Introducing children to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) from an early age fosters critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The best part? You don’t need fancy equipment or a professional lab to spark your child’s interest in these fields. With a few household items and a bit of imagination, parents and kids can embark on fun learning adventures right at home.

Here are a few simple STEAM activities that families can do together to inspire curiosity and creativity.

Build a Balloon-Powered Car 

Turn recycling into a fun engineering project by designing and building a car powered by a balloon.

What You’ll Need:

• Small cardboard box (or plastic bottle)
• Four bottle caps (for wheels)
• Two straws (for axles)
• A balloon
• Tape
• Scissors

How It Works:

• Cut a rectangular piece from the cardboard box to make the base of the car or use the bottle.
• Attach the bottle caps to each end of the straws, then tape the straws to the underside of the car base to create your wheels and axles.
• Blow up the balloon, pinch the end, and tape it to the back of the car.
• Let go of the balloon, and watch the air propel the car forward!

What Kids Learn: This project introduces the basics of motion and force as kids learn how air from the balloon pushes the car forward.

DIY Lava Lamp 

Bring a little bit of colorful chemistry into your home by creating a DIY lava lamp that combines art with science.

What You’ll Need:

• Clear bottle or jar
• Water
• Vegetable oil
• Food coloring
• Alka-Seltzer tablets

How It Works:

• Fill the bottle about two-thirds full with vegetable oil and the remaining third with water.
• Add several drops of food coloring.
• Break an Alka-Seltzer tablet into smaller pieces, then drop them into the bottle.
• Watch as bubbles rise and fall, creating a mesmerizing lava lamp effect!

What Kids Learn: This activity teaches kids about density (why oil floats on water) and chemical reactions (how the Alka-Seltzer creates gas bubbles).

Create an Art Bot 

Introduce your child to robotics and creative expression by building a simple robot that can draw.

What You’ll Need:

• Plastic cup
• Markers
• Tape
• Motor (from an old toy or small fan)
• Battery pack

How It Works:

• Tape the markers around the rim of the plastic cup so they act as legs.
• Attach the motor to the top of the cup, and connect it to the battery pack.
• Turn on the motor, place the “Art Bot” on a piece of paper, and watch it create abstract drawings!

What Kids Learn: This project gives kids hands-on experience with basic engineering and robotics while allowing them to explore their artistic side.

Exploding Colors in Milk 

A colorful experiment that teaches kids about chemical reactions and surface tension.

What You’ll Need:

• Whole milk
• Shallow dish
• Food coloring
• Dish soap
• Cotton swabs

How It Works:

• Pour enough milk into the shallow dish to cover the bottom.
• Add a few drops of different colored food coloring to the milk.
• Dip a cotton swab into the dish soap and touch it to the surface of the milk. Watch the colors explode and swirl!

What Kids Learn: This activity teaches kids about surface tension and how soap breaks it, allowing the colors to spread.

Make a Rain Cloud in a Jar 

This weather experiment helps kids visualize how clouds hold water and why rain falls.

What You’ll Need:

• Clear jar
• Shaving cream
• Water
• Food coloring

How It Works:

• Fill the jar with water, leaving an inch of space at the top.
• Spray shaving cream on the surface to represent the cloud.
• Drop food coloring on top of the shaving cream, and watch as it sinks through the “cloud” and “rains” into the water below.

What Kids Learn: This activity explains how clouds form and release rain when they become too heavy.

Our after-school programs and summer camps are designed to incorporate hands-on STEAM experiences, allowing children to explore subjects like science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in fun and engaging ways. 

Join us to inspire the next generation of thinkers, creators, and innovators! https://www.kidsinthegame.com/ 

After-school programs have become an essential part of the educational experience for many students, offering more than just a place to stay until their parents/guardians finish getting through their day. These programs provide structured environments where children can continue to learn, grow, and thrive outside of the traditional classroom setting. At Kids in the Game, our after-school programs are designed not only to keep kids engaged but also to reinforce academic concepts, provide homework assistance, and instill a lifelong love for learning. Here’s how after-school programs can support academic success, with a closer look at what KING offers.

Reinforcing Classroom Learning

One of the key ways after-school programs support academic success is by reinforcing what students learn during the school day. After-school activities allow children to apply and expand on what they’ve learned in a more relaxed and interactive environment. For instance, KING’s comprehensive after-school programs incorporate activities like STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) projects, where students can dive deeper into subjects like science and technology through hands-on experiments and creative exploration. By providing a space where children can engage with educational content in different formats, after-school programs help solidify their understanding and retention of classroom material.

Homework Assistance

Homework can be a source of stress for both students and their families, but after-school programs can ease this burden by offering dedicated time and support for completing assignments. The availability of homework assistance allows students to tackle challenging subjects with confidence, knowing they have the support they need to succeed. Moreover, by completing homework in a structured environment, students can enjoy more quality time with their families at home after the school day has ended.

Fostering a Love for Learning

After-school programs are uniquely positioned to foster a love for learning by making education fun and engaging. Through a variety of enrichment activities, children can explore new interests and develop skills that may not be covered during the regular school day. Kids in the Game’s enrichment classes range from Warrior Fitness and Coding to Hip Hop and Ultimate Sports, allowing students to discover and pursue their passions in a supportive environment. These activities not only broaden students’ horizons but also encourage them to see learning as an enjoyable and lifelong process. When children associate learning with fun, they are more likely to stay motivated and curious, which can lead to greater academic success in the long run.

Building Essential Life Skills

Beyond academic support, after-school programs play a crucial role in developing essential life skills that contribute to overall academic success. The programs emphasize mentorship and the teaching of valuable life lessons, such as teamwork, leadership, and time management. Through participation in group activities and sports, students learn how to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and manage their time efficiently—skills that are directly transferable to their academic pursuits. By cultivating these abilities in a structured and nurturing environment, after-school programs prepare students to face academic challenges with confidence and resilience.

Creating a Supportive Learning Environment

A positive and supportive learning environment is key to academic success, and this is a hallmark of our after-school programs. Our programs are designed to be inclusive and adaptable, catering to the diverse needs and interests of all students. Whether through all-encompassing full programs or specialized enrichment classes, we ensure that each child has the opportunity to thrive. By creating an atmosphere where students feel valued and supported, after-school programs help build self-confidence and encourage a growth mindset, both of which are critical for academic achievement.

At Kids in the Game, we are committed to helping students reach their full potential! Are you a school interested in outsourcing your after-school programming? Visit Kids in the Game After-School Programs and get in touch with us to learn more about how we can support your students’ academic success!