Christmas STEM Challenge Cards

Not sure what holiday-inspired activity you want to do this week? Why not add these fun Christmas STEM Challenge Cards to your schedule to get your kids thinking outside the box?

You can have a ton of fun learning with Christmas science activities.

STEM activities are fun because they get the child thinking, planning, using strategy, and building skills to come up with a solution to a problem.

What’s fun about these challenge cards is that they’re all Christmas-themed, and you can always have fun once it involves Santa and some elves.

two printed pages of Christmas STEM Challenge Cards

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Christmas Facts for Kids That You Might Not Know

Here are some fun and surprising facts about Christmas traditions that you and your kids might not know!

  1. Did you know that Santa’s red suit became super popular because of Coca-Cola ads? Before that, he wore suits of different colors like green and tan!
  2. Ever wonder where candy canes come from? They were originally invented to keep kids quiet during long church services. Plus, their shape represents a shepherd’s crook!
  3. Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer wasn’t always part of the Christmas gang. He was created in 1939 as a marketing idea for a department store! Now, he’s a star.

Do you love Christmas? So do I. Enjoy any of these Christmas books with your kids, and see if you can come up with a STEM challenge to go along with the book.

Little Red Sleigh: A Heartwarming Christmas Book For ChildrenLittle Red Sleigh: A Heartwarming Christmas Book For ChildrenDasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas ForeverDasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas ForeverHow to Catch an ElfHow to Catch an ElfA Silly Milly Christmas (The Silly Milly the Dane Collection)A Silly Milly Christmas (The Silly Milly the Dane Collection)The Magic of Friendship SnowThe Magic of Friendship SnowA Gift to RememberA Gift to Remember

 

two printed pages of Christmas STEM Challenge Cards

What is the purpose of STEM challenges?

STEM activities are beneficial to students because they build on so many skills.

My daughter has always said that she’d like to be an engineer. How do you even begin to prepare a child for that? There’s so much that goes into learning to be an engineer.

Science, technology, engineering, and math skills all go hand in hand. When your child learns technology, they learn to keep up with the new tech that is available, while if you refuse to learn, you get lost behind in the times.

This is why my 8-year-old can work on my TV, and I can’t.

Science and math enhance one another, mainly if you’re talking chemistry and physics. I love knowing that girls are working in this field because it can be heavier, but girls in science rock!

Did you love these STEM challenge cards? Don’t stop there. Grab one of these STEM project books or read about an engineer to help inspire your kids.

STEAM Kids: 50+ Science / Technology / Engineering / Art / Math Hands-On Projects for KidsSTEAM Kids: 50+ Science / Technology / Engineering / Art / Math Hands-On Projects for KidsAwesome Engineering Activities for Kids: 50+ Exciting STEAM Projects to Design and Build (Awesome STEAM Activities for Kids)Awesome Engineering Activities for Kids: 50+ Exciting STEAM Projects to Design and Build (Awesome STEAM Activities for Kids)100 Easy STEAM Activities: Awesome Hands-On Projects for Aspiring Artists and Engineers100 Easy STEAM Activities: Awesome Hands-On Projects for Aspiring Artists and EngineersRosie Revere, EngineerRosie Revere, EngineerSTEM Starters for Kids Robotics Activity Book: Packed with Activities and Robotics FactsSTEM Starters for Kids Robotics Activity Book: Packed with Activities and Robotics FactsZoey and Sassafras Books 1-6 PackZoey and Sassafras Books 1-6 Pack

 

a page of Christmas STEM Challenge Cards on a table

What skills are developed in STEM?

Your kids learn to be innovative and get creative using their problem-solving skills. They learn through trial and error and can persist as they work through their problems.

Because things won’t always work on the first try, they learn to experiment as they add more weight or have to take it off to see if their boat will float.

They learn to make adjustments and adapt.

Give your kids a challenge and see how their brain starts working.

They have come up with some of the most creative solutions I would never have considered.

If you’re a busy mom, you can easily grab these fun STEM kits that come with all the necessary supplies and instructions. How convenient!

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Science Magic Kit – Science Kit for Kids with 100+ Unique Experiments and Magic Tricks, Chemistry Set and STEM Project, A Great Gift for Boys and Girls (Amazon Exclusive)NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Science Magic Kit – Science Kit for Kids with 100+ Unique Experiments and Magic Tricks, Chemistry Set and STEM Project, A Great Gift for Boys and Girls (Amazon Exclusive)STEM Robotics Science Kits for Kids Age 8-12 8-10, Robot Building Kit STEM Toys for Boys Girls Science Experiments 6-8 5-7 Engineering Projects STEAM Activities Gifts 6 7 8 Year Old Boy Toys Craft KitSTEM Robotics Science Kits for Kids Age 8-12 8-10, Robot Building Kit STEM Toys for Boys Girls Science Experiments 6-8 5-7 Engineering Projects STEAM Activities Gifts 6 7 8 Year Old Boy Toys Craft KitSnap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit, Over 100 Projects, Full Color Project Manual, 28 Parts, STEM Educational Toy for Kids 8 +Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit, Over 100 Projects, Full Color Project Manual, 28 Parts, STEM Educational Toy for Kids 8 +STEM Science Kits for Kids Ages 8-12 5-7, STEM Kits for Kids Ages 8-10, Wood Building Crafts Kits for Boys 6-8, STEM Engineering Toys for Boys 8 10 12 14 Years Old, Science Experiment Projects 9-12STEM Science Kits for Kids Ages 8-12 5-7, STEM Kits for Kids Ages 8-10, Wood Building Crafts Kits for Boys 6-8, STEM Engineering Toys for Boys 8 10 12 14 Years Old, Science Experiment Projects 9-12Teach Tech “Hydrobot Arm Kit”, Hydraulic Kit, STEM Building Toy for Kids 12+Teach Tech “Hydrobot Arm Kit”, Hydraulic Kit, STEM Building Toy for Kids 12+NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Amazing Chemistry Set - Chemistry Kit with 100+ Science Experiments Including Crystal Growing and Reactions, Science Kit for Kids, STEM Gift for Boys and Girls (Amazon Exclusive)NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Amazing Chemistry Set – Chemistry Kit with 100+ Science Experiments Including Crystal Growing and Reactions, Science Kit for Kids, STEM Gift for Boys and Girls (Amazon Exclusive)

 

two printed pages of Christmas STEM Challenge Cards

How to do STEM activities at home?

Start collecting garbage. Yep, that’s the best way to get started. We have a big junk box where we keep toilet paper rolls, empty plastic bottles and caps, egg cartons, bubble wrap boxes, cartons, and anything else you can find around the home.

Along with junk, you can find any of these supplies below from the dollar store, which is a cheap way to stock your STEM supplies.

Supplies for STEM Challenges

  • Popsicle sticks
  • Pom poms
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Newspaper
  • Tape (of any kind)
  • Glue
  • Cotton swabs
  • Cotton balls
  • Plastic cups
  • Straws
  • Toothpicks
  • Gumdrop candies
  • Marshmallows
  • Cardstock
  • Scissors
  • String
  • Yarn
  • Tissue paper
  • Scrap paper
  • Egg cartons
  • Balloons
  • Sponges
  • Aluminum foil
  • Blocks
  • Toilet paper rolls/paper towel rolls
  • Playdough
  • Index cards
  • Cotton balls

200pcs 20colors, Pipe Cleaners, Chenille Stems, Pipe Cleaners for Crafts, Pipe Cleaner Crafts, Art and Craft Supplies200pcs 20colors, Pipe Cleaners, Chenille Stems, Pipe Cleaners for Crafts, Pipe Cleaner Crafts, Art and Craft SuppliesPlay-Doh Bulk 10-Pack Case of Assorted Colors, Christmas Stocking Stuffers, Party Favors for Girls & Boys, Kids Arts & Crafts, Preschool Toys, Ages 2+ (Amazon Exclusive)Play-Doh Bulk 10-Pack Case of Assorted Colors, Christmas Stocking Stuffers, Party Favors for Girls & Boys, Kids Arts & Crafts, Preschool Toys, Ages 2+ (Amazon Exclusive)MR.SIGA Non-Scratch Cellulose Scrub Sponge, Dual-Sided Dishwashing Sponge for Kitchen, 12 PackMR.SIGA Non-Scratch Cellulose Scrub Sponge, Dual-Sided Dishwashing Sponge for Kitchen, 12 PackReynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil, 50 Square Feet (Packaging May Vary)Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil, 50 Square Feet (Packaging May Vary)DecorRack 300 Small Cotton Balls for Make-Up, Nail Polish Removal, Pet Care, Applying Oil Lotion or Powder, Made from 100% Pure & Natural Cotton, Soft and Absorbent for Household Needs (300 Count)DecorRack 300 Small Cotton Balls for Make-Up, Nail Polish Removal, Pet Care, Applying Oil Lotion or Powder, Made from 100% Pure & Natural Cotton, Soft and Absorbent for Household Needs (300 Count)Colored Tissue Paper for Gift Bags, Colored Tissue Paper for Crafts, Gift Wrapping Tissue Paper Bulk - 375 Sheets in 36 Assorted Colors (12 in x 8.4 in)Colored Tissue Paper for Gift Bags, Colored Tissue Paper for Crafts, Gift Wrapping Tissue Paper Bulk – 375 Sheets in 36 Assorted Colors (12 in x 8.4 in)

 

Check out these fun Christmas printables for an engaging lesson this jolly season.

pages of Little Learners Print & Go Activity Kit Christmas
Christmas Letter Find printable pages

Christmas STEM Activities Included in this Printable

Now, let’s check out some activities included in this STEM printable! Each activity combines creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on design to keep kids entertained while boosting their STEM skills.

Make a Christmas Ornament

Experiment with different materials and shapes to create a unique ornament for the tree. It’s a crafty way to explore geometry and engineering.

Build a Bed for an Elf

Put your child’s design and construction skills to the test by crafting a cozy bed for Santa’s tiniest helpers.

Design a Pop-Up Card

Get artistic and inventive by designing a card that pops to life, teaching some mechanics along the way.

Build a Wreath

Use supplies from home to assemble a festive wreath while learning about structure and symmetry.

Design a Snowflake

Discover the magic of patterns and symmetry by creating detailed and unique snowflakes.

And Twenty-Five More!

There’s no limit to the holiday-inspired STEM exploration your kids can enjoy! These activities are perfect for keeping kids engaged and inspired during the Christmas break, blending education with holiday cheer!

More Christmas Activities

You need to try these cool activities this holiday season.

See the other activities in the Fun Holiday Homeschool Activities series.

one page of Christmas STEM Challenge Cards placed on a table

Don’t just save these to your computer; print them out, find your junk supplies, and get started with your Christmas STEM activities.

Download the Christmas STEM Challenge cards PDF below

2 Comments

  1. Maria Teresa says:

    Thanks for your fantastic ideas.

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