The sun is shining bright, and the days are about as long as they’re going to get this year. And so it’s the perfect time to take our learning outside! We often think of outdoor play to be focused on physical activity and imagination. But today, let’s think about STEM projects to do outside. Yes, we can have outdoor fun doing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. While that might sound like something meant for older kids, preschoolers are actually natural scientists. They’re constantly asking questions, making discoveries, and testing ideas through their play. So this is the perfect time to think about some simple preschool STEM projects!
Think you can’t lead STEM activities? You don’t need special equipment or a science background to explore STEM with your preschooler. All you need is a little time and some sunshine to do some simple preschool STEM projects, because the outdoors is a perfect hands-on classroom.
STEM Matters in the Preschool Years
STEM activities can help our preschoolers develop their problem-solving skills, their critical thinking, and their creativity. When preschoolers stack blocks, pour water, or collect leaves, they’re engaging in the same processes that scientists and engineers use: questioning, experimenting, observing, and adjusting.
At the same time, STEM activities for young children are all about playing. And when that playing happens outdoors, children also benefit from fresh air, exercise, and all kinds of sensory-rich experiences.
While you’re at it, try learning some new nature signs to go with your outdoor STEM activities!
Simple Outdoor STEM Projects to Try
So what are these simple preschool STEM projects? Here we go with a few easy, low-prep STEM activities to enjoy with your preschooler on a sunny day!
Sink or Float with Nature
Let your child gather small natural items like leaves, sticks, rocks, or flower petals. Fill a tub or bucket with water and ask them to predict which items will float and which will sink. Then, test each item and see what happens!
Shadow Explorations
Find a sunny sidewalk or driveway, and have your child stand still while you trace their shadow with chalk. Then come back later in the day, and trace it again to see how it changed. Try tracing shadows of toys or rocks or sticks too! If you want to take it further, you can discuss light and the Earth’s movement.
Build with Outdoor Materials
Give your kids a challenge to use sticks, rocks, leaves, or whatever they can find to build a tiny bridge or fort. This is a great time to help our kids to problem-solve. We can ask what makes it stand up or what could make it stronger. This is super fun, and it’s also engineering!
Sun Melting Experiment
On a sunny day, get a few objects that melt—ice cubes, crayons, or even chocolate chips. Place some in the sun and some in the shade, then check back in 5-10 minutes. Then help your kids think about why one set melts faster than the other set. For more practice in the scientific method, get your kids to guess which items will melt faster before you get started.
Bug Investigation Station
For this one, give your child some kind of magnifying glass or tool and a clear container to observe bugs. Of course, catch them for only a short time, and then let them go. You can talk with your preschooler about what the bugs look like, how they move, and where they might live.
For whichever activities we decide to do, let’s let our kids lead the way, even if it ends up going in a different direction than what we planned. Building their curiosity is important too! And let’s remember to ask open-ended questions to help them really think through what’s happening. These concepts will really stick with them if they are able to discover them on their own with our guidance.
Keep the Learning Going
We don’t have to stop learning once we come indoors. Instead, let’s keep the excitement going.
We can do this by having our kids draw pictures of their discoveries or even keep a journal of their experiments and activities.
This is also a great time to check out some STEM-themed books. It’s always a good idea to ask your librarian for suggestions, but here are a couple for you to look for. Try Rosie Revere, Engineer or Ada Twist, Scientist.
Then there is always the option to continue building with indoor toys like blocks, magnet tiles, or even ice cubes and marshmallows.
And, of course, we’d love for you to check out our STEM shows at My Signing Time. Rachel and the TreeSchoolers is all about the scientific method. And Sci-Show Kids is all about discovering how things work. Our shows are always ad-free and safe, and of course, educational and FUN!
Preschool STEM activities don’t have to be intimidating. So while the sun is shining, why not invite your child to ask questions, make discoveries, and learn through some simple preschool STEM projects?
Do you have another favorite sunny day STEM activity? Let us know in the comments or tag us on social media with your discoveries—we’d love to see what you and your little scientists discover!