The holiday season is upon us! Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or the New Year, you can find many options (many of them free) for elementary and middle schoolers to partake in over the winter break. Many of these holiday STEM activities can even be done with the whole family.

The following list is organized by age level. However do not feel that just because the activity is listed under Elementary (grades 1 - 5) that a middle schooler (or an adult for that matter) can not enjoy the activity as well and vice versa. Many of the activities can either be scaled up or down accordingly. Happy holidays!

You can also check out fun virtual winter break camps for kids to keep your child learning and growing this break. Not sure where to begin? Join our most popular award-winning live online beginner-friendly coding class, led live by an expert, and designed by professionals from Google, Stanford, and MIT, Scratch Ninja (grades 2-5):

Younger students will enjoy Scratch Junior, while older students can enroll in Advanced Scratch - the best way to get started!

Discover Free Winter Holiday Coding and STEM Activities

There are many holiday STEM activities that you can incorporate into your family holiday fun! The following are some of the activities that can be enjoyed with the whole family in mind. What a great way to create a new family tradition of December STEM activities.

1. Create your own digital card

How about getting the kids involved in sending out the Holiday cards this year. Sign them up to participate in this free event at Create & Learn where they will use Canva to learn the basics of design all while having fun creating their own digital Holiday card. Wow! What a special treat it will be for someone to receive their own custom Holiday card.

2. Fabricate a holiday light up card

Maybe you would rather send that special someone a homemade physical card instead. That is where Paper Circuits come to rescue. With minimal expense for items most likely not found around the house, the whole family can enjoy creating their own holiday themed paper circuit. Here are a few ideas for inspiration: Holiday Paper Circuits, Holiday Cards or a paper circuit Menorah.

3. Decorate the house with inexpensive Christmas trees

Sometimes it is nice to change up the holiday decor from years’ past. How about combining math with a splash of Christmas fun to create Sierpinski Fractal Christmas Trees. Sierpinski is a famous Polish mathematician who is known for his contribution to number theory, topology and much more. A fractal is a never ending pattern. Put them together and Voila! A decoration the whole family can enjoy making. Read through this tutorial for a guide on how to make them!

4. Toy take apart

Have a few old toys laying around the home? Are they just a bit too worn to donate? Why not take them apart and explore what is inside? A great way to learn how things work is to take them apart and possibly create new toys with the pieces you have. Adult supervision is highly recommended for this activity as well as basic safety measures. This activity really gets that engineering mind in full gear!

5. Create an advent calendar challenge

Count the days leading up to Christmas by having the family partake in a simple Christmas STEM activity each day. Or create a theme for each day leading up to your own special holiday (Take - apart Tuesdays or Tech Tuesdays, Fabricate Fridays, Sing-A-long Saturdays, etc). The most important thing is that everyone is learning by doing!

Try Winter Holiday STEM Activities for Elementary School

Check out some fun December STEM activities to keep elementary school students happy and engaged with learning.

6. Code a interactive story or holiday game

Scratch is a fun programming language that allows your child to create their own games, stories, and animations. There are endless ideas of what can be created using Scratch. Here are just a few ideas: Snowball fight: create a Holiday Themed story, or possibly make your own animated Holiday Card.

7. “Where’s Santa now?”, you ask

Google Labs has created a Santa Tracker website, filled with fun and interactive games and activities for the younger members of the family. You can choose from trying an Elf Dance Off where you match an elf’s dance moves by coding the correct sequence of moves or possibly using the Santa Tracker to see Santa’s current location and explore the world. Whichever you choose, there are plenty of activities for everyone throughout the holiday season.

8. Hoping for a white Christmas?

Brrr….it is getting a bit chilly out there. How about tracking the weather to help predict what the weather will be on that special day? Start by making your own thermometer and then record the weather. Make a table or use a spreadsheet to record the data gathered. As the holiday approaches, see who's prediction comes closest to the actual temperature.

9. Or possibly a green Christmas

Why not focus your activities this holiday season stressing the importance of sustainability by upcycling objects around the house. The value of upcycling is to see objects for more than what their main purpose is by expanding their functionality; repurposing materials will help kids to look at objects and situations from more than one lens. Here are just a few project ideas.

10. No, there is no such thing as too much slime!

It would not be a proper guide on at home STEM activities if it did not include making your own slime. This time we are making Snow Slime. Here is a quick guide, in case you need it, on how to make your own DIY Snow Slime.

Explore Winter STEM Activities for Middle School

Discover fun holiday STEM activities for middle school with snowmen, reindeer, and more, and make these part of your homeschool STEM curriculum.

11. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

The turtle module in Python is a great tool to learn about various concepts of programming while creating fun and engaging designs. For a holiday STEM activity, try coding this Snowflake Challenge. Or maybe make Fireworks to bring in the New Year!

12. Animate your very own 3D Snowman

Using Blender, your child can create their own 3D world. Blender is free, downloadable software that will help teach the basics of 3D animation from modeling to simulation to motion tracking. A fun activity using Blender includes creating an animation of a snowman. Once your child gets the hang of it, imagine what they can create!

13. Make a reindeer fly

This challenge involves engineering a simple Rube - Goldberg machine that makes a reindeer fly (or maybe Santa). A Rube-Goldberg machine is a chain - reaction type machine that typically has one task. The design and build processes will help develop critical thinking skills in your child. Here is one kid’s take on creating a Rube-Golderg machine to help get those juices flowing. So gather all those random items from around the house and let the design and building begin.

14. Code your own holiday song

Have a child who is musically inclined and interested in learning how to code? Have them create their own holiday song or possibly code their favorite holiday song (Twelve days of Christmas, anyone?) and share it with family and friends!

Here are a couple of options to choose from that let you explore programming fundamentals through art of composing music:

Sonic-Pi is free to download and has a simple interface that will have you making music from the first line of code. Either follow their tutorial provided to create your own music or use the following guide to code the Twelve days of Christmas.
Or how about learning how to use Python or Javascript to code your favorite holiday song. EarSketch is an educational programming platform from Georgia Tech University that teaches you to code through creating music or remixing music using either Javascript or Python. Earsketch also has a “Blocks mode’ interface for those who are not quite comfortable with text-based programming.

15. 25 days of code!

Have an experienced programmer in the family? How about putting their skills to the test.

The Advent of Code consists of small daily programming challenges. Using a programming language of their choice, they work to solve the given problem each day.

Don’t have an experienced programmer? Create your own 25 days of code. Spend a set amount of time each day coding in the language of their choice or challenge them to learn a new one. You can find some good math challenges that can be solved using computer programming at Project Euler. Peruse through not only the Recent problems but the Archives as well to find challenges that are an appropriate level but also and most importantly fun!

The beauty of either of these challenges is that they will help expand their problem solving and computational skills all while developing resiliency.

Discover Fun Free Winter Coding Activities

Here are a few winter coding activities to make the holidays bright!

1. Fun with Snap Circuits

They are in your phone, and they are in your car. They light up your house, and they run roller coasters. What are they? They're electronic circuits and they're everywhere! In this fun free online event, your child will learn the basics of electronic circuits using Snap Circuits. They will build several fun projects, while they learn what a circuit is, how circuits work, how to create one, and how to add more parts in a circuit to make sounds, light, and more!

2. Minecraft Escape Estate Event

Does your child love Minecraft? Learn and apply your coding power to escape Dr. Breakowski’s mysterious mansion by dawn in this free event. Solve puzzles using computational thinking to unlock secrets, open trap doors, and reveal hidden clues.

3. Code a Winter Snowball Game

Have some snowball fun in the virtual world! Join this holiday special one-hour coding adventure with no prior coding experience needed. Your child will meet our engaging teacher in a small class, and create a fun Winter Snowball Game using MIT's Scratch coding - one of the best programming languages for beginners. After the event, your child will be excited to share and play their own games with friends in the holidays!

Winter STEM Activities Resource Round-Up: Where to Find Supplies & Materials

Finding the right materials for STEM activities can be a challenge, especially during the busy holiday season. To make it easier, here's a list of resources where you can find affordable or easily accessible supplies:

  • Local Dollar Stores and Retailers: Many STEM materials, such as basic craft supplies, batteries, and small tools, can be found at dollar stores. These stores are great for inexpensive items like glue, tape, markers, and even some electronics. Dollar stores, craft stores like Michaels, and big-box retailers often have great deals on supplies. Don't forget to check the clearance section for discounted items that can be repurposed for your projects.
  • Online Retailers: Websites such as Amazon or Walmart often have bulk packs of materials like LED lights, copper tape, and other electronics kits. You can also find specialty items like Snap Circuits or STEM-focused kits.
  • Upcycling: Look around your home for items that can be repurposed. Old toys, packaging materials, and even broken electronics can be taken apart and used for new projects. This not only saves money but also teaches kids about sustainability. Pinterest is also a great source of inspiration for DIY STEM projects.
  • Community Resources: Libraries, community centers, and even some schools may offer free or low-cost supplies or STEM kits. Look out for local events where materials are provided for free or in exchange for a small donation.

Holiday STEM Activites on a Budget

STEM activities don’t have to be expensive. Here are some creative ways to make sure your child gets a full experience without the high cost:

  • Free Online Platforms: Websites such as Scratch, Code.org, and Create & Learn offer free coding lessons and projects that are perfect for kids of all ages. They can explore everything from basic programming to advanced game development without any cost.
  • Repurpose Household Items: Look around your home for items that can be upcycled into STEM materials. Empty paper towel rolls can become the framework for engineering projects, while old CDs and rubber bands can be turned into spinning tops. Even empty jars can be used for science experiments, such as growing crystals or observing plant growth.
  • Visit Local Libraries: Many libraries offer free access to STEM kits, coding robots, or even 3D printers. Check with your local branch to see if they have any resources or workshops that your child can participate in at little to no cost.
  • Make Use of Nature: Take advantage of what’s around you. Collect pinecones, leaves, and rocks during a nature walk, and then use them for activities like building structures or learning about physics. Snow itself can be a fantastic (and free) resource for experimenting with concepts like insulation and freezing points.

Quick Winter STEM Tips for Busy Parents

Balancing work, family, and holiday preparations can be overwhelming, but these quick tips can help you incorporate STEM activities into your routine without adding stress:

  • Integrate STEM Into Daily Tasks: Turn daily chores into mini STEM lessons. For example, involve your child in cooking by letting them measure ingredients (teaching math) or mix baking soda and vinegar to explore chemical reactions. Even decorating for the holidays can include engineering by challenging them to create the sturdiest gingerbread house.
  • Use Screen Time Wisely: If your child is going to have some screen time, make it productive by encouraging them to try out coding games, educational apps, or virtual STEM events. This turns screen time into learning time, keeping them engaged without extra effort on your part.
  • Set a Schedule: Block out specific times during the week for family STEM activities. By setting a regular schedule, it becomes part of your routine, reducing the need for daily planning.

Enjoy Easy and Fun Winter Holiday STEM Activities

No matter what activity or activities the family partakes in, let the creativity and wonder flourish. Now is the time to help develop the kids’ curiosity and passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. And above all else, have fun! Up next, check out the best online STEM classes for kids including our award-winning free, beginner-friendly Minecraft Redstone engineering class.

Written by Laurel Bleich, a Create & Learn instructor. Laurel attended Indiana University where she received a BS in Mathematics and a BA in Computer Science. She worked for almost a decade in the IT industry at which time she transitioned to the field of education. After receiving her MEd (and later her EdS) in Mathematics Education from the University of Georgia, she worked at The Westminster Schools as a mathematics teacher and the STEAM curriculum coordinator responsible for facilitating the Innovation Lab. She relentlessly champions for all kids to learn how to code and learn by doing.