Outdoor play isn’t just a way to burn off energy, it’s also an opportunity to inspire critical thinking and creative learning. In this post, we’ll explore how families and caregivers can support early STEM skills with hands-on, summer-themed activities that blend sunshine and science.

Why Summer is the Perfect Season for STEM

Summer break often brings concerns about “learning loss,” but it also presents rich opportunities for discovery. With more time outdoors, children are naturally curious about their environment, making it an ideal setting for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) exploration.

At ABC Child Development Centers in Greeley, we encourage STEM-based after-school activities that promote curiosity, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving. And during summer, those principles come alive in fresh, exciting ways.

How STEM Builds Essential Skills

According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), STEM education in early childhood helps children develop:

• Observation and inquiry skills
• Collaborative problem-solving
• Creative thinking and perseverance
• Early numeracy and spatial awareness

The best part? STEM doesn’t require high-tech tools. With a little imagination, natural materials and everyday objects can transform a backyard into a learning lab.

Summer STEM Activity Ideas for School-Age Kids

Here are a few educator-approved activities that bring STEM to life outside:

1. Water Balloon Physics

• What you’ll need: Balloons, water, measuring tape, notebook, stopwatch.
• Activity: Launch water balloons from different heights or angles. Measure distance and splash size. Ask children: What happens when we change the launch angle?
• STEM Concepts: Physics, measurement, prediction, cause-and-effect.

2. Backyard Bug Hunt

• What you’ll need: Magnifying glass, bug journal, markers.
• Activity: Explore a local park or yard to identify insects. Have children draw or record findings.
• STEM Concepts: Biology, classification, observation, documentation.

3. Build a Solar Oven

• What you’ll need: Pizza box, foil, plastic wrap, black paper, marshmallows.
• Activity: Build a simple oven to make s’mores using the sun’s energy.
• STEM Concepts: Renewable energy, engineering, thermal science.

4. DIY Rain Gauge

• What you’ll need: Clear bottle, ruler, permanent marker.
• Activity: Track summer rain by marking water levels daily.
• STEM Concepts: Meteorology, data collection, charting.

5. Nature Math Scavenger Hunt

• What you’ll need: Printable checklist (e.g., 5 round rocks, 4 flowers), pencil.
• Activity: Hunt for items and count or sort by attributes like color or size.
• STEM Concepts: Counting, patterns, sorting, categorization.

At a Glance: What Makes STEM Learning Effective

Hands-on: Kids engage more deeply when they manipulate objects.
Open-ended: There’s no “right” answer; just exploration and discovery.
Real-world: Children see how science and math apply to everyday life.

Whether your child is building a paper airplane or experimenting with shadows, they’re practicing the core skills that lay the foundation for future learning.

Common Concern: Is STEM Too Advanced for Younger Kids?

Not at all! According to the STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education Center, even preschoolers can build foundational STEM skills through inquiry-based learning. The key is using age-appropriate materials and vocabulary, and allowing plenty of time for exploration.

At ABC, our school-age programs align with best practices to support developmentally appropriate learning that’s both engaging and fun.

How Parents Can Support Summer STEM at Home

You don’t have to be a scientist to encourage STEM at home. Try these simple strategies:

• Ask open-ended questions: “What do you think will happen if…?”
• Encourage curiosity: Celebrate questions and mistakes.
• Let them get messy: Mud, water, and sand are all learning tools.
• Join in: Show your own excitement about the process.

By modeling a love of discovery, you inspire your child to embrace challenges and think critically, skills that benefit them well beyond summer.

In Summary: Make This Summer Count

STEM-based after-school activities in Greeley don’t stop when school ends; they evolve into outdoor adventures that keep minds active and hearts engaged. At ABC Child Development Centers, we’re proud to provide safe, educational summer programs where children explore, build, and grow through play.

If you’re looking for a program that balances learning and fun, our summer camp in Greeley is enrolling now. From outdoor experiments to team-based challenges, our teachers bring the magic of STEM to life all summer long.

Contact us today to learn more or view our FAQ page to see how our summer programs support your child’s continued development.

Let’s make this a summer of science, sunshine, and smiles!