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STEAM Activities for Preschoolers

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You are here: Home / The Ultimate Guide to Science Activities for Preschoolers

The Ultimate Guide to Science Activities for Preschoolers

How to Create a Meaningful Science Activity in 5 Steps

Preschoolers are naturally curious. They want to know how things work and why things happen. Science activities allow opportunities for preschoolers to explore, discover how things work and ask questions!

Our 5 step system will show you how to take your student’s questions and create a meaningful science experience that connects with your students.

On average, preschool children ask about 100 questions a day (or more if you are like my four-year-old) but by middle school children have stopped asking questions. Why do middle school age kids lose interest and become less engage?

How can we encourage young children to ask good questions and be curious?

Science Activities for Preschoolers Quote

Dr. Rabi won the Nobel Prize in 1944 for his work in physics. He was once asked, ”Why did you become a scientist, rather than a doctor or lawyer or businessman, like the other immigrant kids in your neighborhood?” His answer:

”My mother made me a scientist without ever intending it. Every other Jewish mother in Brooklyn would ask her child after school: ‘So? Did you learn anything today?’ But not my mother. She always asked me a different question. ‘Izzy,’ she would say, ‘did you ask a good question today?’ That difference – asking good questions -made me become a scientist!’

This answer has always stuck with me.

Everything You Need to Know About Science Activities for Preschoolers

Why is preschool science important?

The goal of science activities at the preschool age is not to memorize facts but rather how to gain knowledge through observations, experimentation, and play!

Science is about connecting children’s senses to the world around them. As educators, we must spark this curiosity and sense of wonder especially when they are young so they continue to ask questions as they grow older.

One easy way to foster a sense of wonder and incorporate the five senses is through open sensory play.

>>> Step 1: Explore and Play with Sensory Activities for Preschoolers

Preschool Science Sensory Bin

Sensory activities for preschoolers is essential to child development.   

Sensory play stimulates the senses allowing the brain to learn through play. Sensory activities have been described as “food for the brain”.  You can read more about the importance of sensory play here. 

An easy way to integrate sensory play into your classroom is with discovery tubs or sensory bins/tables.

They are easy to set up and encourage hands-on play.  As your children are exploring the sensory table or discovery tub observe their questions and play and use that to connect their interests to additional science activities and experiments.

Preschool Dinosaur Science Bin

Take your preschool learning theme and brainstorm ways you can create a sensory experience that relates to your theme. Check out the links below to help get started.

Dinosaur Discovery Tub

Garden Discovery Tub

Alphabet Magnetic Tub

Alphabet Construction Tub

How to Build a Sensory Table from Pink Oatmeal


Sensory Bottles

A sensory bottle is another easy way to integrate sensory activities into the curriculum. A sensory bottle is a clear sealed container that is filled with a variety of liquids or objects to encourage observation and inquiry.

Preschool Science Color Sensory Bottles

Glow in the Dark

Colored Light

Nature Bottle from Little Bins for Little Hands

Magnetic Field Bottle from Left Brain Craft Brain

Water Cycle Bottle from Little Bins for Little Hands

Color Mixing Bottle from Preschool Inspirations


>>> Step 2: Observe and Listen

While the children are exploring the sensory activities you have set up, observe and listen to the children. What questions are they asking? What are they interested in learning more about?

i wonder prompt

Make a note of the questions they ask. Use these observations to plan a related science activity to stretch and grow their learning while connecting to their interests.


>>> Step 3: Plan a Science Activity to Scaffold Student Learning

How do you choose the perfect science activity?

Consider what your students’ interests are and plan to extend their learning with a balance of activities from the different sciences such as physical science, earth science, and life science.

Provide a range of activities related to matter and energy, earth and the universe along with the study of living things.

To help get you started click on the links below to see full step by step tutorials on a variety of science activities.

Science Activities for Preschoolers

Physical Science Activities

Physical Science is exploring natural forces and the basic elements. Try pendulum painting to visibly show the forces of motion or play with the force of magnets with a Superhero challenge. Explore sound by creating your own DIY instruments. Click the links below for more physical science activities.

Pendulum Painting Preschool Science

Pendulum Painting Made Easy

Magnetic Play

Alphabet Magnetic Rescue

Superhero Magnetic Push 

Magnetic Painting with the Alphabet

Sound 

Exploring Sound with DIY Instruments

Color Mixing

Preschool Science with Color Mixing

Color mixing with Play Dough

Coffee Filter Color Wheel

Shadow Play

Preschool Science Shadows

Grow a Shadow Heart

Superhero Shadow Signals

Water Play

Evaporation Art with Puddles

DIY Water Wall Engineering


Earth Science Activities

Earth Science includes the properties of the earth, ocean, and universe. Observe the environment around you by collecting and studying rocks.  Observe weather patterns and changes of the seasons. Learn about space and our solar system through hands-on play and exploration!

Preschool Science Rocks!

Why does Saturn Have Rings?

Science Rocks! 

Windy STEAM Activity

Digital Art with Clouds

6 Must Try Weather Activities

Explore Spring with your 5 Senses

Design your own Rainforest


Life Science Activities

Life Science is the study of living things. Observe insects and other animals in the environment around you. Study the life cycle of plants and learn about your own body!

Preschool Science with Bugs

Build a Bug Play Dough Challenge

Create a Bug Habitat

Creative Preschool Learning with Bugs

All About Me Storytime STEAM

Create a Music Video to Learn the Parts of the Body


>>> STEP 4: Integrate Science with Preschool STEM Activities

Science activities for preschoolers should connect to their prior knowledge. Integrating between subjects is a great (and easy) way to connect your student’s learning. STEM or STEAM activities make it easy to integrate science into other disciplines.

Preschool STEM Science Activities

Our Favorite Preschool STEM Activities:

Play, Build, and Think with Preschool Engineering

Storytime STEAM with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Build a Rain Shelter | Preschool Engineering


>>> Step 5:  Share, Display, and Reflect

Allow time for your children to share their findings and results.  Draw pictures or create classroom collaborative display to show other students, teachers and parents.

Also, allow time for student reflection. This can be done in a whole group setting.

What did we learn?

What do you still wonder? 

art_intro1

Make sure to allow time for your reflection too.

How did the activity go?

What would you do differently next time?

What other activities connect their interest and will help stretch their thinking?

Taking the time to reflect after the science activity will help make it go smoother the next time.


So, how can we encourage young children to ask good questions and be curious? 

In your curriculum include a variety of science activities that encourage children to wonder, to be curious, to ask questions and learn through play!

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Hi, I'm Jamie a STEAM consultant with more than 12 years of experience.

My passion is to show how you can inspire and encourage your students’ creativity through hands-on learning and problem-solving. Read More…

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At Preschool STEAM we help educators create STEAM experiences that encourage children to be curious, to wonder, to be innovators and to learn through hands-on play.

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