These STEM activities with household items are going to be great for anybody who loves STEAM activities for kids but doesn’t want to spend a ton of time (or money) shopping for materials.
We all know that STEM activities are a great way to keep kids entertained and engaged in learning, but sometimes it can be hard to find the right materials for specific projects.

Not to worry though – there are plenty of STEM activities that can be done with household items!
In this post, we’ll share some of our favorite ideas.
So get ready to get creative, and have some fun with your kids!
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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!
What Are The Advantages of STEM Activities?
STEM activities are a great way to get your kids interested in science, technology, engineering, and math. They are also a great way to teach kids about the world around them, all while developing critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills.
And the best part is, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to do them!
There are plenty of STEM activities that you can do with household items.
For example, you can measure the length of objects with a ruler or tape measure. You can also compare the weights of different objects by using a bathroom scale.
Try using a magnifying glass to examine leaves or different types of fabrics.

And if you want to get really creative, you can use household items to build simple machines, like a pulley or a lever.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun with STEM activities! With just a few household items, you can provide your kids with hours of education and entertainment.
Benefits Of Using Household Items For Your STEM Activities
Once you’ve learned what is a STEM activity, you know you want to include these projects in your home. The good news is there are so many ways household items can be used for STEM activities! And the benefits of using household items are that these types of activities are typically easy to set up and more affordable.
They can also be enjoyed anytime, anywhere!
Whether you’re at home, at the park, or on vacation, you can use household items to enjoy plenty of STEM projects and activities, thus providing your kids with endless opportunities for learning and fun!
Simple Household Items To Keep On Hand For STEM Projects
Are you wondering what is a good STEM project? Here are some examples of simple household items you can turn into STEM activities.
Most households already have these items on hand. If you don’t they are easy and affordable to stock up on.
- Toothpicks
- Popsicle sticks
- Small candies
- Marshmallows
- Printer paper
- Construction paper
- Toilet paper rolls
- Paper towel rolls
- Brads
- Paper cups
- Paper plates
- Rubber bands
- Clothespins
- Pipe cleaners
- Empty plastic bottles
- Egg cartons
- Recycled materials
- Cardboard boxes
- Tape
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers
- Crayons
- Paint
More Fun STEM Activities And Ideas
When you’re ready to branch out from STEM activities with household items, these other STEM activities and ideas should serve you well!
- Engineering Projects for Middle School Students
- STEM for Middle School
- Edible Science Experiments
- Frog Dissection Kit
- Bacteria Growing Kit
- Dragon STEM Activities
- Garden STEM Projects
- St. Patrick’s Day STEM Activities
- Valentines STEM Activities
- Slime Science Experiments
27+ STEM Activities Using Household Items
There are plenty of STEM activities using household items you can dive into and explore! Here are a few of our favorites.
Using simple recyclable materials, your kids can build their own homemade spectroscope and learn about light refraction.
Do you have some hydrogen peroxide, some yeast, and some dish soap lying around your kitchen? If so, you can make your own elephant toothpaste!
This STEM project takes about a week to complete but you can watch the results over time and learn something new every day! Requires sugar, water, and a growing medium (such as a skewer).
Ivory soap is a classic household item that has been used for generations. But what most people don't know is that Ivory soap can be used to create an amazing science experiment!
In this blog post, we will show you how to create an exploding Ivory soap experiment. This is a fun and easy way to learn about chemistry, and it's something the whole family can enjoy. S
o get ready to have some fun with Ivory soap!
Using only old kitchen scraps, see what kinds of plants will regrow!
Build a toothpick bridge or other structure while learning about physics and STEM!
Can your kids create their very own, customized cookie recipe? With this STEM activity, they'll learn how each ingredient reacts and what they should include for the ideal cookie recipe.
This open-ended STEM activity uses various foods you already have on hand. Experiment and create your own slime recipe!
The best part about a DIY composting bin is you only need materials you already have on hand! Create your bin, fill it up, and see what you can create!
If you have leftover jellybeans on hand after Easter (or you like them throughout the year) this STEM project is for you.
Feed the birds with materials you likely already have on hand! Learn about clues, nature, and birds.
Have you ever used paper towels in your STEM project? In this activity, paper towels are the main event.
At the end of this STEM activity, you'll have a delicious snack!
Learn about human anatomy and the spine using recycled household materials in this STEM activity.
Learn what objects float and why with this fun science experiment.
Optical illusions are fascinating! Learn more about them with this fun project.
Did you know you can make a compass? This article shows you how.
Experiment with physics and shapes in this household STEM project.
Kids love rockets! Make your own out of a straw with this STEM activity using household items.
Use recycled household materials to make a DIY bug box. When you're done, study nature, bugs, and science!
Make your very own greenhouse (and learn why they work!) with this fun STEM challenge.
This STEM activity involves water, aking it perfect for outdoor learning.
Do you have a dinosaur lover in your home? Make your own dinosaur fossil dig kit!
Learn about physical and chemical reactions while making a foaming rainbow.
Learn about the layers of soil with this delicious STEM activity.
This STEM activity uses physics and simple machines to create your very own spinner.
Why do some things absorb water and others don't? Find out why while making your own sponge water bombs.
Did you see an activity you liked? Give it a try!
When you’re done, share this collection of STEM activities using household items with your friends so they can enjoy some too.
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