Looking for quick, engaging ways to bring STEM into your K–2 classroom from day one? These 5 easy, low-prep STEM activities are perfect for the first week of school. They are fun, hands-on, and designed to spark curiosity in young learners.
I remember my very first week teaching Kindergarten like it was yesterday. The room was bright, my bulletin boards were Pinterest-perfect, and I had my lesson plans created with activities I knew the students would love. But by Day 3, something wasn’t quite clicking.
I had a sweet group of kids, full of energy and wide-eyed excitement. But by the time we got to the afternoon they were already wiggling in their seats, zoning out, and whispering across the rug. I caught myself saying, “Okay, let’s just get through this activity…” and that was my red flag.
I realized I was doing most of the talking, most of the thinking, and frankly… most of the fun. My students needed to do, build, test, and explore. That’s when I leaned into STEM and everything changed.
I wish I could say everything went perfectly from then on, but I still didn’t know what I was doing. So let me help you not make some of the same mistakes that I did. Let me set you up for success with some intro STEM lessons to get your class started this year.
#1 STEM Scavenger Hunt
When introducing STEM to your new K-2 students, you want to make sure they have an understanding that STEM activities can be interdisciplinary. They should be able to notice and understand that science, technology, engineering, and math are a major part of their classroom environment.
One way to show students this is to allow them to explore their classroom to find examples of each branch of STEM. This can be done through the STEM Scavenger hunt and it’s perfect for the first week.
A scavenger hunt gets students up out of their seats and moving around the classroom. It allows them to explore their surroundings and feel a part of the community.
#2 Build a Tower, Engineering Design Challenge
Engineers create solutions to problems. They brainstorm, create plans (blueprints), make corrections, and reflect on their work. We want students to go through this process many times in order to understand the steps.
Failure is also part of this process which can be very challenging for students in the beginning stages of STEM activities. I’ve got a few books to recommend if you need some examples in my 5 Unique STEM Picture Books post.
In this engineering design challenge, students will design a blueprint for a tower. They should include ideas of how to build the tower upwards without toppling over. Picture here is an example of a tower using magna-tiles but you can always use disposable things like cardboard or paper towel rolls.
#3 Sink or Float, Density Lab
Okay so this is my toddler’s favorite game but we can relate it to K-2 science standards around matter and density.
What’s better, is that this is an easy lab to set up for your students. You just need a clear container, random objects, and a recording sheet to keep track of the results.
Just make sure to explain that things that float are LESS DENSE than water and things that sink are MORE DENSE. This is how you can relate it to properties of matter.
#4 Maze Design, Force & Motion Lab
This maze design combines a few STEM activities into one. Students LOVE this one! So many giggles.
Anyway, what you’re going to have students do is first create a maze. Pictured here are Legos creating the walls of the maze. But other ideas include blocks, cardboard, or any other materials you can think of. I always try to use what is available to me in my classroom.
Students will then receive a straw and a small marble or ping pong ball to blow through the maze. Have students draw their mazes as a blueprint before designing it with the supplies.
If you’re in need of supplies, I have a freebie for a supply list to ask families to donate. Grab it here.
#5 Investigating Shadows & Light Properties
Have you ever turned off the lights at the end of the day because you’re hoping students will quiet down? Or is that just me? Well if that’s something you’ve done before, let’s do it with a little science.
Give student groups a flashlight and a small figurine. Toy animals or blocks work great in this instance. Then have students investigate how the shadow “changes shape” when changing the angle.
I can tell you even my 6th graders enjoyed this activity when we were investigating properties of light this year. So I know the early elementary students will love it too!
Make it even better with allowing students to trace their work when shining from above and from the side. This can be explained how our shadows grow longer during dawn/dusk and are shorter around noon.
STEM Explorer Week Freebie
You’ve seen the activities, now is the time to download your free copy of all FIVE first week activities for your early elementary classroom.
This print-and-go pack includes:
✅ 5 simple, hands-on STEM challenges (one for each day)
✅ Printable worksheets and observation charts
✅ A ready-made supply list
✅ Mini-lesson prompts and learning objectives
✅ Perfect for Grades K–2
