10 STEAM Projects for Kids Aged 5–8 Using Household Items

Pain Point:

Parents often struggle to provide young children with educational, engaging, and screen-free activities at home—especially when resources or budget are limited. Many STEM toys or subscription boxes can be expensive or hard to source. So how can families introduce quality STEAM learning without leaving the house or spending a fortune?

Theoretical Framework:

STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math—is an integrated educational approach that encourages inquiry, creativity, and problem-solving. For kids aged 5–8, hands-on learning using familiar items builds foundational skills through fun, low-pressure exploration. By using materials already in your home, you can turn your kitchen, living room, or backyard into a mini makerspace.

Step-by-Step Project Guide

1. Balloon-Powered Car (Engineering)

Materials: Balloon, straws, bottle caps, tape, cardboard

• Cut a cardboard base and attach four wheels made from bottle caps.
• Insert a straw to act as the exhaust pipe, then tape a balloon over the top.
• Inflate the balloon, place the car on a flat surface, and let it go! Skills: Motion, force, air pressure

2. Sink or Float Experiment (Science)

Materials: Large bowl of water, spoon, sponge, crayon, key, apple

• Have your child guess whether each item will sink or float.
• Test one item at a time and record results. Skills: Scientific method, prediction, density

3. Color Mixing with Ice Cubes (Art & Science)

Materials: Ice cube tray, food coloring, water

• Make colorful ice cubes by adding a few drops of food coloring to water.
• Freeze, then place two colors in a bowl and observe as they melt and mix. Skills: Color theory, states of matter

4. Paper Bridges (Engineering)

Materials: Paper, books, coins

• Challenge kids to build a bridge between two books using only paper.
• Test strength by adding coins until it collapses. Skills: Structural design, problem-solving

5. Shadow Puppets (Art & Physics)

Materials: Paper, scissors, flashlight, tape

• Cut out animals or shapes and attach to sticks.
• Use a flashlight in a dark room to cast shadows on a wall. Skills: Light and shadow, creativity

6. Homemade Slime (Chemistry)

Materials: White glue, baking soda, contact lens solution

• Mix 1/2 cup of glue with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
• Add 1 tablespoon of contact solution and stir until it forms slime. Skills: Chemical reactions, textures

7. Marshmallow Tower (Engineering & Math)

Materials: Marshmallows, spaghetti sticks

• Create the tallest free-standing tower possible.
• Discuss stability and geometric shapes. Skills: Geometry, structural balance

8. Nature Collage (Art & Observation)

Materials: Leaves, twigs, glue, cardboard

• Take a nature walk and collect items.
• Use them to create a themed art piece. Skills: Observation, fine motor skills

9. Ball Drop Timing (Math & Physics)

Materials: Stopwatch, small balls, measuring tape

• Drop balls from a set height and time how long they take to hit the ground.
• Compare times and discuss gravity. Skills: Measurement, gravity, time analysis

10. Recycled Instruments (Music & Physics)

Materials: Rice, cans, rubber bands, boxes

• Create shakers, drums, and string instruments using recycled materials.
• Explore sounds and rhythms. Skills: Sound waves, creativity, rhythm

Bonus Tips for Success:

• Supervise projects involving small parts or scissors.
• Encourage kids to ask questions and guess outcomes.
• Turn each experiment into a mini science journal entry.

Downloadable Resources

To extend learning, download our free PDF activity pack: ✅ Project Instructions ✅ Materials Checklist ✅ Printable Experiment Log ✅ Safety Tips for Parents

👉 Download the “10 STEAM Projects” PDF Kit

Final Thoughts

STEAM learning doesn’t have to involve pricey kits or complex tools. With just a few items from your home, you can unlock your child’s curiosity and turn everyday spaces into learning labs. These ten projects are designed to be open-ended and repeatable—so don’t worry if the results aren’t perfect. In STEAM learning, the journey matters more than the destination.

Encourage your kids to try variations, change materials, or invent their own ideas. The goal is to foster curiosity, independence, and creative thinking—skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

Share your creations with us!