5 Hands-On Easter STEM Experiments Using Household Items Perfect for Pre-K to 2nd Grade

Easter is more than candy and egg hunts—it’s the perfect time to sneak in some STEM learning through play! These five easy experiments use materials you already have around the house or classroom and tie directly into STEM career skills like problem-solving, design thinking, and data collection.

Whether you're a teacher, parent, or after-school leader, these ideas are messy, meaningful, and made for early learners.

🥚 1. Fizzy Egg Reactions

STEM Concepts: Science + Math
Career Tie-In: Chemist, Lab Tech

Materials:

• Plastic Easter eggs or muffin tin

• Baking soda

• Vinegar

• Food coloring

• Dropper or spoon

Steps:

1. Fill eggs with baking soda and a few drops of food coloring.

2. Use a dropper to slowly add vinegar.

3. Watch the fizz and try different color combos!

What Kids Learn:

• Chemical reactions (acid + base)

• How gases form

• Measuring and predicting reactions

🍬 2. Jelly Bean Tower Challenge

STEM Concepts: Engineering + Math
Career Tie-In: Civil Engineer, Architect

Materials:

• Jelly beans

• Toothpicks

• Ruler

Steps:

1. Build the tallest or strongest tower with jelly beans + toothpicks.

2. Test its stability.

3. Measure and redesign!

What Kids Learn:

• Structure, balance, and measurement

• Trial-and-error in design

• Spatial reasoning

🧺 3. Egg Drop Test (Easter Edition)

STEM Concepts: Engineering + Science
Career Tie-In: Product Designer, Aerospace Engineer

Materials:

• Plastic egg or real egg

• Cotton balls, straws, tape, paper

• Drop zone

Steps:

1. Create a “safe landing” for your egg using soft materials.

2. Drop from a set height.

3. Observe and redesign!

What Kids Learn:

• Gravity and impact

• Problem-solving with real-world applications

• Safe design principles

🌈 4. Magic Growing Jelly Beans

STEM Concepts: Science + Math
Career Tie-In: Food Scientist, Biochemist

Materials:

• Clear cups

• Jelly beans

• Water, vinegar, saltwater, warm water

• Ruler

Steps:

1. Put jelly beans in different liquids.

2. Measure size before and after.

3. Record and compare changes.

What Kids Learn:

• Absorption and solubility

• Data tracking

• Scientific observation

🎨 5. Colorful Egg Spin Art

STEM Concepts: Science + Technology
Career Tie-In: Mechanical Engineer, Graphic Designer

Materials:

• Salad spinner

• Hard-boiled eggs or paper eggs

• Washable paint

Steps:

1. Place the egg or paper inside spinner.

2. Add drops of paint.

3. Spin and reveal your design!

What Kids Learn:

• Motion and centrifugal force

• Patterns and symmetry

• Cause and effect in simple machines

🧠 Wrap-Up:

These Easter STEM experiments go way beyond fun—they build real-life STEM skills used in careers across science, tech, and engineering. With just a few everyday items, you can help early learners explore the world like tiny scientists and engineers—without needing fancy equipment or extra prep time.

✅ Want More?

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