Fun STEM activities for World Environment Day 2024

Learning about environmental issues can be tough for kids to grasp, but hands-on activities like the ones below make it easier and more engaging. These activities are powerful tools to help the younger generation understand and think about how to become responsible world citizens.

Let's get started with some activities that you can easily do at home with things you probably already have. These projects are a great way to teach kids about recycling, sustainability and taking care of our environment. 

1. Water clocks

What you need:

• Paper cup
• Plastic bottle lid (from a milk bottle or similar)
• String or wool
• Small bell
• Toothpick
• Glass jar
• Lollypop stick
• Scissors

How to do it:

1. Use the toothpick or scissors to make a small hole in the center of the paper cup base and the plastic bottle lid.
2. Measure the string to the length of the cup and add a bit extra for tying.
3. Thread the string through the plastic bottle lid, tie a large knot at the top to keep it from falling through, and attach the bell to the other end.
4. Place the paper cup on top of a glass jar (to collect water). Balance the lollypop stick across the cup's mouth.
5. Fill the cup with water, place the plastic bottle lid in the water so it floats and balance the bell on the lollypop stick.
6. Start the timer! When the water runs out, the lid sinks, and the bell falls— time’s up!
7. Try experimenting with different hole sizes and liquids such as milk and oil to see how it changes the timing. Predict how long it will take and then see how close you are.

2. Cleaning polluted water experiment

What you need:

• 2 glass jars
• Paper cup
• Dirty water
• 4 coffee filters
• Sand
• Gravel

How to do it:

1. Talk about where water comes from and how it’s cleaned.
2. Collect a dirty water sample from a local pond or river.
3. Make a small hole in the bottom of the paper cup and line it with coffee filters.
4. Add a layer of gravel to the filters, followed by a layer of sand.
5. Place the cup inside the top of the second jar.
6. Pour the dirty water into the cup and observe as clean water trickles into the second jar.
7. Experiment with different materials to see what cleans the water best!

3. Creating sea cleaning contraptions

What you need:

• Computer or tablet with internet
• Plain paper
• Drawing and colouring pencils

How to do it:

1. Look up age-appropriate images and articles about water pollution.
2. Discuss the problems and brainstorm solutions.
3. Design a contraption to help remove plastic from the sea. 
4. Label your design and write a short description of how it works.

4. Bath bombs

What you need:

• 250g bicarbonate of soda
• 50g citric acid
• 2 tablespoons of water
• Child-friendly essential oils (optional)
• Bath bomb moulds

How to do it:

1. Mix the bicarbonate of soda and citric acid in a bowl. Add essential oils if using.
2. Slowly add water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix to form a clump.
3. Fill the mould, then gently remove the bath bomb once it’s shaped.
4. Let it air dry for 24 hours.
5. Estimate how long it will take the bath bombs to stop fizzing in the bath.
6. Add small sea animal toys to the centre of the bath bomb such as endangered sea life and devise a plan to save them faster.