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30 Christmas Science Experiments & STEM Activities

Inspire some holiday learning with these awesome Christmas science experiments & STEM activities!

Christmas is my favorite time of year!  Time to relax with family, enjoy some Christmas games & even squeeze in some holiday learning too. We love adding a twist to traditional science activities — like this easy Holiday Sink and Float experiment!

Today we have a great list of Christmas-themed science experiments & STEM activities that are perfect for some holiday learning at home or in the classroom. 

 

Christmas science experiments and STEM activities for preschoolers, big kids, tweens and teens!

30 Christmas Science Experiments & STEM Activities

For kids from preschool through middle school, this list has something for all ages with these holiday-themed science experiments & Christmas STEM activities.

There are so many beautiful materials and great opportunities to incorporate an easy science experiment or STEM activity at this time of the year! Use holiday materials such as ribbon, wrapping paper, jingle bells and all things red and green to encourage young minds to explore the worlds of science, engineering, and math. 

These are perfect activities to add to your Advent Countdown or use as part of the 12 Days of Christmas Activities to keep the kids busy & thinking over winter break.

In addition to the awesome experiments, we’re also including affiliate links to some of our favorite science resources too (psst… they make great hoiday gifts & stocking stuffer ideas! 😉

 

         

If you have kids who love experimenting, here are a few outstanding books that would be perfect to put under the tree this year!

Science! (Knowledge Encyclopeidias) is an awesome resource for kids!

The Curious Kid’s Science Book: 100+ Creative Hands-On Activities for Ages 4-8 has some easy yet intriguing experiments for younger kids.

STEAM Kids: 50+ Science / Technology / Engineering / Art / Math Hands-On Projects for Kids offers a wonderful variety of projects across the STEAM areas!

 

Christmas Science Experiments

Think chemistry, physics and more with these fun science experiments that are easy to set up and have a holiday theme!

Holiday Sink or Float Experiment {w/free printable} || Edventures with Kids

Can You Make Santa’s Sleigh Fly?!! science experiment {w/free printable} || Edventures with Kids

Science Experiment: Bend Your Candy Cane || Preschool Powol Packets

Create Your own Snow Kit!

Explore science & sensory with The Amazing Scents of Christmas Activity || Edventures with Kids

Grow your own crystal Christmas Tree

OR use this kit (and learn some plant biology) to grow your own LIVE Christmas tree!

Dancing Jingle Bells Christmas Science || Modern Preschool

Try a holiday STEAM project: Melted Crayon Christmas Tree || Edventures with Kids

Dripping Goo Fine Motor Activity || Parenting From The Heart

Bath Bomb Christmas Ornaments with Surprise Inside || Adventure in a Box

Preschool Christmas STEM Experiments with Play Dough || Schooling A Monkey

And explore the states of water with this Winter Ice Wreath project || Edventures with Kids

 

Christmas STEM Activities

Just in case you’re not familiar with the term, STEM refers to activities that involve a combination of science, technology, engineering and math.  Some also like to call them STEAM activities – the A representing Art (which we’ve also incorporated into out list.

Below you’ll find some awesome Christmas-themed STEM projects and challenges that are fun to try at home or in the classroom with preschool, elementary and middle school ages!

 

Christmas science experiments for preschool, elementary and middle school kids

Holiday Online & Tech Learning Activities

Online learning ideas and technology activities with a Christmas theme!

14 Online Christmas Games & Activities || Edventures with Kids

25 Free Online Holiday Books for Kids || Edventures with Kids

Circuit-Tree ~ A STEAM Powered Activity for the Holidays || STEAM Powered Family

DIY Light-Up Christmas Cards || Mama Smiles

 

Christmas Engineering Challenges

Holiday building is the best – create something while learning about engineering principles!

Engineering Challenge: Build a Gingerbread House || Edventures with Kids

Christmas Science with Magnatiles & Jingle Bells || And Next Comes L

Christmas Activity – Balancing Pom-Pom Tree || JDaniel’4’s Mom

Use holiday colors to build all types of cool stuff with the Gravity Maze Marble Run

Invitation to Build: Gumdrop Christmas Trees || Left Brain Craft Brain

Santa Chute Christmas STEM for Little Learners || Mrs. Jones’s Creation Station

Ice Ornaments || Red Ted Art

Jingle Bells Coupling Chain for Wooden Trains || Play Trains

Christmas Engineering Activity for Kids || Fun A Day

Christmas Egg Drop Project || Lemon Lime Adventures

 

Christmas themed Science experiments and STEAM activities

Christmas-y Math Activities

Counting, graphs, patterns and more!

Gingerbread Math Scavenger Hunt || Edventures with Kids

Holiday Graph Art (great classroom math activity!)

Christmas Tree Hundred Chart Art || Living Montessori Now

Christmas Lights Pony Bead Counting Sticks ||The Preschool Toolbox

Ornament Sorting || Busy Toddler

Symmetry Christmas Tree Art Project for Kids || Buggy and Buddy

and if you know a math lover, try The Math Inspector & the Case of the Christmas Caper story for a fun challenge!

 

More Christmas Activities:

40 Totally Useful Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers to Teens

Christmas Around the World Map Challenge (free printable!)

Christmas Charades & Pictionary Games {w/printable cards!}