Summer Science Camp STEM Activities
Summer Science Camp & STEM Activites
Too hot to be outside, too antsy to sit still? These summer science camp activities give kids a reason to get their hands dirty (and a little wet) while sneaking in real STEM learning between swim blocks and free play.
This Summer's Must Do
Fireworks in a Jar STEM Activity
No sparklers required. Kids layer oil, water, and food coloring to set off their own slow-motion firework show in a jar, and walk away actually understanding why the colors don't mix.
Featured Summer STEM Activities:
Medium
Pool Noodle Engineering
Turn leftover pool noodles into a full-on engineering challenge. Design, build, and test different boats designs, using the same materials they were just floating on.
Walking Water Rainbows
Ice Melting RacesBring Science to Life — All Year Long!
Start your free trial to access hundreds of engaging Science, Math, and ELA resources aligned to your state standards.
Sun, Heat & Water Play
Beat the heat by studying it. These activities put sunlight, water, and weather to work.
Medium
Build a Solar Cooker
Construct a real solar cooker that traps sunlight and turns it into real, usable heat.
Easy
Create a Water Filtration System
Turn dirty water clean again using layers kids find and build themselves.
Medium
Design a Working Water Wheel
Track how much rain falls and turn it into a running summer weather log.
Summer Engineering Challenges
Give your kids a problem, some junk-drawer materials, and a deadline. Watch them build.
Easy
Popsicle Stick Catapult Wars
Design a launcher and test how far (and how accurately) it fires.
Medium
Egg Drop Challenge
Engineer a case that keeps an egg intact after a serious fall.
Easy
Paper Plane Challenge
Make a glider and challenge each other to see which one flies furthest.
Colorful Chemistry & Messy Fun
Warning: these get messy. That's the point.
Easy
Create a Melting Crayon Artwork
Melt and reshape old crayons into colorful new art creations.
Medium
Make Instant Snow in Summer
Watch a scoop of powder poof into a handful of "snow" in the middle of the summer heat.
Medium
Have an Ooey-Gooey Slime Party
Mix up a stretchy, gooey batch and explore why it behaves like both a liquid and a solid.
RELATED ARTICLES
Looking for more ways to keep the kids engaged this summer? Check out these reads:
Summer Solstice Science Lessons & DIY Activities (K-8)
Did you know that you can build a rocket with a balloon, straw, some yarn, and two chairs? Read on…
World Cup Soccer Science Lessons & DIY Activities (K-8)
The World Cup is on, which means your learning space is tournament chaos. Before the penalty kicks take over, here’s…
How to Make an Unpoppable Bubble DIY Activity
State testing is the only time of year when the hallways are quiet. Your students are tired of bubbles, you’re…
GENERATION GENIUS
