, creativity plays a huge role. This is why the transition from STEM programmes (that don’t include art) to STEAM programmes has been so successful — all of these subjects have great potential for overlap in education.
When it comes to introducing kids to these concepts, STEAM activities are often interactive and practical, which helps children learn by doing. No matter what subject you’re introducing to a child, a participatory and experimental mindset will be a plus.
Here is a variety of fun STEM and STEAM activities for kids, which were collected from early childhood experts, parents and social media. Get kids to focus on science, technology, engineering, art and maths — and all the ways they overlap in between.
Science activities
1. Practice observing on an outdoor treasure hunt
Turn a neighbourhood walk into a treasure hunt! Before leaving for a walk or hike, create a list of things you might see, including different plants, insects and natural objects. Bring a felt-tip pen and tick them off the list as you see them. This introduces kids to the essentials of scientific observation.
2. Learn to grow plants
Gardening includes so many scientific processes. If you have access to a garden, show the kids how to plant seeds, water them and watch them grow over time. Engaging in this process can help them learn about how plants grow and some of the wider principles of biology. Taking regular measurements of plant growth is also a great way to have fun with maths, too.
3. Simulate a volcanic eruption
This activity is incredibly simple and can incorporate a kid’s favourite toys or household items to make it more engaging for younger ones. Fill a bowl or bucket with water (or run a bath!) and collect a few items that can get wet, like a dinosaur toy or a building brick. Then, have kids make predictions about which items will sink and which will float. This helps them discover the concept of a “hypothesis”, develop their own and test it out in a fun and interactive way.
Like jewels in your dining room
Add a simple vase (or three) and see how your table transforms into a thing of beauty. There are plenty of styles to choose from – from minimalist clear glass vases to colorful ones – all will add a sparkling touch to your space.
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Playful vase or fun watering can?
Get creative with your décor by choosing pieces that are fun to use. Designed by Bruno Adrien Aguirre, this vase and watering can combined, is inspired by the cactus plant. Made with a playful and bold expression it brings an instant smile to your lips and becomes a talking point when you have guests over.
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Create a welcoming atmosphere with scented candles
Simply light a scented candle and see (or smell!) how the feeling of the room changes. Pick and choose candles in reusable containers – made in collaboration with British designer Ilse Crawford – with scents that you like: dreamy Scandinavian forests, or cozy and warm vanilla, among many others.
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