If you like STEM activities, this collection of food STEM activities is going to serve you well!
Food and science. Two of my favorite things!
What better way to combine two of your favorite things – food and science – than by engaging in some food-themed STEM activities with your kids?
After all – who doesn’t love playing with their food?
From making edible geodes to diving into the science of cookies, we’ve got you covered with eleven fun and educational ideas that will keep everyone entertained.
Let’s get cooking! (Literally.)
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Food Science Projects and The Scientific Method
Food science is the study of food and food production using the scientific method.
Food science projects can involve anything from growing food to cooking food to testing food for safety.
Food science experiments often focus on things like the effect of temperature on food, or how different foods react with one another.
Why should you use food for learning? Due to the trial and error of cooking, using food is a great way to teach kids about the scientific method and other science concepts.
Plus, food is something that everyone enjoys! By doing food science projects, kids can learn about science while also having fun.
Scientific Method Worksheets – Free Download
Before you move on, we’ve got some free scientific method worksheets for you to download and enjoy. These printable worksheets are useful for any science experiment, science project, STEM challenge, or STEM projects your students might be engaging in.
Turn every science project and STEAM activity into a thought-provoking STEM challenge. Plus give left brain and right brain kiddos alike a chance to utilize their strengths and improve their weaknesses. Get yours now!
19+ Food STEM Activities You Can Use As Science Activities
Try these fun food STEM activities for your next science activity! These edible science experiments are tons of fun for kids of all ages.
Gingerbread Structures
Gingerbread structures can be enjoyed any time of year, but they are especially popular around Christmas making them the perfect holiday kid activities.
Homemade Old Fashioned Butter Churning
Butter churning is a great back to school activity or Thanksgiving activity.
DIY Edible Stained Glass
Include this DIY edible stained glass project with lesson plans about stained glass art culture and history.
Soda Mentos Rocket
Experiment with chemistry and physics with a soda mentos rocket! This is another fun STEM challenge older and younger kids will both love!
Gumdrop and Toothpick Bridges
Learn about architecture and physics with a gumdrop and toothpick bridge. Or use marshmallows instead for another fun engineering challenge!
Edible DNA Models
This project is ideal for middle school students who love to taste test their science lessons.
The Science of Cookies
This STEM project lets kiddos design their own recipes. Learn how each ingredient reacts in the recipe and why!
Be sure to use your free printable scientific method worksheets!
Fizzy Lemonade
Using baking soda and lemons, learn about chemical reactions in a fun and child-friendly way!
Fizz Wizard & Jammin' Jelly Kit
Bring chemistry alive with this fun food science kit.
Cheesemaking Kit - Mozzarella & Ricotta
Have you ever made homemade cheese before? Now you can with this simple kit!
Thames & Kosmos Candy Chemistry
Bring food STEM alive with candy chemistry.
Thames & Kosmos Rainbow Gummy Candy Lab
Your kids will love making their own homemade gummies.
Make Your Own Gum Kit
Nothing says food science quite like making your own chewing gum!
Make Your Own Chocolate Kit
Make your own homemade chocolate with this simple kit
Science in the Kitchen Kit
Everything you need to enjoy food science in the kitchen!
More Food STEAM Activities
There is no limit to the number of food STEM experiments you can enjoy in your homeschool.
While these ideas have not been linked, they should be easy enough to research and dive into.
More food STEAM activities that are worth exploring:
- Solar ovens
- Food coloring experiments
- Skittles rainbow in hot water (or use gummy bears instead) (great idea if you’re looking for Valentine’s STEM activities)
- Chromatography with food
- Fermentation projects
- Grow your own herbs or vegetables
- Make homemade cheese or yogurt
- Make homemade bread
- Brew your own root beer (great for middle school students)
- Make natural dyes from food scraps
- Extracting essential oils from fruit peels
- Oreo phases of the moon
- Layers of the earth cake (for Earth science!)
The possibilities are endless!
Have fun exploring the world of food and science with these food STEM activities. Your kids will be sure to have a blast (and maybe even learn something too). While you’re at it, you might also be interested in checking out our list of STEM garden activities for kids.
What are your favorite food science experiments? Share in the comments below!
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