May is a weird time for learning, because kids are (usually) still in school, but no one wants to be!
In May, we like to keep our May STEM activities fun, engaging, and filled with outdoor activities as much as possible.
As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers” and we love learning about flowers and other things in the outdoors during May.
You don’t have to be a STEM expert to do these super fun May STEM activities for kids.
Keep reading to learn a little bit more about why we love tying our STEM activities to the season and month and to find the list of May STEM challenges that elementary kids will love!
May STEM Challenges Elementary Kids Will Love!
In May, kids are anxious to get outdoors, so many of our May STEM activities are outdoor-based, or can be done outdoors.
In this list of STEM activities for May, we’ve included 8 STEM challenges that are fun for kids to try during the month of May.
Try these activities outside for even more fun during May learning!
If you don’t want to have to hunt down the instructions for each of these projects, get the May STEM pack!
What Are Some May STEM Themes?
A STEM activity includes elements of science, technology, engineering (sometimes art), and math.
If you need more info on how to set up a STEM activity, you can check out our guide on how to teach STEM at home or how to teach STEM in the classroom.
In May, there are a lot of STEM themes you can learn with, including severe weather, spring, gardening, flowers, insects, outdoor activities, robots, and dinosaurs!
We love learning outside as much as possible in May, because the weather is so nice and it isn’t too hot.
So, any STEM activity that can be done outside is a plus in our book!
What Do I Need for May STEM Challenges?
If you want to try these May STEM activities, you’ll want to have some of these supplies on hand.
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Learn & Climb Kids Science Kit – Over 60 Experiments, Fun with Science!Scientific Explorer Scientific Explorer Magic Science for Wizards Only Kids Science KitCIRO solar robot kit 12 in 1 educational STEM learning science building toys for kids age 8-12Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit, Kids Building Projects Kits, Stem Engineering Toys for Kids 8+Soap & Bath Bomb Making Kit for Kids – 3-in-1 Spa Science Kits For Kids : Complete Soap Making Kit & Make Your Own Bath Bombs, Soap & Bath Scrubs : Kids Science Kit For Kids – Gift for Girls and BoysScientific Explorer Disgusting Science KitLearn & Climb Erupting Volcano Science Kit for Kids- 15 Experiments!Klutz Lego Chain Reactions Science & Building Kit, Age 84M 4605 Water Rocket Kit – DIY Science Space Stem Toys Gift for Kids & Teens, Boys & GirlsGiggleway Electric Motor Robotic Science Kits, DIY STEM Toys for kids, Building Science Experiment Kits for Boys and Girls-Doodling, Balance Car, Reptile Robot (3 kits)2Pepers Electric Motor Robotic Science Kits for Kids (4-in-1), DIY STEM Toys Kids Science Experiment Kits, Building Educational Robotics Kit for Boys and Girls,Circuit Engineering Science Project KitsLearn & Climb Science Kit for Kids – Set Includes Over 65 Science Experiments + Scientist Name tag!Dino Soap Making Kit for Kids – Dinosaur Science Kit for Kids : Great Gift for Girls and BoysLight-up Crystal Growing Science Experiments Kit for Kids – Grow Your Own Crystals and Make Them Glow : Best Gifts for Kids, Boys & Girls – STEM Toys – Crystal Making Science Kits – (Red White Blue)Thames & Kosmos Simple Machines Science Experiment & Model Building Kit, Introduction to Mechanical Physics, Build 26 Models to Investigate The 6 Classic Simple MachinesThe Mason Jar Scientist: 30 Jarring STEAM-Based Projects
You can also use a lot of materials that you already have at home. Check out how to set up a STEM center at home here. You can also check out our complete list of recommended STEM supplies to stock at home or in the classroom.
Easy May STEM Activities
Kids will have a blast making and doing these exiting May STEM challenges. Don’t forget to pick up your copy of these May STEM activity prompts!s!
Try transforming dinosaurs into salt crystals!
Make a scribble robot that draws or paints!
Plant flowers and watch them grow!
See how far you can spit watermelon seeds for a fun STEAM twist on this classic activity!
Make a basketball shooter for a fun engineering project.
Build a structure that is earthquake-proof.
Transform hopscotch into a fun math game!
Make a simple DIY bird feeder! (video)
More May Science Activities to Try
If you like the activities listed above, you may also want to try these other fun spring science experiments that you can do in May.
Make your own recycled paper.
Make a walking rainbow.
Identify cloud types and make your own puff paint clouds.
Test soil to determine which kind is best for growing seeds.
Make a 3D model of a butterfly.