Oct 05, 2023

Age-Appropriate STEAM Activities for Children

At KLA Schools, each of our classrooms features age-appropriate technology materials. Rather than separating STEAM activities into a standalone enrichment program, science, technology, engineering, art, and math are integrated into our curriculum and practiced in the child’s everyday school life.

Here are some examples of age-appropriate STEAM activities for children.

Investigate buoyancy, volume, and mass with everyday objects

This is just one example of an at-home science experiment that young children will enjoy. Pour some water in a large container, stopping at about halfway. Mark the water level on the container. Together with your child, add some small objects such as toy cars, pinecones, and pencils. As you add these objects and the water level rises, make observations with your child. What objects are heavier? Do some objects affect the water level quicker than others?

Encourage creativity and expression with art

Each KLA School features a bright and welcoming Atelier for children to explore and have fun. Materials like clay, paper, fabric, wire, light, beads, shells, leaves, and wood are available for children to investigate. You can bring this philosophy into your home by encouraging your child to create art with materials of their choice, whether indoors or outdoors. This is also an ideal activity for multiple children, as they can work together to complete a project or discover new ideas.

Build a catapult out of popsicle sticks and rubber bands

This activity is simple and inexpensive, but will help teach your child concepts of engineering design. It also has the possibility to incorporate math concepts as well. All you’ll need is a few simple supplies, and some small and soft materials to fire with the popsicle stick catapult. Help your child build the catapult, and then make predictions about which materials will be launched farthest and fastest.

Find out how to make a popsicle stick catapult here.

Practice math skills with beads and pipe cleaners

This hands-on math empowers children to practice counting and sorting, two critical skills in early math learning. In this activity, numbers are marked on each pipe cleaner, and your child is encouraged to attach the corresponding number of beads to each one. Start with a few pipe cleaners depending on your child’s age and counting skill, and build from there. You can also encourage your child to sort the beads by color as well as by number. Additionally, this activity helps build fine motor skills.

Learn more about this activity here.