20 Epic Halloween STEM Activities

What kids do: Build a “bone” bridge for length, strength, or capacity. Great for forces and structures.

• Non-Halloween angle: Skeletal system, bridges/transportation, forces.
• Materials: Cotton swabs + basic makerspace supplies.
• Time guide: 45–60+ min (it’s fine to stop early for reflection).

Notes: Students will take as much time to build, test, & share as you give them. Don’t be afraid to stop the build before they finish to discuss & reflect to that point.

🎃 Or save with the Halloween STEM 6-Pack.

What kids do: Design bat-wing paper planes for distance, accuracy, or trick shots.

• Non-Halloween angle: Bats & flight (pair with Stellaluna).
• Materials: Paper & scissors (tape optional).
• Time guide: 30–60 minutes.

Notes: Students will take as much time to build, test, & share as you give them. Don’t be afraid to stop the build before they finish to discuss & reflect to that point.

🎃 Or save with the Halloween STEM 6-Pack.

What kids do: Build a launcher to send candy for distance and/or accuracy.

• Non-Halloween angle: Generic “treat” delivery; focus on forces & projectiles.
• Materials: Craft sticks, rubber bands, spoons, tape, candies (or small objects).
• Time guide: 45–60+ min.

Notes: Students will take as much time to build, test, & share as you give them. Don’t be afraid to stop the build before they finish to discuss & reflect to that point.

🎃 Or save with the Halloween STEM 6-Pack.

What kids do: Build a device that “catches” as many creatures as possible.

• Non-Halloween angle: Skeletal system, bridges/transportation, forces.
• Materials: Pipe cleaners, string, tape, plastic spiders or tokens (stirrers/craft sticks optional).
• Time guide: 45–60+ min (it’s fine to stop early for reflection).

Notes: Students will take as much time to build, test, & share as you give them. Don’t be afraid to stop the build before they finish to discuss & reflect to that point.

🎃 Or save with the Halloween STEM 6-Pack.

What kids do: Design a ghost transporter to lift “ghosts” to a pulley.

• Non-Halloween angle: “Grapes in the Vineyard” / rescue lift simulation.
• Materials: Cotton balls/marshmallows, plates, string, pulleys, tape.
• Time guide: 45–60+ min (it’s fine to stop early for reflection).

Notes: Students will take as much time to build, test, & share as you give them. Don’t be afraid to stop the build before they finish to discuss & reflect to that point.

🎃 Or save with the Halloween STEM 6-Pack.

What kids do: Invent a never-before-seen creature to demonstrate adaptations, habitats, heredity, and more.

• Non-Halloween angle: Pure life science tie-ins; not seasonal.
• Materials: Newspaper & tape (minimum) up to full makerspace (see image bottom-left)
• Time guide: 60+ min (it’s fine to stop early for reflection).

Notes: Students will take as much time to build, test, & share as you give them. Don’t be afraid to stop the build before they finish to discuss & reflect to that point.

What kids do: Design a dish for Lou the monster’s spare eyeballs—safe, clean, and easy to find!

• Non-Halloween angle: Monster tie-ins with picture books; or generic “storage dish” challenge.
• Materials: Makerspace supplies; eyeball ping-pong balls (Dollar Tree) or any balls.
• Time guide: 45–60+ min (it’s fine to stop early for reflection).

Notes: Students will take as much time to build, test, & share as you give them. Don’t be afraid to stop the build before they finish to discuss & reflect to that point.

What kids do: Build a device to harvest a field of pumpkins efficiently.

• Non-Halloween angle: Fall harvest/automation engineering.
• Materials: Makerspace supplies; pumpkins can be paper balls/blocks.
• Time guide: 45–60+ min (it’s fine to stop early for reflection).

Notes: Students will take as much time to build, test, & share as you give them. Don’t be afraid to stop the build before they finish to discuss & reflect to that point.