15 Wonderful Winter STEM Activities

What kids do: Build the tallest snowman from paper — or switch it up to build for max volume or surface area. Feeling wild? Try an inverted snowman!

• Materials: Paper, tape & scissors
• Time guide: 30–60+ min (it’s fine to stop early for reflection).

Why I Love it: Super simple materials & I love the math connections (3D solids, measurement, surface area, volume, fractions, proportions), but you can also keep it simple and just build the tallest snowman!

❄️🎄 Or save with the Christmas & Winter STEM 5-Pack.

What kids do: Students draw random Christmas-themed object, material, and function cards — then dream up a design to match!

• Non-Christmas angle: Scroll down to check out the Winter version.
• Materials: Paper or Google Slides™
• Time guide: 10-30 min.

Why I Love It: No supplies, endless creativity. 336 possible combinations push imagination and critical thinking in equal measure.

Or save with the STEM Improv Mega Bundle.

What kids do: Just like the Christmas version, but with a winter theme — mittens, snowballs, sleds, and more!

• Materials: Paper or Google Slides™
• Time guide: 10–30 min.

Why I love it: Another no-materials activity that builds creativity and flexible thinking. Plus, the winter theme makes it perfect for November – January!

Or save with the STEM Improv Mega Bundle.

What kids do: Build a sled and slope that sends the sled the farthest distance — safely! (Or, design a Sleigh and Slope to help Santa get gifts to kids.)

• Materials: Cardboard • Paper • Tape • Small figures or bows plus anything on-hand.
• Time guide: 45–60+ min (it’s fine to stop early for reflection).
• Why I love it: Kids explore friction, potential & kinetic energy, force and motion 

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 reindeer antlers, then use them to transport and hand off Christmas decorations in a relay race!

• Materials: Craft Sticks • Pipe Cleaners, Tape or Rubber Bands • Decorations (or leaves / string for winter mod)
• Time guide: 45–60+ min (it’s fine to stop early for reflection).
• Why I love it: STEM + relay = pure joy. Easily adaptable to winter themes with “reindeer food” if you want to avoid Christmas references.

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 Christmas & Winter STEM 5-Pack.

What kids do: Design a package to safely mail two candy canes (or cookies) in one bag — no breakage allowed!

• Non-Christmas angle: Use cookies instead of candy canes.
• Materials: Makerspace supplies; Paper bag • Candy canes • Tape • Cushioning materials
• Time guide: 45–60+ min (it’s fine to stop early for reflection).
• Why I love it: It’s a real-world problem kids instantly understand. Great tie-in for packaging, shipping, and cost analysis.

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 Christmas & Winter STEM 5-Pack.

What kids do: Build a scoop for maximum snow (or rice!) capacity or fastest snow-clearing time.

• Materials: Straws • Paper • Rice (or crumpled paper) + basic makerspace supplies.
• Time guide: 45–60+ min (it’s fine to stop early for reflection).
• Why I love it: Amazing variety of designs and strong connections to measurement, volume, and simple machines.

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 Late Winter STEM 5-Pack.

What kids do: Design a tray to carry “snowy” 3D solids through a relay race.

• Materials: Cardboard • Paper • Pipe cleaners • 3D nets
• Time guide: 45–60+ min (it’s fine to stop early for reflection).
• Why I love it: It’s a math-rich, movement-filled challenge kids adore.

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 Late Winter STEM 5-Pack.

What kids do: Create the iciest tree possible using triangles and measurement to fill it with shimmering “icicles.”

• Materials: Paper • Ruler • Scissors • Tape + cardboard and/or paper cups
• Time guide: 45–60+ min (it’s fine to stop early for reflection).
• Why I love it: Makes geometry magical! The finished forest turns your classroom into a winter wonderland.

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 Late Winter STEM 5-Pack.

What kids do: Design two devices — one to slow melting, one to speed it up — using chocolate or ice.

• Materials: Chocolate • Foil • Cardboard • Plastic bags • basic makerspace supplies.
• Time guide: 45–60+ min (it’s fine to stop early for reflection).
• Why I love it: Great for exploring insulation, conduction, and heat transfer. Try again in summer for fun comparisons!

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 Summer STEM 5-Pack.

What kids do: Experiment with shadows, light angles, and accessories to create groundhog silhouettes — then turn them into graffiti art!

• Materials: Flashlight • Paper • Ruler • Protractor • Craft Sticks
• Time guide: 45–60+ min (it’s fine to stop early for reflection).
• Why I love it: Perfect bridge between winter and spring topics: weather, light, and art all in one.

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 Late Winter STEM 5-Pack.

What kids do: Design multi-functional furniture or furnish a tiny apartment.

• Black History & Women’s History: Inspired by Sarah E. Goode’s 1885 folding cabinet bed — a creative way to celebrate Black History Month or Women’s History Month.
• Materials: Shoebox • Craft sticks • Paper • Pipe cleaners + 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 Late Winter STEM 5-Pack.