Easy Winter STEM Activities Kids Will Love!

Winter is such an underrated season for hands-on learning. When kids are bundled up, stuck indoors more often, and full of questions about snow, ice, and cold weather, it’s the perfect time to lean into winter STEM activities. Science, technology, engineering, and math don’t need worksheets or complicated setups — they thrive when kids get to touch, test, observe, and talk about what’s happening.

These winter STEM activities are especially great for supporting early learning skills like observation, vocabulary development, and problem-solving. When kids describe what they see, explain what changed, or predict what might happen next, they’re building language and reasoning skills right alongside science concepts.

Each activity below includes materials and clear step-by-step instructions so you can confidently set it up at home, in a classroom, or even outside if weather allows.

Easy Winter STEM Activities for Kids

1. Blizzard in a Jar

Materials

• A clear jar or glass
• A spoon or craft stick
• A bowl to mix white paint and water
• White paint (for that snowy blizzard effect)
• Baby oil
• Alka-Seltzer tablets, broken into quarters

Instructions

In a bowl, mix a small amount of white paint with water until well combined. This will be your snowstorm mixture. Fill your jar about three-quarters full with baby oil. Then, slowly pour the paint-water mixture on top. Watch as it settles to the bottom, creating two distinct layers! Drop a quarter piece of Alka-Seltzer into the jar and watch the blizzard come to life! The tablet will sink to the bottom and start reacting, creating a mesmerizing blizzard effect. Add the tablets one at a time to keep the storm going!

2. Snowflake Slime

Materials

• 1 cup white school glue
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon contact lens solution
• Silver glitter or snowflake confetti

Instructions

Pour glue into a bowl and stir in baking soda. Add glitter and mix well. Slowly add contact lens solution while stirring until slime begins to pull away from the bowl. Knead with hands until smooth. Encourage kids to stretch, pull, and squish the slime while discussing texture and elasticity. Store in an airtight container.

3. Fizzy Snowman

Materials

• Baking soda
• Water
• Vinegar
• Food coloring
• Tray
• Eye droppers

Instructions

Mix baking soda with small amounts of water until it forms a moldable dough. Shape into snowmen directly on a tray. Mix vinegar with food coloring in small cups. Using droppers, drip vinegar onto the snowmen and observe the fizzing reaction. Rebuild and repeat as desired.

4. How to Make Frost

Materials

• Empty metal can (clean and dry)
• Ice cubes
• Rock salt or table salt
• Spoon

Instructions

Start by placing the metal can on a tray or in a sink to catch any dripping water. Fill the can about halfway with ice cubes. Sprinkle a generous amount of salt over the ice — this step is key and should not be skipped. Using a spoon, stir the ice and salt together for about one minute. As you stir, encourage kids to look closely at the outside of the can.

Within moments, frost will begin forming on the outside surface of the metal. Pause and observe together. Feel the can carefully with fingertips and notice how cold it becomes. Talk about how salt lowers the freezing point of ice, causing it to melt faster while pulling heat from the surrounding air. This heat transfer is what creates frost on the outside of the can. Repeat the experiment to see if more salt creates more frost.

5. Exploding Snowman

Materials

• Ziplock Bag
• Paper Towel
• Babking soda
• Vinegar
• Sharpie
• Blue food coloring

Instructions

Decorate outside of ziplock bag as a snowman. Place a tablespoon of baking soda inside the paper towel and fold it into a small package. Fill the bag with vinegar and place the paper towel packet into the bag and seal. Place on a tray. As the vinegar soaks the paper towel it will start the reaction and the bag with begin to expand and then explode.

6. Fake Snow

Materials

• Baking soda
• Shaving cream
• Large bowl or sensory bin
• Spoon or hands

Instructions

Pour baking soda into a large bowl or sensory bin. Slowly add shaving cream a little at a time, mixing as you go, until the texture looks fluffy and snow-like. The amount of shaving cream needed will vary, so encourage kids to observe and adjust. Once mixed, invite kids to squeeze, scoop, and shape the fake snow into snowballs, mounds, or simple sculptures.

As kids play, talk about texture and consistency. Ask questions like, “What happens if we add more baking soda?” or “Does it feel more like snow when it’s dry or wet?” This activity is great for sensory exploration while introducing the idea of mixtures and cause-and-effect.

7. Ice Fishing

Materials

• Small cup or bowl
• Glass of water
• String or yarn
• Popsicle stick
• Salt

Instructions

Fill the cup with ice cubes and water. The cubes will bob up and down in the water and then float on the top. Place one end of the string on top of the ice cube and sprinkle salt on the ice where the string is touching. Watch as the water melts slightly and refreezes. After about 20 seconds, carefully lift the ice cube out of the water with the string. You’ve caught an ice fish.

8. Coffee Filter Snowflakes

Materials

• White coffee filters
• Washable markers
• Spray bottle with water
• Tray
• Scissors
• Flat surface

Instructions

Start by flattening a coffee filter. Color with washable markers. Spray with water to spread out the color and allow them to dry. Then fold it in half, and then in half again (or more, depending on your child’s skill level). Demonstrate how small snips along the edges will change the final design. Let kids carefully cut shapes, curves, and triangles along the folded edges. Once unfolded, examine the snowflake together. Talk about symmetry and patterns — point out how shapes repeat on each side. This activity is an easy way to introduce early math and geometry concepts while strengthening fine motor skills.

9. Fizzy Penguins Sensory Bin

Materials

• Baking soda penguin shapes (made with molds or by hand)
• Vinegar
• Sensory bin or tray
• Eye droppers or small spoons
• Optional: blue food coloring

Instructions

Fill sensory bin with baking soda. Place penguins in baking soda. Mix vinegar with a few drops of blue food coloring for a wintery effect. Invite kids to use droppers or spoons to slowly pour vinegar over the penguins. Encourage them to watch closely as the fizzing starts. Ask questions like, “What part is fizzing first?” or “What happens if we add more vinegar?” This activity blends sensory play with basic chemistry and supports language development through observation and description.

10. Ice Painting

Materials

• Ice cube tray
• Liquid watercolors or food coloring
• Thick paper or cardstock
• Tray or baking sheet

Instructions

Fill a sensory bin with ice cubes. Invite kids to using paints or water colors to paint the ice.

11. Snowball Catapult

Materials

• Craft sticks
• Rubber bands
• Plastic spoon (optional)
• Snowballs, cotton balls, or pom poms
• Measuring tape or ruler

Instructions

Help kids build a simple catapult using stacked craft sticks secured with rubber bands. Add a spoon to the top if desired. Place a “snowball” in the launcher and experiment with pulling back different amounts before releasing. Encourage kids to predict how far the snowball will travel, then measure the distance. Repeat and compare results. This activity introduces engineering, force, and measurement in a hands-on, playful way.

12. Snowball Launcher (Balloon Launcher)

Materials

• Toilet Paper Roll
• Balloon
• Tape
• Snowballs, cotton balls, or pom poms

Instructions

Cut top off a balloon and tie the bottom into a knot. Stretch the balloon opening over one end of a toilet paper tube end and secure with tape. Drop a snowball into the other end of the roll, pull the balloon back, and release. Invite kids to experiment with how far the snowball travels based on how far they pull the balloon. Discuss tension, stored energy, and motion. This activity works well indoors and encourages trial-and-error learning.

13. Snow Ice Cream

Materials

• Clean, freshly fallen snow
• 1 cup milk or cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Large bowl
• Spoon

Instructions

Start by collecting fresh, clean snow from an untouched area, away from roads, pets, or foot traffic. Lightly pack the snow into a large bowl, but don’t compress it too much—this helps keep the texture light. Pour milk or cream over the snow, then add sugar and vanilla. Stir slowly until the mixture thickens into a soft, scoopable consistency.

14. Salt Crystal Snowflake

Materials

• Pipe cleaners
• Salt
• Hot water (adult help)
• Glass jar or cup
• Spoon
• String and pencil (optional)

Instructions

Bend pipe cleaners into snowflake shapes by twisting several pieces together and forming arms. In a separate jar, carefully pour hot water and stir in salt until no more dissolves—this creates a saturated solution. Suspend the pipe cleaner snowflake in the jar using string and a pencil, making sure it doesn’t touch the sides or bottom. Leave the jar undisturbed overnight. The next day, remove the snowflake and observe the crystal growth. Talk about evaporation and how salt leaves the water and attaches to the pipe cleaner as crystals. This activity is perfect for practicing patience and making predictions.

15. Frozen Bubbles

Materials

• Bubble solution
• Bubble wand
• Outdoor freezing temperatures

Instructions

On a very cold day, head outside with bubble solution and blow bubbles slowly. Encourage kids to watch closely as bubbles land and freeze, forming delicate patterns and textures. Some bubbles may crack or collapse, which is part of the learning process. Ask kids what they notice about the bubbles compared to warm-weather bubbles. Talk about temperature, freezing points, and how cold air changes the behavior of liquids. This activity is simple but powerful for visual observation and scientific discussion.

16. Maple Snow Candy

Materials

• Pure maple syrup
• Saucepan
• Clean packed snow
• Spoon

Instructions

Heat pure maple syrup in a saucepan until it reaches a gentle boil (adult step). Pack clean snow tightly into a shallow pan or bowl. Carefully drizzle the hot syrup over the snow in thin lines and watch as it instantly hardens. Discuss how temperature affects liquids and why the syrup changes so quickly when it touches the snow. Let kids observe, touch, and taste once cooled. This activity combines science, culture, and sensory learning in a hands-on way.

17. Snow Volcano

Materials

• Snow
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Food coloring
• Small container or scoop

Instructions

Build a mound of snow and create a small crater in the center. Add baking soda to the crater and mix in a few drops of food coloring. Slowly pour vinegar into the center and watch as the snow volcano erupts and bubbles over. Encourage kids to experiment with different amounts of vinegar and baking soda. Ask what happens when they pour slowly versus quickly. This classic chemical reaction is especially exciting outdoors in winter and reinforces cause-and-effect thinking.

18. Snowflake Salt Painting

Materials

• White paper or cardstock
• Glue
• Salt
• Watercolors or liquid watercolors
• Paintbrush or dropper

Instructions

Draw snowflake shapes on paper using glue. While the glue is still wet, sprinkle salt generously over the lines and shake off the excess. Dip a paintbrush into watercolor paint and lightly touch it to the salted glue lines. Watch as the color spreads through the salt. Talk about absorption and how the salt pulls the paint along the lines. This activity blends art and science and is great for building fine motor control and observation skills.