4 STEM Ideas for Retro Summer Fun

Summertime has always been prime time for childhood fun. It’s also the perfect time for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) learning! Through experimentation and guided play, you and your child can share engaging learning experiences anywhere. In fact, many of the nostalgic summer activities we remember from our own childhoods involved chemistry, creativity, innovative thinking and, of course, science!

To help you spark your child’s curiosity while getting them outside and active, we have curated a list of four fun, retro activities that bring STEAM concepts to life.

1. Make a Homemade Solution for Big Bubbles

Bubbles have been a fun summer activity for generations. Whether you want to watch them float, try to pop them before they hit the ground or carefully catch one in your hand, these glistening, colorful spheres offer easy activities for even the smallest of outdoor spaces. While you can find bubble solution at many stores, you also can make your own solution for bubbles that are bigger and more durable!

Practice mixing and measuring common household ingredients with this giant bubble recipe from Macaroni Kid. Then, encourage your child to get creative as they build a giant bubble wand to take this activity to the next level.

2. Explore Citrusy Science by Making Lemonade

Lemonade stands are a well-known way for young entrepreneurs to practice everything from math, by working with money, to communication skills, by interacting with customers. If a lemonade stand isn’t your jam, don’t worry! You still can learn the science behind this beloved summer beverage by making a pitcher of lemonade to share with those in your home.

This video from the Toronto Public Library takes you step by step through the process of making lemonade from scratch. It also explains the chemical reaction that occurs when you add basic baking soda to acidic lemon juice!

3. Get Creative With DIY Sidewalk Art

Is your child a budding artist, rainbow enthusiast or professional mess-maker? They’ll love this modern spin on a classic activity — concocting their own sidewalk chalk paint. Let your child embrace their creativity by making bold, colorful masterpieces that can be washed away by the next rain or a garden hose. Just start with a small test patch to make sure there is no staining.

This recipe calls for three simple ingredients that you may already have at home: corn starch, food coloring and water. To take the learning up a level, grab a few bottles of food coloring and let your child practice color theory. What does mixing different colors do? How can you get different shades of the same color? Does the amount of food coloring change the vibrancy of the paint?

4. Learn Chemistry by Catching Fireflies

When the sun begins to set in the summer, you may see a parade of small, flickering lights dancing across your yard — fireflies! Chasing these small beetles and gently guiding them to land in your hand or in a jar (with holes for air and a damp paper towel) is a fun pastime on warm evenings. But did you know these little creatures are practicing chemistry as they put on a light show for you each night? It’s true! Smithsonian magazine tells us that fireflies produce their own light through a chemical reaction that occurs inside them, making them bioluminescent. They use their light to communicate with other fireflies and to let predators know they’re not a tasty snack.

We encourage you to observe the way they light up and interact. You may want to try tallying the number of times one firefly lights up in a specific span of time versus another or look for specific patterns in the way they light up. Imagine what they might be trying to communicate to other fireflies in the area through their light! Just remember to release them before you head in for the night, so they can return for their encore the following day.

Keep the Fun Going!

To uncover additional ways to bring STEAM learning to life for your child, we invite you to check out the awesome activities on our blog.