Brain STEM Activities

When it comes to learning about the brain, hands-on activities are the most effective way to make the information stick. In this Brain STEM Activities list, I’ve gathered some of our favorite experiments, crafts, and worksheets that will keep your kids learning and having fun.

If you’ve already browsed my list of Human Body Activities for Kids, then you know how much we enjoy learning through play around here. The brain has always fascinated my older two, and we’ve had lots of giggles and curious questions during these activities.

Whether you’re studying the nervous system or want to add something new to your science lessons, this collection is full of ideas that cover a wide age range. Keep scrolling for brainy activities your kids will remember long after the lesson is over.

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Curious Brain Facts You May Not Know

The brain isn’t just a thinking machine. It’s a powerhouse of weird and wonderful functions. Here are a few unexpected facts we discovered that really got my kids talking:

• Your brain uses about 20% of your body’s total energy. Although it weighs just around 3 pounds, it requires a significant amount of fuel to function daily.
• The brain can process information at a rate of up to 268 miles per hour. That’s faster than a Formula 1 race car speeding down the track.
• Babies have more neurons than adults. As we grow, our brain prunes the ones we don’t need, keeping only the strongest connections.

Recommended Human Body Books

Books are a great way to expand on brain studies, and I always keep a few solid human body titles on our shelf to pair with hands-on activities.

Inside Out Human Brain: Explore Inside Your Body’s Super Computer (Inside Out, Chartwell)My Book of the Human Body: For Kids Ages 6-12.The Big Beautiful Brain: Neuroscience For Kids: Human Anatomy For Children Who Want To Become DoctorsHuman Body! (Knowledge Encyclopedias)Inside Out Human Body: Explore the World’s Most Amazing Machine-You!First Human Body Encyclopedia (DK First Reference)

 

Why should kids study the brain?

Understanding how the brain works provides children with a deeper understanding of their thought processes, emotions, and learning abilities. It’s also a fantastic way to connect science to everyday life.

• Builds self-awareness – Kids can understand their emotions and reactions better.
• Improves focus – Knowing how attention works helps them manage distractions.
• Encourages healthy habits – They see why sleep, movement, and food choices matter.
• Boosts critical thinking – It helps them think about how they approach problem-solving and decision-making.

Recommended Human Body Printables

My printable packs make it super easy to keep the learning going without tons of prep. We’ve used these for unit studies, quiet time activities, and even review sessions.

Supplies You Might Need for These Human Brain Activities

Here are a few things we like to have on hand when doing these activities:

• Playdough or modeling clay
• Cardboard or thick paper
• Crayons, markers, and colored pencils
• Scissors and glue
• Jello mix
• Plastic containers or trays
• Ice cube trays
• Printer (I have this one)

I have the HP printer 8710, but it’s not available anymore. It’s been running well for years now. Look for another HP Instant Ink-ready printer so that you can use their program to send you ink cartridges whenever your printer gets low on ink.

Human Body Kits Worth Buying

Kits are great when you want everything in one place. I keep a few on hand for rainy days or when I want to mix things up a bit.

Be Amazing! Toys Interactive Human Body Fully Poseable Anatomy Figure – 14” Tall Human Body Model for Kids – Anatomy Kit – Removable Muscles, Organs and Bones STEM Kids Anatomy Toy – Ages 8+Thames & Kosmos Gross Anatomy: Make-Your-Own Squishy Human Body STEM Experiment Kit | Make Colorful Models of Human Organs with Slime & Putty | Fun, Tactile Intro to Human Anatomy | 5 Cool ActivitiesSmartLab Toys Squishy Human Body, Multicolor, StandardLearning Resources Anatomy Models Bundle Set, Brain, Body, Heart, Skeleton, Classroom Demonstration Tools, Teacher Accessories, Grades 8+, Ages 3+The Magic School Bus:A Journey into the Human Body3D Organ Toy Set, Human Body Anatomy Awareness Teaching Tools, Preschool Educational Organ Plush Toys, Science Learning Kits for Kids for Home School Teaching Aids (Organ Toy)

 

Skills Kids Build from Brain Activities

These brain-themed ideas aren’t just fun, they build useful skills, too. Here are just a few things your kids will practice:

• Observation: They learn to notice details while labeling or building models.
• Fine motor skills: Cutting, coloring, and modeling strengthen those hand muscles.
• Scientific thinking: Experiments encourage predicting, testing, and evaluating.
• Vocabulary: Learning terms like cerebrum, neuron, and cortex helps them communicate clearly.

Want More Human Body Activities?

There’s always something new to explore when it comes to body systems. Here’s where you can find even more ways to keep your homeschool science exciting.

• Brain Crafts for Kids
• Human Brain Activities for Kids
• Human Anatomy Games for Kids
• The Human Heart Worksheet by 3 Boys and a Dog
• Human Body Systems Worksheets by Homeschool of 1

Learning about the brain doesn’t have to be boring. These hands-on brain projects kept my kids engaged, asking questions, and most importantly, remembering what they learned.

Whether you’re in the middle of a unit study or just want something new for science, I hope these brain STEM ideas give your homeschool a boost.