10 Winter STEM Activities for Kids

Winter invites us to slow down. The light is softer. The days are quieter. Learning often happens in small, ordinary moments — at the kitchen table, near a cold window, or while snow falls outside.

This is where winter STEM shines.

Not loud. Not complicated. Just thoughtful activities that help children notice how the world works, using materials you likely already have at home.

Before we begin, if you’d like even more winter science already planned for you, my Winter Unit Study Bundle includes five complete studies in one: hibernation, Arctic animals and culture, penguin species, snowflakes, and gentle snowman activities for little learners. It’s designed to meet you where you are — even on the busiest winter days.

Now let’s dive in.

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1. Snowstorm in a Jar

Fill a clear jar with water and gently pour oil on top. Add a few drops of white paint or glitter and swirl slowly.

Oil floats because it is less dense than water. Its molecules are arranged in a way that makes it lighter for its size. The paint sinks because it is heavier, drifting downward much like snowflakes falling through winter clouds. This simple activity gives children a visual understanding of density.

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2. Ice Rescue Engineering Challenge

Freeze small toys or natural objects inside a block of ice. Set out salt, warm water, and simple tools such as a spoon or dropper.

Salt lowers the freezing point of ice, which is why it’s used on icy roads in winter. Warm water transfers heat into the ice, causing it to melt faster. As children test different methods, they practice problem-solving and engineering thinking through observation and experimentation.

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3. Snowflake Geometry

Cut paper snowflakes or observe real snowflakes on dark paper if you have fresh snowfall.

Snowflakes always form with six sides because of the way water molecules freeze together. Even though they share the same basic structure, tiny changes in temperature and moisture cause each snowflake to grow differently. Snowflakes are a beautiful example of symmetry and variation working together.

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4. Arctic Animal Insulation Test

Wrap jars of warm water in different materials such as cotton, wool, foil, or paper towels. Place them near a cold window or outdoors and check the temperature over time.

Insulation works by trapping heat and slowing how quickly it escapes. Arctic animals rely on thick fur, feathers, or layers of blubber to survive freezing temperatures. This activity mirrors the same principle in a hands-on way children can feel and observe.

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5. Build a Snowman Catapult

Gather simple materials such as a plastic spoon, craft sticks, rubber bands, or even a ruler and a small block. Stack two or three craft sticks together to form a base, then slide another stick or spoon between them and secure everything with rubber bands so the top piece can bend and spring back.

Place a cotton ball in the spoon and press down gently, then release.

As the catapult launches, stored energy is transferred into motion. Pressing down harder increases the force, while changing the angle of the spoon affects how far the snowball travels. Try launching from different heights or distances and compare results. This playful build introduces engineering, force, and motion in a natural way.

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6. The Melting Race

Freeze ice cubes of the same size and place them in different locations — in sunlight, in shade, near a window, or wrapped in cloth.

Ice melts when it absorbs heat energy. Even small differences in temperature can change how quickly melting occurs. Dark surfaces absorb more heat than light ones, and sunlight can warm objects even on cold winter days.

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7. Penguin Waddle Math

Create a short path and measure how far your child travels using waddling steps compared to normal walking.

Penguins waddle because their bodies are designed for swimming rather than walking. Short, side-to-side steps help them stay balanced and conserve energy on slippery ice. Measuring movement turns this playful activity into applied math and biology combined.

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8. Snow Structure Engineering

Build structures using marshmallows, cotton balls, or craft sticks. Test how much weight they can hold.

Snow can be packed tightly, making it stronger than it appears. Structures like igloos work because their curved shape spreads pressure evenly, increasing strength and stability. Shape matters just as much as material in engineering.

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9. Winter Weather Tracking

Create a simple chart to track daily weather conditions such as temperature, snowfall, cloud cover, and wind.

Weather changes from day to day, but patterns appear over time. Recording observations helps children understand how scientists collect data and identify trends. This steady practice builds attention, consistency, and scientific thinking.

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10. Hibernation Energy Study

Choose an animal that hibernates, such as a bear, groundhog, or chipmunk. Talk about what that animal eats in the fall and why it needs extra food before winter arrives.

Have your child draw the animal and add “energy stores” using crayons, clay, or small paper cutouts to represent fat stored in the body. You can also model this by stacking small foods, such as crackers or dried fruit, to show how energy builds up over time.

During hibernation, the animal’s heart rate, breathing, and body temperature slow down significantly, allowing it to survive on stored energy when food is scarce. This activity helps children visualize an invisible process and understand how animals prepare for winter.

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More Winter Learning to Explore

These winter STEM activities are a wonderful way to bring hands-on science into your homeschool without heavy preparation.

For even more winter learning fun and seasonal activities, be sure to check out the Winter Unit Study Bundle. It includes five coordinated winter studies focused on hibernation, Arctic animals and culture, penguin species, snowflakes, and gentle snowman activities for younger learners.

It’s a simple way to keep winter learning meaningful and engaging throughout the season.