Spring break is the perfect time to spark curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning! These fun and engaging STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities will keep kids busy while boosting their skills—and they won’t even realize they’re learning.
Grab your supplies, roll up your sleeves, and get ready for some spring break STEAM magic!
1. Build a Balloon-Powered Car
Race into action with this high-energy engineering challenge! Kids can design their own balloon-powered cars and compete to see whose goes the farthest.
You’ll need:
- Balloons (multiple sizes for experimenting)
- Plastic straws
- Bottle caps (for wheels)
- Wooden skewers or dowels
- Tape and glue
- Scissors
- Cardboard or a lightweight plastic base
Helpful tips:
- Design different car shapes to see which one moves fastest.
- Try adjusting the balloon size or adding extra wheels—what makes the biggest difference?
2. Create a DIY Rain Cloud in a Jar
Bring the weather indoors with this colorful, science-packed experiment that shows how clouds release rain!
You’ll need:
- A clear jar or cup
- Shaving cream
- Water
- Food coloring (blue works best!)
- A dropper or small spoon
Helpful tips:
- Add a layer of shaving cream “clouds” on top of the water.
- Slowly drizzle food coloring over the clouds and watch the “rain” fall through.
- Experiment with different cloud thicknesses—does a heavier cloud make it rain faster?
3. Design a LEGO Marble Maze
Get creative with LEGO bricks and build a tricky maze for a marble to navigate. The twists, turns, and dead-ends are all up to your imagination!
You’ll need:
- LEGO bricks (variety of sizes and colors)
- A baseplate (recommended for stability)
- Marbles
Helpful tips:
- Design ramps, tunnels, and obstacles to make your maze more challenging.
- Compete to see who can guide their marble through the maze the fastest!
4. Craft a Nature-Inspired Mandala
Turn a backyard nature walk into an artistic adventure by creating a beautiful outdoor mandala using natural materials.
You’ll need:
- Leaves, flowers, twigs, stones, pinecones, etc.
- A flat surface like pavement, grass, or cardboard
Helpful tips:
- Arrange materials in patterns that radiate outward like a sun.
- Challenge kids to make symmetrical designs or add color patterns for an extra creative twist.
5. Launch a Paper Rocket
Blast off with this thrilling engineering experiment! Kids can test different designs to see which rocket flies the farthest.
You’ll need:
- Paper (try cardstock for sturdier rockets)
- Straws (wide ones work best)
- Tape
- Scissors
- Markers or stickers for decorating
Helpful tips:
- Design and roll your paper into a rocket shape, sealing one end.
- Slide the rocket onto a straw, blow hard, and watch it soar!
- Try adjusting the rocket’s wings or weight to see what affects flight distance.
6. Make a DIY Lava Lamp
This mesmerizing project combines science with sensory fun—and it’s oh-so-cool to watch!
You’ll need:
- A clear jar or bottle
- Vegetable oil
- Water
- Food coloring
- Alka-Seltzer tablets (or any effervescent tablet)
Helpful tips:
- Fill the jar with oil and water (about 3:1 ratio).
- Add food coloring and drop in a fizzy tablet—watch the bubbles dance!
- Try using different colors to create a dazzling lava lamp show.
7. Engineer a Bridge with Craft Sticks
Put your engineering skills to the test! Can you build a bridge that holds weight using just popsicle sticks and glue?
You’ll need:
- Popsicle sticks (or wooden craft sticks)
- Glue or a hot glue gun (with adult supervision)
- Tape
- Small weights (coins, toy cars, etc.)
Helpful tips:
- Design different bridge shapes—triangle supports, beam structures, or suspension designs.
- Test your bridge by slowly adding weight. Which design is strongest?
8. Paint with Salt and Watercolors
Get artsy with this magical painting project that combines art and science!
You’ll need:
- Watercolor paper
- Watercolor paints
- Paintbrushes
- Table salt
- Water
Helpful tips:
- Paint your design with watercolors, then sprinkle salt on the wet paint.
- Watch the salt crystals create beautiful patterns as they absorb the color.
- Let it dry, then gently brush off the excess salt for a stunning textured effect.
9. Code a Simple Game
Coding can be creative too! Platforms like Scratch allow kids to design fun, interactive games with easy drag-and-drop coding blocks.
You’ll need:
- A computer or tablet
- Access to Scratch (free and kid-friendly)
Helpful tips:
- Start simple—like creating a maze game or animated character.
- Add sound effects, score counters, or tricky obstacles to make it even cooler!
10. Start a Seedling Garden
Welcome spring by planting seeds and watching them grow! This hands-on biology activity is perfect for teaching patience and responsibility.
You’ll need:
- Seeds (flowers, herbs, or veggies)
- Small pots or recycled containers (egg cartons work great!)
- Potting soil
- Watering can or spray bottle
Helpful tips:
- Decorate your pots to add some personality.
- Track plant growth in a journal and observe how light, water, and soil affect their progress.
Bonus: Turn spring break into a STEAM adventure!
Encourage kids to document their discoveries in a Spring Break STEAM Journal:
- Draw sketches of their design
- Write about what worked (and what didn’t)
- Record fun facts they learned along the way
The fun doesn’t stop with spring!
Brains & Motion summer camps are packed with even more hands-on STEAM adventures, creative challenges, and active play. From building robots and designing games to exploring arts and playing team sports, our camps give kids endless opportunities to explore, create, and grow.