Health STEM Activities
I love when we can blend learning and hands-on fun at home. Here is a list of Health STEM Activities, which helped me greatly in teaching my kids about health and hygiene. It’s a topic that doesn’t always get the spotlight, but it’s one of the most practical areas we can teach our kids about.
Before we go any further, you should check out my Health and Hygiene Activities for Kids collection. It’s where I gather all the activities and ideas in one place to make it easier for busy moms like us.
If you’re looking for something educational that also keeps your kids engaged, stick around. I’m sharing some of our favorite STEM-based health activities, interesting facts, book and product recommendations, and fun discussion topics.
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Fascinating Facts About Health and Hygiene
We all know the basics, but here are a few surprising things I learned while teaching my kids about health and hygiene:
- Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. Despite its strength, it can’t repair itself once it’s damaged.
- Hand sanitizer isn’t always your best bet. It doesn’t work well against certain germs, and good old soap and water usually do a better job.
- Your heart beats around 100,000 times per day. That’s a lot of cardio, even when you’re just sitting around.
Recommended Healthy Body Books for Kids
If you’re looking for a great way to get kids curious about their bodies, some fun and age-appropriate books explain complex ideas in a way they can understand.
I Can Take Care of My Body (Healthy Me)The Busy Body Book: A Kid’s Guide to FitnessThe Little Book of Healthy Habits: (Introduction for Children to Healthy Habits, Smart Choices, Healthy Eating and Lifestyle, Benefits of Sleep, Good Daily Routines for Kids Ages 3 10, )Oh, The Things You Can Do That Are Good for You! All About Staying Healthy (The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library)My Very Hungry Happy Tummy (The Brilliant Body Series)A Kids Book About Healthy Habits
Why do kids need to learn about health and hygiene?
Understanding how their bodies work and how to care for them helps kids build lifelong habits.
- Builds independence: When kids learn to brush properly or wash their hands, they start taking ownership of their routines.
- Supports overall well-being: Healthy habits help prevent sickness and keep their energy up.
- Connects with real-world science: Apply biology and chemistry principles in everyday life.
Recommended Human Body Printable Packs
If you’re homeschooling or just looking to add a bit more structure, I highly recommend these printable resources. They cover key topics in a fun and engaging format that my older kids have really enjoyed.
Supplies You Might Need for These Health Experiments
Here are a few basics you’ll want to keep on hand for many of these activities:
- clear plastic cups
- soap
- glitter
- eggs
- toothbrushes
- vegetable oil
- cotton balls
- stopwatch or timer
- small mirrors
- paper towels
- and more (depending on the activity)
Recommended Human Body Kits
These kits are a lifesaver when you want all the needed tools in one place. They eliminate guesswork when prepping for each activity.
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 Activities21pcs Human Body Xrays for Kids Educational Set | X Rays for Classroom | Toddler X Ray Toy | Skeleton Xray | X-Ray Science Kit |STEM/STEAM Science Materials for Classroom & Home | Size 33.85GobiDex Gross Science Experiments – Brain Dissection, Snot Making & Glowing Heart, Human Anatomy Science Kit for Kids, Educational STEM Toys, Birthday Gifts for Boys & Girls Ages 8-12hand2mind Science Kit Head to Toe Human Body, STEM Activities for Kids Ages 5-7, STEM Toys, Slime Kit, Kids Storybook, Human Body for Kids, 10 at Home Science Experiments for KidsSkill Builders Science – Human BodyThe Young Scientists Club The Magic School Bus: Human Body Lab
Interesting Health Topics to Discuss for the Health Lessons
We usually start by asking a few questions at the table, and they love contributing their ideas.
- Germs and how they spread: This leads to many “ewww” moments and thoughtful habits.
- Why brushing teeth matters: Kids are amazed at how much damage sugar can do.
- Heart health and exercise: My older ones love using a timer to test their heart rate after running around.
Fun Health and Hygiene Activities to Try
Some of these activities get messy, others are more observational, but they’ve all been a hit in our house.
- Healthy and Unhealthy Food Activities for Kindergarten
- Healthy Food Group Worksheets
- Bacteria Worksheets
- Fast Food Color by Number by Homeschool Preschool
- Dental Health Cutting Sheets by 3 Boys and a Dog
I hope these fun and educational health STEM ideas give you fresh ideas for integrating science and health in your lessons. It’s not just about germs and hygiene but also about giving your kids real-world context for their learning. Honestly, I learned a few things right alongside them.